Posts: 233
From: Cancun, Q.Roo Mexico
Registered: Dec 2000

posted 05-05-2005 07:12               

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1.- Lots of good things have happened since the new local and State governments took over here in Cancun the first part of April. More security, a restructuring of the local and State police departments, removal of corrupt police "comandantes," a new Comandante in the Hotel Zone and a crackdown on crime in general--whether committed by locals, tourists or the police department itself are some of the changes! After 2 months in Cancun, the machine-gun-toting "Federales" left town a couple of days ago as their presence was no longer felt necessary.
2.- There have been and will continue to be some scattered thunderstorms to cool down the extreme heat and put out the small brush fires in the countryside. (not to mention help out my newly planted tomatoes and chiles at the ranch)
3.- "Il Piacere"--great new authentic Italian restaurant with great service "caddycorner" from Plaza Las Americas downtown(Across from VIP's). Just great!! (No, I don't own part of it or even know who does! But I love their grilled calamari.)
4.- Currently the law prohibits the sale of alcohol one day before and during the election process. This always causes concern and problems for both local businesses and tourists in primarily tourist areas. Well, the Federal Government is abolishing the "Dry Law" for Federal elections. This opens the door for the States to do the same for State and Municipal elections. So by next year when we elect a new President in July, there should be no problem for those who wish to buy or sell alcohol during the process.
5.- Today is the 487th anniversary of the "discovery" of the island of "Cuzamil"(Island of Sparrows)by the Spanish. Of course the Mayans had discovered it long before!!
6.- BTW there will be direct flights to Cozumel every 2 weeks starting from May 8 through October from Manchester, U.K..
7.- Playa del Carmen is cleaning up la Quinta Avenida(5th Ave.)of travel agencies and timeshare reps. Letīs see how long that lasts.
8.- One of the Saudi Princes with his 52 wives, cooks, servants and other attendants are staying at the Ritz Carlton--actually on 4 floors of the hotel including the Presidential Suite at the top which was totally remodelled before his arrival. He decided to change from the FA Coral Beach where he has stayed for the last 6 years. He gets up around 2 p.m. and spends about 3 hours every day at the massage cabaņas on the beach and his nights (without his wives) at local nightclubs, massage parlours and strip joints. (How many of you guys out there could get away with that with your ONE wife??????)
9.- For those visiting Cancun, just as a "just in case"--there is a new first-class, first world hospital downtown by Plaza Las Americas called Hospiten. Gets a big thumbs up from me. Hope you don't need it. They are already planning to build one in the Riviera Maya too.
10.- Last week the first stone was laid for the Highrise condos of the new Puerto Cancun project on Bonampak Ave. I toured the property and checked them out. It is quite an impressive project and is scheduled to be finished in about a year and a half if I remember right. The first condos that is. The rest of the project of hotels, marinas, shopping centers and residences are more like a 10-year project.
11.- Today is Cinco de Mayo--a legal holiday here but celebrated more in Chicago and San Antonio than here!! More info at the link below. http://spanish.about.com/bl_cincodemayo.htm?nl=1

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Posts: 1041
From: Tonawanda, NY USA; own Villa del Mar, Pto. Vallarta; VCI & Royal Caribbean; Pelican, St Maarten; Swallowtail, Hilton Head; Oberstaufen, Germany.
Registered: Dec 2000

posted 05-05-2005 07:23               

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Thanks so much, Jim, for your updates. it's great to have someone on hand to keep us posted about the "goings-on" in Cancun.

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Posts: 867
From: Houston, TX PB Sunset Beach-Cabo; Mayan Palace (5); Omni-Cancun; Krystal-PVR; FF Points; Melia Playa Conchal-Costa Rica; Allegro-Cancun
Registered: Dec 2000

posted 05-05-2005 08:32               

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Jim,
Thanks for the updates! If I can't be in Cancun, at least I can hear about it from someone there!

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Posts: 31
From: Ct USA -own @ Craft Inn/VT & Orange Lake Country Club/FL
Registered: Jan 2005

posted 05-07-2005 05:04               

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Thanks- love your updates and look forward to more

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Posts: 252
From: New York
Registered: Jan 2001

posted 05-07-2005 13:28               

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Jim, Any info on the cost of the condos?
Thanks Helene

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Posts: 233
From: Cancun, Q.Roo Mexico
Registered: Dec 2000

posted 05-08-2005 03:42               

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Pricing of the Puerto Cancun condos starts at around $160,000 usd Here is some general info about the Cancun market and buying real estate in Mexico in general for non-Mexicans.
Info: http://www.mexconnect.com/mex_/realestatemexicoindex.html
http://www.cancuncd.com/cancun.php?pagina=pag10real.html
http://www.mexperience.com/property/prop_buying.htm

Local Real Estate sites:
http://www.naturalrealty.com/
http://www.century21cancun.com/
http://www.mexicanrealestate.com/

Local condos currently for sale:
http://www.viviun.com/AD-21859/ (Isla Mujeres)
http://www.naturalrealty.com/invest_in_cancun.htm
(Puerto Cancun, Las Olas and Bayview Grand)

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Posts: 2293
From: Northern CA Owner: Westin Ka'anapali & Sheraton Desert Oasis
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 05-09-2005 09:29               

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Hi Jim - Starwood recently announced that they are going to build a new timeshare resort in Cancun. Have you heard anything about it, or the location?
Thanks!

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Denise

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Posts: 233
From: Cancun, Q.Roo Mexico
Registered: Dec 2000

posted 05-10-2005 08:08               

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Build? Nope, haven't heard. There is a Sheraton here and I heard they will be taking the Westin over.

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Posts: 115
From: Nashua, NH - Own Royal Mayan (2), Royal Sands
Registered: Sep 2001

posted 05-26-2005 05:12               

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The rumor that I heard while down at the Royals last year was that Sheraton/Starwood where talking talking to the Royals regarding the VCI complex purchase. VCI lease is up next year. When I was down there this year I was told there may be some news on the fate of VCI in the June timeframe - but that the Royals where NOT going to try to keep it.

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Posts: 1041
From: Tonawanda, NY USA; own Villa del Mar, Pto. Vallarta; VCI & Royal Caribbean; Pelican, St Maarten; Swallowtail, Hilton Head; Oberstaufen, Germany.
Registered: Dec 2000

posted 05-26-2005 07:15               

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The VCI 30 year lease ends in 2007, not next year. Rumors have been floating for a few years as to who the potential buyer might be.
Some ideas I have heard, some more bizarre than others:
:: There is already a buyer

:: It will be sold to Disney or Marriott

:: The Royals will buy it back and resell the weeks to original owners with the residuals

::The Royals will sell this property and market a new property near Playa del Carmen, hoping to get VCI owners to re-invest their residuals in another Royal property. (My sales rep says it is only a rumor, but a friend who knows one of the higher-ups went down to Playa and saw the property, where they are clearing the land, and also has seen the building plans) It is close enough to Playa to not need the AI plan. I have named it the Royal Playa(but they didn't ask me)
:: The property wil be sold to a company which will offer it as a full-time ownership
:: Whoever buys it will demolish it and rebuild on the land

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Posts: 151
From: SE Minnesota, Royal Sands
Registered: Feb 2002

posted 05-26-2005 09:26               

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When we were there in March, our sales representative told us that she attended a meeting the day before about the new Royal Resort being built near Playa del Carmen. The name will be the Royal Hacienda and it will be north of the city of Playa. The decor will be old Spanish/Mexican sytle. Each balcony will have it's own jaccuzzi. It will be a large resort - she told us the number of units, but I can't remember now how many she said it would have. It is still in the early stages, they have no brochures or prices set yet. I wonder if they want to finish selling out the Royal Sands before they begin selling the new resort? She said they predict the Sands will be sold out by year-end.

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Posts: 246
From: New Hampshire Resorts: Club Internacional de Cancun, Royal Sands
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 05-26-2005 17:52               

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They have to sell VCI to the highest bidder, any rumor that contradicts that is wishful thinking.

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