Mariela Tugores started investing and advising clients in Tulum Mexico more than 4 years ago. She has made many successful transactions in the area (I can personally refer her), with a vast experience in Tulum best developments like Aldea Zama, Vive Riviera Maya and Zama Village.
Mariela can be found at +52 55 5259 7346 (Mexico City) or mobile +52 1 55 1510.3210, email Mariela@Schimar.com, or you can check her website for the latest Tulum real estate opportunities: www.schimar.com
Akumal Investments is a realtor with a longstanding experience in the area, covering the south part of the Mayan Riviera. When investing in Tulum Mexico real estate is important to check with an experienced realtor to make sure your investment is protected and your price is fair.
The office is on the beach in Akumal Bay between the Lol Ha and the Beach Bar. Akumal Investmetns sell Real Estate from Puerto Aventuras to the Sian Ka an reserve. Akumal Investments is run by Russ Motley, who has lived in the area for 10 years.
Russ can be reached at 984-157-5762, email russ@marmx.com or at his website (check the Tulum real estate listings) AkumalInvestments.com
UPDATED: ZAMA VILLAGE CONDO BUILDING IS ALREADY FINISHED. RENT THE BEST PENTHOUSE CONDO AT ALDEA ZAMA HERE, 2-BEDROOMS 2-BATHROOMS, 2 PRIVATE JACUZZIS AND AN EXCLUSIVE ROOFGARDEN FOR JUST $700/WEEK (INAUGURATION PROMOTION)
The construction works at Zama Village are progressing very fast. With only 6 units left (out of 36), the building is already erected and even some thatched roof are already installed.
Zama Village will be the first condo building in Aldea Zama, and will most likely accelerate the development of other projects in the neighborhood. The developers of Zama Villa (Grupo Kaua, who share some of the owners of Aldea Zama) are already planning a second stage of Zama Village.
The real estate market in Tulum remains vibrant, with many developments under the way. The completion of Zama Village will be a good push for a market with many developments and few finished constructions.
Expectation for the re-launch of the Mayan Riviera Airport project is rising as Quintana Roo’s Governor, Mr Roberto Borge Angulo announced that he is expecting the head of the SCT (the federal Communitations and Transport secretariat) Dionisio Pérez-Jácome Friscione to visit the Mayan Riviera before the end of the month. The main purpose of the visit would be the airport project announcement.
Mr Angulo also commented on the recent approval by the Environment Secretariat (SEMARNAT) of a new highway, a 26 km (16 miles) detour that will circumvent the Tulum town and will have a 5.7km (3.5 miles) deviation leading into the new airport.
Last June 13th 2011, the under-secretary of Infrastructure Fausto Barajas confirmed that the international bidding process for the construction of the Mayan Riviera Airport (the Tulum Airport) will be re-launched after the failed auction of last May 20th. Mr Fausto Barajas confirmed the development of tourism infrastructure is high priority for the SCT (Transport and Communications Secretariat).
The announcement happened just after a meeting between the governor of the Quintana Roo state (where Tulum, Playa del Carmen and Cancun are located) Mr Roberto Borge Angulo and Dionisio Pérez Jácome, the head of the SCT.
The auction still does not have a date, the functionaries committed publicly to start working on that after the said announcement. The project has a priority in the federal agenda as the tourism sector represents just over 10% of Mexico’s GDP. The Mayan Riviera Airport project is estimated to cost some $270m, and there were at least 5 groups interested in the previous auction.
The Tulum (Mexico) Airport project is back and actively pushed by the Quintana Roo’s (the Mexican State where Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum are located) Roberto Borge Angulo. He had just (June 13th, 2011) had a meeting with the head of the SCT, the Federal Government transport secretariat, Mr. Dionisio Pérez Jácome to claim for a renewed bidding process. A former bidding process was declared “void” in May 2011 as according to the SCT none of the bidders complied with the technical requirements asked by the Federal Government.
Despite some people are suspicious the project could be a victim of a political struggle (the state is run by the PRI party, while the Federal Government is in the hands of the PAN party), the Tulum/Riviera Maya Airport project was sponsored by Juan Carlos Pereyra Escudero, a PRI state representative and supported unanimously by all the other parties in the Quintana Roo state, including the PAN.
You will not find many Tulum banks, but there are at least four ATMs in Tulum so you won’t have problems getting cash while you enjoy your holidays in the Mayan Riviera. These four ATMs belong to the main banks in Mexico, so fees are low compared to the “independent” ATMs that you find in delis and grocery stores in USA.
One Tulum ATM is located at the HSBC Bank Tulum Branch, right in the center of the Tulum town. The bank has extended office hours (8am through 7pm, Mondays through Saturdays), and the ATM is accessible 24/7. The HSBC Tulum ATM is located at downtown Tulum, at Tulum Avenue (main highway crossing the village) and Osiris street.
Another Tulum ATM is located at the parking lot of the San Francisco de Asis supermarket, on the crossroads of Avenida Tulum (the main highway) and the Boca Paila road (the road connecting Tulum town with the beach).
The Bancomer bank branch also has an ATM in downtown Tulum. It is located at Avenida Coba S/N (without number), stores 1 to 6, at the corner of Avenida Tulum Oriente. Opening hours: 8,30 am to 4pm.
Another ATM in Tulum is the Scotiabank branch, also located at Tulum downtown, at Avenida Tulum and Avenida Satelite Sur, opening 8,30 am – 4 pm mon-sat.
The Tulum ATMs accept all major cards, but the most efficient way to use them is with your Visa Electron card. Commissions are low, and the exchange rates you get are more convenient than exchanging cash with street brokers or banks.
It is always convenient to have some Mexican Pesos to pay for the small stuff. Most restaurants, cab drivers and shops would accept dollars and euros in Tulum, but paying in local currency will most likely be less expensive. Also, take into account that some smaller Tulum cabanas and hotels do not accept credit cards, or can give you up to 15% discount if you pay cash (always ask for a cash payment discount before showing your glitzy platinum card!).
Hotel Villa Matisse, located in the Tulum town, has been a budget lodging option for many travelers, and has become especially popular amongst divers.
Hotel Villa Matisse offers 6 simple and clean rooms that will make you feel comfortable if you are not looking for a fancy place. All 6 rooms have a private bathroom and a balcony, and the hotel has a cute little garden in the interior. Lourdes, the owner, has an excellent reputation for her warmth and the availability to provide with good local advise on restaurants, beaches and activities.
Bicycles are made available to guests, a great thing if you are staying in Tulum town as the beach is just 3 miles away (too far to walk but ideal for a pleasant bike ride).
Hotel Villa Matisse contact details:
Av. Satélite # 19, Tulum Town
Phone: +52 984 87 126 36 and +52 984 87 628 54
Email: shuvinito@yahoo.com
UPDATED: ZAMA VILLAGE CONDOS ARE ALREADY FINISHED AND AVAILABLE FOR VACATION RENTAL. RENT THE BEST TULUM CONDO, A 2 BEDROOM PENTHOUSE WITH PRIVATE JACUZZIS AND AN EXCLUSIVE ROOF GARDEN FOR JUST US$ 700 PER WEEK (INAUGURATION PROMOTION)
Zama Village, the first premium development inside Aldea Zama is almost sold out. According to the project developers, as of today (june 7th, 2011) there are only 9 condos left. Prices have already gone up by 12% due to the early success.
As a result of the accelerated sales, Grupo Kaua (the developers) are analyzing a second project similar to Zama Village. Certainly Zama Village is one of the best Tulum developments (probably the best).
For inquires on Zama Village, you can reach Mariela Tugores at mariela@schimar.com or +52155 1510 3210.
Vive Riviera Maya is one of the first developments on the jungle side of the road near Tulum (15 miles). Actually, Vive Riviera Maya’s closest town is Chemuyil, only 2 miles away from the development’s gates.
Vive Riviera Maya offers large lots of 1 hectare / 2.47 acres, of which 10%-20% can be urbanized. Most of the lots of the first phase are already sold, and the owners are waiting for the basic infrastructure to start building. There are already some 6-7 projects under construction and a luxury house fully constructed (see pictures in the gallery above).
Though the development is on the jungle side of the highway, the beaches of Xcacel-Xcacelito (a tortue sanctuary) are very near (5 miles) and connected to the Vive Riviera Maya road by a newly constructed bridge over the highway. Because of its jungle location, prices are really affordable, starting around $40.000 – $ 50.000. Jungle location, is yet a second best for the Mayan Riviera investors, as most of the development happens on the beach side of the highway, however I think it has some key advantages: a more natural environment, better protection against hurricanes and still close to the beach. For information on this development you can reach Mariela Tugores, a real estate agent with experience in the area at: mariela@schimar.com or +52155 1510 3210