Edition 13 - June 2008

www.mexicoliving.info Lucky No. 13

• • • • • • •

Mexican Dental Care with the Spa Treatment Gynecologist Making a Difference The San Felipe Hospital Saving Lives Cruz Roja (Red Cross) to the Rescue Healthcare Services in Mexico for U.S. Citizens Fly-In Medical Aid for Baja Mexico’s Junk Food Wars PLUS:

La Fonda Spa: Welcome to Baja’s Landmark Vacation Spot La Spa de Peñasco: World Class on the Sea of Cortez Go 2 Rocky Point For Fun & Health ANIMAL ADVOCACY in Baja Blues & Arts Forever! A Review & Thank you In Business: To The Top Elevators

FREE/GRATIS June / Junio 2008

a san

BIENVENIDO

felipe

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S A N

2 - The ONLY Monthly Guide to Northwest Mexico

F E L I P E

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4 - Welcome

Mexico Living Publishing Team San Felipe: 686-577-1377 Puerto Penásco: 638-109-4771

Website: www.mexicoliving.info Email: info@mexicoliving.info

Mexico Living Mexico Living Magazine’s Mission: We are committed to promoting Northwest Mexico to the limits of our abilities; to highlighting the amazing natural beauty, friendly John & Rachel Pack people, opportunities and lifestyles of one of the most unique places on Earth; and to showing that Northwest Mexico is a great place not only to visit and play, but also to live and work – a place to call home.

Mexico Living magazine is published by John Benjamin Pack, a Mexican business in San Felipe, Baja California, the home of publishers and owners John and Rachel Pack.

John and Rachel have spent years traveling the region falling in love with the people, the landscape and the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez). This is a way to combine their passion for travel, exploration, writing and photography with their desire to share their joy and showcase all the beauty and wonderful things to do and see in Baja California, Sonora and the northern Sea of Cortez, Mexico.

Published by John Benjamin Pack (dba Pack Publishing) ______ Publisher Rachel Pack, rachel@mexicoliving.info Editor John Pack, john@mexicoliving.info Operations Manager Lisa Shannon, lisa@mexicoliving.info Office Manager Armando Rubio, armando@mexicoliving.info Arts Editor Robin Waters, digitaldesignsbyrobin@gmail.com

USA: 800-576-0919 Ext. 3 Ensenada: 646-192-6965 Rachel Pack, rachel@mexicoliving.info Roberto Rodriguez, roberto@mexicoliving.info Jim Moore, jim@mexicoliving.info Kathy Preppernau, kathy@mexicoliving.info Writers Robin Waters, John Pack, Benjamin Eugene, Rachel Pack, Ron Saunders, Charlie Luse Photography Victor Rodriguez Ratliff, Ron Saunders, John Pack, Rachel Pack, Francisco Romos Victorio Contributors Denny & Sandi Flannigan

Golf Editor Hal “Paco” Clark, bajapaco@gmail.com

Distribution Armando Rubio, armando@mexicoliving.info

Sales Bill Maine, Sales Manager bill@mexicoliving.info

Hilda Chow Ensenada

USA Mailing Address: John Pack/Yetmail #460 PO Box 9019, Calexico, CA 92232

Mexico Mailing Address: John Pack/Yetmail #460 Av Mar de Cortez Sur #1049B San Felipe, B.C. Mexico 21850

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. All contributors and advertisers assume responsibility and liability for the accuracy of their statements and claims. All readers assume responsibility for actions or decisions they might make as a result of reading this publication. We reserve the right to refuse any advertising.

Table of Contents Welcome .................................................... 4 Northwest Map ........................................... 7 Centavo’s Two Cents ................................... 8 Blues & Arts Review ................................... 9 Calendar ................................................... 10 Tide Calendar ............................................ 13 Ensenada .................................................. 14 Ensenada .................................................. 15 Rosarito/Ensenada Lodging & Dining ......... 16 To The Top Elevators ................................. 18 La Fonda Spa ............................................ 20 San Felipe ................................................. 24 San Felipe Map ......................................... 25 San Felipe Lodging & Dining ...................... 16 Mexican Dental Care ................................. 28

The ONLY Monthly Guide to Northwest Mexico

Gynecologist Making A Difference ............. 30 Hospital San Felipe .................................... 32 Puerto Peñasco ........................................ 42 Puerto Peñasco Map ................................ 43 Puerto Peñasco Lodging & Dining ............. 44 La Spa de Penasco ................................... 45 Go 2 Rocky Point ..................................... 48 COVER: Healthcare ................................... 50 Cruz Roja (Red Cross) .............................. 54 Plans for Healthcare .................................. 55 Fly-In Medical Aid for Baja ........................ 56 Mexico’s Junk Food Wars ......................... 57 ANIMAL ADVOCACY in Baja ...................... 57 Real Estate Greensheets ............................ 58 Classifieds ............................................... 62

HECHO EN SAN FELIPE:

Mar de Cortez Natural Sea Salt Been looking for a true souvenir of San Felipe?

Need a gift for a friend or relative? We’ve found what you are looking for. A bottle of real San Felipe sea salt. A local company is processing gourmet quality, natural sea salt from our own Sea of Cortez.

The salt is packaged in a hand blown, marine blue, glass bottle with a grinder top so that you or the recipient of your gift can enjoy fresh ground natural sea salt. The embossed, hand painted labels are a work of art in themselves

and show the San Felipe arches. This “San Felipe” gift is available at the “Bravo” shop located in “La Plazita” across from Bancomer and at the “Chiles and Beer” restaurant.

In addition to the ‘Mar de Cortez Natural Sea Salt, they also have a Garlic Sea Salt with crushed roasted Mexican garlic. A flavor you’ll absolutely love.

For such unique gifts the pricing is quite reasonable at around $10 for the Natural Sea Salt with grinder top.

San Felipe’s Only Shopping Mall & Professional Building The Best Choice in San Felipe for specialty retail and professionals seeking a high traffic location.

• High Visability (Car de Cortez) • High Traffic (several businesses and a restaurant).

• Security (gated at night).

Call for information: 686-577-2119 Get more info: www.mexicoliving.info - 5

Yuma

Welcome to Northwest Mexico

San Diego Mexicali Rosarito Beach

Ensenada

A view of Sandy Beach Resorts from across the bay in old port Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point), Sonora, Mexico.

SEA OF CORTEZ Gulf of California PACIFIC OCEAN

San Felipe

Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point)

copyright John Benjamin Pack

T

he Mexican states of Baja California and Sonora make up Nor thwest Mexico as covered by our magazine. The region features an enormous diversity of landscapes like no place on ear th—a land of quiet, color ful deser ts, endless beaches, majestic mountains, forests, unexplained rock formations, brilliant clear skies, an average temperature of seventy-five degrees, and some of the most welcoming people in the world.

Nor thwest Mexico is the destination of choice for retirees, investors, entrepreneurs, travelers, and vacationers alike. The U.S. State Depar tment say more Americans retire in Mexico than any other place on the globe; 51% of all U.S. retirees who live outside of the U.S. live in Mexico.

Mexico is economical; the dollar goes fur ther here than it does in Europe, Canada, and the most popular destinations of Asia. The people of Mexico are accustomed to Americans and vice versa. Mexico welcomes American retirees and tourists and is increasingly prepared to offer the foods, goods, and services that Americans like and expect.

Whether you’re looking to retire, invest, vacation, or operate a business, Nor thwest Mexico is the place.

We hope our guide helps you to enjoy Nor thwest Mexico to the fullest. Explore!

TOURISM & VISITOR INFO Detailed information can be obtained from the following tourist offices: Mexico, visitmexico.com Baja California, State Tourism www. discoverbajacalifornia.com & www. turismobc.gob.mx 011-52-664-6346330, -634-6918, -634-6574, or toll free from the U.S. (888) 775-2417 Sonora State Government http://www.gotosonora.com/ Ensenada Baja California, www.enjoyensenada.com Located 62 miles from USA 011-52-646-1723022, or (800) 310-9687; www. enjoyensenada.com

6 - The ONLY Monthly Guide to Northwest Mexico

Rosarito Baja California, www.rosarito.org Located 20 miles from USA. 011-52-661-6125222, or (800) 962-2252; www.rosarito.org San Felipe Baja California, sanfelipe.com.mx Located 122 miles from USA. (COTUCO) 011-52-686-577-1104 Tecate Baja California, tecatemexico.com.mx Located at the USA Border Tijuana Baja California, seetijuana.com Located at the USA Broder 011-52-664684-0537, -684-0481, -634-6330, or toll free from the U.S. (888) 775-2417; www. tijuanaonline.org.

Mexicali Baja California, mexicaliturismo.com/ cotuco/prueba/ingles. Mexicali is the capital of the State of Baja California. Located at the US border.

Hermosillo Sonora, http://www.gotosonora. com/hermosillo-son-mx.htm. Hermosillo is the capital of the State of Sonora. Located 160 miles from the border with AZ. Puerto Peñasco www.cometorockypoint.com.

Puerto Peñasco is Located 62 miles from the US border.

RECENT U.S. PASSPORT NEWS PASSPORTS ARE NOT REQUIRED FOR CAR OR PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC INTO OR OUT OF MEXICO. Passpor ts are ONLY required for air and sea travel.

However, U.S. citizens should be aware that as of January 31, 2008 - U.S. citizens must be able to verify their identity and citizenship when crossing land borders and sea borders to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. A combination of identification documents, such as a U.S. Drivers License and a U.S. Bir th Cer tificate may be presented. Note that a U.S. Passpor t or Passpor t Card is proof of both identity and citizenship.

US Gov. Passpor t Requirements: http://travel. state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

Get your bir th cer tificate: http://www.cdc.gov/ nchs/howto/w2w/w2welcom.htm BORDER CROSSINGS • San Diego, California (San Ysidro) – Tijuana, Baja California • Otay Mesa, California – Tijuana, Baja California • Tecate, California – Tecate, Baja California • Calexico, California – Mexicali, Baja California • Andrade, California – Los Algodones, Baja California • San Luis, Arizona – San Luis Río Colorado, Sonora • Lukeville, Arizona – Sonoita, Sonora • Sasabe, Arizona – Altar, Sonora • Nogales, Arizona – Nogales, Sonora • Naco, Arizona – Naco, Sonora • Douglas, Arizona – Agua Prieta, Sonora WHAT DO I NEED TO ENTER MEXICO? You are required to get a tourist card (tourist visa) if you are planning to stay more than seventy-two hours, or if you plan to travel south beyond Ensenada, San Felipe, or Puer to Peñasco. Tourist visas are available at all border crossings .

WHAT CAN I BRING INTO MEXICO? DO NOT BRING GUNS OR DRUGS INTO MEXICO. You will go to prison. Do not bring such quantities of anything that it may look like the item is for resale. As a tourist, your personal luggage and other merchandise must not exceed the allowed exemption of 50 USD per person.

Allowed items include: personal things such as, new or used clothes; shoes; toiletries (quantities not for resale); and no more than two used spor tsequipment items. You can also bring in two car tons of cigarettes; fifty cigars or 2.2lbs of tobacco (1 kilo); one liter of wine or hard liquor; twelve rolls of film; a computer; camera equipment; and one musical instrument, as long as you can carry it—really, that is the law.

Medicine for personal use is also allowed. Note: Be careful not to bring a large quantity of your prescription medication.

If you carry more than the equivalent of 10,000 USD in foreigner currency (or the equivalent in

checks, and/or other monetary instruments), these must be declared.

If you are bringing more than 50 USD wor th of merchandise per person but not more than 1,000 USD, you may declare it by driving into the customs facility thru the declaration lane (carril de declaración). You will need to fill out some documents and determine the value of your merchandise. The duty is usually between 15% and 25% of the value.

WHAT CAN I TAKE HOME? You can bring back 800 USD of duty-free merchandise per person, per month, including one liter of alcohol. Mexican ar ts and crafts, including handcrafted furniture, are duty-free and do not count toward the 800 USD limit.

BUSINESS TRAVEL Business travelers must complete and submit a form (Form FM-N) authorizing the conduct of business (but not employment) for a thir ty-day period. Travelers entering Mexico for purposes other than tourism or business or staying for periods longer than 180 days require a visa and must carry a valid U.S. passpor t. U.S. citizens planning to work or live in Mexico should apply for the appropriate Mexican visa (FM3, FM2) at the Mexican consulate nearest your city in the United States, or through the immigration professional in your area.

VEHICLE PERMITS Tourists traveling with their vehicle beyond the border zone nor th of Ensenada, San Felipe or Puer to Peñasco must obtain a temporary impor t permit or risk having their vehicle confiscated by Mexican customs officials.

MILITARY CHECKPOINTS There are military checkpoints along the way to all the Northwest border cities. These check points serve the same purpose as the California and Arizona highway inspection stops you’ll encounter on the return north. The soldiers will be carrying weapons, but there is nothing to be concerned about, the soldiers are looking for drugs and guns. You’ll find them to be polite and friendly. They may ask to look inside your vehicle or RV. Check points on both sides of the border, are an agreement between the United States and Mexico to fight drugs.

Get more info: www.mexicoliving.info - 7

Centavo’s got the Blues

Blues & Arts Forever!

by Centavo

by All

Johnny Mastro & Mama’s Boys, Blues & Arts 2008 - by Rachel Pack

“

I’d like to teach the world to sing....in perfect harmony”...... like that’s gonna happen.... but after spending time at the Animal Rescue’s Woofstock and the Blues and Arts Festival here in San Felipe, it occurred to me that there are endless possibilities for re-inventing peace and harmony....well, close.

Any attempt to bring a blues concert to a town that’s had its share of the “blues” for centuries...well, it’s almost like a silly wake-up call. In fact, if history permits, we really don’t know the origin of the blues.

We like to think it generated Blues Stage Christine/Raine from slaves who sang their woes in a cruel world that had them picking cotton in the American South. So intensely personal were those kinds of blues lyrics that black musicians eventually made the blues their own. But the blues goes deeper than that. Early blues was patterned after the English ballad, and those of you who remember “folk music” can understand that those sad stories in song gave Americans a political conscience in the ‘60s.

Oops...flash forward....

The Blues and Arts Festival.

A SUCCESS?...By the time I got there, it was already apparent that the crowd was having a good time. Did they really need to know that they could play the blues with Agave Blues - by three simple guitar chords and three-line verses?....Nope. Everyone was content to listen to fabulous bands that broke our hearts with their pain...Yeah..They all had the blues..And the crowd was digging it!

Even before the bands began their sets, you felt that San Felipe had gone big-time.

No parcan lights on a tee; the stage lighting rivaled any good traveling concert and I really appreciated the vegetation that dressed up the front of the stage. Nice. Now the best Vatos Locos by Christine/ Raine

8 - The ONLY Monthly Guide to Northwest Mexico

Morning Stage, Blues & Arts 2008 - by Denny Flannigan

part......there was plenty of parking... It didn’t rain.......

Melanie, who sang “Candles in the Rain” at Woofstock, did not show up...there was great art ...and BEER...no one licked or threw down their guitar (kinda missed

T

Shelle Blue by Christine/Raine

that)..You could bring your dog... plenty of food...no one warned you about bad acid being passed around...and you could call your friends back in the States on your cell phone with....”Totally far-out concert..This guy was wailing on his harmonica..remember that concert in college when 145th Street Blues by Dave we....?”Well you can put your Anderson own words here.

It is beautiful that San Felipe is capable of embracing the generations of people who only want music, love....and a safe place to sleep.

And for those of us who bought cigars, photographs, sculptures and paintings at the festival....we are lucky.

Smoking my stogie, I realized Michelle Lundeen by Christine/ that I might have discovered Raine another Picasso…all at the Blues and Arts Festival in the great town of San Felipe in Baja!

Leaving the festival, I remarked how well-behaved we were; we picked up our trash. I didn’t want the night to end. So my friends and I went down to the Malecon and tried to crash a Quinceanera. We Backwater Blues by Christine/ showed our green wristbands from the festival, but they Raine wouldn’t let us in. Weren’t they supposed to be good till midnight?

BLUES & ARTS FIESTA 2009 Saturday March 28,th

he Second Annual Blues & Arts Fiesta was a huge success! The reviews are in and everyone agrees this was the beginning of something great for San Felipe. Changing lives through music and art.

“The Blues and Arts Fiesta was a lot of fun and great music and the artwork was beautiful. One of the highlights of the event was June Snow Castro, owner and editor of the “Gringo Gazette”, says Katherine Hammontré from Kat’s Korner (http://www.sanfelipe. com.mx/news/kats_ June Snow by Dave Anderson korner.html).

“Also honored Third Generation for their contribution to music in the last 12 years. “Good music - great people - good job Lion’s Club, John and Rachel Pack, Robin and Paco and all the volunteers who helped kick this event off. Good job!”

Randy Kerr of Blue Roadrunner (http://www. blueroadrunner.com/BluesArts2008.htm) said “Yesterday marked another of San Felipe’s forays into the area of music festivals. This one, following close on the heels of Woofstock, was closer to its phonetic precursor, having the spacious venue of the baseball field and by far the largest performance stage ever constructed in San Felipe. The sound system, with its rastra of speakers the size of boxcars, had the nearby hills beating like hearts. “the benchmark for future music festivals. It was well marshaled, providing ample seating, lots of shade, adequate trash disposal, good parking and the scenic backdrop of our local mountains against providential blue skies.

Thank you to all the bands and artists, to everyone for attending. Thank you Friday night set-up crew Wayne Chiavacci, Paul Preppernau, Gene Jensen, Ian Thompson, Bill Cartwright, Bob and Debbie Lux, Dan and Audrey Coffman, Roger DeVaul, Mike and Dawn Miller, Rick Wagner, Robin Waters, Mary Shliff, Hal “Paco” Clark, John and Rachel Pack, Armando Rubio.

Octavio Ascolani for help with Tecate and Robin Waters, who started in September of last year locating artists.

Thank you to Jim and Shirley Moore for the extremely moving and memorable pre and post party, to Pam Pastore and Barbi DeVaul for facilitating incredible lodging for all the bands, to Denny Flannigan for keeping the show moving and fun and Bill Maine for great support on staging and production, Baja Productions for an amazing job on stage and sound and William Duclos of Versoleil Landscaping for making the stage look so good.

All our local officials for their support, Oscar Daniel Martinez Soto, Comandante, Policia Municipal; Francisco Javier Sepulveda Ornelas, Capitan De Bomberos, Encargado de estacion 15 San Felipe B.C.; Jose Ernesto oronel Robles, Presidente de consejo cruz roja, directiro local and Hazael Sierra Castillo, Delegado municipal, San Felipe B.C. Thank you security team Gary Lewis and all The Scorpions for providing approximately 18 volunteers for security. They are a desert and mountain search and rescue unit based out of northern Nevada and a good number of their members live in Los Viajeros North, in El Dorado Ranch during the winter.

All the effort that John and Rachel Pack Arturo Lee by Christine/Raine and the expense of all of the advertising they donated in “Mexico Living” or the dedication of Hal “Paco” Clark, who put all of the local sponsors together.

Thank you to Gary Dilley and Robin Kissee, Cliff White, Gary and Karen Lewis, Paul and Kathy Preppernau and virtually every other Lion member that worked so hard, performing so many tasks.

The club roster shows that almost every member volunteered for more than one duty and over several days if not weeks or months. This was truly a giant group effort and we need to show our appreciation to everyone. From all of us, to all of you – thank you.

Get more info: www.mexicoliving.info - 9

CALENDAR & EVENTS

WEEKLY CALENDAR EVENTS

MONTHLY CALENDAR EVENTS

Tuesday: Jazz Cafe - Cine de Arte Wednesday: Jazz Cafe - Trivia Thursday: Jazz Cafe - Jazz Friday: Jazz Cafe - 8pm Salsa dance classes Saturday: Jazz Cafe - Oldies but Goodies -The live music of “Nuevo Concepto”

June 1: Día de la Marina (Navy Day in Mexico) June 14: Flag Day (U.S.) June 15: Father’s Day

ENSENADA BAJA CALIFORNIA

June 1: Día de la Marina (Navy Day in Mexico)

SAN FELIPE BAJA CALIFORNIA

JULY 5th, San Felipe Mexico Living Magazine is proud to announce the 1st Annual San Felipe Horseshoe Tournament!

The tournament will be held on Saturday July 5th at Cantu Cove, downtown San Felipe.

Pre-registration is required and must be received no later than June 30th, 2008. We are anticipating many participants so make sure you get your registration in early! The registration fee is $10.00 per team. Trophies will be awarded for the first place team. A game will consist of 21 points. This will be a double elimination tournament. Women will throw from 26 feet, while men will throw from 36 feet.

Arts & Crafts booths are welcome, for only $20 registration.

Bring your friends and family, this will be a good time for all! This is a community BBQ and get together.

We’ll have lots of cold cervesa and covered spectator and eating areas. The tournament is on the shores of San Felipe’s best beach (Readers Poll 2007), the beautiful Cantu Cove, so you can take a dip between pitching and never miss the action, vendors, food, or horseshoes entertainment!

Find your partner, name your team and get ready to pitch some shoes. For more information contact Mexico Living Magazine, 686-230-9933.

10 - The ONLY Monthly Guide to Northwest Mexico

40th Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 500

The world’s best desert racers are gearing up for this month’s 40th Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 500, the second-oldest continuous desert race in the world. Round 3 of the five-race 2008 SCORE Desert Series, the World’s Foremost Desert Racing Series, featuring over 300 entries, competing in 27 Pro and 6 Sportsman classes for cars, trucks, motorcycles and ATVs, will be held May 29-June 1 in Ensenada, Mexico. Traditionally one of the most popular events on the SCORE schedule, over 100,000 spectators are expected to enjoy the world’s best desert racers in action at this year’s 40th anniversary of the Tecate SCORE Baja 500.

The talented field of veteran desert racers includes 21 defending class champions out of the 25 Pro classes that had finishers in last year’s race that had an all-time SCORE record of 492 starters.

“To win the SCORE Baja 500 overall once is a dream come true, to win it twice amazing and to win it three times would be unbelievable,” said Collins, a second-generation SCORE desert racer who has five career SCORE Trophy-Truck race wins including this year’s 22nd Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250 in March.

“Our new Mopar Dodge Ram 1500 is an unbelievable race truck and we could make history.”

Monday: Fandangos - “9-Ball Tournament 6:00PM Tuesday: • Jimmy’s BB&G - Karaoke - Guest KJ 6:30PM • Fandangos - Darts 7:00 PM • Al’s Backstreet - Darts • Lighthouse - Sing Out Sisters Karaoke 6pm Wednesday: • Jimmy’s BB&G - Silver Strike Bowling 2PM • Al’s Backstreet - Live Music • Lighthouse - HAPPY HOUR ALL DAY Thursday: • Jimmy’s BB&G Tequila Thur. - all tequila 1/2 price • Fandangos - Live Music of The Beach Bums • Jaunito’s (El Dorado) - “Name That Tune” • Los Arcos - Bingo & Lions Meeting (2nd & 4th Thurs.)

Friday: • Jimmy’s BB&G - Agave Blues with Arturo 6:30PM • Los Archos - Karaoke • La Vaquita - Live music “Vatos Locos” 6:00PM • Lighthouse - Susi Night & Live Music Saturday: •

Jimmy’s BB&G - Golden Tree Golf Tournament 2pm & Live music of “Agave Blues” 6:30pm • Lighthouse - Live Music of “Lighthouse Band” Sunday: • Fandangos - Arcade Bowling 2:00 PM • Los Archos - Live Music • Lighthouse - Kids eat for $20 pesos

PUERTO PEÑASCO SONORA

Thursday: JC`s Bar - 3:00 PM Darts Tournament Friday: Dugout - 7:00 PM Billiards Tournament Saturday: Oldies Bar - 7:00 pm Live Pop Rock Music LIST YOUR EVENT: mexicoliving@gmail.com. Include event name, dates and times, description and contact info.

NATIONAL DATES & HOLIDAYS

ENSENADA BAJA CALIFORNIA

May 29th - June 1: 40th Tecate SCORE Baja 500. Starts and finishes in front of Ensenada’s historic Riviera Cultural Center on Blvd. Costero (Lázaro Cárdenas). On Thursday, May 29.

Info: SCORE International, U.S. tel. (818)225-8402.

June 1: 11th Annual Mushroom Festival. 1-9pm: A culinary competition of mushroom dishes on Av. López Mateos between Av. Alvarado and Av. Blancarte, Ensenada. Wine, beer, live entertainment, raffles, and mushroom exhibitions.

Ticket ($12-15dlls.). Info & tickets: (646)174-0448. e-mail June 6, 7 & 8: “Nunsense” a Musical Directed by Mike Beals, the Wigs & Giggles Repertory Group presents this hilarious Off Broadway musical about five zany nuns at Gertrude Pearlman Theatre at Campo La Jolla in Punta Banda, 16 miles south of Ensenada. Performances are on Friday and Saturday at 7PM and on Sunday at 2pm. Ticket donation: $8dlls. ($7dlls. if purchased in advance from May 1-June 5).

Info & tickets: Heather Hamilton, tel. (646)154-2452.

June 7: Dinner Concert of Classical Music. 7pm: A festive evening that serves as the opening reception for the Roberto Calderón Art Exposition (June 7-15) at Club Deportivo Puerto Salina, Carr. Tijuana-Ensenada Km. 73, approximately 23 miles north of Ensenada. Admission ($70dlls. per couple) includes dinner, flamenco music and a concert of classical music by Grupo Ensamble. Tickets & info: Club Deportivo Puerto Salina, tel. (646)155-4110 or (646)155-4109; email June 7-15: Roberto Calderón Art Exposition Ensenada artist Roberto Calderón exhibits his paintings and sculptures at Club Deportivo Puerto Salina, Carr.

Tijuana-Ensenada Km. 73, approximately 23 miles north of Ensenada. Exhibition hours: 9am-6pm daily. Free admission.

Info: Club Deportivo Puerto Salina, tel. (646)155-4110 or (646)155-4109; e-mail June 7 & 8: Circuito Panamericano Baja California 2008 Dog Show. 10am-4pm: Come and watch purebred dogs from Mexico and the United States compete for the titles of Mexican Champion and Grand Mexican Champion in

Get more info: www.mexicoliving.info - 11

June 7, 14, 21 & 28: Bazar Centro Artesanal. 10am-6pm: A colorful outdoor bazaar featuring local artists and their original works. Every Saturday at Centro Artesanal on the corner of Blvd. Costero (Lázaro Cárdenas) & Av. Castillo, Ensenada. Free admission. For more info contact Centro Artesanal administrator Adalberto Pérez Meillón, tel.

(646)175-7848; e-mail June 8: Fiesta of the Flowering Vineyards (Fiesta de los Viñedos en Flor). Noon-5pm: A colorful event at Bibayoff Winery in Valle de Guadalupe is an excellent opportunity to sample wines from many different wineries and enjoy regional foods and music in a family atmosphere. Admission is $2dlls. per child, $10dlls. per adult (wine tasting included).

Proceeds benefit Albergue San Vicente Shelter in Ensenada.

Advance tickets are recommended and available through the Baja California Winemakers Association, tel. (646)1783038; e-mail June 13: San Antonio Necua Festival. 10am-midnight: The Kumiai community of San Antonio Necua presents its annual festival, a cultural gathering of Yuman tribes (PaiPai, Cucapah, Kiliwa and Kumiai) with traditional dancers and bird singers, an intertribal piak tournament, arts and crafts exhibitions, a bonfire at sunset, and complimentary meals. Free admission. Info: ADESU Alliance for Sustainable Development/Horacio González, tel. (646)178-8780; e-mail June 20-22: Ensenada-San Felipe 250. More than 200 cars, trucks, ATVs and motorcycles from both sides of the border compete on a challenging off-road course. Info: RECORD Off-Road Series/Ramón Castro, tel. (646)176-1637.

Until June 25: “Autorretrato (Self-Portrait)” Painting Exposition More than two dozen Ensenada artists reveal their inner

selves. The April 23 inauguration at 7pm is open to the public. Exhibition hours: 8am-8pm Mon.-Sat., 11am-7pm Sun. Free admission. Info: CEARTE, tels. (646)173-4307 & (646)173-4308.

SAN FELIPE BAJA CALIFORNIA June 1: Marina Nacional. (Marine Day in Mexico) Fiesta Begins at the Fisherman Statue on the Malecon. There will be a Fiesta Queen elected, cockfights, fireworks, celebrations & Free boat rides FUN. June 21: Summer Begins PUERTO PEÑASCO June 1st: Day of the Navy at the “Chamizal Casino”. One of the events related to the festivities highlighted here is the Feria de la Marina, organized by the Professional and Business Women’s Club in the Naval Authorities assigned to the port.

June 9th: OTL, over the line softball tournament at Cholla Bay. Three-person teams gather to play softball in an event every year attracts more and more team participants and spectators. For more information call: (01) 638 38 32785 or visit www.jjscantina.com.

June 22th, 23rd and 24th at Cholla Bay. This event is part of a three- phase tournament that ends in October. For more information call: (01) 638 38 32785 or visit www.jjscantina. com.

USA PASSPORT UPDATE LAND AND SEA TRAVEL Passports are ONLY Required for Air & Sea Travel. If traveling by ground (car, bus, etc.) U.S. and Canadian citizens will need to present two pieces of ID. (governmentissued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, plus proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.

THE ALL NEW ADVENTURES of Baja Desert Dog

(31 01 N, 114 49 W)

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LIST YOUR EVENT: mexicoliving@gmail.com. Include event name, dates and times, description and contact info.

San Felipe, B.C.

CICESE

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the gardens of the Hotel Corona, located on the corner of Blvd. Costero (Lázaro Cárdenas) #1442 & Av. Club Rotario, Ensenada. Free admission for spectators, but please do not bring noncompeting dogs. Info: visit www. clubcanofilocaliente.com or call Claudia Pierce, Tijuana tel.

(664)633-7395.

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Are you looking for a career change? Want to be able to afford to live and travel in Mexico?

• Great Income • Strong support team • Work Independently • Travel Mexico We are looking for advertising executives to work in Rosarito Beach, Ensenada and Puerto Peñasco areas.

Travel, meet people, explore and earn a living at the same time.

686-230-9933 Only call if you are self-motivated, computer literate and legal residence of Mexico (WORKING VISA, FM2, FM3)

12 - The ONLY Monthly Guide to Northwest Mexico

Get more info: www.mexicoliving.info - 13

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Ensenada has the accommodations to meet any level of comfort or amenities. Prices can range depending on the time of year from $30 to $250+ depending on the hotel. The best hotels in Ensenada are located to the north and south of town along the beach and are not within walking distance from downtown shopping and attractions. Taxi and shuttles are available in some locations.

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14 - The ONLY Monthly Guide to Northwest Mexico

The healthiest and most personal way is ON FOOT. Ensenada is a great city for getting around on your own energy. Most of the shopping is at sea level and easy to navigate with all numbered streets running north and south and celebrity named streets running east and west.

TAKING THE BUS if you want some adventure, or want a great sightseeing opportunity. Fare is 7 pesos ($0.65). Buses are called “micro” instead of “bus” or Autobuse. Bus Terminal 646-121-2982 al 87 Calzada Lazaro Cardenas & Rio Alamar La Mesa.

IN A TAXI is a great way to get from point A to point B, Taxis Amarillos (Yellow Taxi) is available 24 hours with local and unlimited service available; they will drive you anywhere. Ave. Lopez Mateos & Miramar. English spoken. 646-178-3475.

Try RENTING A CAR if you want to get out and explore on your own. Fiesta Rent-A-Car at 646176-3344, located at 1442 Blvd. Lazaro Cardenas or Renta-Car Ensenada at 646-176-3344, located at 582 Lopez Mateos.

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Getting to Ensenada has never been easier or faster. A US driver license is valid in Mexico, so you Mexican auto insurance is required by law if you drive in Mexico.

If you’re interested in visiting Ensenada, but not doing any driving you can contact Eaton International Tours and Passenger Services. San Diego pick and return. Fast and secure. Call 619-479-1536 / 646108-8538.

Taking The Bus from San Diego is another option.

I take the San Diego Trolley to San Ysidro, then walk across the border to the small Plaza Viva bus station.

ABC (Autotransportes Baja California) buses depart for Ensenada every half hour beginning 6AM - 9:30PM, you can call 1-52-(664)683-5681; fare is approx. $6.50dlls 1-way.

Greyhound Bus Lines (U.S. toll free: 800-2312222). Greyhound Lines will take you to Tijuana’s Central Bus Terminal (Central Camionera) from anywhere in the US and connect to any major Mexican bus line, including ABC. The Ensenada Airport is for private and military only. No commercial flights.

If you Arrive By Ship to the Ensenada port terminal, which holds two ships and each pier has

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nsenada is the third-largest city in the Mexican state of Baja California. It is located 116 km (about 70 miles) south of the San Diego/ Tijuana border crossing. The city had a 2005 census population of 260,075. Ensenada is also the municipal seat of Ensenada. Located in the Bahía de Todos Santos — an inlet of the Pacific Ocean — Ensenada is an important commercial and fishing port as well as a cruise ship stop. The city is backed by small mountain ranges. Due to its location on the Pacific Ocean and Mediterranean latitude, the weather tends to be mild year-round.

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Estrabel Toronto Lago de 15 Get more info: www.mexicoliving.info

ROSARITO BEACH/ENSENADA BAJA CALIFORNIA Lodging & Dining Guide LODGING RV Park/Parque de RV Baja Season RV Parks ..................661-628-6128 Motels/Moteles Rudis Motel ...........................646-176-3245 Ensenada Inn ...............................646-176-1361 Essence Spa ................................646-174-0816 Hotel El Joker ...............................646-177-5151 Posada Don Fernando ..................646-177-0127 Azteca Inn ....................................646-177-4015 Casa Del Sol ................................646-178-1570 Cortez..........................................646-178-2307 Best Western El Cid ......................646-178-2401 Hotel Corona Hotel

.........................646-176-0901

Costa Azul .....................800-800-9632 Grand Baja Resort (Puerto Nuevo) ..................................877-315-1002 Hotel Coral & Marina ....................................................646-175-0000 Hotel La Fonda ..........646-155-0007 San Nicolas Hotel .........................646-176-1901 DINING Coffee & Breakfast La Casa Antigua ...........................................

646-175-7320 The Palm Grill (Puerto Nuevo) ............................

661-614-1203

ROSARITO BEACH / ENSENADA 661-613-2168 Hussong’s Cantina .............646-178-3210 La Puerta ..........................646-178-3637 Oxidos Cafe .................................646-178-8827 The Palm Grill (Rosarito) ...............661-614-1203 Steak & Seafood Brisa del Mar ....................646-108-4702 Broncos Steakhouse ..........646-176-4900 Costa Azul ........................646-154-2540 Haliotis .............................646-176-3720 Las Cazuelas .....................646-176-1044 La Tertulia .........................646-174-6344 La Embotelladora Vieja ......646-174-0807 La Mansion de Ensenada ..646-178-3271 La Vendimia ............................638-174-0969 Vince’s Old Pier (Rosarito) .......661-612-1253

Mexican Amigos Cantina (Rosarito) .................................

USA 1-619-342-2183 MEXICO 661-614-1434 16 - The ONLY Monthly Guide to Northwest Mexico

Get more info: www.mexicoliving.info - 17

Marty and Jackie Alameda are taking it “To The Top” by John Pack When Jackie, an accountant and computer technician, and Mar ty Alameda, a self-employed businessman, decided to retire and move to Rosarito Marty and Jackie Alameda Beach in Baja, little did they realize that they would only be traveling and living a life of leisure for a shor t while.

Having taken up residence in the community of Primo Tapia, a few miles south of Rosarito, they star ted to feel that there were some services which were lacking in the Primo Tapia area.

From this assessment arose the ownership and association with Click-On.com, an Internet café and business center offering U.S. mail, errand services, fast Internet connection, computer classes, photocopying and binding facilities and more.

However, five years later when the Alamedas met the Browns, things star ted to take a different turn. The Browns had been providing Extended

Home Living Services for the past 17 years and understood the need for residential elevators.

The Alamedas wanted to bring this offering to their community in Baja and so began the great par tnership between the Alamedas and the Browns. This collaboration brought about the formation of the Mexican company called ‘To The Top Home Elevators, S. de R.L. de C.V’.

Today, To The Top Home Elevators is in the business of selling, installing, impor ting, maintaining and providing warranties for a large variety of residential elevators. These range from light commercial elevators to stairway chairs to dumbwaiters and more. Though the company represents various manufacturers from the US, Canada and Europe, Thyssen Krupp is the largest manufacturer with whom the company par tners.

The need for a residential elevator is increasing each day. With smaller houses, there are times when a relatively small piece of land is built upon in order to accommodate three or four levels. With kitchens, living rooms and laundry rooms being on different levels, a residential elevator is not a means of avoiding exercise, but a necessity.

There are some who install residential elevators to increase the resale value of their homes. Others opt for this facility to prepare Continued from page 22

LO C A L B A J A S E R V I C E - C A L L T O D AY

information and reservations 18 - The ONLY Monthly Guide to Northwest Mexico

(646) 177-5523

Get more info: www.mexicoliving.info - 19

Welcome to Baja’s Landmark Vacation Spot

by John Pack

 J

ust 45 minutes south of the Tijuana border on the spectacular Baja coast, perched above a sandy white beach and overlooking the blue Pacific, is our long time favorite spot for locals and visitors alike, La Fonda Hotel, Bar and Restaurant. Now boasting an extensive new Spa, La Fonda still offers the Baja traveler a retreat to a piece of old Mexico.

Rooms, each unique in nature and surrounded by tumbling Bougainvillea and banana palms, randomly dot the bluff overlooking 180 degrees of sand and sea. This is truly your own private piece of Paradise Lost.

 The beautiful new full service La Fonda Spa will complete your getaway or vacation. Offering an enticing array of treatments and services, many treatment rooms even have ocean views! Try their romantic spa bath for two, complete with champagne, overlooking the beautiful Pacific Ocean. Their friendly

 Patio view looking south towards Ensenada

View of the beach, from above La Fonda Restaurant

Hotel La Fonda offers 47 charming rooms and suites, each unique, most with fireplaces. See the sea, hear the surf, watch the sunsets and kick back and relax from you own private patio or balcony. Time stops here. Let worries and cares wash out with the tide, and peace and calm enfold you in this ageless setting.

The La Fonda Restaurant offers a wonderful dining experience. Watch dolphins play in the waves, while you enjoy a sumptuous lunch out on the patio, complete with hand-made tortillas. At night, dine in the magical atmosphere that only La Fonda can conjure and watch the sunset. Lobster feasts, candle light, live music nightly, and the feeling that you’re being welcomed home has been bringing guests back to La Fonda for decades.

Not to be missed is the La Fonda Sunday Brunch.

It is like nothing you have ever seen. Dish upon dish of steaming Mexican delicacies from Paella to pancakes, accompanied by all the Bloody Mary’s you can drink.

20 - The ONLY Monthly Guide to Northwest Mexico

staff consists of highly trained massage therapists, who effectively relax muscles, increase circulation and improve joint mobility using hot and deep tissue techniques. Before or after a massage you can enjoy a saunas and steam room.

Km 59.5 Carr. Tijuana-Ensenada. An easy 15 minute coastal drive south of Rosarito Beach. Take the La Fonda exit to a perfect vacation.

Patio view looking north through the morning mist.

And for the pet lover, Hotel La Fonda also has Kinda La Fonda, a pet-friendly hotel, mere meters away.

Hotel La Fonda is your perfect getaway vacation, just a short drive from the border. Reservations are suggested, as rooms are limited, and an advance deposit is required. We accept VISA and Mastercard.

For reservations from the U.S., call 011-52-6461550307 or e-mail Reservations@LaFondaBaja.com.

Spa Appointments (011-52) 646-155-0394.

Get more info: www.mexicoliving.info - 21

GET LISTED TODAY ONLY $4 Dollars: 1-52-686-577-1377 / 1-52-1-686-230-9933

Continued from page 23

ENSENADA BC MX

YELLOW PAGES DIALING INSTRUCTIONS:

USA to MX Cell Phone: 011+52+1+Area Code+(Tel #) USA to Mexico: 011+Area Code+(Tel #) Mexico to USA: 001+Area Code+(Tel #) MX Landline to MX Cell Phone: 044+Area Code+(Tel #) MX Cell Phone to MX Landline: Area Code+(Tel #)

IMPORTANT NUMBERS: MX 411 (Spanish only)...................................040 Tourist Assistance Hotline ..............................076 Check Time....................................................030 Emergencies ..................................................060 Tourist Safety ...........................1-800-5903-9200

ROSARITO/ENSENADA LIST YOUR BUSINESS! Call us Today!

686-230-9933 ROSARITO BEACH/ ENSENADA DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT/MANEJO DE FRACCIONAMIENTOS Baja Mar Country Club ....................1-800-434-2252 ELEVATORS/ELEVADORES To The Top Elevators .......................... (661) 614-1434 FISH/PESCADERÍA Vince's Old Peir ................................. (661) 612-1253 HEALTH & FITNESS/SALUD Y EJERCICIO Spa La Fonda ......................................(646) 155-0394 HOTEL/HOTEL See Rosarito/Ensenada Lodging Guide at the beginning of each city section.

MUSIC/MUSICA Pharmacy Regia & House of Music .....(646) 174-0557 RENTALS/RENTAS See Rosarito/Ensenada Lodging Guide page 16 REAL ESTATE AGENTS/AGENTES DE BIENES RAÍCES Nicolas Santos (Rosarito).................... 619-917-5695 REAL ESTATE/BIENES RAÍCES Ensenada Remax ...............................(661)-612-1132 RESTAURANTS/RESTAURANTES See Rosarito/Ensenada Dining Guide page 17

22-- Ensenada The ONLY Monthly Guide to Northwest Mexico 22 Yellow Pages

for the time when they will be older. Yet others feel the need due to the presence of an older member of the house or a handicapped person whom they need to take care of. The products and services of To The Top Home Elevators are not sought only by home owners. There are doctors’ offices, hospitals, private spas and private homes which have been serviced by this company.

Even though there is a large amount of growth that is expected in this area, To The Top Home Elevators does not really have any direct competition. The only competition comes from manufacturers of commercial elevators who do not specialize in residential elevators. To The Top Home Elevators is based on a chain drive unit which uses the counter weight system and does not require additional space or the use of Union installers.

With a small staff of about 3 people (with another to be added soon), To The Top Home Elevators believes in growing slowly. The area that they currently service is confined to ‘all of Baja’ because they believe that expanding too rapidly can be unhealthy and can weaken a company’s ability to service an area to the complete satisfaction of the customer. Even though there is a desire to grow and the market is ready, To The Top Home Elevators wants to take it step by step.

For more information about To The Top’s accessibility products, visit www. tothetophomeelevators.com.

For an appointment or estimate, contact Mar ty Alameda or bilingual Sales Executive Dra. Rebecca Curiel at Rosarito tel. (661) 614-1434, U.S. tel. (619) 342-2183 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, or e-mail: info@ tothetophomeelevators.com.

San Felipe 686-577-0050 San Diego 001-619-920-2292 www.sanfelipehomebuilder.com

General Contractor WE DO IT ALL, FROM START TO FINISH

SAN FELIPE

HOME BUILDERS

• ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES • CUSTOM HOMES

WE CAN BUILD YOUR BAJA DREAM HOME TO AMERICAN CODES

• INTERIOR DESIGN & FURNISHINGS • PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

LOCATED AT

CLZ Chetumal 228 Mar Del Coral Y Mar De Corte San Felipe, BC, CP 21850

• REMODELING •

HOME REPAIRS

Get more info: www.mexicoliving.info - 23

DRIVING DISTANCES

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The San Felipe Arches monument at the entrance of town, was built in 1980 to represent the commitment of the four states around the Sea of Cortez (Baja California Norte, Baja California Sur, Sinaloa, and Sonora) to promote tourism and the regions beauty and charm.

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A combination of identification documents, such as a U.S. Drivers License and a U.S. Bir th Cer tificate or a valid U.S. passport - PASSPORTS ARE NOT REQUIRED! You do not need a tourist

San Felipe offers endless things to do and or not do depending on your personal goals.

San Felipe beaches extend north and south for over 50 miles of shoreline to explore. Whether you’re looking for a banana boat rides, beach bars, and crowds or an isolated paradise to share with someone special - San Felipe has it.

Off Road adventures, await you beyond every horizon, which is why San Felipe is home to the SCORE International Baja 250. The desert terrain surrounding San Felipe is vast and offers incredible trails and exploration for ATV’s, dirt bike or off-road vehicle. Just south of San Felipe are extensive sand dunes ideal for buggies and rails. ATV Rentals are also available.

The Valley of the Giants: The natural reserve of the thousand-year-old Cardon Cactus has become a major attraction Shopping, San Felipe offers great shopping for bargain, souvenirs, arts and much more. Much of the shopping can be found downtown on the Malecon, Mar de Cortez, or Chetumal leading into town.

However, all around town you’ll find great finds.

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WHAT DO I NEED?

Because of the close proximity of Northwest Mexico to the USA, most invoices, and receipts at restaurants, hotels, gas stations, etc., will be in both dollars and pesos. It is a good idea to convert your money into pesos for local purchases. You will likely save money. ATMs at Banamex Bank on Chetumal, Bancomer Bank on Mar de Cortez and Chetumal or AM/PM on Mar Caribe Sur.

THINGS TO DO

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If you are Driving your car or a rental (you MUST purchase Mexican Auto Insurance) to San Felipe is straightforward, because all roads lead south. The Mexicali/San Felipe highway is a breath-taking visual experience from wetlands to moonscapes to vistas that fall off the horizon. Most car rentals in El Centro, San Diego, and Yuma Airports sell Mexican Auto Insurance.

The San Felipe International Airport has a runway of 4850 feet that is in excellent condition. The available oriented 310° and 130°, coordinates 30°57’ lat. 114°51’ long. The radio control tower operators are bilingual.

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GETTING TO SAN FELIPE

can obtain a tourist card in Mexicali at the Aduana (Customs) office building located just left of the border gates. Parking is available on the street, across near the bank (which is where you will be going after customs. Tourist visas are no longer available in San Felipe.

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Avenida Pirues Avenida Jacaranda

an Felipe is a small fishing village that historically has been economically dependent on fishing, however today tourism and real estate provide the economic base. Even as it grows into the next century with four-lane highways, multi-pump fueling centers that shines bright even after the moon has drop behind the majestic mountains it will remain a small fishing village in its heart and soul.

Today San Felipe is maturing into a sophisticated resort community with destination resort developments, luxury condos, fine restaurants, sport fishing charters and world-class off-road adventures.

San Felipe sits on the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez), 118 miles (190 km) south of the US border and within the municipality of Mexicali.

Directly behind San Felipe to the west is Sierra San Pedro Martír, the tallest mountains in Baja, forming a protective wall from Pacific storms. San Felipe has 23foot tides (7-meters) exposing a kilometer or more of ocean floor. One of the largest tidal bores in the world due in part to the Colorado River delta to the north.

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Fisherman’s Panga crosses a calm bay in early morning Photograph by Ian Holland

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El Centro, CA ..........................137 Miles Los Angeles, CA .....................350 Miles Phoenix, AZ ............................375 Miles San Diego, CA ........................236 Miles Tucson, AZ .............................446 Miles Yuma, AZ................................184 Miles

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Marina Resort

Get more info: www.mexicoliving.info - 25 www.mexicoliving.info

SAN FELIPE, BAJA CALIFORNIA Lodging & Dining Guide

LODGING

Due to San Felipe’s large residential developments such as El Dorado, La Ventana del Mar and Playa de Oro, the real lodging secret is the vast number of private vacation rental homes. RV camping and beaching camping is also available.

Casey’s Place has a huge inventory of rental homes and condos available to meets most party sizes and needs, they can be found online at www. sanfeliperealestate.com or by calling 686-577-1431.

Another excellent option is Red Wagon Enterprises Services, offer a large variety of rental properties and big smiles, give Pam or Barbi a call 686-576-0081 or visit them online at www.sanfelipepropertyservices. com RV Park/Parque de RV Club de Pesca .................................. 686-577-1180 Rentals Casey’s Place ................................ 686-577-1431

Property Management / Condo & Home Rentals Providing Rental income For homeowners since 1997 6,000 satisfied clients per year sun@hughes.net 577-1431 / 310 862-4928 www.SanFelipe.bz

Rancho del Sol ............. 686-231-4921 Redwagon enterprises Services.........686-576-0081

Hotel ............................... 686-576-0276 Baja Palms ........................ 686-577-1702 Costa Azul El Cortez ............... 686-577-1055 .................................. 686-577-1970 Goerge’s ................. 686-577-0080 Hacienda Don Jesus Langosta Roja ..................686-577-0483 ............................. 686-577-1333 Las Palmas ..................... 686-577-1185 Riviera Hotel ........................... 686-577-1608 San Felipe Inn ................... 686-577-1569 Marina Resort Vacation Inn US Toll Free ................(800) 328-6289 Mexicali Califorina

DINING American Los Arcos ...................... 686-577-2585 Jimmy’s Beach Bar & Grill . ................

686-576-0454 Java Jitters BC Bistro ..... 686-151-8002

SAN FELIPE / MEXICALI

Blowin’ Smoke BBQ & Grill ...................Coming Soon!

Coffee & Breakfast Baja Java ............................686-577-2465 Latin Fusion The Latin Garden

........... .........686-209-6369

Mexican Jimmy’s Beach Bar & Grill . .....................

686-576-0454 George’s .................................686-577-1057 La Palapa Bar & Grill ........686-200-4083 Rancho Alegre ...............................686-576-0648 Rice & Beans ..................... ............686-577-1770 Rosita .....................................686-577-1903 Taco Factory ...........................686-577-2648 Spanish Miguel & Paco

Coming Soon!

..........................686-111-2257

Steak & Seafood Backstreet Patio Grill ...............686-139-7373 Baja Mar Steak House ..............686-573-0202 El Nido ..........................................686-577-1028 Jimmy’s Beach Bar & Grill 686-576-0454 Juanito’s Grill .................... ......686-200-4059 La Vaquita Restaurant ..............686-577-2837 Lighthouse Restaurant .............686-577-2540 Los Arcos ...............................686-577-2585 Fine Dining Baja Mar Restaurant Pavillion Restaurant

.........686-577-2648 . ........686-577-0022

Mar de Cortez at the end of “El Malecon” Motels/Moteles .................................. 686-577-1303 El Capitan Mini Posada de Don Jesus ............... 686-577-0685 Motel El Pescador ............................ 686-577-2991 Posada del Sol ................................. 686-577-1727 26 - The ONLY Monthly Guide to Northwest Mexico

686-577-1903

We Welcome Visa & Mastercard Get more info: www.mexicoliving.info - 27

Mexican Dental Care with the Spa Treatment

Photo by Armando Rubio

by John Pack feel at ease. “The spa concept is something that I want to offer as an atmosphere to my patients; like aromatherapy, soft music, skin treatments and everything that could make the dental experience more pleasurable,” says Melina. The word has spread so rapidly that in just one year California Dental Spa has fast become the most popular dental clinic in the region.

In 2006, Melina came to San Felipe and St. James Hospital (now Hospital San Felipe), Clockwise; standing is Margarita Miller, the new dentist, Mayra Vasquez the dental assistant, and where she spent her first Deborah Rubio the receptionist, and Dr. Melina California Fierros Zatarain. year before moving to into her own office. “My dreams are coming true. My office is n the United States dental treatments can cost growing, and now I have another dentist working with me.” up to four times as much as they do in Mexico.

According to Melina, she fell in love with the art of Americans, with and without medical insurance, are flocking to Mexico for dental care because dentistry in creating beautiful smiles when she had her own braces treatment. “I love every area of dentistry. I do a lot of the United States has become prohibitively expensive for cosmetic dentistry, and I just finished a certification in many people. implants.”

For a long time, Americans have been crossing the This summer, Melina and her boyfriend, David border for cheap medicines, flu vaccines, eye surgery, DesRochers, are opening an optical center adjacent to or specialist doctors; but now, dentists are in the highest the dental office. “Traditionally, optometry and dentistry demand and aspiring Mexican dentists are moving to go hand in hand, so we decided to expand my dental border and resort cities to serve the ever-increasing office to offer optical services.” numbers of patients.

“We have a qualified optometrist from the University “I think dentistry in Mexico is more ‘personal.’ At my clinic we care about every person, and we take the time of Xoxicalco in Mexicali. He has completed several courses and a fellowship degree from Pacific University and effort to make the dental visit a nice experience,” says Dr. Melina California Fierros Zatarain, or Melina, as College of Optometry and speaks fluent English,” says Melina. her friends and patients refer to her. Melina is a dentist As Americans continue to head south of the border and the owner of California Dental Spa on Mar Caribe looking for healthcare solutions, young aspiring dentists Sur, across from the ABC terminal in San Felipe. like Melina will continue to build clinics like California Mexican dentists are raising the bar, offering posh services and the latest technology. “We have all the Dental Spa, giving many an alternative.

In the next three years, Melina hopes to provide more high-tech equipment and the best services, even better services related to the health industry with the same than many places in the States,” says Melina.

California Dental Spa’s services include autoclave spa-like atmosphere.

“My favorite part of being a dentist is looking at my sterilization, digital x-rays, intraoral camera, and ultrasonic sterilization. It also offers treatment services, patients’ smiles; they get a different dental experience, and some of them get a totally different, beautiful, including cleaning, white fillings, whitening, crowns, cosmetic crowns, permanent bridges, removable partials, and healthy smile.” Melina smiles, “I enjoy my work. I always try to be a perfectionist and do my best. I even dentures, extractions, root canals, and implants. sing when I’m working...because I love my job.”

When you enter the California Dental Spa, the atmosphere and warm greeting immediately make you

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28 - The ONLY Monthly Guide to Northwest Mexico

Get more info: www.mexicoliving.info - 29

Women’s Healthcare in Mexico Dr. Annel Becerra, a Gynecologist making a difference

by John Pack

Dr. Annel Becerra and Receptionist, Anabel Espinoza Cervical cancer is a major health problem in Mexico. The national mortality rate for cervical cancer was estimated at 21.8 per 100,000 among women over 15 years of age in 1994, and the morbidity and mortality is on the rise, affecting younger women with more frequency.

A Stanford University School of Medicine pilot study using direct interviews of 97 rural Mexican women between the ages of 16 and 66 found that 52% had not had a Pap smear within the 2 years previous to the study. (Of that group, 62% had never had a Pap smear). The responses suggest that compliance with cervical cancer screening would be enhanced by addressing cultural beliefs, encouraging conversations about women’s health issues, and increasing the number of female health care providers.

Dr. Annel Becerra is one of these Mexican female health care providers, a young Mexican woman with a passion for medicine and the health of other women and children. She says, “I’ve always liked children, and I always wanted to do something surgical. I had a class where I attended a birth, and from then on I knew that that’s what I wanted.” Becerra studied at the University of Guadalajara, and when she finished her residency in Guadalajara in February 2005, she went to Madrid, Spain for two months to train in using Ultrasound and Isteroscopia, then to London for six months, where she worked at a hospital for Endoscopies. In September 2006, she moved to San Felipe Baja California.

Cancer is one of the biggest concerns for women in Mexico. The reasons for this high prevalence have not been defined, although lack of access 30 - The ONLY Monthly Guide to Northwest Mexico

to health care, lack of knowledge about the Pap procedure, and cultural beliefs may be influencing factors. In the Stanford University sample, the most frequent reason for not obtaining a Pap smear was anxiety about physical privacy (50%). Less frequent reasons were lack of knowledge (18%) and difficulty accessing health care (14%). Women who had delivered children were significantly more likely to have received a Pap smear (71%) than women who had no children (10%), P < 0.05.

According to Dr. Becerra, Women’s health has changed for the better in recent years. “There is more awareness about cancer among women; cancer is actually now a subject of conversation.”

In Dr. Becerra’s San Felipe office, she now has an ultrasound machine. “I’m in process of acquiring new equipment for colposcopy, a common gynecology

Dr. Annel Becerra doing an ultrasound on a patient. follow-up for abnormal Pap smears and for detection of papiloma virus.” She has plans to obtain, in the next three years, a big clinic that will allow her to do all surgeries in San Felipe with the necessary medical support and equipment. “I would like a place that could meet all necessities of San Felipe residents,” Says Dr. Becerra.

Cervical cancer, a major health problem in Mexico, is on the rise; however, good qualified healthcare providers are also on the rise, as is continued education and the dedication of doctors like Dr. Becerra.

Next to Solymar Pharmacy Av. Chetumal 700-1 San Felipe BC 686-577-6350 Get more info: www.mexicoliving.info - 31

Hospital San Felipe

The San Felipe Hospital is saving lives, while on life support.

Photo by Francisco Romos Victorio

by John Pack

Photo by John Pack

Photo by John Pack

Photo by John Pack

In 2001, Dr. Lowell M. Somers and his wife, Caroline Thorsen, a nurse, built San Felipe Hospital, which was then known as St. James Infirmary. Their mission was to enhance the health and well-being of the residents of the city of San Felipe by providing excellent medical care.

In 2006, however, the hospital was sold to a new owner, Carlos Kuttler, because of ongoing administration difficulties. According to Carlos, the hospital was in fine condition when he bought it, but lacked good administration. Now Carlos

been added and much of the medical equipment has been replaced with newer and more advanced technologies. The hospital has a fully equipped ambulance for transporting patients to a hospital in Mexico in the event that additional care is required.

It also has a fully functional surgery room, maternity and gynecology services, X-RAY, CAT SCAN, Mammogram, and Sonogram equipment, and a fully equipped laboratory. In addition, the hospital was recently approved to keep a blood bank on site. Future plans include hiring a resident intern, doubling the bed capacity, and providing assisted-living services.

The hospital’s services are available to both visitors and residents of Mexico who do not have health insurance. It accepts Escolar Insurance for locals and Viva America Insurance for foreigners. Patients who carry their own insurance will be reimbursed the costs incurred in hospital by their insurance companies.

Currently the profitability of the hospital is marginal, largely because of the lack of patients, but the hospital is in the process of making the public more aware of all the services it can provide.

The members of the medical

is actively involved in running the hospital and can usually be found there during the evenings. “Since I’ve owned the hospital, I have personally seen several lives saved. One was that of a friend’s wife, who had a bike accident and arrived at the hospital in critical condition. Another was that of a man who had a heart attack and through a series of events was transported to a medical facility where the oxygen and medicine he needed were not available.

Staff members of San Felipe Hospital were called to assist and they rushed to stabilize and transport him to a nearby ER.” In two years, the hospital has improved in many ways. Ultrasound and MRI equipment have 32 - The ONLY Monthly Guide to Northwest Mexico

community could help immensely if they would bring their patients to the hospital first, instead of immediately transporting them to Mexican medical facilities.

The San Felipe Hospital is open during the summer for 16 hours a day, from 8:00 am to midnight, and for 24 hours a day during the rest of the year.

The hospital would be extremely grateful for your financial help. Please assist by sending donations directly to the hospital administration. In addition, English-speaking volunteers are always needed to assist with translation services.

Av. Mar Negro Sur No. 1285, Seccion Mar de Cortez, San Felipe Baja California, Mexico C.P. 21850, 686-111-5859.

Get more info: www.mexicoliving.info - 33

CONNECTING THOUSAND PEOPLE MONTHLY WITH SMART BUSINESS THROUGHOUT

NORTTHWEST MEXICO - AND GROWING! GET LISTED TODAY 1-52-686-577-1377 / 1-52-1-686-230-9933

SAN FELIPE BC MX

YEL L OW PA G E S

ADULT CARE/ATENCION DE ADULTOS San Felipe Adult Living Facility ............(686) 173-0424

DIALING INSTRUCTIONS:

USA to MX Cell Phone: 011+52+1+Area Code+(Tel #) USA to Mexico: 011+Area Code+(Tel #) Mexico to USA: 001+Area Code+(Tel #) ACCOUNTING/CONTABILIDAD CP E&A Accounting ..................................(686) 577-0836 ALARMS/ALARMAS Del Desierto ........................................(686) 577-1486 ARCHITECT/ARQUITECTO Freddy Hernandez ...............................(686) 946-7897 Licensed, CAD, Blue Prints, Graphic Design Rosa Lina Ramos Lazcano ..................(686) 184-6172 ARTIST/ARTISTA Andrena Joyce .......E-mail: andrenajoyce@yahoo.com Melody Ashley ....... E-mail: melodya2004@yahoo.com Robin Waters ......................................(686) 115-0526 Watercolors by Mary Lou ....................(686) 171-5513 ATTORNEY/ABOGADO Carlos A. Martinez Monges .................(686) 120-1650 Lic. Francisco Sosa Mendez ................(686) 577-0624

Squatt’s Gym in Playa de Oro is the newest addition San Felipe Health & Fitness. Located in Playa de Oro commercial center on the north end of town, this health club is close and convenient for residence of Playa de Oro and El Dorado Ranch.

Along with all the equipment necessary to tone, strengthen or just burn a few calories, Squatt’s gym offers state-of-the-art fitness equipment and professional personal training to guide you or keep you motivated.

Squatt’s gym offers both pays as you go, and memberships for as little as $20 per month.

Squatt’s Gym is open Monday through Friday 8:00AM – 8:30PM and Saturday 9:00AM – 2:00PM. Stop by the gym today, you can’t put a price on a healthier and happier life.

34 - Northwest Mexico’s Smart Yellow Pages

AUTO REPAIR/REPARACIÓN DE AUTO Automotive PIT STOP ..........................(686) 173-0424 Km 183.3 Repair & Services-All electronic & Mechanical Reasonable rates. Call Now! BAKERY/PANADERÍA Panaderia Especial ..............................(686) 577-2948 BANDS/BANDAS Agave Blues ........................................(686) 184-9237 BARS/CLUBS Bar Miramar ........................................(686) 577-1192 Pool tables, Entertainment, And FREE WIFI Fandango’s .........................................(686) 577-0060 Jimmy’s Beach Bar & Grill ...................(686) 576-0454 Los Arcos - Happy Jack Ass..............(686) 577-2585

Call Today! 686-230-9933 Get Listed!

By Lisa Shannon

Baja Medical Center, located at El Dorado Ranch, formerly only served El Dorado Ranch residents and staff, but is now serving the medical needs of all San Felipe area residents.

The physician operating the clinic is José Manuel Lopez, MD, with the assistance of Blanca A. Halfkamp, RN. Dr. Lopez was invited to start the project with El Dorado Ranch about two years ago. But, that’s just the beginning of this story.

Dr. Lopez is the second generation of doctors in his family right here in San Felipe. His father, Dr. José Manuel Lopez Montes, was a very prominent physician in this area back in the mid-1950s, working out of a small adobe shack.

Things are much different in San Felipe today.

Now the third generation of Lopez physicians, José’s daughter Dr. Laura Andrea Lopez Cruz, proudly serves the community of San Felipe. We are thankful that they are here and represent the longevity of our little town. The clinic is open 7 days a week 8:00AM – 8:00PM for nursing and 8:00AM – 5:00PM Monday-Friday for doctor services.

Call (686) 200-4104 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Northwest Mexico Business Directory - 35

CONNECTING THOUSAND PEOPLE MONTHLY WITH SMART BUSINESS THROUGHOUT BEAUTY SALONS/SALONES DE BELLEZA Hair By Nancy .......................................... (686) 573-2352

NORTTHWEST MEXICO - AND GROWING! GET LISTED TODAY 1-52-686-577-1377 / 1-52-1-686-230-9933

Consultorio Dental Y de Ortodoncia ....(686) 577-6212

INTERIOR DESIGN/DISEÑO INTERIOR Baja Nueva..........................................(686) 211-4676 INTERNET SERVICES/SERVICIOS DE INTERNET The Net ...............................................(686) 577-1600 LANDSCAPING/JARDINERÍA Mauricio’s Lanscaping ........................(686) 151-8002 FURNITURE/MUEBLERÍA Muebles Coloniales Rosy ....................(686) 577-1214

Lilly Ana’s Day Spot ................................. (686) 577-6253

GENERAL CONTRACTOR/CONTRATISTA GENERAL California Real Estate & Construction.(686) 576-0420

BUILDING MATERIALS/MATERIALES DE CONTRUCCIÓN El Dorado Construction Materials.............. (686) 576-0317 Pro-Construction....................................... (686)576-0430 Building Materials, Plumbing, Paint supplies Brick Block, Wood,, & Hardware. Delivery Services Call us!

GLASS SHOP & GARAGE DOORS/VIDRIERA Y PUERTAS DE GARAGE Ka-Va Hermanos .................................(686) 147-3145 GRAPHIC DESIGN/DISEÑO GRÁFICO GreetScape ........................................... 686-188-2393

CATERING Java Jitters BC Bistro .................................. 686-151-8002 CHOCOLATE/CHOCOLATE Baja Chocolate Lovers.............................. (686) 576-0348

Prestige Landscape .......................... ((686) 170-8651 and Maintenance Your Paradise...My Passion Versoleil .............................................. (686) 576-0664

CITY SERVICES/SERVICIOS DE LA CIUDAD District Attorney’s .................................... (686) 577-1110 Mayors Office .......................................... (686) 577-1021 COFFEE & TEA/CAFÉ Y TE Java Jitters & BC Bistro ............................ (686) 114-7735 Tattoo Rose Cafe ...................................... (686) 577-6004 COMMUNITY SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS/ ORGANIZACIONES DE SERVICIO A LA COMUNIDAD Club Las Amigas ...................................... (686) 202-0455 San Felipe Lions Club ............................... (686) 212-3599 San Felipe Rotary ..................................... (686) 576-0112 CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT/MANEJO DE CONSTRUCCIÓN San Felipe Management Services ............. (686) 576-0553

DEVELOPMENTS/FRACCIONAMIENTOS Casablanca .........................................(686) 157-1728 Diamante Residencial ..........................(686) 569-2347 El Dorado Ranch .................................(686) 577-0015 La Perla Del Mar..................................(760) 458-7602 Playa de Oro .......................................(686) 576-0223 Located Seaside of Highway 5, South of Km#179 Just 6½ miles North of San Felipe. USA (509) 280-7517 San Marino .........................................(686) 577-0611 San Rafael ..........................................(686) 576-0223 Playa San Rafael is a 64-acre community only 3/4 mile north of Playa de Oro. Calling from the USA (509) 280-75-17 Website: www.mexico-real-estate.us DOCTORS/DOCTORES Dr. Victor Abasolo ...............................(686) 577-1706 .......................................................or (686) 573-0174

CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT/MANEJO DE CONSTRUCCIÓN Oscar Parra .............................................. (686) 163-6514

FINANCING/FINANCIAMIENTO Baja Lending Company .. ......................(686)152-5233

HOME CLEANING/LIMPIEZA DE CASAS Redwagon Proerty Managment ........... (686) 576-0081 HOME IMPROVEMENTS/MEJORAMIENTO CASERO Baja Home Improvment .......................(686) 222-4507 Tropical Home Improvement ................(686) 577-0041

36 - Northwest Mexico’s Smart Yellow Pages

LAUNDRY SERVICE/LAVANDERÍA Wash Tub............................................ (686) 577-2001 LIFEGUARD/SALVAVIDAS San Felipe Lifeguards ..........................(686) 233-7730 Ask for Franscio LIQUOR/LICORERÍA Tecate Six - Julio .................................(686) 119-0030 LOCKSMITH/CERRAJERO Gomez Locksmith ............................... (686) 221-8337 24 HR Service, Professional Service. Homes, Cars, Boats, Motorcycles, English Spoken MASSAGE/MASAJE Casey’s Place (Massage) ....................(686) 577-1431

HOSPITAL Hospital San Felipe ............................... 686-577-0117 ..................... or call 686-569-3019 or 686-212-1672

Dr. Felix Rodriguez

Av Mar de Cortez #999 San Felipe BC

HEALTH & FITNESS/SALUD Y EJERCICIO KenSue Martial Arts .............................. 686-577-6023 Excerise, Taewaonndo, Mixed Martial Arts Sqatts Gym ........................................... 686-125-1555 See ad on page 34

ENTERTAINMENT/ENTRETENIMIENTO Name That Tune - Denny Flannigan......(686) 576-1683

DENTIST/DENTISTA California Dental Spa ................................ (686) 577-0708 Dr. Felix Rodriguez .................................... (686) 577-1919

(686) 577-1919

HEALTH & BEAUTY/SALUD Y BELLEZA Sea Star .............................................. (686) 577-6250 USANA Health Sciences ......................(686) 116-3982 Call Beth for all your suplemental needs like: nutritional supplements, skin care products, ask about RESET. elisabethan236@uasna.com 686-116-3962

HOME BUILDERS/CONTRATISTAS California Real Estate & Contruction ....(686) 576-0420 HouSing ..............................................(686) 577-0810 San Felipe Home Builders ....................(686) 577-0050

CONSULTING-THERAPY/CONSULTA TERAPÉUTICA Inner Connection ...................................... (686) 202-1208

Personalized Dental Care Cirujano Dentista U.A.B.C.

GYNECOLOGIST/GINECÓLOGO Annel Becerra Prado............................(686) 577-6350 See story and ad on pages 30 & 31

MexQuest Mortgage Corp.................... (686) 211-9520 FISH/PESCADERÍA - No Listings at this time FILM DEVELOPMENT/IMPRESION DE FOTOS Fotografia Alvarez ..............................(686) 577-1144

HOTEL/MOTEL - See Lodging Guide Section at beginning of each city section.

IMPORT SERVICES/SERVICIOS DE IMPORTACIÓN San Felipe Storage Company ............... (686) 576-0432

Northwest Mexico Business Directory - 37

CONNECTING THOUSAND PEOPLE MONTHLY WITH SMART BUSINESS THROUGHOUT MEAT MARKET/CARNICERÍA La Vaquita II ........................................(686) 577-1718 MEDICAL/MEDICO Red Cross ...........................................(686) 577-1544 San Felipe Hospital ..............................(686) 577-0117 Ambulance..........................................(686) 577-0500

NORTTHWEST MEXICO - AND GROWING! GET LISTED TODAY 1-52-686-577-1377 / 1-52-1-686-230-9933 PROPERTY MANAGEMENT/MANEJO DE ROPIEDADES

Call Today! 686-230-9933

Baja Bill’s Prooperty Management ......(686) 577-4014

Get Listed!

SAILING/NAVEGACIÓN Sail San Felipe - Felipe......................... (686) 114-3259

Ron Saunders .....................................(686) 576-0007

SATELLITE TELEVISION & INTERNET/TELEVISION SATELITALES Y INTERNET

OPTOMETRISTS/OPTHAMOLOGISTS Califorina Optical .................................(686) 577-0708 See ad on page 35

Satellite Services/Servicios de Satelitales CSI Computer-Satellite-Installation............686-577-2928

OpticaMaxi Vision .............................. (686) 577-0320

Ph/Fax: 011-686-576-0077 E-mail: info@bajareflections.com Website: bajareflections.com PO Box #9011 PMB #151 Calexico CA 92232

PAINT/PINTURA John B. Ross ........................................ 686-109-9544 PEST CONTROL/FUMIGACIONES No listings at this time

ROOFING/TECHOS San Felipe Professional Roofing ...........(686) 590-6818

Victor Rodriguez Ratliff ........................(686) 573-0222

PHARMACY/FARMACIA Santa Fe Pharmacy ............................(686) 576-0546

Casey’s Place .....................................(686) 577-1431 Redwagon Enterprises.........................(686) 576-0081

SCREEN PRINTING No listings at this time

PUBLICATIONS/PUBLICACIONES Gringo Gazette .................................... (686) 111-3692 Mexico Living Magazine ...................... (686) 577-1377 San Felipe Newsletter ..........................(686) 577-2898

SHOPPING MALL/CENTRO DE COMPRAS La Plazita ............................................(686) 577-2119

REAL ESTATE AGENTS/AGENTES DE BIENES RAÍCES Bill Maine ............................................(686) 231-4921 Gary Gold ...........................................(686) 211-9952 Kathy Preppernau................................(686) 210-4458 Katy Asimus .......................................(686) 211-5474 Nate Morace .......................................(686) 171-3257

Botica “Sagrado Corszon” ...................(686) 577-1294 PHOTOGRAPHY/FOTOGRAFÍA Casey Hamlin.com ..............................(686) 577-1431 Francisco Romo ..................................(686) 577-1193

Desert Mother .....................................(686) 577-2552 Desert Realty ......................................(686) 577-6336 Sea Mexico Realtiy (SMR) ...................(686) 576-0223

POSTAL SERVICES/SERVICIOS POSTALES Yetmail ................................................ (686) 577-1255

STORAGE/ALMACÉN Lock Box .............................................. 686-576-0606 San Felipe Storage Company ............... (686) 576-0432

REAL ESTATE/BIENES RAÍCES Amor Property ....................................(686) 577-0611 Baja Ranch & Sea Realty .....................(686) 577-1304 California Real Estate & Construction..(686) 576-0420 Call Margaret Realty ............................(686) 577-1156

Call Margaret Realty 686-577-1156 Ask for Glenda (If calling from the states dial 001-52-686-577-1156)

PIZZA/PIZZA Los Arcos - Happy Jack Ass ...............(686) 577-2585 Popeye’s Pizza .................................... (686) 577-1122

SPANISH LESSONS/CLASES DE ESPAÑOL Kelly Walsh .........................................(686) 209-9564

RECREATION/RECREACIÓN San Felipe Sailing-Sailing Lessons .......(686) 114-3259 Aerodynamic - Ultralight flights ...........(686) 116-2933 RENTALS/RENTAS Casey’s Place .....................................(686) 577-1431 Rancho del Sol Vacation Home ............(686) 231-4921 Redwagon Rental Property ..................(686) 576-0081

TATTOOING/TATUAJES Baja Ink Spot Tattoo & Body Piercing ...(686) 577-2538 TRANSLATION/TRADUCCIÓN Carlota Villagran B ...............................(686) 212-9951 TRANSPORTATION/TRANSPORTACIÓN Airport ................................................(686) 577-1368 Taxi Service ........................................(686) 577-1293 UTILITIES/UTILIDADES Electric Company (CFE) ......................(686) 577-1060 Propane Gas .......................................(686) 577-2373 Telnor Phone Co ..................................(686) 577-1000 Water Company ..................................(686) 577-1022 VETERINARY/VETERINARIO Hospital Animal ...................................(686) 577-1688 PETS ..................................................(686) 577-2155 WASTE MANAGEMENT/MANEJO DE DESHECHO San Felipe Disposal .............................(686) 121-1004 WELDING SERVICES/SERVICIOS DE SOLDADURA Waldo The Welder ...............................(686) 226-3127 WINDOW CLEANING/LIMPIEZA DE VENTANAS Pro Window Cleaning ..........................(686) 590-6594

Call Today! 686-230-9933 Get Listed!

38 - Northwest Mexico’s Smart Yellow Pages

PRINTERS/IMPRESORAS Papeleria Copicentro ...........................(686) 577-1402 The Print Supplier ................................(686) 230-9933

Sandollar Beachfront Condos ..............(686) 576-0081

Call Today! 686-230-9933

RESTAURANTS/RESTAURANTES See DINING GUIDE section

Get Listed!

Northwest Mexico Business Directory - 39

40 - The ONLY Monthly Guide to Northwest Mexico

Get more info: www.mexicoliving.info - 41

PUERTO PEÑASCO (ROCKY POINT)

Puerto Peñasco, Sonora

Road over the desert of Sonora, Mexico - By Jesús Eloy Ramos Lara

PUERTO PENASCO SONORA MEXICO Puerto Peñasco, commonly known among many of its English-speaking visitors as Rocky Point, is a small city of approximately 42,000 people in the northern state of Sonora, Mexico. Located on the shore of the Gulf of California (also known as the Sea of Cortéz), the town is known for its fishing and tourism industries.

It is a popular destination for tourists, particularly those from Arizona, for Puerto Peñasco is nearest beach.

This is why it is such a popular Spring Break destination with students from Arizona, New Mexico, and California.

Puerto Peñasco is located in the ‘free zone’ where tourists are not required currently to obtain immigration papers in order to visit. However, U.S. Border Patrol agents advise a combination of identification documents, such as a U.S. Drivers License and a U.S. Bir th Cer tificate or a valid U.S. passport - PASSPORTS ARE NOT REQUIRED! Puerto Peñasco is has new fuel docks and other boat-related developments as part of the country’s ‘Escalera Nautica’ efforts, which call for a chain of ‘tourist-class’ marinas sprinkled up and down the Baja coast in an effort to promote nautical tourism.

Puerto Peñasco has two main beach areas. To the west of the Old Port area, there is a wide, flat area known as Sandy Beach. This is the home to several large hotel/ resorts, and more are under construction. East of Puerto Peñasco, there is a long coast with several areas, known in parts as La Mirador, Playa del Oro and then Las Conchas, an area of beachfront and near-beach condos, homes and timeshares.

Puerto Peñasco is in the same time zone as Arizona observes, and does not observe rules for Daylight Saving Time same as Arizona.

GETTING TO PUERTO PENASCO FLYING Puerto Peñasco (Rocky Point) now has flights to and from Los Angeles (LAX), twice daily; one leaves Puerto

42 - The ONLY Monthly Guide to Northwest Mexico

TAKING A SHUTTLE If you want get to Puerto Peñasco and don’t want to drive, you can consider taking a shuttle for fast trouble free travel.

Head out to Rocky Point (www.headouttorockypoint. com) is offering 15-person chartered vans to Puerto Peñasco out of Phoenix. Also, Kona Shuttle (www. konashuttle.com), which offers $179 roundtrips from Tucson and Phoenix in their Mercedes-Benz mini coaches. Both companies are based out of Phoenix.

THINGS TO DO Puerto Peñasco has a wide variety of activities available for everyone, from the lazy days relaxing in the sun, to the action filled wild ride. Activities including shopping, scuba diving, sport fishing, sunset cruises,

off-road adventures, horseback riding, kayaking, parasailing, watercraft rentals and much more.

RULES TO KNOW

Here are a few basic rules to follow to avoid trouble: • NO drinking and driving vehicles of any kind including ATVs. • No drinking under 18 years of age.

• All vehicles are prohibited on the beach.

• No riding ATV’s after dark, on the beaches or on Blvd Juarez.

• Fireworks in designated areas until 10:00 PM • No possession of drugs, guns or weapons.

• Speed limits (25 MPH) and drivers must be 16 Photos by Robin Waters years old.

Peñasco at 11:40am, and arrives in LAX at 12:10pm and the other leaves Puerto Peñasco at 4:30PM and arrives in LAX at 5:30PM, every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sundays.

DRIVING Visitors to the interior of Sonora are now able to drive directly to such cities as Guaymas, San Carlos, Hermosillo, Bahia de Kino, Caborca, Father Kino Missions, Magdalena, and Santa Ana without the timeconsuming process of obtaining a car permit. With the movement of the “Only Sonora” vehicle checkpoint, visitors to the state will no longer have to obtain a car permit in order to travel south of Nogales. Puerto Peñasco From Phoenix travel west on I-10 to State Route 85, continue southbound on SR 85 to Gila Bend and turn right at a sign stating “Mexico” and “SR 85 South” before McDonalds. Continue southbound on SR 85 through Ajo, Why and the Organ Pipe National Monument to the border at Lukeville, Arizona.

From Tucson, take State Route 86 westbound to “Why”, Arizona and go south on SR 85 through Organ Pipe National Monument to the border at Lukeville, AZ. From Yuma, go eastbound on I-8 from Yuma to the SR 85 to Gila Bend and turn left at a sign stating “Mexico” and “SR 85 South” just past the McDonalds.

Continue southbound on SR 85 through Ajo, Why and the Organ Pipe National Monument to the border at Lukeville, Arizona.

From Ensenada or San Felipe take the Mexico Route 2 (MR-2) towards San Luis Rio Colorado and continue on MR-2 to Sonoita.

From the border, you will continue southbound two miles to a three-way intersection in Sonoita. Merge LEFT towards Caborca for one until the road splits into a “Y”, stay to the RIGHT and you’re on your way.

Continue southbound approximately fifty miles to Puerto Peñasco.

Get more info: www.mexicoliving.info - 43

PUERTO PENASCO, SONORA Lodging & Dining Guide

LODGING

Discover for yourself why Puerto Peñasco Mexico is such a great place to stay. Whether beach camping or seaside resort, the views are always amazing. Watch the sunset drop behind San Felipe and San Pedro Martir, Baja’s tallest mountain. Puerto Peñasco offers choices of lodging from “this’ll work” minimalist accommodations that cost nearly nothing to the luxurious resorts, condos and hotels.

RV Park/Parque de RV Bonita RV Park .............................638-383-1400 Desert Oasis Resort .....................638-102-0222 Playa Bonita .................................638-383-2596 Rentals/Se Rente Casa Encanto Beach House..........638-383-4549 Cyndi’s Beachfront Home Rentals 638-383-5145 Cortez Beach Rentals ...................638-383-6209 Sylvia’s Condos ...........................638-383-5429 Twin Dolphins Rentals ..................638-383-3919 Motels/Moteles Alexander Motel ...........................638-383-3749 Baja Hotel ....................................638-383-6878 Balboa’s Restaurant .....................638-383-5155 Best Western/Playa Inn ................638-383-5015

44 - The ONLY Monthly Guide to Northwest Mexico

Carmelita Motel ............................638-383-2570 El Faro Motel ................................638-383-2005 El Mirador Village .........................638-383-6333 El Ranchito Motel .........................638-383-5103 Playa Azul Motel ..........................638-383-6296 Playa Bonita Hotel ........................638-383-2586 Sandy Beach Resorts ...................638-383-1111 Sonoran Spa Resort .....................638-383-1044 Playa Inn/Best Western ................638-383-5015 If you have question please call Mexico Living Customer Service USA 800-576-0919 Ext. 3 / Mexico 52-686-577-1377, 9:00AM - 3:00PM Mon-Fri.

DINING

Mexican Betos Place ...................................... 638-383-5198 Cocodrilos ....................................... 638-383-6376 La Curva .......................................... 638-383-3470 Manny’s Beach Club ........................ 638-383-3605

La Spa de Penasco

Six years ago last month, Tony Poteste and his wife, Jerri, moved from Anchorage, Alaska, where they ran a spa, to Puerto Peñasco, Sonora, Mexico, to open La Spa de Peñasco at the Sonoran Spa Resort.

Just sixty miles south of the Arizona border, on the shores of the magical Sea of Cortez and surrounded by rolling sand dunes, is the Sonoran Spa Resort Rocky Point, an eight-story resort located right on the beautiful beach of Puerto Peñasco. Facilities at the resort include a restaurant, spa, three swimming pools, two hot tubs, tennis courts, a fitness center, a small store, a souvenir shop and La Spa de Peñasco.

PUERTO PEÑASCO (ROCKY POINT) La Spa de Peñasco is an independent business and has no affiliation with the Resort other than location. La Spa de Peñasco is the only spa on the beach, an attribute that enables one of their most popular treatments: the “pedicure with a view” which features a pedicure area that looks directly out onto the Sea of Cortez. Also distinguishing La Spa de Peñasco is their extensive menu of discounted packages, which are very popular and of great value to their clientele.

There are several spas in the Puerto Peñasco area, but Tony says he has not found the atmosphere competitive: “The spa business has not been that competitive in the past, [since] the other spas in town cater mostly to locals.” According to Tony, the clientele of La Spa de Peñasco is connected directly to the tourist industry; the spa draws from all of the different resorts in the area. “One other spa has opened this year in another resort, but it is too early to say how competitive they will be,” Tony adds.

Whether you are looking for a simple pedicure while gazing out onto the waters of the Sea of Cortez, or want to experience an intense therapeutic massage, the services of La Spa de Peñasco are sure to accommodate you and your guests. Tony and Jerri invite you to renew and nourish your body, mind and soul at their new state-of-the-art facility.

Their website can be found at www. laspadepenasco.com. Here you can watch a video and view pictures of the facility. Appointments can be made in advance online.

Steak & Seafood Friendly Dolphin ............................... 638-383-2608 Lighthouse ....................................... 638-383-2389 Latitude 31 Rest. & Sports Bar .......... 638-383-4311 Chinese Rocky Point Chinese ........................ 638-383-5940

Get more info: www.mexicoliving.info - 45

Rita after a session in Playa Encanto

Go 2 Rocky Point For Fun & Health

by John Pack

The adventure camps started with giving kids For a thousand years, massage and yoga have been used to heal and strengthen. Many would say something to do rather than watch their parents ride that they are the two best natural therapies available, around in golf carts all weekend. “We take kids and working together to help chronic injuries. Massage will families camping and out to the places that we like relax tense muscles and increase circulation, helping to go. We get them active by doing something new, to detoxify and oxygenate the tissues. This allows making each trip and experience an adventure.”

Their explorations can take you to The Gold repairing cells to reach the damaged tissue and heal Mine, El Gulfo, The Pinacate faster, both reducing pain and Mountains, La Pinta, Galespi increasing mobility.

Stone House and even a In addition to strengthening secret spot. Rita explains, and giving flexibility to an “We have many ideas to area, yoga can retrain the create a culturally enriching muscles injured by trying to and physically demanding guard an affected area. Yoga adventure for all ages.” will also tone the surrounding Tommy has been kite area, helping to hold the surfing for two years, and Rita spine, neck, hips and body in for one. Peñasco is a great better alignment. Plus, it can place to kite, especially Cholla also help you relieve stress Bay with the north winds in the through relaxation exercises Tommy kiting at the flats in Cholla Bay winter months and all along and breathing techniques, the coast with the southerly winds in the summer. bringing you an overall sense of balance and relief.

According to Rita, there are sometimes good Rita has been involved in massage for ten years, with half that time spent in Mexico. Rita is skilled in various waves in Peñasco (yes, waves on the Sea of Cortez!), types of massage, including Swedish, myofascial but most of the time the waves are small - good for therapy, sports massage, hot stone massage, prenatal teaching beginner surfers.

Puerto Peñasco is a great place to stay active and massage, infant massage, and polarity therapy, as well as combined techniques. “I have learned throughout be outdoors. Rita and Tommy are both very active the years to customize the massage to the needs of and interested in fitness. They have both practiced my client,” she says. “For example, a muscular young different sports and have tried various ways to stay man will get a very different massage from that given fit. Rita is a pescovegetarian, meaning she eats fish a senior petite lady, so being in tune with the needs and vegetables but no meat or chicken, which helps of each person makes every massage unique.” Her her stay healthy.

Rita offers a 10% discount on massage to anyone goal is a therapeutic massage that both relaxes and staying in her rentals, and provides stress relief.

Tommy gives half-price kite lessons to their Additionally, Rita has been teaching yoga for about guests.

8 years, and practicing for over 12 years.

To see all that they have to offer, check out their web Rita and her boyfriend Tommy offer a wide variety of services, including vacation rentals, massage, site. For more detailed information on a particular activity, home inspections, yoga, kite surfing, pet sitting and http://www.go2rockypoint.com, e-mail ritapizarro@ adventure camps. “It seems like a lot, but somehow it gmail.com, or call them from the U.S. at 602-748-4134, or in Puerto Peñasco at 383-8030. all fits our lifestyle,” says Rita.

46 - The ONLY Monthly Guide to Northwest Mexico

Vacation Rentals, Massage Therapy, Yoga... ...and so much more RENTALS FROM $80 MASSAGE FROM $55 AN HOUR VACATION RENTALS: We have Eco friendly solar powered homes like Casa Papalote that sleeps 4 on the third row from the beach, an eclectic house with charm and a fireman’s pole for fun to our larger house that sleeps 8+ and has a large living room with great ocean views. Or our “In Town House” which is a two bedroom, one bath 2nd floor apartment in the heart of things.

MASSAGE & YOGA: Rita Pizarro is a graduate of the Indiana

College of Bodywork Modalities. She has over 7 years of experience in her massage practice working with clients from all over the world. Soft touch massage to deep tissue, myofascial techniques and sports massage, Swedish massage, Prenatal Massage, Hot Stone Massage, Polarity Therapies in between others and will blend different techniques in one session depending on the needs of her client in that particular session.

KITE BOARDING: This is the recreation or sport of riding a modified surfboard attached to a power kite for propulsion. It’s become a very popular sport for water sport enthusiasts and fun seekers. If you have your own equipment and need help send us a note or call and we will see what we can do for you. We have many kites, but don’t have harnesses so you will at least need to have a harness.

GO2ROCKYPOINT.COM

Go 2 Rocky Point Have an Adventure Call: 602 748 4134 ot Email: ritapizarro@gmail.com

Get more info: www.mexicoliving.info - 47

PUERTO PEĂ&#x2018;ASCO SON. MEXICO

YE L L OW PA G ES DIALING INSTRUCTIONS: USA to MX Cell Phone: 011+52+1+Area Code+(Tel #) USA to Mexico: 011+Area Code+(Tel #) Mexico to USA: 001+Area Code+(Tel #) MX Landline to MX Cell Phone: 044+Area Code+(Tel #) MX Cell Phone to MX Landline: Area Code+(Tel #)

DIALING 800 NUMBER: 800 DIALING to the US From Mexico (dial 001+) To Dial USA 800 ......................................dial 880 To Dial USA 866 ......................................dial 883 To Dial USA 877 ......................................dial 882 To Dial USA 888 ......................................dial 881

IMPORTANT NUMBERS: MX 411 (Spanish only)...................................040 Tourist Assistance Hotline ..............................076 Check Time....................................................030 Emergencies ..................................................060 Tourist Safety ...........................1-800-5903-9200

P UERTO PEĂ&#x2018;ASCO

ACCOUNTING/CONTABILIDAD BBBS Inc. ...........................................(928) 329-8000 ARCHITECT/ARQUITECTO Punio Rivero .......................................(638) 383-4710 BEAUTY SPAS/SALONES DE BELLEZ Gloriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Beauty Salon .........................(638) 383-1890 La Spa de PeĂąasco ............................(638) 382-8111

133 Homes Sites on 1,300 Feet of Pristine Beachfront z Underground Utilities z Pool &

DENTIST/DENTISTA RockySmiles ......................................(638) 383-1844

Community Center z Home Site & Construction Financing is Available z Grand Opening Pricing Discounts Up to 30% Good up the 4th of July

DEVELOPMENTS/FRACCIONAMIENTOS "Parayso" Desembembogue Devept.....(638) 388-5707

Just 3 Miles South of the Airport on the Road to Puertecitios. Sales Office Open Wednesday Thru Monday.

Call From the USA to 619-607-1349 Call From Mexico to 686-120-7406 Email to Info@DiamanteResidencial.com

DOCTORS/DOCTORES Dr. Luis Vasquez, M.D. .......................(638) 383-3014 FINANCING/FINANCIAMIENTO Platinum Capital..................................(602) 692-8523 HEALTH & FITNESS/SALUD Y EJERCICIO La Spa de Penasco ............................(638) 382-8111 HOTEL/HOTEL See Rosarito/Ensenada Lodging Guide at the beginning of each city section.

MASSAGE/MASAJE Rita Pizarro ......................................... (638) 386-5203 MEDICAL CLINIC/CLĂ?NICA MĂ&#x2030;DICA 1One Stop Medical Clinic ..................(638) 110-7898 Clinica Hospital ................................. (638) 383-2447 MOTEL/MOTEL See Rosarito/Ensenada Lodging Guide page 42 REAL ESTATE/BIENES RAĂ?CES Buena Vide Real Estate ........................(638) 110-4127 Majestic Realty ...................................(638) 388-1120 Mexican Beach Developers..................(638) 383-8417 RESTAURANTS/RESTAURANTES See Dining Guide on page 42

Call Today! 686-230-9933 Get Listed!

ĂŁWAYSĂŁTOĂŁWORKĂŁUPĂŁANĂŁAPPETITE ĂŁ ĂŁDELICIOUSĂŁWAYSĂŁTOĂŁSATISFYĂŁIT If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve ever experienced the acclaimed Las Caras de MĂŠxico championship golf course at El Dorado Ranch, you know that playing 18 sun-drenched, seaside holes can really get your appetite going. So after youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve conquered the back nine, be sure to make time for a satisfying meal at one of our restaurants. No matter which one you choose, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be treated to a flavorful, filling meal in the delightfully relaxed setting that made Baja famous.

JUANITOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CANTINA

LA PALAPA BAR & GRILL

Steak, Seafood & Mexican Specialties 686-200-4084

Casual Mexican & American Cuisine 686-200-4083

LA LANGOSTA ROJA

THE PAVILION

Gourmet Italian Cuisine 686-577-0483

Gourmet Global Cuisine 686-577-0022 (ext. 4122) z

z

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS LISTING HERE ONLY $4 PER MONTH YOUR BUSINESS IS WORTH IT

48-- Northwest The ONLY Monthly Guide to Smart Northwest Mexico Pages 48 Mexicoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Yellow

yellowpages@mexicoliving.info MEX 686-230-9933 USA 800-576-0919 Ext. 3

z

z

For tee times, call 686-577-0088 x4052 or visit www.eldoradoranch.com.

Seaside Resort. Condos. Homes.

Get more info: www.mexicoliving.info - 49

By Anna Kaplan Americans living in Mexico can simply pay out of pocket for medical care, because everything is much less expensive. An office visit with a doctor costs about $25. An overnight hospital stay is about $35.

Prescription drugs cost half of what they do in the United States.

Americans buyPack, international or Mexican private Photo by can Rachel others photos as indicated. insurance. Or, they can enroll in thedrawn IMSSby health Map Johnplan.

Pack Anyone living in Mexico can apply, pay the fee, and be eligible for healthcare.

But is the healthcare good? The answer to that question is yes. It is especially good in very large cities like Guadalajara and Mexico City, which have tertiary care hospitals that can match anything in the United States. It is more uneven in rural areas.

Small hospitals do not offer all services. If you need specialized care or surgery, you may need to go to the nearest large city.

A

mericans are worried about healthcare.

There are more than 40 million without health insurance of any kind. Some obtain insurance through their employers, but they are paying more out-ofpocket and getting less. People over 65 are eligible for Medicare. The poor can apply for Medicaid.

But many middle class, hard-working citizens cannot afford to purchase ever-increasingly expensive health insurance. Costs are out of control.

Anyone watching the news during this presidential election year in the United States knows that health care reform is a large issue. Although the candidates running for president have plans, nothing yet has helped the average American.

What may surprise some Americans is how far Mexico has progressed in certain areas of health care. At the current time, Mexico has a three-tier system. The first tier provides the poorest Mexicans with very limited care. The second tier includes government-run, social security institutions. One of these, IMSS, or Insituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, offers health care to people not covered by the other social security agencies. Americans living in Mexico can apply for IMSS health care. The third tier is private medical care, which is flourishing right alongside the other systems.

50 - The ONLY Monthly Guide to Northwest Mexico

If you plan on living in Mexico, you need to seriously consider your own medical and financial situation. Medicare does not pay for any services out of the United States. People in Mexico who maintain residency in the U.S. may use their Medicare, providing they can get back to the States. Medical care received in Mexico must be paid at the time, and will not be reimbursed by Medicare. If you need emergency transport back to the United States, you might have to pay anywhere between 15,000 and 25,000 dollars for an air medical transport. You may want to consider purchasing an air evacuation policy.

Transport by ambulance is less, but still expensive. If you have a serious, chronic illness, you need to think carefully about a move to Mexico.

Private American insurance is rarely accepted in Mexico. You also need to ask your insurer if treatment is covered outside of the country. Often it is not.

Even if it is, you will have to pay your bills yourself if you are treated in Mexico. You can then try and get your insurer to reimburse you. As more Americans seek medical care in Mexico, some of the doctors and hospitals are trying to help with documentation for your insurance carrier. But it remains your responsibility.

There are many Americans moving to Mexico who don’t have any health insurance. They may be unable to afford it, or be considered uninsurable because of preexisting conditions.

For those who have moved to Mexico or spend most of their time there, joining IMSS makes sense.

For somewhere between 200 and 250 dollars a year, you gain access to IMSS care. The paperwork can be difficult. You need an interpreter if you don’t speak Spanish, or you can pay someone to do the paperwork for you. You may only be able to apply during certain months of the year. You need multiple copies of documents: your current passport and immigration documentation, FM-2, or FM-3 or Immigrado status, your marriage license (if married), proof of residency (a lease agreement, or telephone bill in your name), and two or three passport-type photos. It is worth checking beforehand to make sure you have the right documents and enough copies.

After the paperwork, you have an examination by a physician and are entered into the system.

Coverage begins anywhere from almost immediately to months later. There are exclusions, including preexisting conditions.

Some illnesses and surgeries that are not covered the first year, are covered the second year, and still more in the third year. You can stay in the IMSS system as long as you pay the premium.

If you have an emergency or a car accident, you will get medical care.

Consider the example of Catherine Jones, a registered nurse and breast cancer survivor. While living in San Felipe, Mexico, she enrolled in the IMSS program. She considers herself very fortunate. “I had (IMSS) from 2002-2006,” says Jones. “The process of getting the insurance in Mexicali was easy. Thank God that I had that insurance when I was diagnosed. I had no other insurance at that time. It literally helped to save my life. The doctor at the San Felipe clinic for IMSS referred me to Mexicali to have a physical and a mammogram. The mammogram showed probable cancer of the left breast. They referred me to an oncology surgeon. They promptly scheduled me for surgery.”

Jones continues, “I am a registered nurse with many years of working in the operating room and emergency room. I was impressed with the entire processing of me from the preop room through the surgery. As it turned out I

“

had metastatic cancer. It had already gotten into 4 of my left axillary nodes. The surgeon did a beautiful job with the surgery. I had NO complications and they were fast at getting me set up for chemo, and after the chemo, radiation.”

Jones added, “I can’t say enough for the treatment I received from IMSS. It does help to understand Spanish as not all the doctors and other medical personnel speak English. It is up to us to understand and speak Spanish if we expect to live in their country and have their medical insurance, which is so reasonable, compared with the US.” The quality of care at IMSS clinics and hospitals varies by location. In some places, the doctors and nurses do not speak English, there are long waits, and hospitals are overcrowded. However, many Mexican doctors, especially those located where a lot of Americans live, do speak English. They may have done part of their medical training the United States. Many doctors work for both IMSS and privately. But you don’t get to pick your own IMSS doctor.

Costs are so much lower than in the United States that people who have IMSS often pay for private doctor visits. They use IMSS like catastrophic insurance. In fact, 25% of Mexicans with IMSS insurance still pay out-of-pocket for their care. One way to circumvent some of the problems with IMSS is to have your private doctor recommend you to the IMSS clinic or specialist that would be best for you.

Americans going to Mexico can buy international health insurance. The cost depends on age, preexisting medical conditions, and what the insurance covers.

Some choose to include emergency air transportation back to the United States, and repatriation of remains

The process of getting the insurance in Mexicali was easy. Thank God that I had that insurance when I was diagnosed.

”

Get more info: www.mexicoliving.info - 51

should that be necessary. There is no guarantee that a hospital will accept this insurance. You may still have to pay, and submit bills for reimbursement.

Mexico’s private system is also available to anyone needing health care in Mexico, Mexican nationals and American expatriates alike, provided you can pay for it.

One option is to buy medical insurance from a Mexican company. The premiums are lower, and once you pay a certain amount, 100% of the rest of a hospitalization is paid by the insurance company.

People who choose to buy Mexican insurance say that the companies are more reasonable about what is considered a preexisting condition, and give more personal attention.

At the current time, you are required to pay about $500 for a specific illness, and then the rest is covered.

Dennis and Sandi Flannigan’s experience shows how the American health system fails people.

The availability of Mexican Dr. Victor Abasolo private insurance influenced their decision to move to Mexico. He says, “In 2003, my wife Sandi and I were covered by Blue Cross with a number (of) preexisting conditions that made it nearly impossible to have any type of protection should some emergency arise. Our family doctor evaluated us and took every piece of information to the insurance companies. If you took glucosamine and chondroitin supplement as a preventative for joint problems, it was listed as ‘severe arthritis.’ Preventive aspirin programs were taken to mean high blood pressure. Sandi had had one migraine headache treated at the hospital. I had a visit that also put me in the ‘High Risk’ category.

All vitamins and measures taken for preventive maintenance merely raise your rates.”

He adds, “When our physician turned this information in, we had so many pre-existing (conditions) that we had to be state subsidized. By the time 4 years had elapsed in the States with no claims, our monthly premium was $1389.00 and going up every month. The care, affordability and quality of coverage was a main factor in our move here. My friends in the States basically cannot afford coverage. When a situation arises, it can make or break a family’s living style.”

Flannigan applied for private Mexican insurance from Grupo Nacional Provincial, a company with 52 - The ONLY Monthly Guide to Northwest Mexico

more than 100 years in the insurance business. He was evaluated by San Felipe physician Dr. Abasolo.

“When we arrived, Dr. Abasolo gave me physical which came out very positive with no preexisting conditions,” says Flannigan. “A rate for me at that time (was) about $143 a month with a company called GNP. Our business was welcome. We were treated with respect. Suddenly our lives had changed with the peace of mind now afforded us.”

He explains, “What happens is, you pay the first x amount of dollars and they pay 100% of everything after that. That’s really desirable. We are allowed to go to the doctors of our choice. We have found hospitals, doctors, and accommodations to be among the finest anywhere.”

One difficulty with Mexican medical insurance is that you have to pay the entire year’s premium upfront. There is no monthly billing plan. Of course, premiums do go up with age. This may be too much for some people. Also, Mexican private insurance does not really cover treatment elsewhere, like in the United States.

But for many like Flannigan, this is the best possible option. He says, “Now, if something happens to me, I at least have coverage. It’s good coverage. I have good doctors. The hospitals are clean. I’m not so sure that I haven’t had better care (in Mexico).

They are not running in and out like you are just a number, like (in) the United States. So I have been really pleased.”

He describes a recent hospitalization for surgery.

He says, “I had a herniated navel. I was diagnosed

by Dr. Abasolo on Friday. I went to the hospital on Saturday and was back by actually Monday because I chose to stay an extra day.”

There are some surgeries that can be done in San Felipe, but this procedure needed to be done quickly.

They went to a hospital in Mexicali. While Flannigan says the hospital was not “cushy,” it was clean and he got very good care.

“They have a little extra cot so your spouse can stay with you,” he says. “It’s wonderful. The people are so nice, even if you can’t speak Spanish. I speak enough now that I am able to tell them what I need.”

During Flannigan’s first hospitalization, the person who sold him his insurance, Theresa Corona, came

to visit him. “When was the last time you spent a stay in the hospital and had your Allstate Agent visit you twice?” he asks. “During my last stay, I was visited twice by a very caring Theresa to be sure that I was okay and everything was satisfactory.”

Flannigan’s experience points out some things about healthcare in Mexico which an American would not anticipate. Most hospitals expect a patient’s spouse to stay with them in the room, and there is a cot and space for that. If you have someone with you who is familiar with medical fees, together you can review your bill. You can request to have changes made if you feel you have been overcharged. You might just get your bill lowered. And Mexican doctors make house calls.

Of course, not everyone has a positive experience in the hospital or with a doctor in Mexico.

The same could easily be said of hospitals and doctors in the United States. It does help to speak Spanish or have a translator with you. It also helps to be informed.

There are a number of books and websites that gather information about health care in Mexico.

MedToGo (www.medtogo.com ) is a site built by physicians to help people get the best healthcare they can, wherever they go. It is geared for travelers, expatriates, and so called “medical tourists” who go to Mexico to get elective surgery at low cost.

Mexico Connect (www.mexconnect.com) also has information, some of which is free. “Mexico: The Trick is Living Here” author Julia Taylor offers her advice about many things including healthcare. You can read parts of her book at www.home-sweetmexico.com.

The situation in regard to healthcare in Mexico is changing rapidly. Medical tourism is on the rise.

Companies are building beautiful, modern facilities to handle elective procedures, from gastric bypass surgery to hip replacements and cosmetic surgery.

Even with the most up-to-date equipment and staff, hospitals in Mexico still cost significantly less than the United States. These new hospitals are also attracting wealthy Mexicans who used to go to the United States for treatment.

One group building the hospitals is Star Medica.

They already have facilities scattered throughout Mexico. They are building in other cities, including Puerto Peñasco. These hospitals will not just be for medical tourists. They will also be available to the people who live near them, giving Americans more access to upscale and up-to-date care.

Mexico today is a place where a wide spectrum

“

of healthcare is available for Americans. It behooves anyone considering moving there to think about their medical needs. As helpful as the information in this article, on the websites above, or from an insurance agent might be, the most important thing of all may be to talk to Americans who actually live where you want to go. They can tell you which doctors speak English, which services have actually worked for them.

There are new developments on the United States side of the border. Some insurance companies are running pilot programs to let patients get their care in Mexico, and there are some Mexican private hospitals who are accepting American health insurance. There are researchers trying to find a way to make changes in Medicare. In 2007 a conference at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, the University of Texas at Austin, took place, entitled “The Future of Health Care for U.S. Retirees in Mexico.” Perhaps the American government and insurers will take a serious look at the issue. Considering that healthcare reform is such a divisive issue in the United States, it may take time. Luckily there are still many options for healthcare south of the border.

...We have found hospitals, doctors, and accommodations to be among the finest anywhere.

”

Get more info: www.mexicoliving.info - 53

Plans for Healthcare Services in Mexico for U.S. Citizens

Cruz Roja (Red Cross) to the Rescue

By Lisa Shannon

SAN FELIPE CRUZ ROJA - Cruz Roja Mexicana, San Felipe is the only organization to provide Emergency Medical Services, answering 70 calls per month, on average. Ambulance response is the main assistance provided, 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.

On February 25th, 2008, in a formal ceremony with Mexico’s president, Mr. Felipe Calderón, San Felipe received eight ambulances for Baja California. A local dedication ceremony was held on March 14. The new equipment, worth US $2,800, was donated by the San Felipe Rotary Club. The equipment includes a new monitordefibrillator, an oximeter, a complete laryngoscope set and other essential rescue items, including equipment for an Advanced Life Support Unit with general supplies as part of the ambulance’s supplies.

Currently, Cruz Roja is working on various projects under the leadership of Nefi Ramírez García, who started with Cruz Roja in September 1985. “I started at the Mexico City earthquake as a first time volunteer with Rescate de Michoacán,” he remembers, “but in 1990, I moved to serve as a Red Cross volunteer at Morelia Michoacán. This year I will celebrate 18 years serving in Cruz Roja Mexicana.” In April 2007, Mr. Garcia was invited to serve as the General Administrator or General Director of the local chapter (delegación).

Financial support comes from the “Monthly Donor Program,” a personal commitment to donate 100 pesos monthly. The program’s goal is 500 donors, or 50,000 pesos per month. This funds the ambulance crews, local radio dispatchers and full-time, professionally certified EMS personnel. An Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification project is underway to train five local EMTs for ACLS certification.

Mr. Garcia says that the community can help Cruz Roja in one major way: prevention. “We like to serve, but we do not desire accidents. If people respect transit laws, use safety belts, wear a helmet on motorcycles and minimize risks at home, we will receive few emergency calls.”

54 - The ONLY Monthly Guide to Northwest Mexico

Cruz Roja provides community training for CPR, Disaster Preparedness and First Aid. The organization’s funding depends upon individual and personal donations, which are necessary to support Cruz Roja because it is a socially-based organization and receives no governmental funding. Its operational costs are 110,000-120,000 pesos per month.

Contacting Cruz Roja is simple: for emergency calls, dial 066 from any cellphone or landline. Bilingual staff in Mexicali will take the address and report. The local telephone number (for emergencies and nonemergencies) is 686-577-1544. For non-emergencies, administration/public office hours are 9M to 9PM MondaySaturday. Feel free to visit the administrative office and ask to see the accountability books, records, statistics and bank accounts; these belong to the community and are open to anyone wishing to see them to learn what Cruz Roja does with every peso it receives.

Cruz Roja thanks San Felipe for supporting this essential part of the community, and Rotary Club for donating the emergency equipment. This community deserves the most professional emergency response possible. Cruz Roja is looking to be such a provider, but it will take time, money and lots of help.

Donations can be made in person at the Cruz Roja medical office or by deposit into the CRUZ ROJA account. All checks should be made payable to CRUZ ROJA MEXICANA DELEGACIÓN SAN FELIPE, I.A.P. or CRUZ ROJA MEXICANA, BBVA BANCOMER, Cuenta No. 0156279244 CRUZ ROJA MEXICANA DELEGACIÓN SAN FELIPE I.A.P. Supplies, medical and EMS equipment can be donated at the medical or administrative office.

More ambulance equipment is still needed: C-collars, backboards, first aid supplies, glucometers, newer defibrillators and vital sign monitors.

Emergency: 066 / San Felipe: 686-577-1544

Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim is moving ahead with his plans to open hospitals in Mexico that cater to US baby boomers. Slim’s business concept might be compared to a maquiladora export factory. A raw product, in this case an ailing US citizen, is imported into Mexico, “put together” and then re-exported back to the home country. Ironically, Slim’s fortune, now estimated to be larger than that of Bill Gates, derives in part from the tycoon’s Marlboro cigarette business in Mexico.

In partnership with Grupo Star Medica, Slim’s Ideal company intends to open new medical centers in Puerto Peñasco, Sonora, and in Los Cabos on the Baja California peninsula. A national hospital chain, Grupo Star Medica is a fast-growing business with expansion plans in Ciudad Juarez and additional Mexican cities.

In 2007, Ideal purchased 49 percent of Grupo Star Medica’s stock. Specializing in construction and development, Ideal has agreed to help Grupo Star Medica with infrastructure, acquisition and financing.

With its planned medical centers in Puerto Peñasco and Los Cabos, Grupo Star Medica plans to tap into a new market segment of US baby boomers who are buying second homes in Mexico. Reportedly, sales of vacation homes in Los Cabos and Puerto Peñasco increased 30 percent and 45 percent, respectively, during the last three years.

Claudia Velazquez, an analyst for the Softec real estate market analysis firm, said the relative lack of medical services in beach resorts attractive to US vacationers and expatriates is opening up business opportunities for companies like Grupo Star Medica. “(Baby boomers) are also choosing Mexico because its health system is much cheaper than in the United States,” Velazquez said.

Besides Slim, other Mexico-based entrepreneurs are seriously looking at the growing population of US baby boomers who need healthcare services. Their plan is to get US private insurance companies to pay for medical treatment in Mexico.

“For a US insurance policy to pay for medical treatment, the treatment has to comply with certain quality control standards, and we are going to participate with products to serve this niche,” said Jaime Jimenez, general director for Mexico Trane, another company on the same path as Slim.

—————————— Frontera NorteSur (FNS). Center for Latin American and Border Studies. New Mexico State University. Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Get more info: www.mexicoliving.info - 55

Mexico’s Junk Food Wars

Fly-In Medical Aid for Baja Photos and words by Robin Waters

The Flying Samaritans are a volunteer organization 7,000 foot peaks in the area. They were finally able to which operates free medical clinics in Baja California, climb over the storm. At this point, low on fuel, Aileen Mexico. Doctors, dentists, nurses, translators, pilots knew there were few landing options. She chose a and support personnel fly to clinics in private aircraft. clearing on the mesa top of a mountain outside the Through a cooperative agreement with the University village of El Rosario, where they landed safely. of Baja California, the teams are sanctioned as The plane had been heard circling and a villager Invited Teachers. Flying Samaritans is organized in drove up to retrieve them. He took them to Anita 10 Chapters, with currently over 1500 members, and Espinosa’s local general store. Anita was half Pima serves 19 clinics.

Indian and half Italian and had been educated in a San In Northwest Mexico, the Tucson, Arizona Chapter Diego Mission school. works in El Rosario. The Modesto-Central Valley Mama Espinosa, as she was known to many, began Chapter goes to San Felipe. The to describe the devastation from Palomar-Bonsall Chapter works the drought and the pitiless in Rosarito Beach and has an existence of the local people.

Eye Clinic in Tecate. The San She said she would be grateful Diego Chapter flies into Valle for any clothing contributions, de Trinidad, to name just a few especially for the children. Not chapters in the Northwest area. only were the people of the The history of the Flying village impoverished; but many Samaritans began on November were unwell.

16, 1961. San Diego County The next day, safely back was socked in by a dust storm in San Diego, Aileen and prompted by a severe drought. Samaritans performing surgery her friends began collecting A magazine owner took off donations for a return relief from La Paz, Baja California, Mexico in a twin-engine flight to Baja. On the Saturday before Christmas of that Beechcraft piloted by Aileen Saunders. In those days, year, an armada of single-engine planes departed for travel by small plane in Baja was challenging mainly Baja, every one loaded with toys, food, clothing and because of deceptively soft terrain that often precluded good will. Among the volunteers was a doctor. Once any take off after a forced landing, the absence of any in El Rosario he was mobbed by needy people, and so radio-equipped airports below Tijuana and the lack of was born the Flying Samaritans. lighting at most landing strips.

The vision of that first pilot, Aileen Saunders Mellott, Although the weather was good at La Paz, when and her untiring efforts to enlist volunteers, along with they landed about three hours later in Bahia de Los her valuable contacts with both U.S. and Mexican Angeles, they were told there was a rumor of strong officials, facilitated the transport of equipment and winds in the greater Los Angeles area. Forty-five supplies necessary to establish the original clinic at El minutes after taking off again, they encountered gusty Rosario and, later, the second at Colonet. sandstorms that blocked out Tijuana. Failing to pick If you would like to become a member, a sponsor up Tijuana or San Diego, Aileen decided to try for a or donate to this wonderful group, you will find further landing in Ensenada. However, about three minutes information at: www.flyingsamaritans.net/international before landing, the weather closed in completely and or contact Walter J. Shimon MD 209-966-9596 or they lost sight of the ground as well as the 5,000 to email: wjs41@aol.com.

56 - The ONLY Monthly Guide to Northwest Mexico

Northern border states are among Mexican entities taking the lead in the fight against socalled junk food. Like the United States, Mexico is confronted with a growing problem of overweight and obese children. Health educators and other professionals are increasingly concerned about the link between the consumption of junk foods and ailments that include coronary troubles, hypertension and diabetes.

“This how we live in absurdity,” writes prominent environmentalist and national columnist Ivan Restrepo.

“Diseases typical of poverty, like malnutrition and gastrointestinal disorders, are now expanded to include those of prosperous but poorly nourished societies.”

In northern Coahuila state, public education and health agencies are planning dietary education programs and mulling regulations to prohibit the sale of junk food inside and outside of school grounds. A bill is pending in the state congress that would regulate

the sale of junk food near educational institutions. A law that prohibits the sale of junk food outside schools kicked into force in the state of Baja California last year, while similar legislation was recently approved by Sonora lawmakers.

It remains to be seen how successful anti-junk food measures will be in practice. Many itinerant vendors make their living selling sweets, sodas and potato chips to schoolchildren, and most schools host a small store that is run by insiders.

At the federal level, Congressman Samuel Aguilar of the PRI party introduced a bill in the Chamber of Deputies last year that would have required manufacturers to place health warnings on their products; it would also have regulated fast food advertising in the media.

In response, the Con Mexico business association mobilized its forces to water down Aguilar’s proposed law. Politically influential members of Con Mexico include, among others, chip queen Sabritas, pastry prince Bimbo and soda king Coca-Cola.

Sources: La Jornada, April 9, 2007. Article by Ivan Restrepo. El Universal/Notimex, April 7, 2007.

ANIMAL ADVOCACY in Baja

puppies and kittens could speak, I’m sure they would express their gratitude.

The animal problem is daunting south of U.S. borders. Some say that humane euthanasia is our best option. I would agree, if the animal population posed health risks to people, but believe me, it does not. San Felipe Animal Rescue is a NO-KILL organization. We only euthanize when circumstances are dire. I know that advocating for the creatures of the world is a job worth doing, and a job that must be done.

Currently, ZAPP holds two spay/neuter clinics every month in San Felipe conducted by Dr. Antonio Solis, DVM and Surgical Professor at the University of Baja Veterinary School in Mexicali. In attendance with him are two competent interns from the University as well. We need to reach out to local San Felipians and encourage them to surgically fix their dogs and cats.

New informative pamphlets, written in Spanish are now available at Dr. Solis’s office and the SFAR Segunda on Mar Caribe. It will make communicating the benefits of animal population control easy to share.

The next ZAPP clinics at Conalep School on Manzanillo are June 7th & 21st, and then again on July 12th & 26th. Help support ZAPP, (our Zero Additional Pup-ulation Project) and San Felipe Animal Rescue by helping us to fill these no-cost clinics. Donations are appreciated but not required.

If being an animal advocate is in your DNA, please step up and help us out. Call 686-577-2708 anytime.

Visit our Website at: sfanimalrescue.org for the all our latest news.

Get more info: www.mexicoliving.info - 57

San Felipe Animal Rescue always needs help.

After arriving in San Felipe nearly five years ago, by far, the most difficult thing I personally dealt with was the amount of stray dogs and cats on the streets. I was so fearful of seeing them get hit or run over and abandoned on the road, that I became phobic about it. I came to San Felipe to join in and help direct the San Felipe Animal Rescue, which at the time was in its infancy. How would I be effective at this work, if all I did was pull the car over and direct animals off the road.

Then, one day I realized that the animals in the streets were pretty savvy creatures, and most took precaution before stepping off the curb.

From that day forward I was on a mission to get “thicker skin”, otherwise I knew this phobia would make me ineffective. I learned quickly that all street dogs and cats could not be saved---truth be told, we could only do our very best. I’ve found my passion working with the local stray and indigent dogs and cats of San Felipe---those of us who advocate for these creatures are making a difference everyday, and if the

58 - Real Estate in Northwest Mexico

N O RT H W E S T M E X I C O Welcome to

GREEN SHEETS

ONLY $10 M ONTH OR $100 YEAR / U NTIL S OLD 5 line listing, 200 characters

The ONLY Monthly Guide to Northwest Mexico

116 acres, 2373 of oceanfront. $1,000,000. Desert MotherRealty 686-577-2552 9 lots in the ejido cleared $7,000 each. Contact Desert Mother Realty 686-577-2552 or bajadonna@gmail.com Bunk house with 3 trailers - minumim income $2,000/month or $99,000 Terms? Contact Desert Mother Realty 686-5772552 or bajadonna@gmail.com

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REAL ESTATE LISTINGS

Rancho del Sol $320,000. 3 BR, 3 BA. New kitchen & appliances, granite counters, 1 bedroom w/private bath & entrance, center atrium. Gary Gold, Amor Property, US 760494-3639, MX 577-0611

ENSENADA, BAJA CALIFORNIA Call to post your listing. $10 per month, or $100 per year.

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Home in the pueblo near 5 corners. $75,000. Residential or Commerical. glenda@callmargaretrealty.com

Glenda@Callmargaretrealty.com

230 acres, 1,468 of oceanfront, Ejido rights, common grd. $1,073,000. Desert Mother Realty 686-577-2552

9 lots in Ejido for $145,000 dlls. Great view by the mountains and walk distance to the beach. Great investment! Contact Mindy Moore at vwbusmindy@aol.com

Huge lot in town, near Banamex. $150,000. Existing structure with utilities etc. Near everything except the noise! Great place for home or business. glenda@callmargaretrealty.com

From the US Call: 011-52-1-686-577-1156 Or Email me at:

El Dorado Ranch, Los Medanos South – REDUCED: $169,000.

2 BR, 2 BA, Turn-key Solar Home on two side-by-side lots, patio w/palapa & fountain. Teresa Hutt, Amor Property, US 760-494-3639, MX 577-0611

Best Buy in Playa de San Felipe - Spectacular REDUCED $279,000. 2 Master BR, 2-1/2 BA. Swimming Pool; Marina View. Bill Maine, Amor Property, US 760-494-3639, MX 5770611

LaHacienda, $899,000. Beautiful view on the front row.

This home even has a pool! Lots of bedrooms, decks and fully furnished. Seperate cartakers unit, garage. glenda@ callmargaretrealty.com

Come in and let me help you find your Dream Home! We were the first in San Felipe and have been serving our clients for 25 years.

263 hectares of farming land, 1-1/2 hour from San Felipe, on the road to Ensenada great for farming or raising kettland.

Asking prince $1,500.00 hectar. Desert Mother Realty 686577-2552 bajadonna@gmail.com

2 Master Suites + Separate 1 BR Apartment $229,000.

Furnished with fantastic views of the Sea & Mountains.

Exceptional value! Teresa Hutt, Amor Property, US 760-4943639, MX 577-0611

LaHacienda, 1.5 million. Your right on the front and have the best view of San Felipe. Big home, fenced, alarm, lots of space for family and friends. Seperate cartakers unit, garage & car pad. Just listed. glenda@callmargaretrealty.com

Best Real Estate Agent in San Felipe

Spectacular Sea View $125,000. 1 BR, 1 BA, Furnished.

Detached, oversized single garage (art studio). Joe Artale, Amor Property, US 760-494-3639, MX 577-0611

FREE ONLINE LISTINGS:

SAN FELIPE BAJA CALIFORNIA Call to post your listing. $10 per month, or $100 per year.

(686)-576-1377 or (686)230-9933

Reader’s Choice

Realty 686-577-2552 bajadonna@gmail.com

Large 3 Bedroom, 2-1/2 Bath, Turn-key $199,950. Oversized Garage, 2 Lots, Outdoor Entertaining, In-Town. Uria Amor, Amor Property, US 760-494-3639, MX 577-0611

Rosarito Beach, Ensenada, San Felipe and Puerto Penasco

Congratulations Glenda!

Amor Property, US 760-494-3639, MX 577-0611

PRINT LISTINGS $10 MEXICO CALL 686-577-1377 USA CALL 800-576-0919 Ext. 3 http://www.mexicoliving.info

Call Margaret Realty

R E A L E S TAT E & R E N TA L Greensheets Real Estate Listings - 59

Corner Lot in the Ejido 40 x 40 (B-209 L-2036) $12K, For more information Please e-mail melodya2004@yahoo.com or call 805 704 5547.

Conner Lot 40 x 40 (B-216 L-2137) Asking $12K. For more information Please e-mail melodya2004@yahoo.com or call 805 704 5547.

Beach Cottage – Walk to Beach $44,900. Cozy 1 BR, 11/2 BA. Main Bathroom is extra-large with bear-claw tub & separate walk-in, tiled shower. Bill Maine, Amor Property, US 760-494-3639, MX 577-0611 Playa de San Felipe $95,000. Lot, 12mx30m. Unobstructed Sea View Lot. All city services. Teresa Hutt, Amor Property, US 760-494-3639, MX 577-0611 Brand New House – In Town $116,000. 2 BR, 1 BA. 7 Blocks to Beach & Downtown. Upgraded Kitchen w/Granite Counters, Private Patio, Garage. Great Buy!! Gary Gold, Amor Property, US 760-494-3639, MX 577-0611 In Town, 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath REDUCED TO $99,500. Approx.

1,400 s.f., Upscale Kitchen, All Appliances, Prego Floors.

Gary Gold, Amor Property, US 760-494-3639, MX 577-0611 In Town, 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath $119,000. Remodeled, Partially Furnished, Wood Floors, New Bathrooms. Arturo Aguirre,

• ROSARITO BEACH • ENSENADA

Villa at La Ventana del Mar MUST SELL!! REDUCED to $299,000. Very Desirable Plan 1, 2 BR, 2 BA, Brand New. Uria Amor, Amor Property, US 760-494-3639, MX 577-0611 16th Fairway Villa at La Ventana del Mar - $525,000. 3 BR, 31/2 BA, Flatscreen TVs, wired for iPod inside & out, Turn-key, 3-car Garage, Fireplace, s/s BBQ. Unobstructed views from all living areas! Nate Morace, Amor Property, US 760-494-3639, MX 577-0611

___________________________________

Single level Fairway home 3bdr 2Bth. Gated Golf dev.1700 sq ft of living space + 2 car garage. Less 1 year new. w/planned pools, tennis. Close to shopping. $228,200 USD Up-grading to larger home.1-800-599-0631 bajacountryclub.com

___________________________________ PUERTO PENASCO (ROCKY POINT), SONORA Call to post your listing. $10 per month, or $100 per year.

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Great Condo Site – Sea View $575,000. RV Park, over 48,000 s.f. Two blocks to beach & downtown; 20 spaces, 4 bathrooms. Gary Gold, Amor Property, US 760-494-3639, MX 577-0611

Single family home FSBO, $227,500 USD. Less than 2 years old, gated dev., w/planned pools, SPA with Medical Center nearly complete. 3 br, 2 ba, air/heat. Ten minutes from downtown and 5 min. from new plaza. Charlie Luse-Mex cell 638-110-4127, cglpuro@netscape.net

Playa de Oro – Steps to the Beach REDUCED TO $549,000. 2 BR, 2 BA, Extremely Unique Home with Extensive Landscaping & Outdoor Living Areas, Completely Turn-key, Double Garage.

One street to the Sea. Must be seen! Teresa Hutt, Amor Property, US 760-494-3639, MX 577-0611

Condos (2) in Las Cupulas, SFBO, $178,900 USD ea. for 2 identical condos in one building. 2 story, 2 br, 2.5 ba, completely furnished including all appliances. One is rented, other is vacant and never lived in. Less than one year old.

Playa de San Felipe – Better Than New, Fabulous View $699,000. Large upscale 4 BR, 2-1/2 BA home; Luxurious Great Room with Granite Kitchen; Separate 1 BR Apartment; Oversized double-car garage. This home MUST be seen! Uria Amor, Amor Property, US 760-494-3639, MX 577-0611

SAN FELIPE BAJA CALIFORNIA Call to post your listing. $10 per month, or $100 per year.

(686)-576-1377 or (686)230-9933

Remodeled House and Business. 3 bedroom 3 bathroomon Highway 5 close to town $105,000 Terms? Contact Desert Mother Realty 686-577-2552 or bajadonna@gmail.com Matomi Gonzaga Bay. Total Hectares 328(810 acres). 2,231 ft. ocean Ft. Property beautiful sandy beaches! Lots of green vegetation! $2,700K. Desert Mother Realty 686-577-2552 bajadonna@gmail.com Total 264 Hectares (652 acres). Matomi Ensenada Gonzaga Bay 2,281 Great beach front w/ Sandy beaches, foliage, view of Enchanted Islands. $ 2,200K. Desert Mother Realty 686577-2552 bajadonna@gmail.com Hectares (1,200 ACRES) in the Pacific 18,699 FT. of ocean front property. Desert Mother Realty 686-577-2552 bajadonna@gmail.com Total Hectares 80 (198 acres) 738 ft. of sandy ocean frontbeach. Best campo in the area. $880K. Desert Mother

• SAN FELIPE • PUERTO PEÑASCO

RENTAL LISTINGS

Private Beachfront Home - One bedroom home with large living room, kitchen, appliances and AC. Located on bluff over beach with fenced in yard, $650 dollars per month. Call 686-109-9544.

Developer & Real Estate News

Playa San Rafael Updates: An 8 inch water connection to the main city water line is complete to the project. The 24 lot Montanas at San Rafael now has water and sewer lines installed.

Underground electric is being installed. Perimeter decorative block walls are in place. Individual lot decorative block walls are being installed. One 2 story model home is nearing completion. One 2 story sold home is being completed.

Get more info: www.greensheets.info

60 - Real Estate in Northwest Mexico

N O RT H W E S T M E X I C O

SPECIAL: 5 single story 2 bed, 2 bath, 2 car garage, lot, walled on 3 sides, ready to move into $189,000.00 US with First American Title Insurance at developer cost and financing available.

The main development now has water and sewer installed in the primary street past the pool area in the center of the project. Underground Electric is also installed past the pool area. One 2881 sq ft of surface pool, One 10 person Jacuzzi, One 20ft X 40 ft sports pool have been developed through gunniting Over the next 90 days the pool and recreation area will be in construction with a targeted completion date of October 08.

La Perla del Mar Updates - La Perla del Mar located at, KM 6, South Beach keeps moving forward... We have just finished drilling our well and we are pleased to announce that we have hit sweet water, and now we will begin connecting our main water line to the well. We are also pleased to announce we have two homes under construction and they are scheduled to be finished in 5 months. We just finalized our liquor license, shortly we will be selling cold beer & snacks temporarily out of our sales office. Our next project will be the construction of our mini-mart.

Send your development updatess to info@mexicoliving.info.

R E A L E S TAT E & R E N TA L Greensheets Real Estate Listings - 61

DID YOU KNOW THAT THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 27 DIFFERENT DEVELOPMENTS IN SAN FELIPE RIGHT NOW? NEITHER DID MOST OF THE REAL ESTATE PEOPLE I TALKED TO.

SEE THEM AND THEN DECIDE WHICH IS RIGHT FOR YOU. WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT IS AVAILABLE YOU CAN’T REALLY MAKE AN EDUCATED AND INFORMED DECISION.

VISIT THE SAN FELIPE DEVELOPMENT INFORMATION CENTER BETWEEN THE TACO FACTORY AND OXXO RIGHT OFF THE MALECON.

VISIT US AT WWW.SANFELIPEDEVELOPMENTTOURS.COM 0R CALL (480) 236‐0741 or (686) 171‐6898

A Private Beachfront Community

www.laperladelmarsf.com Mart ! i n i M oon

S g n i m o C

ur s!

View oH ome w e N

Sales office open daily in south beach km 6 Call Baja 760-458-7602 or US 760-494-8798 The ONLY Monthly Guide to Northwest Mexico

• ROSARITO BEACH • ENSENADA

• SAN FELIPE • PUERTO PEÑASCO

Get more info: www.greensheets.info

C L A S S I F I E D S PLACE ADS BY PHONE San Felipe: 686-577-1377

Puerto Penásco: 638-109-4771

USA Phone: 800-576-0919 Ext. 3 ENTERTAINMENT The BEST Karaoke in town at Juanito’s Cantina hosted

by Maria Arnold; Wed. nights 6:00pm. Come and sing like a STAR! FOR SALE 4 Mexican Rustic Custom-made desks are 57” x 26”.

Each desk has one regular drawer and one file drawer.

Very nice set of four for $850 or $250 each. Call Uria 686-577-2129 JOBS REPORTERS - If you would be interested in writing about your community events, business, social, real estate, gardening, pets, medicine, health, sports, etc. etc. We want to hear from you! editorial@mexicoliving. info. We are looking for people in Ensenada, San Felipe, Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point).

SALES EXECUTIVES - If you would be interested in working in paradise, with great income and complete freedom - we have the job for you. We want to hear

62 - The ONLY Monthly Guide to Northwest Mexico

from you! We are looking for people in Rosarito Beach, Ensenada, San Felipe, Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point).

Work with our team from home. Good communication skills, Internet a must. Bilingual helpful, but not necessary. Email today: sales@mexicoliving.info.

DELIVERY - If you have good transportation, a knowledge of your area, good communication skills and DEPENDABLE! - We are looking for you. Deliver Mexico Living Magazine, twice monthly to between 60-80 drops depending on city. We pay by the drop and gas bonuses. Email today: circulation@mexicoliving.info.

We are looking for people in Rosarito Beach, Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point).

PRINTING SERVICES NEED BUSINESS CARDS OR BROCHURES? Go to www.theprintsupplier.com or 800-576-0919 Ext. 3 or 686-577-1377. DELIVERY TO SAN FELIPE. WANTED Wanted all and any vehicles working or not $$$. Please call 686-173-0424 ask for Ray. List Your Classified Today. No minimum, no maximum.

ONLY $4 per line. 45 character per line. PLACE ADS BY PHONE: San Felipe: 686-577-1377, Puerto Penásco: 638-109-4771, USA Phone: 800-576-0919 Ext. 3.

PLACE ADS BY EMAIL: classifieds@mexicoliving.info.

Get more info: www.mexicoliving.info - 63

A

Real Estate

Beautiful New Construction Home in Gated Community

2 Master Suites & 2-1/2 Bath

4 Bed, 3 Bath REDUCED TO $399K

With Pool & Spa REDUCED to $279K

El Dorado Home Sites ...................................................................................................................... $ 23,000 San Marino Home Sites Starting at ................................................................................................. $ 29,950 El Dorado Ranch Homes from ......................................................................................................... $ 49,000 Playa de San Felipe Lots from ......................................................................................................... $ 57,000 New Construction Homes in Town Starting at ............................................................................... $116,000 In Town Condos Starting at ............................................................................................................. $108,900 Large Land Parcels Starting at ........................................................................................................ $120,000 La Ventana del Mar Golf Course Home Sites from ........................................................................ $135,000 New Playa de Oro Homes Starting at .............................................................................................. $375,000 New Golf Course Condos Starting at .............................................................................................. $359,000 Voted "Best Real Estate Broker 2007" - Thank you for your Support!

Total Real Estate Services (T.R.E.S.)

2 Bed, 2 Bath, Steps to beach!

Elegantly Furnished

"For Sale by Owner" Packages Fideicomisos Mexican Corporations Developer Closing Packages 577-2307 From U.S. 760-890-4179 REDUCED TO $549,000

U.S.760-494-3639 Mex. 577-0611 www.AmorProperty.com 64 - The ONLY Monthly Guide to Northwest Mexico