In the 1960 the Cancun area was virtually uninhabited. Land had little value and there were few tourists. In 1974 the first hotel was built. Today less than thirty years latter there are over 130 hotels some by the most respected names in the industry. On January 1, 2000 there were 24610 hotels room of which 16% were in five star hotels. Of course land prices went up over these thirties years from nearly nothing to often more than a million for a single building lot if you can find one. Development has continued southward. The far southern end of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula is the last of the Caribbean coast to develop. The price of beachfront properties drops as one heads southward from Cancun to Xcalak.

Now we think it is time for the Costa Maya coast. The Mexican Government has started to develop the coast further south. They have replaced many of the old two lane often unpaved roads with paved four land highways. One of the cruise ships lines has built a large terminal, bringing tourist in to the area. There are over 22 hotels on the Costa Maya. Of course, land prices have started to rise.

The question is will this develop as much as Cancun and what will the price of land and beachfront properties be in the future? Of course no one is given a crystal ball to completely know the future. Costa Maya will likely have better planning than Cancun. It should have lower density than Cancun yet what I feel it has better beaches and more attractions. The restriction on density I think should send land prices higher as space likely will quickly run out.

Chetumal near the southern border of Mexico will likely be the base of operations. There are already over 1100 rooms in 32 hotels in Chetumal. The airport was recently upgraded and has regular flights from around Mexico and Belize. It is just a short ferry ride to Xcalak on the Costa Maya coast. Other tourist infrastructure includes travel agencies and car rentals. Boat trips are available around Chetumal Bay, recently declared a manatee sanctuary. The region has over 300 known species of birds that have been identified. This is more the United States and Canada combined.

Chetumal is very proud of its' Mayan Culture Museum. Other attractions include Bay Front Street and the city museum. Just fifteen minutes away is El Palmar, a spring of crystal clear fresh water rimmed by a grove of Regal Palms. Just 23 mile north of Chetumal is the "Lagoon of Seven Colors." This, what is called Bacalar Lagoon and is 34 miles long. The Spanish discovered the lagoon in 1545. Over looking the bacalar is an old Spanish fort, San Felipe fort built in 1729.

The beaches of Costa Maya are backed by palm groves, dunes, wetlands and a web of lagoon, with jungle stretching away into the hazy distance. Inland the rolling landscape is covered with a mantle of tropical forest harboring a wealth of wildlife. This is home to jaguar, monkey and many colorful birds.

The great wetlands of southern Mexico separate the jungle from the sea. A chain of interconnecting lagoons crosses the marshes. Boats can navigate the canals through the mangroves that line these lagoons; manatees and herons are often seen on the voyage to Chetumal Bay

A chain of reefs, part of the second largest barrier reef system in the world is off the Caribbean coast of Mexico. Costa Maya is behind this reef, which appears as a patchwork of rippling turquoise and blue. Because of the protection of the reef only small waves cares the shoreline. This makes it an excellent place to swim snorkel or fish from shore or in a small boat. For the experienced diver the reef offers an underwater garden of corrals and sponges inhabited by multicolored fish, sea turtles, dolphins and other exciting marine life. Visibility can reach 210 feet in some places.

The Costa Maya region offers fishermen two completely different types of enjoyments. There is sport fishing off shore just beyond the reef and fly-fishing in the protected waters. Off shore just beyond the reef the water becomes deep quickly. So it is not a long boat ride.

The Chinchorro reef is a reef of many legends. Being forty miles off shore with no visible marking ships for many hundreds of years have run aground. The sea floor is a ship graveyard with wrecks of vessels scattered all over the seabed. Making this one of the most exciting drive spots in the world. Divers can explore Spanish galleons or rusting hulks of modern ships. The reef is 19 miles across making it the largest coral atoll in the Americas. Some 240 square miles of jagged reef and a shallow reef lagoon with three cays scattered over its surface, Chinchorro is a big plus to the Costa Maya area. Dive trips can be arrange in Majahual or Xcalak.

At this time the entire basic infrastructure is in place and the opportunity for early investment are nearly endless. In the near term projected growth rate is expected to be about 25% annually. It is projected that this growth will be quite a bit more than the developed areas to the north. Write me or call and let me answer any questions you have about Costa Maya Real Estate.