MAZATLÁN RETIREMENT LIVING: PUNTA CERRITOS RV PARK

A Community of Palapa-RV Homes 

     Punta Cerritos RV Park, located on a point in northern Mazatlán overlooking the ocean, is a unique retirement village. This community began as an RV Park and has been transformed into individual homes by the retirees and snowbirds that live there.  Of the 79 sites, only six were still available for yearly leases when we stayed for a week in May. The other 73 sites are occupied by outdoor living homes, each one with a fifth-wheel, motorhome, or other type of recreational vehicle nestled inside of unique structures with palapa roofs over them for shade and protection from the weather. The "owner" of each RV site has customized his or her home with addition of outdoor kitchens, sitting areas for socializing or relaxing, tile flooring, light fixtures, brick walls, flowerbeds and cactus gardens, Mexican garden art, bodegas, and more. It is obvious that the owners take pride in their RV homes by the improvements and decor they have added.

     We were fortunate to be able to stay in a front row site nearest the ocean so we had the sea breeze to cool us as the May temperatures crept into the upper 80's. Ours was one of the unimproved sites without a palapa roof, but the concrete patio was large and the utilities were very good, the water pressure the best we have had in Mexican RV Parks. The gravel ground-cover had the advantage of minimizing the dust, though it seemed to hold the sun's heat, making the back row areas feel very hot where the breeze wasn't blowing through. The park's internet was poor so it appeared that most "site owners" obtained their own individual internet service.

Swimming Pool, Horseshoes, Putting Green, and Shady Palapas

     The community common area next to the ocean had a beautiful little swimming pool that we appreciated in the hot afternoons of mid-May. There was also a putting green, horseshoe game area, cactus gardens, and a sandy imitation beach overlooking the ocean with chairs and palapas for shade. We enjoyed our week at Punta Cerritos RV Park and put it on our list of possible places to settle once we are finished with our "nomad phase". Since we don't have a tow-car, we were especially glad that the Mazatlán buses stop right outside the gate and ran every ten to fifteen minutes so it was easy to hop on and ride to the Liverpool Mall for shopping, the Golden Zone for dinner, or the Historic District and Plaza Machado downtown.

    Punta Cerritos RV Park is a peaceful retirement community with some residents living there year-round, others spending their winters in this warm semi-arid climate. Rates to live at Cerritos are very reasonable, varying by degree of site improvement. We paid 2100 pesos ($140 US) for one week and it included all utilities. Monthly and yearly leases are available. I could envision living here in retirement and being very content. For more information, see  Punta Cerritos RV Park .
    To see more RV-Palapa homes, see:
"Retirement Before the Age of 59" Blog

     

7 REASONS TO RETIRE BEFORE THE AGE OF 59 (and Head for Mexico!)

Retire Early and Move to Mexico?

We Need Retirement Now, Before the Straightjacket Phase!

     Some days, my job as a pharmacist made we feel that I was headed for the loony bin, soon to be carried away in a straightjacket. The practice of pharmacy and our health care system are not what they were 35 years ago when I graduated from Oregon State University's School of Pharmacy. The chain drug store workplace has become a bit insane, with pharmacists, technicians and cashiers working at a frenzied pace. At times, I felt like I was pulling my hair out trying to keep up with the workload and provide good care to the patients. This work pace couldn't be healthy, either mentally or physically. Wouldn't it be best to retire while I still had my sanity?

     I had to analyze this decision to retire before the age of 59 very carefully, though I frequently wanted to surrender to my urge to throw down my pill-counting spatula and walk out of the pharmacy... to read more, click: 

Retirement Before the Age of 59: 7 REASONS TO RETIRE BEFORE THE AGE OF 59

To read more about "Heading for Mexico", take a look at my e-book by clicking on: "Healthy Living and Traveling in Mexico" eBook on Amazon.com


See my website at:

www.HealthyLivingandTravelinginMexico.com

MAZATLÁN MALECÓN: ROLLERBLADING, BICYCLING, AND SO MUCH MORE

We Rollarbladed Past the Beautiful Dolphin Fountain Next to the Malecón  

Jon is Getting Better at Rollerblading, but Not Stopping -- Glad it's Level!

Many Enjoy Bicycling Along the Ocean on the Mazatlan Malecón

       Thirteen Mile Long Promenade: The Mazatlán Malecón, a concrete walkway along the beach, is one of the longest Malecóns  in the world! Some claim that it is the longest in the world. This promenade is nearly thirteen miles long (twenty-one kilometers) and wide enough for plenty of traffic including bicycles, pedestrians, skateboarders, strollers, dogs, and people on rollerblades.  Everyone is tolerant of beginner rollerbladers like us who are wobbling along, looking for the next handrail to grab onto. We don't look smooth and polished like most skaters who buzz past us, but we have fun and get a good workout. This is "Healthy Living in Mexico!"

A Nice Place to Sit on the Seawall, Walk the Baby, Stroll Along the Ocean

Sight-Seeing and Spending Time Together: This is a place where couples, singles, and families come to spend time together, both during the daytime and in the evening when it is well lit. Along the Malecón, there are cliffs, monuments, gazebos, colonial buildings, hotels, shops, restaurants, bars, many beautiful sculptures, street vendors, and plenty of new benches for resting and watching people.

Many People Stroll and Relax in this Olas Altas Section of the Malecón

Rollerblading and Walking on the Mazatlán Malecón (Boardwalk): We have frequently enjoyed walking for miles on the Mazatlán Malecón, watching the people, the ocean, the birds, and all of the action. Last year we regretted that we hadn’t brought our rollerblades, and were glad we had packed them this year. Not only is rollerblading a fun way to see miles of the Mazatlán beachfront area in one day, it is very good exercise!

We are Getting Better at Rollerblading After Five Miles on the Malecon!

Wheelchair Ramps Aid Bicycles and Quadracycles Access the Malecón, Too

One of Several Bike Rental Shops across the Street from the Malecón

 Bicycle Rental and Riding on the Malecón: For more information about bicycle rental and other things to do in Mazatlán, the bus system, movie theater schedule, and current festivities, see www.MazatlanMyCity.com or www.MazatlanToday.net or www.MazatlanLife.com .

                Take a Look Inside my eBook "Healthy Living and Traveling in Mexico"

 on Amazon.com by clicking HERE.

Check out all of my blogs at:  www.HealthyLivingandTravelinginMexico.com