Excerpts from the Book

The following are excerpts of some of the topics contained in the book, which may give you an idea of the information that we're trying to convey to the readers.

The "key" word throughout the book is to "prevent"... to be aware of things that may be presented to you quite differently of what you're used to, to help you avoid making some of the mistakes that have been committed in the past.

We hope that by letting you know about some of these "realities", and with the help of some of our suggestions, your stay in our country will be a happier one.

…. our main intention is to give you practical information and, more than anything else, some approaches and proposals that may help you to avoid some possible problems in the future….

…By having an "inside track" on how things are in this country, you may have a better idea (if not a complete understanding!) of how to approach some problems or events…

…we're not trying to change the system, but rather to initiate perhaps - with the "small changes" that we propose in some of these areas - changes that, now or maybe later, could bring benefits to everybody, Mexicans and foreigners alike….

…the suggestions and approaches that we offer are all legal……

…and, again, welcome to Mexico Magico, our "surreal dreamland" where anything, everything or nothing…. may just happen!

IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS

If you enter Mexico with a vehicle Boats
Advantages of Having a Visitor FM3
The FM3 "Rentista" and household goods
What to do if you lose your Tourist Visa
[Contents in Pages 6 to 17]

....Mexico's Customs has begun to use a new computerized system which allow all foreigners that come into Mexico with a vehicle, to leave the country through ANY** city or Port of Exit, back into de U.S. **In the past, your "Port of Exit" from Mexico had to be the same as your "Port of Entry".

…if you come with your own boat, Mexican Customs are issuing Permits for a period of up to ten (10) years. They call it a "temporary importation" for that length of time……
(more in the chapter of boats pag. 7)

…Article 42 of the General Law of Population, states that foreigners may enter the country legally under the following categories: a) Immigrant b) Non Immigrant………..

….The FM3 Rentista and household goods……if you have obtained a visa to live in Mexico as a Non Immigrant, you are allowed to import reasonable quantities of household goods, on a one-time basis……
(pag. 11)

...Advantages of Having a Visitor FM3....
a) you can bring your household goods into the country......
b) you can bring one car (and leave it here)
c) you can open an account in any Mexican bank (tourist cannot!)
d) last, but no least, you'll have a Mexican document that gives you legal status and the "legal security" that ensues

…why do foreigners have problems in Mexico?

(…..one of the first mistake that many people make is trying to compare the ways things are done here with the way they are done "back home"….)

....All we want to suggest is that you go through all these new experiences in your lives with your eyes wide open, your common sense at its best, ready for whatever may come... And besides, we are only talking about preventing.... which surely beats having to pay in sorrow, grievances and money later on!

…. there are lots of nice people all over the world, "simpaticos" and easy going, people ready to "suggest, to promise, etc., to do this or that, with a big smile on their face….Well, ALL nice and "simpatico" people are not always and necessarily"reliable, professional and honest"…when it comes to doing what they said they were going to do..

TIME SHARES:

if you're thinking of buying Time Shares, you may call PROFECO (acronym for Procuraduría Federal de Protección al Consumidor -Federal Consumer Protection Agency), to check on the business practices of the enterprise you're dealing with, and thus know more about its reliability…..

USERS have a period no longer than five working days to cancel the contract (cooling-off-period), and to obtain the total reimbursement of their money....
(more on pags. 27 o 29)

If you buy goods in one of the many stores around, or you have your auto repaired, or you remodeled your place, etc., and if in any of those instance you feel that there was a lack of honesty, or that you have been overcharged, in short, if you feel that you were "ripped off"... there is this Government Agency called PROFECO.... where you can go and file a complaint.

BUYING REAL ESTATE

IN and OUT of the Restricted Zone…., taking the necessary steps to buy property within what is called the "Restricted Zone"...

....Article 27 of Mexico's Constitution forbids foreign ownership of coastal real estate and provides restrictions for all foreign ownership elsewhere in Mexico....

The Mexican Constitution prohibits direct ownership by foreigners of property within fifty kilometers (approx. 31 miles) of the sea cost and one hundred kilometers (about sixty two and one-half miles) of Mexico's international land boundaries.......

....foreigners may be granted the right to own real estate property only under very specific conditions......

(you can read all about these and other topics related to Real Estate in pages 36 to 62)

REFLECTIONS ON BUYING REAL ESTATE

(Excerpts from a Newspaper article written by the author published in 1999)

For the last few years, I've been looking into, hearing and reading about the problems that many, many foreigners have had with the properties they bought in Puerto Vallarta. I know quite a few of them who, even after many years, still do not have their Title.

I do know that there are hundreds of people who bought their property through what they thought was a reliable real estate company. In most cases (if not all), they bought this property through a foreigner (broker or seller) who spoke their language and consequently, they thought that because this person spoke their language, he or she was surely honest, professional and reliable. Well...

Common Sense - which seems to be the least common and used of the senses - unfortunately has not been applied by most of these buyers. They forget that they are coming to a country quite different from their own, with a different language, customs, idiosyncrasies, laws, etc., and they believe that because they find "someone" that speaks their language, they should feel at home, and feel that "this person" would never take advantage of them and will do everything right... wrong!

Tidbits of information and useful tips.

* Taxis and Buses…. before you jump in a Taxi, ask how much is going to charge you and…

* If you enjoy taking buses, always keep your purse or wallet in a safe place…you never know who may need some quick cash…!

* Contracts…For those of you who have purchased or plan to buy a property, we suggest that all the contracts you sign (telephone, gas, electricity, etc.), should be kept in your possession in a safe place...
(page 98)

* Passports and important documents should NOT be taken with you… Prevention will always keep you ahead of the thieves…
(pag. 98)

* Driving in Mexico…. is not a matter of "following the rules"… 99 times out of 100, the driver that has more "guts" is the one that will have the right of way…Drive carefully, and let everyone overtake you so that they can be…3 seconds before you at the stop sign…!
(page 102/103)

* Lawyers…are a little bit like doctors, they can be "general practitioners", or have a specialty…
(more in pages 105/106)

* Life within "surrealism"…every month there are increases in the cost of gas, gasoline, electricity, Telephone, etc., and also every month we're told that "inflation's" was and still is going down… Draw your own conclusions! US and Canada Government advice…