Many people are afraid to visit Mexico because of the violence among the drug lords along the U.S.-Mexico border. Remember, Mexico is a large country with 31 states. Just like the United States, every state has its own rules, regulations, and taxes. Thus, each state is governed differently. Some are desirable to live in while other states are not.

In 2005, I spent a week in Los Cabos, Mexico, which is located in the State of Baja California Sur (or in English, Lower California South). Los Cabos are two towns that are 10 miles apart and located on the tip of the Baja Peninsula. The Baja Peninsula has a striking climate, which is a desert with low-lying mountains and surrounded by the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. We were swimming in the ocean in December.

Los Cabos refers to the sister cities: Cabo San Lucas and San Jose Cabo. Cabo San Lucas is a tourist destination and allows large cruise ships to dock. San Jose Cabo was more rustic and laid back. However, the Mexican government is developing San Jose Cabo into another tourist destination. The government is constructing large docks that will allow massive cruise ships to dock. Further, developers are constructing shopping plazas, restaurants, hotels, and condominiums. In 2005, McDonald's was already there, and Burger King was being constructed.

The Mexican Federal Government owns all beaches in Mexico. Thus, all beaches are open to the public. Restaurants, hotels, and owners cannot restrict access. If you can walk to a beach, a hotel or property owner cannot kick you out. The beaches are beautiful. As I laid on the beach gazing at the Pacific Ocean's blue waters, I could see scores of fish hopping and skipping along the waves. 

I definitely would not mind retiring in La Cabos. The Pacific Ocean is blue and beautiful, and the people are friendly. However, few speak English fluently, which could be a good thing. That way, it forces Americans to learn another language.

Real estate prices were not that bad. A one-bedroom condo was selling for $60,000 in San Jose Cabo in 2005. However, foreigners are not allowed to own property within 60 miles of the coast. Consequently, Mexico developed a convoluted way for foreigners to buy property on the coast. When a foreigner buys a coastal property, a bank holds the title of the property. Each year, the foreigner pays a fee to the bank. When I looked at condominium prices in Lox Cabos in 2011, I was surprised the prices doubled. After the 2008 Financial Crisis, crime is increasing in the Los Cabos area. Unfortunately, foreigners stick out like a sore thumb.

Mexico

• The area of the country spans 761,606 square miles, making Mexico the 15th largest countries.
• The currency is the Mexican peso.
• The capital is Mexico City.
• In 2008, the population was estimated at 110 billion, making Mexico the 11th populous country in the world.
• Mexico City is the largest city and the financial and political hub of the country.
• Mexico has 31 states.
• The tourist destinations for foreigners are Cancun and Los Cabos while Mexicans like to vacation in Acapulco.