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From Forbes Magazine, March 2025- “3 Places to Retire in Mexico for a Relaxing, Affordable Life.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kathleenpeddicord/2025/03/07/best-places-to-retire-in-mexico/

If you are considering Mazatlan for your retirement, you may want to read this article.

 

Gorgeous glass – hecho en México. Step into Casa Corarte and discover a world of glass wonders – all made in México, mostly in Puebla and Oaxaca.  Owner, Francisco Ruiz chose the name Casa Corarte – a mash-up of the Spanish word heart – corazón, and art.

This beautiful “glass menagerie” has two large rooms each showcasing hundreds of hand-blown treasures all meticulously crafted locally and supporting these dedicated hard-working Mexicans.  Who can resist a delicate butterfly tree or those translucent fish jumping for joy?

According to EL EXPAT INSIDER – MEXICO – the Hecho en México logo was created in the 1970s – first introduced by President José López Portillo to promote Mexican-made products. Over the years it has had many make-overs, the most recent in 2017 from President Enrique Peña Nieto. March 2025 – it seems to be the perfect time to revive it and support products- hecho en México! For many, many more products, art, and crafts made in Mexico be sure to visit all the stores in Shop Talk.

[Casa Corarte is located in Centro on Sixto Osuna #26/#28, close to the Machado, and is open every day from 10am to 8 pm.Credit cards accepted.There are a couple of steps into the shop.]

And while you are on Sixto Osuna go west [towards the mighty Pacific] and you’ll see Salty Feet Art Gallery and General Store lovingly curated by Noah Lenz and Deb Rodriquez. It’s a zippy fun-filled shop, stuffed with products from Mexico such as, ceramics [see photo above], water bottles, mugs, vanilla, organic honey, coffee, t shirts, purses, greeting cards, stunning art by owner Noah Lenz, soaps, ear rings and socks. You’ll be smiling the entire time you are shopping and feeling fabulous for supporting Hecho en México.

[Salty Feet Art Gallery and General Store is on Sixto Osuna #115 , closed on Sunday, open from 10 am. to 6 pm., English and Spanish spoken, credit card accepts, handicap accessible.]

Do you have “an in a case of emergency” wallet card? What’s in your pocket when you take your dog for a walk, go for a morning stroll on the beach, or a run on Malecon? The consulate suggests something like this:

It will surprise you how much it takes to become a certified tourist guide.

[KM had this to say, March 2022:”if you are looking for an exceptional tour guide, I highly recommend Akino Montiel. He is a certified tour guide and the most knowledgeable and pleasant guy you’ll ever meet. We spent the day with him seeing dancing horses, visiting a tequila distillery and learning about the process in Osuna, and ending with a great meal and shopping in La Noria. Akino knows a lot about the area and the one question he couldn’t answer he researched and followed up with me soon after we returned. The whole experience was such a pleasure!”]

Many of you have “your guy” the person you turn to for day trips and for city tours. I always knew, to receive this designation, that it took time and money. A friend who has know him for 18 years introduced me to Akino Montiel  – a certified tour guide. He kindly gave me all the details of what it takes to become a certified tourist guide/Guia Turistas General. I think you’ll find the dedication and cost to be an eye-opener.

• The certification allows a tour guide to work in any city in Mexico, but you must be a Mexican National and have finished high school.
• To be certified requires 510 hours and costs between $30,000 to $40,000 pesos and you must past the bilingual [English/Spanish] test, as well as the CPR course.
• Every teacher is an expert in their subject [architecture, wild life etc.] and has a master’s degree which is partly what makes the course so expensive.
• Every four years Akino must renew his license, which involves 160 hours and approximately another $10,000 pesos.
• Akino must renew his CPR course every two years.
• If you have a federal driving license with a federal plate [which Akino has] he must pass a medical test every two years and every six months there is a mandatory engine and pollution inspection.

“I love to be a good host, it’s like when you have a new friend visiting your house, you just want them to feel comfortable and you want to show the best part of your place. It’s super fun and to give good service is my passion. For me it’s the best job in the world.” [These are all Akino’s quotes with no editing so you can see his English is excellent.]

He’s been tour guide since 1997, and his van holds six passengers. Not a requirement but Akino also has a degree in Tourism from Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa. Akino will take you wherever you want to go, but his two personal favourite tours are the Tequila Factory with El Quelite, and Concordia and Copala. If “your guy” is busy or you want another recommendation for a tour guide judging from his FP page and all the rave reviews he’s your man. You can reach him on WhatsApp 624 122 0915, e: akinomontiel@hotmail.com. [ SM, November 2018]

[Updated December, 2024: over the years Noë has trained a team, he’s not working alone any longer. During the height of Covid-19 he suspended his business to protect his employees and his clients. It’s full steam-ahead -cleaning now. A  very large and well-used sofa is $850.]

If you have ever thought about giving your mattress a deep cleaning then Noë Guadiana Villareal is your man. He started his business, Deep Extraction Cleaning [yes, that’s the name – “Mexicans love English names”.] opened its cleaning services in 2014.  A deep cleaning takes about 1 1/2 hours depending on your mattress size and stains. Noë begins with a Hepa filter vacuum [oh, the dust bunnies you would not believe!], then a soil remover and finally an injection suction for the deep clean. Allow a four to five hour drying time, with an approximate cost of $500. You may have two mattresses and there is a discount, or you may just need a light cleaning, for $250. He also cleans furniture, rugs, and car interiors. Noë’s team is very punctual and texts right on the dot of the appointed time, “I’m here.” The English-speaking Noë can be reached at 669 134 8864, or 669 986 1314 or e: decmazatlan@gmail.com. Sweet dreams.

If you want to say it with flowers, then Luz Elena is the florist for you. She’s owned Floreria Jardin de Rosas for 35 + years and specializes in fresh flowers and creative arrangements; for years she has had her flowers shipped from south of Mexico City four times a week. Many are unique to Mazatlan! Wish to have a delivery? No problem, free delivery with a minimum order of $600. Luz Elena also accepts most major credit cards. If you don’t speak flower-Spanish don’t worry, Luz Elena’s English is perfect. In fact, you don’t have to worry about anything with Luz Elena, she’s just so professional. Jardin de Rosas is located on Paseo Lomas #248 [past Starbucks and the school], call 914 1754,or WhatsApp, 669 912 0415 and the hours are Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.and on Saturdays 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. Like every florist in the world, plan your order way ahead for Mother’s Day [May 10] and Valentines.