Puerto Morelos celebrated its first Valentine’s Day as its own municipality with a valentine for the residents. On February 14th, 2016 the town married 30 couples on the malecon in front of the town square. Hundreds of people turned out to take part in the celebration.
Advertised ahead of time, the ceremony was for Mexican citizens and allowed both opposite or same-sex couples. Participants were asked to gather all of their official documents, register and get their blood work done ahead of time. The fee for the wedding for $250 pesos ($13.21USD/$18.30CAD), which was great value.
The price included the brides having their makeup done and a bouquet of flowers. Plus, there was a big cake and snacks afterwards. A real celebration. The couples ranged in age from very young to “more experienced”.
It was a beautiful sight and we hope that this will become an annual event.
Watch for our next post on the cost of housing in one small resort town.
Nothing like an afternoon filled with Sol.
What It Costs to Live in Mexico
Last week we explored what it costs to eat in Mexico with our grocery price comparison. Now here’s what you really want to know, what does it cost to drink in Mexico? No shock, booze is cheap!
Don Julio White has one of the larges cost spreads.
This is an very informal survey and not necessarily the cheapest prices (which can usually be found at Costco in Mexico). We chose the most common beverages, not the necessarily the ones we drink. For Rob’s favourite beers you can click here. We compared costs in Texas, using HEB and Specs, in Alberta, using Liquor Depot, and here in Puerto Morelos, we used our local Super Aki and Chedraui. Our research was done on February 8/9, 2016 using regular pricing, not sale prices. We used this currency converter.
Price comparison of 3 similar beers in their country of origin.
| Beer | Origin | USA | Canada | Mexico |
| Budweiser | USA | $12.28 | $17.07 | $228.00 |
| Molson Canadian | Canada | $20.43 | $28.41 | $378.00 |
| Dos Equis Lager | Mexico | $4.86 | $6.75 | $90.00 |
To give you a quick start comparison, we will use an average case of beer (that’s 12 beer for everyone in the world, except our friends in Ontario who think a case is 24), brewed in its home country, served in bottles, with tax and no deposit. We found that if you were from the USA you would be saving over $7 USD for every 12 beer you drink. And if you were from Canada, you would be saving over $10 CDN a case.
Liquor Price Comparison
|
Alcohol |
Size |
USA |
Canada |
Mexico |
|
Beer |
|
|
|
|
|
Corona Extra |
6pk bottles |
$8.95 |
$16.99 |
$74.00 |
|
Bud Light Beer |
6pk cans |
$6.85 |
$17.85 |
$79.00 |
|
Dos Equis Amber Beer |
6pk bottles |
$8.95 |
$17.49 |
$90.00 |
|
Liquor |
|
|
|
|
|
Bacardi Anejo Rum |
750mL |
$16.73 |
$33.99 |
$112.00 |
|
Smirnoff Classic No. 21 Vodka |
750mL |
$14.41 |
$24.99 |
$130.00 |
|
Jose Cuervo Especial Gold Tequila |
750mL |
$18.09 |
$25.29 |
$98.00 |
|
Don Julio Blanco Tequila |
750mL |
$46.31 |
$71.99 |
$299.00 |
|
Jack Daniel’s Black Label Old No. 7 |
750mL |
$22.52 |
$32.95 |
$309.00 |
|
Chivas Regal 12 Year Old Scotch |
750mL |
$42.99 |
$59.99 |
$509.00 |
|
Johnnie Walker Red Label |
750mL |
$24.83 |
$30.99 |
$273.00 |
|
Johnnie Walker Black Label |
750mL |
$36.20 |
$47.99 |
$569.00 |
|
Baileys Original Irish Cream |
750mL |
$23.46 |
$26.95 |
$225.00 |
|
Kahlua Coffee Liquor |
1 Litre |
$30.73 |
$36.44 |
$134.00 |
|
Wine |
|
|
|
|
|
Concha y Toro Reservado Merlot (Chile) |
750mL |
$16.98 |
$23.99 |
$75.00 |
|
Barefoot Pinot Noir (USA) |
750mL |
$4.97 |
$9.99 |
$83.00 |
|
Frontera Chardonnay (Chile) |
750mL |
$3.99 |
$12.29 |
$123.00 |
|
Las Moras Reserva Malbec 2014 (Argentina) |
750mL |
$7.35 |
$16.49 |
$175.00 |
|
|
|
|||
|
Total |
|
$334.31 |
$506.66 |
$3,357.00 |
|
Taxes (no deposit) |
|
8.25% |
5.00% |
included |
|
Total with Tax |
|
$361.89 |
$531.99 |
$3,357.00 |
|
|
|
|||
|
Total in USD |
|
$361.89 |
$382.55 |
$181.31 |
|
Total in Canadian Dollars |
|
$503.16 |
$531.99 |
$251.84 |
|
Total in Pesos |
|
$6,703.00 |
$7,086.00 |
$3,357.00 |
The individual prices do not include tax or deposit in the USA and Canada. We have added the tax at the end. In Mexico all taxes are included in the prices.
We’re not just all about the tequila.
It doesn’t matter if you are spending dollars or pesos, when it comes to booze, Mexico is a bargain. In our area, it works out to be over a 48% savings in Texas and almost a 53% savings in Alberta.
Californian and French wines tend to be more expensive. For your best deals in Mexico, stick to Argentinean and Chilean wines.
We found that finding liquors and cervezas that were sold in all three countries was easy, but finding wine that is sold in all places proved to be more of a challenge. The wines we ended up using were not based on our taste, but on the fact that we could find pricing for them in all locations.
Two caguamas (1.2L each) and 1 can of beer for 54 pesos ($2.91USD/$4.05CDN) What a deal!
Again this is a very unscientific study, but it will give you a general idea. At these prices, we’ll drink to that.
Salud!
We started our day with 1L of fresh squeezed OJ and fruit. Cost 25 pesos ($1.38USD/$1.93 CDN).
What It Costs to Live in Mexico
Welcome to our new series on “What It Costs to Live in Mexico” beginning with a grocery price comparison. In the bookstore and at our rental suites we often get asked about what it is like to live here and what it the costs. Over the next few posts we will try to give you a snapshot of what the cost of living is like here compared to the US and Canada.
This is the dairy case in our local Chedraui.
We thought we would begin with a very informal grocery price comparison. We knew food costs were lower here and that the produce is much fresher, but we were really surprised by just how much cheaper groceries are in Mexico vs Canada or the USA. The other surprise was how close prices are in the USA vs. Canada. We always assumed that the pricing in the USA would be much cheaper. We found that when we did our survey, it is only about 7% cheaper in Texas vs. Alberta.
Apples used to be hard to get. Not anymore.
The following compares grocery prices between Calgary, AB Canada, Texas, USA and our own little grocery store here in Puerto Morelos during the month of January, 2016. It is just a snapshot of what prices are like. The comparisons are between similar grocery outlets (not necessarily the cheapest). We used Calgary Co-op, HEB and Chedraui.
Grocery Price Comparison
| Item | Size | Co-op (CDN) | HEB (USD) | Chedraui (pesos) |
| Butter, salted | 454 g | $ 2.99 | $ 3.88 | $ 57.80 |
| Milk, Skim | 1L | $ 2.33 | $ 2.15 | $ 15.00 |
| Eggs, large | 1 dozen | $ 1.99 | $ 2.47 | $ 22.00 |
| Bananas | 1 kg | $ 1.96 | $ 1.06 | $ 12.50 |
| Black Beans, canned | 540mL/15oz | $ 1.79 | $ 0.72 | $ 10.55 |
| Tomatoes, canned | 796mL/29oz | $ 2.09 | $ 1.38 | $ 22.00 |
| Lean Ground Beef | 1 kg | $ 9.90 | $ 7.41 | $ 79.90 |
| Pork Tenderloin | 1 kg | $ 9.90 | $ 8.73 | $ 69.90 |
| Chicken Thighs, bone in w/skin | 1 kg | $ 12.10 | $ 2.02 | $ 43.50 |
| Apples, Fuji | 1 kg | $ 5.05 | $ 2.97 | $ 49.30 |
| White Mushrooms, bulk | 1 kg | $ 5.49 | $ 4.33 | $ 59.95 |
| Avocado | each | $ 0.99 | $ 0.48 | $ 4.50 |
| Green Leaf Lettuce | each | $ 1.99 | $ 1.58 | $ 12.90 |
|
|
||||
| Total in Currency of Country | $ 58.57 | $ 39.18 | $459.80 | |
|
|
||||
| Total in Canadian Dollars | $ 58.57 | $ 54.74 | $ 35.46 | |
| Total in USD | $ 41.90 | $ 39.18 | $ 25.38 | |
| Total in Pesos | $759.00 | $709.00 | $459.80 |
The data for Calgary Co-op was found here. The data for HEB comes from their website. And the data for Chedraui comes from our local store here in Puerto Morelos. Again this is a very unscientific study, but should give you some food for thought.
The bakery is getting a jump on Valentine’s Day. Sweet.
The best of the holiday season from Salsa and Sun. We hope that you have a wonderful, warm Christmas filled with family and friends. And if you are lucky enough to be spending the holidays in Puerto Morelos, drop in and see us at Alma Libre Books & Gifts. If you are not, we hope you find a trip to Puerto Morelos in your Christmas stocking. Happy 2016!
Hola Everyone!
We are back in happy to be back Puerto Morelos. And that means the Alma Libre Books & Gifts is now open for the season. We have just returned from a buying trip in Texas and through central Mexico where we purchased thousands of new books, the latest maps, fish cards, calendars and lots of wonderful Mexican art.
Just a sample of the art, are these beautiful, handmade pillow cases embroidered by the Otomi people from the mountain village of Puebla. We only have a limited number of these.
We also visited the village of Tzintzuntzan in Michoacán where they hand weave these adorable Christmas ornaments from straw. The town is filled with thousands of them hanging like vines everywhere. We brought them back, just for you.
We are looking forward to this upcoming season at Alma Libre Books & Gifts. Stop by and see us soon. And don’t forget to subscribe to Salsa & Sun so you won’t miss a post.
More bird footprints than human ones
“Nobody on the road, Nobody on the beach…” Don Henley could be talking about Puerto Morelos in the summer. From May to October our little town is very quiet. And that is the best things about it. You can have the beach to yourself, sandía and mangos are in season, the whale sharks will soon be here plus accommodations start at as little as $57usd/night for a fully equipped apartment.
So if you are thinking about a place where you can spend your days lying on a quiet beach, chatting with the locals, getting a great seat at a wonderful restaurant of just lying in a hammock, Puerto Morelos is the place for you right now. And as for your vacation here…
“I can see you, Your brown skin shining in the sun.
I see you walking real slow
Smiling at everyone.”
Thanks Don Henley.
Sunset over the mangrove in Puerto Morelos.
The sun has set on our short tourist season here in Puerto Morelos. The beach is quiet, the shops are empty and you don’t need a reservation to get into Al Chimichurri. It is a great time to visit. But with the grass turning green up north, people no longer think about us when they make their vacation plans. So, as our friend Eric says, “Now is the time we rest.”
It is relaxing to walk down the streets of our little beach town, saying “Buenos Dias” to everyone, as you only pass people that you know. The tourists and the snowbirds have left. And with this end to the season comes the closing of Alma Libre Bookstore. (Please note the bookstore is the only business that closes during the low season, the rest of the town is open for you.) Alma Libre will close at the end of April and reopen in mid-November. We will still be here to help with rentals and bookings via email. Puerto Morelos is a wonderful place to visit during the low season when rental prices are cut almost in half and the weather is still lovely.
So hurry back! In the meantime, here is a music video that will keep you missing Puerto Morelos. It is by the Spanish group, La Oreja de Van Gogh (The Ear of Van Gogh) and was shot here a couple of years ago. And if you look close, you may recognize a certain little bookstore in the background. Enjoy!
Puerto Morelos Beach Easter 2014
We are currently in the calm before the storm and I am not talking about hurricane season. I am talking about Semana Santa (Easter week). Semana Santa or Pascua is possibly the most celebrated holiday in our little Mexican town of Puerto Morelos. With about eight-nine percent of Mexicans being Catholic, Semana Santa is a religious holiday, but even more important to most, it is a family holiday. Schools and businesses are often closed for up to two weeks and many Mexican families take this time to go on holiday. Here in Puerto Morelos, that means the beaches are full of people, but don’t worry, we have enough beach for everyone.
The Stations of the Cross in Puerto Morelos
Observances of Easter begin on the Thursday with a mass that mainly focuses on offerings of peace. On the morning of Good Friday, Viernes Santo, you can often see a recreation of the Via Crucis (the Way of the Cross). Since we moved here, the lot beside our house has been fortunate enough to be one of the stations of the cross. Every Good Friday we get to see the recreation of Christ carrying the cross through the streets of Puerto Morelos. This is followed by a mass. There are masses again on Saturday, to celebrate the Solemn Vigil and on Sunday, to celebrate the Domingo de Gloria.
When we first moved to Mexico thirteen years ago, there was not an Easter egg, bunny or bonnet to be found. Slowly over the years, as with Christmas and Halloween, we are seeing the U.S.A./Canadian style of holiday traditions creep into Mexican culture. Although I have still not seen a chocolate bunny here, you now see chocolate eggs and a few decorations. Here in Puerto Morelos an annual Easter Egg hunt is held in the square for the local kids courtesy of Frank Reams and some of the local ex-pats.
But the real joy for Mexicans during Semana Santa is the time they get to spend with their families. And what better place to do that, than at the beach. Families from all over the country flock to Puerto Morelos to enjoy a slice of the Caribbean.
Feliz Semana Santa a todo!
What better way to start the weekend off than with a beautiful, golden sunrise from Puerto Morelos. ENJOY!
Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
GoPro time lapse video by Robert Birce
In our first edition of “Restaurant Recipes” Chef Anthony Chalas of La Sirena Restaurant & Bar invited us into his kitchen to see how easy it is to cook the invasive, but delicious lionfish.
Before we started we wanted to know what led Anthony to the kitchen. He told us that he was basically born there. His father is a Greek chef and still Anthony’s favorite cook, while his mother was an expert caterer for more than two decades. Anthony worked his way up through the ranks of many restaurants in New Jersey. He even travelled to Greece, where he spent time working in kitchens and honing his craft.
Anthony’s top tip for wanna-be chefs is to always start with a really hot pan. A big mistake people make is putting food into a pan that has not been properly preheated. His other tip was to not be afraid to finish dishes in the oven.
Anthony opened La Sirena Restaurant & Bar in Puerto Morelos just over one year ago. Featuring Mediterranean cuisine in the restaurant and live music in the bar, it has been a great addition to our little fishing village. He invited us into his kitchen to see how he makes his signature dish “Blackened Lionfish”, a dish that he and head chef Tomas Juarez Rodriguez co-created for last year’s Puerto Morelos Food and Wine Festival. Now he shares his secret with you.
Cooking lionfish may seem like a dangerous task, but it is not. Here in Puerto Morelos, the people at the fish co-operative are happy to fillet the fish for you, removing the poisonous spines that could cause you problems if not handled properly. If you wish to do it yourself, here is a video that shows you how.
Blackened Lionfish (Pez Leon) With a Dilled Sour Cream(recipe below)– Serves 4
For best results make dill sauce ahead of time
4 lionfish filets
2 Tbsp olive oil
Blackening Seasoning
Mix equal parts paprika, cayenne, oregano, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, white and black pepper
Dilled Sour Cream
1 cup sour cream
1/2 bunch of dill finely chopped
1 clove fresh finely chopped garlic
dash of Worcestershire sauce
squeeze of lime
salt and pepper to taste
Begin by making the dilled sour cream. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl and refrigerate 1 to 2 hours to let the flavours blend.
Cook the lionfish begin by heating 2 Tbsp olive oil in an oven-safe sauté pan until very hot.
Gently coat both sides of lionfish filet with Blackening Seasoning.
Place fillets in a hot pan with the rounded side of the filet face down. Allow to cook 2-3 minutes until blackening is complete. Flip fillets in pan, cook another 2-3 minutes to blacken the other side. Move pan into a preheated 350 F or 170 C degree oven. Allow to bake for 5 to 7 minutes until cooked through. Move to plate and top with a dollop of dilled sour cream. Serve with spinach or your favorite fresh vegetable. Also goes great with rice. ENJOY!
Photos by: Robert Birce
