Is Mexico locking down AGAIN?
Lockdown # 3 for Mexico and Europe. Plus fun adventure travel story.
Welcome
Welcome to the next Expat Rebel Newsletter. A travel story and Expat News are included right after the essay about lockdown #3. Plus see the new paid subscriber benefits at the bottom. Enjoy. - Chris
Lockdown #3
My local public beach area in Progreso Yucatan Mexico has closed down for Easter. The beach in front of my place is still open but lots of public access beaches are closed in my area. However, some areas in Mexico are not locking down.
Europe over all is locking down again. See the news section below for details.
Here in Mexico, I can understand why a more restrictive lockdown is happening because Easter vacation time just started and everyone takes this time off here in Mexico. The Progreso beach area would get very crowded. I saw that last week when I ate at Crabsters on the beach and the week before when I vacationed in Playa del Carmen. The beaches were packed.
Hopefully by summer things will slowly start turning into normal. I think by the end of July, but I’m no scientist so we will see.
People are still traveling. I went to Playa for some vacation time. Funny how I live in Mexico and still vacation in Mexico. I love it here. Playa del Carmen is great for having a fun time and here over in Yucatan State it’s great for living day-to-day. I love the mix.
Mayapan Ancient Maya Ruin Visit
I went to Mayapan a local Maya Ruin for the fourth time. After climbing the pyramid I meditated with my fiancée and two Expat Rebel Newsletter subscribers who came down to explore the area. We had a great time.
Merida Overnight Weekend Trip
As I said I live on the beach in a small village. And the nearby big city of Merida has everything I need. I typically go in every three weeks for my doctor appointments and shopping. And, of course, a pedicure which cost US$15 for an hour at Boho Spa in Centro Merida.
We decided to stay overnight to enjoy some late night dining and go to our favorite breakfast place in the morning.
We stayed in our favorite hotel Fiesta Americana because it’s nice and quiet and very convenient to quite a few of our favorite restaurants, including Rosas y Xocolate and Pita. Fiesta American is on the beautiful Paseo Montejo, a large European type boulevard with gorgeous homes and great restaurants. It is the most comfortable, quality place we have found.
Rosas y Xocolate Boutique Hotel and Spa sits amid the colonial architecture of Paseo Montejo. Their restaurant has an outdoor patio and Live Jazz every Sunday morning. They just restarted this feature after a year along with the popular Sunday Biciruta Merida. They close down one side of Paseo Montejo boulevard so people get to walk, bike and shop for several hours each Sunday morning.
Village Taxi
I needed to get to a local village restaurant so for the first time I used a village taxi. We forgot to ask what type of vehicle it was and when they came to pick us up it was a surprise that it was a mototaxi.
It was a real adventure! Loud and slow, it barely made it over the big bumps in the road. I am glad I had the experience, but will keep looking for more taxis.
We were meeting a couple at a restaurant so I didn’t have time to arrange another taxi so we got in it. What an adventure.
Arranged a van to take us home after lunch.
Beta Test Subscribers
This week I helped two US Americans visiting Mexico. It was a beta test on how I can structure providing Expat News to everyone and helping those that have questions.
Exploring Mexico
Subscriber Ethan liked my Merida videos so much that he came with his girlfriend from Northern California to visit the area. We met up with them several times and had some wonderful experiences. They love Mexico and are interested in trying things out. We meet and toured our favorite Thai restaurant, Mayapan, Merida and ate at a Marina Restaurant in the area.
They are exploring where they like. I highly encourage people to try several areas before settling down in one. Find out what you like. Explore. And have fun doing it.
We have been traveling thru Quintana Roo and Yucatan State and have stayed in over 20 different area before settling down on the beach in Yucatan. It took four years to figure out where we like living. There are many factors involved. There is no rush.
Vacationing In Playa
I have a subscriber (Tony) who is visiting Playa del Carmen right now. He asked me for help to get a good tour operator. Since I lived in Playa for 2 and a half years and had a blast before retiring to a quiet small village four hours away.
I wrote (and continue to update) the Playa del Carmen Guidebook to help tourists and expats get up and running in Playa instantly. So I referred Tony to someone I personally used, Andy. Andy took him on a tour of Chichen Itza and is planning other outings as well.
Learning Spanish
If you want to learn Spanish and enjoy all of Latin America and Spain then start right now. Get Rocket Spanish and get working on your Spanish, it takes time so why not start now.
Watching US TV
When you are physically outside the US or Canada (or your home country) Netflix, Amazon Prime and other streaming services have different catalogs depending on the country.
For instance, Frasier one of my favorite shows, I’ve seen all the episodes three times, yes all 11 years three times. So Frasier is only available on Netflix US and not Netflix Mexico. So I have to use a VPN to look like I’m in the US for me to watch the show on Netflix.
When I turn on my VPN and hit refresh I now get Netflix US and can watch that plus many other things.
Get our recommended VPN and watch what you want no matter where you are located.
Expat News
Yucatan News
Progreso beaches will remain closed from March 26 through April 11
Celestún's beaches to remain open to the public for Easter
As more Americans vaccinate, Mexico hopes for tourism rebound
Due to COVID-19 or lack of money, over 5 million Mexican students have dropped out of school
Tourists in Tulum party like there is no Covid
World Expat News
Stay in Dominica for 18 months with the island’s new remote work visa
Tourism Groups Push U.S. Government to Eliminate International Travel Restrictions
England will fine people $7,000 for going on vacations abroad
Spectators From Abroad to Be Barred From Tokyo Olympics
Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands are open to vaccinated travelers
Paris goes into lockdown as third COVID-19 wave grips France
'Revenge Travel' Will Be All The Rage Over The Next Few Years
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P.S. Check out the extra subscriber options for people that want some help getting their questions answered about being an Expat or moving or visiting the Yucatan of Mexico.
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