AcaCondos June 2012 Newsletter - Flo Rida, Anarchast, Safety and a New Service

Hello from beautiful Acapulco Bay,

Just like last month with J Lo's video we are starting off this month's issue with another music video filmed recently in Acapulco, Flo Rida's "Whistle" (click the image below to watch):

The video showcases numerous areas including Diamante, la Quebrada (where the cliff divers are) and was also filmed inside and outside of the famous disco, Baby-O's. 

ANARCHAST FROM THE BEACH IN ACAPULCO

As we mentioned last month, as well, AcaCondos owner, Jeff Berwick, hosts a freedom-minded video podcast called Anarchast and last month he interviewed Josh Luther who described why he loved his visit to Acapulco so much.  You can see it here:

SAFETY IN MEXICO VERSUS THE US

Mexico tourism continues to break records as most people are smart enough to see through the propaganda and sensationalism in the media.

The Huffington Post made our point for us recently when they penned an article entitled, "Are You Safer in America or Mexico?"

The article points out that Americans are safer in Mexico than they are in the US.  According to them, " 4.8 Americans per 100,000 were murdered in the US in 2010. The US State Department reports that 120 Americans of the 5.7 million who visited Mexico last year were murdered, which is a rate of 2.1 of 100,000 visitors."

Therefore, statistically, you are twice as safe in Mexico as you are in the US.  That came as no surprise to us here.  We've long talked about eminently safe it is here for foreigners.  We are like a protected species in Mexico... people know that if they mess with a foreigner they will damage the local economy and bring extra heat on themselves as the Government will go after them much more than they would on any aggression against a local.

In fact, most major US cities are far, far more dangerous than almost any city in Mexico.  Here is a headline from last weekend in Chicago, "8 Shot Dead in Chicago, 40 Injured for Second Weekend in a Row".  Are people fleeing Chicago or cancelling their trips there?  No.  Why?  Because the nightly newscast does not start off the news with the headline, "Bloodbath in Chicago again this weekend!"

It's all about sensationalism and propaganda.  But, if you are truly concerned about your safety and you live in the US, you should come to Mexico immediately!

NEW SERVICE!

We have had numerous people call us and tell us that they really would like to move to or get a vacation home in Mexico but want a house/villa and not a condo, like we have at AcaCondos.  So, being the good entrepreneurs that we are, we are now offering to be your concierge and help you to find any place you desire in Acapulco.

This makes a lot of sense as many foreigners don't speak good Spanish and also won't know the locals well enough to differentiate between the good ones and the hustlers.  We do, however.  Many on our staff have lived here their whole lives and have decades of experience in the real estate business. Plus, we have American born people who also have moved to Acapulco and are currently living in AcaCondos who we have introduced our contacts too and they'd be very happy to meet with you if you come down and show you around at any properties you'd like to see... they can even send you a listing of what's available before you even come down.

And, You can stay in our suites while you are here at Las Torres Gemelas Private Suites for a discounted rate.  Send us an email at sales@acacondos.com if you'd like to set something up.  

SUITES FOR SALE

The following are the suites we currently have for sale at AcaCondos.  We are eager to get some more suites into our rental inventory at LTGPS because we have been full to capacity numerous times over the last few months.  So, if you have any interest, please contact us.  We'd even be open to a small discount on the already fabulous pricing just to get another few suites into our rental inventory.

• 2909S - Studio Suite - $50,000 USD as is or $69,500 USD with full renovation (click here for more info and photos)
• 2906S - **NEW** Double Size Suite - $149,500 USD - Luxury, All New Furnishings (click here for more info, photos and video)
• 3003S - 2 Bedroom Penthouse Unit $121,900 USD as is or $161,900 USD with full renovation package & rental income capability (click here for more info and photos)

The timing has never been better to have a suite at AcaCondos/LTGPS.  If the start of 2012 is any indication we will have a record year for rentals... which means a great Return On Investment (ROI) on your purchase if you wish to rent out your unit when you are not using it.

Again, contact us at sales@acacondos.com or call us at (315) 219 4653 (US number that forwards to us in Mexico).

THAT'S ALL FOR THIS MONTH

Come visit us this summer or fall.. every month in Acapulco is beautiful.  And if you wish to come next winter or spring, book now, we are already filling up.

Best,

Michael Bach

Manager

http://www.christianpost.com/news/8-shot-dead-in-chicago-40-shot-for-second-weekend-in-a-row-video-76450/

AcaCondos May 2012 Newsletter - J Lo, Alaska Radio and Things to do in Acapulco

Hello from the coolest city in the Americas,

That's what AcaCondo's and Las Torres Gemelas Private Suite's infamous celebrity owner, Jeff Berwick, recently called Acapulco.  And, I agree with him.  It is the most beautiful, interesting and fun place I've been anywhere in North, Central or South America.

Jennifer Lopez, Wisin and Yandel captured the vibe of this amazing, multi-faceted 500 year old beach city perfectly in their most recent video, Follow The Leader.

If you are wondering where we are located, in the first few seconds of the video we are just to the right of the helicopter shot, right in the exact middle of the bay.  Almost anything you could ever want is within five minutes walking distance: the beach is right downstairs, hundreds of restaurants and bars surround us... you can even bungee jump right next door into Paradise disco.  What, they don't have bungee jumping in discos in the US?  Oh yes, rules, regulations and theft (taxes) are the order of the day up north in the Land of the Not so Free.

RECENT VISITORS

For those of you who don't know, AcaCondos and LTGPS owner Jeff Berwick writes a ludicrously popular blog and newsletter called The Dollar Vigilante.  It is a very free-market and freedom minded dispatch which has attracted a global audience of freedom-minded people.  In recent months we've had a non-stop caravan of followers coming down to Acapulco to see if it is all Jeff says it is.

None, so far, have been disappointed.  Two visited last week and have decided they will move here in the next year... and two others actually moved here last week.  The two friends who visited last week are hosts of a free-market radio show in Alaska, where they live, called Patriot's Lament.  You can hear their experiences in Acapulco as broadcast on their radio show here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoZsLsMtZts&t=33m35s

They stayed at our suites at Las Torres Gemelas Private Suites and loved it and are planning on coming back in December to buy a suite.

THINGS TO DO IN ACAPULCO

As the manager of AcaCondos and Las Torres Gemelas Private Suites I am always asked "what should we do in Acapulco?"  There is no limit to the amount of things you can do here... you can really do anything you want.

But here is a few things you may want to partake in:

Scuba Diving

For the best Scuba Diving I recommend my friends at Scuba Diving Acapulco.  You can book directly online and they include pickup and drop off to our suites/hotel in an airconditioned van.  Tell them Mike from AcaCondos/LTGPS sent you.

Massages & Spa
 
There are a number of great spas where you can be a massage, facial or other services.  Las Brisas has a fantastic spa... and the closest one to our location is right next door at the Fiesta Americana.  Just turn left when you leave the building and walk past the Starbucks.  

Sight Seeing

A must see is the Fort turned museum, Fuerte San Diego.  You can see more here: http://www.acapulco.com/en/tours/fuerte.  It’s around 10 minutes via tax from our location.

Although Frida Kahlo was the 2nd & 3rd wife of Diego Rivera, the Mexican muralist, Dolores Olmedo Patino was his eternal muse, final lover and benefactress.  Dolores Olmedo's Home in Acapulco has become a museum honouring the work of  Diego Rivera.  See more here: http://www.magiccarpetjournals.com/dolores_olmedo.htm. 

A Diego Rivera Mural

SUITES FOR SALE

The following are the suites we currently have for sale at AcaCondos.  They can be rented via Las Torres Gemelas Private Suites as well.

• 2909S - Studio Suite - $50,000 USD as is or $69,500 USD with full renovation (click here for more info and photos)
• 2906S - **NEW** Double Size Suite - $149,500 USD - Luxury, All New Furnishings (click here for more info, photos and video)
• 3003S - 2 Bedroom Penthouse Unit $121,900 USD as is or $161,900 USD with full renovation package & rental income capability (click here for more info and photos)

UNTIL NEXT MONTH

That's all from the beach this month!  Until next time, hasta luego!

Best,

Manager

Acacondos & Las Torres Gemelas Private Suites

AcaCondos April 2012 Newsletter - Earthquakes, Denmark and Remember Acapulco

Hello from beautiful Acapulco,

Since we last spoke Acapulco made global news with reports of a 7.9 earthquake "devastating" the city.  The truth, however, is that we in Acapulco were some of the last people to hear about it!  Here is what AcaCondos owner Jeff Berwick wrote in his Dollar Vigilante blog about the non-event:

"After visiting Doug Casey's Gulch in northern Argentina I had returned home to Acapulco for a few days before making my way to the great white north.  As I was returning to Acapulco my email inbox began to fillup with people asking me if I was OK.  Apparently there was a devastating, massive 7.9 Earthquake near Acapulco.

I quickly Skype called my place in Acapulco worried about my kids and dogs.  One of my maids answered (maids, cooks, nannies and drivers cost about $10 each per day so I have countless people making life as carefree as possible).  I asked her if everything was OK.  "Why?" she asked.

"Wasn't there a massive earthquake there?" I responded.

She didn't even know what I was talking about.  Strange, I thought.  So, I Skype messaged TDV and AcaCondo's head office in Acapulco.  "Everything OK there, Mike?" I asked.

"Yes, why?" he responded.

Starting to feel a bit silly now, I explained that the media around the world is reporting a massive devastating earthquake near Acapulco.  He said that he felt something but it was really nothing.  He didn't think anyone would have even noticed much less it being "world news".

It really shouldn't have surprised me.  I've had enough experiences with the media to know that about 70% of what they say is outright incorrect and 20% is skewed in one way or another towards the propaganda focus of the time (in this particular case it is trying to make Mexico look as dangerous as possible), not leaving much but a slim shred of actual valid information to be gleaned from it."

I noticed my computer monitor shake for a few seconds... and that was about the extent of it.  Don't believe everything you hear or read in the media!

ACAPULCO VERSUS DENMARK

As for me, personally, I returned to my birthplace of Denmark for the first time in eight years last month.  I've been living in and loving Acapulco for more than 11 years now and returning to Denmark really made me realize why I am here.  I wrote an article for Jeff's TDV blog recounting my experiences (click here to read).

Here is a snippet:

"You'd think with this socialist nanny state taking care of everyone they'd all be happy.  But, Denmark is in the upper tier of suicide rates per country.  It's no wonder to me after having been free for the last eight years and returning to what for all intents and purposes felt like a dark, cold prison.

As I got off the plane upon my return in Acapulco, felt the humid, warm air and realized the worst problem I had was that I had stupidly left my car parked under a mango tree for the last 6 weeks and it was covered in tropical fruit, I realized for the first time why exactly I enjoy living here so much... and why I can never see myself ever going back to Denmark to live.

Denmark is one of the last highly socialist states that communists keep pointing to as proof of the success of massive socialism.  If that is success, they can have it.  I love and miss my family but will never miss what I now see so clearly as being pure oppression and a life of monotonous misery."

It is hard to put it in words why Acapulco is so wonderful... you really just need to come and see it for yourself.  The culture is one of relaxation and happiness... and why not, the local residents live in paradise.

REMEMBER ACAPULCO

The people of Acapulco are set on restoring the reputation of Acapulco from decades gone by.  As reported last month billionaire Carlos Slim is investing in Acapulco and a new promotional website called "Remember Acapulco" has just been launched.  Check it out here: http://rememberacapulco.com/

Acapulco is a 500 year old city, was the originating point of global trade (the Spanish Galleons from Acapulco to Manila Philippines), was where discotheques were invented and was the world's first truly global vacation destination.  The "Remember Acapulco" website has a lot of classic photos that celebrate that history.

In case you are wondering where similar info on places like Cancun and Cabo are... they don't exist.  Cabo nor Cancun even existed a few decades ago.  They were government created resort areas created out of nothing and marketed to Americans as "America South".  No history... no culture.  Just cheap tequila shots and drunk spring break kids.

UNITS FOR SALE

The following units are currently for sale.  Note that the price of 2906S has been reduced.

• 2909S - Studio Suite - $50,000 USD as is or $69,500 USD with full renovation (click here for more info and photos)
• 2906S - **NEW** Double Size Suite - $149,500 USD - Luxury, All New Furnishings (click here for more info, photos and video)
• 3003S - 2 Bedroom Penthouse Unit $121,900 USD as is or $161,900 USD with full renovation package & rental income capability (click here for more info and photos)

If you are looking for something else give us a call/email.  We know of some other suites available including a penthouse suite with a roof deck but we haven't had time to add it to our inventory.

LAS TORRES GEMELAS PRIVATE SUITES

The suites at Las Torres Gemelas Private Suites (http://LTGPS.com) are all privately owned and managed by us for the owners.  LTGPS has been rated as the #1 hotel at Trip Advisor in Acapulco for the last two years running.  See more here: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g150787-d1744030-Reviews-Las_Torres_Gemelas_Private_Suites-Acapulco_Pacific_Coast.html

All of our suites were fully rented over the Semana Santa (Easter) holiday and we are already filling up for the remainder of the year and even have many advance bookings already for 2013.  So, if you'd like to come down and stay in one of the suites let us know as soon as possible.

UNTIL NEXT MONTH

We'll talk to you again next month.

Best regards,

Michael Bach

AcaCondos and LTGPS Manager

AcaCondos March 2012 Newsletter - Celebs and Record Tourism in Acapulco

Hello from paradise,

It's been a fun March already as many of the world's celebrities have all been decending upon Acapulco.

I attended the Mexican Open ATP tennis tournament in Acapulco earlier this month and it was an amazing event.  Most of Mexico's rich and famous descend on Acapulco and it is one big fiesta.  Amongst the attendees was soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo and his girlfriend, Irina Shayk.

Irina also stopped off at one of my favorite beach bars, Paradise, for a drink.  Paradise is about a 3 minute walk from the AcaCondos building.

Then, just a few days ago, Jennifer Lopez and Wisin and Yandel came down to film a music video in the Zocalo area of Acapulco.  Here's a photo of them in the old town of Acapulco overlooking the bay.

MEXICO TOURISM BREAKS ALL-TIME RECORD IN 2011

Mexico attracted a record number of foreign visitors last year despite the US Government propaganda attempts and ridiculous travel warnings for a number of areas around the country.

Mexico’s tourism agency released new figures showing that the number of foreign travelers arriving by air in 2011 rose to 22.7 million, the most since the Bank of Mexico began keeping track in 1980. There was growth in each of the last five months of the year, officials said.

Tourism also got a boost from Mexican travelers, who registered 167 million visits to tourist spots. The total of Mexican and foreign tourists was 2% higher than for 2008, which had been the best year on record.

The number of air travelers from the United States to Mexico fell by 3% last year, but tourists from other countries — especially Brazil, Russia, Peru and China — registered sizable increases over 2010.

CARLOS SLIM TO INVEST HEAVILY IN ACAPULCO

Mexican billionaire, Carlos Slim, announced last month that he will be the president of a council that will pool funding for new hotel developments, mostly in the oldest part of the resort famed for its daring cliff divers.

Acapulco's home state of Guerrero said on Monday the council would also include Miguel Aleman Velasco, chairman of airline Interjet's board of directors. The new plan calls for improvement in the transport system, retail areas and a marine museum. Slim's hotel company Ostar operates the Calinda hotel in Acapulco.

NEW TOLL ROAD TO DIAMANTE AND THE AIRPORT

At least 13 consortiums are taking part in a tender to build and operate a tunnel and toll highway in Acapulco.  Consortiums that have expressed interest so far include Spanish companies such as OHL and Aldesa, and Mexican infrastructure companies IDEAL (BMV: IDEAL), ICA (BMV, NYSE: ICA), Omega, Prisma and GMD (BMV: GMD).

Bids are due in May and the project should be awarded during July. Construction is scheduled to start this September and wrap up in the next two years, Aguirre said during a presentation at the BNamericas Mexico Infrastructure Summit.

The urban tollroad, called Escénica Alterna, will form the access road to Acapulco de Juárez municipality, including a 3.3km tunnel and a 4.7km road to connect it with the Zona Diamante area.  This will make the trip from the airport and the Diamante area into Acapulco Bay much faster than the current winding, yet scenic, road that curves along the mountainside.

The project requires an estimated investment of 2.6bn pesos (US$204mn), which will be partly funded through national infrastructure fund Fonadin. Construction should create 850 direct jobs, Mateo said.

This along with numerous other transportation projects completed in the last few years will further increase the ease of travel throughout the city.

SUITES FOR SALE

Everything is on the increase down here in Acapulco.  Investment pours into the city and international tourism and international celebrities continue to visit on an increasing basis.

You can own a suite in our condo-hotel.  We have the following suites currently available:

• 2909S - Studio Suite - $50,000 USD as is or $69,500 USD with full renovation (click here for more info and photos)
• 2906S - **NEW** Double Size Suite - $153,000 USD - Luxury, All New Furnishings (click here for more info, photos and video)
• 3003S - 2 Bedroom Penthouse Unit $121,900 USD as is or $161,900 USD with full renovation package & rental income capability (click here for more info and photos)

Call us at 315-219-4653 or email sales@acacondos.com for more information.

We had our best year for condo rentals through the boutique hotel (http://LTGPS.com) in 2011 and expect 2012 to be even better.  The condos get an excellent Return On Investment if you wish to own.

UNTIL NEXT MONTH

That's all for this month.  Now it's time to head back to the beach for me!  I'll hope to see you down here sometime soon.

Best,

Michael Bach

Manager

February 2012 Newsletter - Fun, Sun, Golf and Tennis

Hello from paradise,

Jeff Berwick here.  I thought I'd write this month's newsletter since I've now been back in Acapulco for the last three months after spending a few months in Cabo and then, recently, I visited the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas in January.

And, after visiting over 100 countries in my life, I have to say, there is NO PLACE on Earth with a more perfect climate than Acapulco (if you like a hot, tropical climate).  Many people don't realize that even so-called "tropical beach" places can be quite cold.  As example, the average high in Cabo San Lucas barely reaches the 70s (21C) for a high in the winter.  The house I was staying at luckily had a fireplace or we would have nearly froze to death many evenings.

And I just returned from the Bahamas.  It was my first trip there and was I ever surprised and disappointed at the weather.  It too barely reaches the 70s in the winter and when I was there it was rainy and cold.

Acapulco, from December to May is guaranteed to be sunny and hot (85-90F, 29-32C) every single day.  And the rest of the year is basically the same except there may be an evening rain shower from time to time, usually lasting about 15 minutes and serving to freshen things.

And, as for other so-called sunbelt places, all of California, Arizona and Florida can be very wet and cold in the wintertime.

I actually can't think of any place with weather better than Acapulco.  And because the mountains surrounding the bay keep the rain out, but drizzle rain down from the mountaintops, it keeps the entire bay lush green all year, even though it can be months in between rain showers.  It is truly a magical place and I am so glad to be back after a long period of travel and staying in Cabo for a few months.

GOLF AND TENNIS

Turtle Dunes Country Club has opened in Acapulco. The course designed by Oklahoma-based golf architect Tripp Davis is located with the Princess Diamante master-planned community.  This is yet another world-class edition to the golf options here in Acapulco.  Every course is within a 20 minute drive of AcaCondos, with one course being a 5 minute walk away.

And the crown jewel Of the golden swing, the Abierto Mexicano Telcel, one of 11 ATP Tennis World Tour 500 events, concludes the four-tournament "Golden Swing" through Latin America. The event, held at the Fairmont Acapulco Princess, is a favourite destination amongst players - particularly clay court specialists. In 2007, Acapulco won the ATP World Tour award for best tournament of the year in its category.

Acapulco has and always will be the hangout for almost all of Mexico's rich and famous and they all come out for the star studded tennis tournament in Acapulco.  It is a fun and enjoyable time.

Speaking of tennis, there is a gold and tennis club 5 minutes from AcaCondos.  My 7 year old son takes tennis lessons there for an hour, four days per week for very little expense from very good instructors.

SUITES FOR SALE

We are aware of a suite that has come up for sale at a firesale price.  It will be sold for sure in the next few days so we aren't even going to put it up on our site.  It is a good location suite, on the 27th floor of the South tower and is available for $43,000 USD... or $62,500 completely renovated.  If you are interested, email or call us ASAP.  It will be gone very quickly for that price.

The remainder of the suites still for sale are as follows:

• 2909S - Studio Suite - $50,000 USD as is or $69,500 USD with full renovation (click here for more info and photos)
• 2906S - **NEW** Double Size Suite - $153,000 USD - Luxury, All New Furnishings (click here for more info, photos and video)
• 3003S - 2 Bedroom Penthouse Unit $121,900 USD as is or $161,900 USD with full renovation package & rental income capability (click here for more info and photos)

STAY WITH US AND TRY LIVING HERE BEFORE YOU BUY

As always, we offer discounts on staying in any of our already renovated suites that we rent out for other owners.  You can see the suites here: http://LTGPS.com.  If you are interested in coming down and looking at the suites we have for sale let us know and we'll give you a discounted price.

BACK TO THE BEACH

That's it for another month.  I'm heading back down to the beach.  What a surprise, hot and sunny. 

Best,

Jeff Berwick