Say Goodbye to Grey Skies and Hello to Turquoise Seas

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Say goodbye to cold northern winters and hello to Caribbean sunshine...

Dear Reader,

Fred still can't figure out why it took so long for the light bulb to go on.

He'd spend every winter shoveling snow off his driveway, scraping ice from the car's windshield, and waiting for his mammoth heating bill to arrive.

On top of that, he always felt sub-par during those cold northern winters. Not quite depressed -but not quite happy, either. He blamed it on the dreary grey skies, the lack of sunshine, and the short dark winter days.

Fred made it through those winter months by taking a vacation in a sunny beach location overseas. For two weeks, he'd lounge by the pool, relax on powder-soft sands, and soak up the sunshine.

The only downside was going back home. Fred hated leaving his tropical vacation spot. And then one year, he thought: Why not buy a second home here?

It isn't that much of a stretch. Today, I'll show you how you can enjoy a four-day stay in a Caribbean paradise for $180...and make it your permanent vacation spot for as little as $995 a month.

Beautiful Beaches, Coral Reefs, & Tropical Sunshine

It's easy to sum up this Caribbean corner of Mexico in one word: stunning. Just 80 miles south of Cancun, it's a coastline of secret coves, sugar-sand beaches and shimmering turquoise seas. A huge coral reef hugs the shore, bright with tropical fish and graceful coral fans. The reef is a magnet for divers and snorkelers.

Ruins, reef, and rainforest: an adventurer's delight

Inland, more adventures await. Trees and vines curl around pyramids and the fallen stones of ancient ruins. National parks and reserves cover almost 2.5 million acres of land, with lagoons, forests, flooded savannahs, unspoiled beaches, and a vast network of underground caves. You'll see flamingos, manatees, tapirs, wild cats, dolphins and turtles.

The local towns of Playa del Carmen and Tulum host regular music, film and food festivals. Playa's a trendy town, where you can people-watch from a café, pick up some handcrafted pottery or silver from little stores, or dance the night away in a fashionable club. Tulum's more boho...with rustic restaurants on the sand, yoga at sunrise, and soothing massages on the beach.

The weather's nice year-round in this area. And it's at its best in November-February, when temperatures average 30C/84F. It's a time of little rainfall, and it feels fresh and cool. The sea temperature is a balmy 80F. When it's winter back home it's summery beach weather here...

And it's so easy to get to. It's a 90-minute drive to Cancun's international airport on a modern highway. Cancun is a short flight to many U.S. cities, and many budget carriers offer low-cost flights.

Four Days for $180

You need to see this place for yourself to appreciate just how fabulous it really is...and why so many fellow readers decided to make it their permanent vacation spot.

For four days and three nights, you'll stay in a five-star resort. On one side of the resort, a white sand beach runs for miles. You can take a dip in the Caribbean...relax in the shade of tall palm trees on a sun lounger...or sip a cocktail by the pool...

There's a wide choice of dining options, and evening entertainment. You're close to Tulum and Playa del Carmen, too, if you want more of a buzzing nightlife or to do some shopping.

On the other side of the resort, a gigantic curved stone arch marks the entrance to the world-class 27-hole Robert Trent Jones II golf course, set in 223 acres. The course makes the most of the natural dramatic backdrop of forest, limestone caves and rivers. This is the residential side of the resort, dotted with expensive single family homes in manicured grounds.

And it's on this side of the resort that you can buy a stylish condo from $995 a month.

A Permanent Vacation Spot from $995 a Month

The Tao condos look very similar in style to the million-dollar homes scattered around the golf course. But there's one big difference: the price.

Pricing for a 969 square foot condo starts from $182,000. But the developer is offering financing. It's easy financing, too: No credit checks, no medical exam, no mountain of paperwork.

That financing spreads your payments. The monthly payment you make could be as low as $995 a month.

The spacious, airy interior of a town home at Tao

The Tao community of condos, residences and town homes is anchored by the Tao Center. The Tao Center focuses on a sharp and active mind and body. You can swim in lap pools...take part in a yoga class...salsa with your neighbors...or discover the mysteries of the ancient Maya in a guest lecture.

It's the first community of its kind in this area. And it's in a five-star resort setting...with so many amenities on your doorstep...for $995 a month.

The Next Step

Take the first step to waving those northern winters goodbye by signing up here for a four-day chill weekend trip. It's the easy way to dip your toe in the tropical seas...get a taste of what it's like to spend time here...and see if it makes sense as a second home location for you.

All you have to do is book your flight to Cancun and the Tao team will take over from there. They'll meet you at the airport, take you to the resort, and wine and dine you...

The $180 per person price includes accommodation, meals and drinks, and your airport transfer from Cancun.

So, unpack your flip-flops and bathing suit, break out the sunglasses, and start dreaming about waving grey northern winters goodbye...

You can sign up here for the next Tao chill weekend which runs January 26th-29th, 2012.

Margaret Summerfield