Editor's Note: This story originally appeared on Live and Invest Overseas.
Mexico has 5,800 miles of coastline.
Which spot might be best for you?
Let’s take a quick look at the top choices on Mexico’s west coast.
Puerto Penasco
Puerto Penasco is the seaside resort that’s most convenient to the United States by car… less than a two-hour drive from the border. Also known as Rocky Point, it has been a playground for the western United States and Canada for almost 100 years.
Homeowners in Puerto Penasco can drive over the border and head right for their seaside home without even stopping to register the car.
Puerto Penasco enjoys warm, calm waters all year, broad sandy beaches, lots of housing options, and low property prices.
You can find homes close to the beach for under $100,000, and monthly rents start as low as $500. Oceanfront condos start around $200,000.
Mazatlan
Mazatlan has rebounded from the 1970s and ’80s, when it was mostly forgotten as a resort. Today, it’s becoming a sought-after expat haven.
Indeed, in our 2025 Overseas Retirement Index we named Mazatlan among the world’s best places to retire overseas.
Its dozen-plus miles of beaches and boardwalks are once again as busy as when John Wayne and Gary Cooper were in town.
Even better, the historic center has been newly renovated and qualifies as one of the finest examples of Spanish-colonial America, with plenty of world-class restaurants, sidewalk cafes, and a beachfront promenade.
Rent costs vary, but you can expect to spend anywhere from $800 to $2,000 per month. Real estate is a great investment in Mazatlan. You can buy a nice, ocean-view condo for around $200,000.
Our senior Latin America correspondent Lee Harrison could live anywhere in the Americas … and it’s in Mazatlan where he chose to put down roots.
Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta has been one of Mexico’s most popular resorts since the 1960s, although its rich colonial history goes back hundreds of years.
Unlike many resort areas, “PV” has a number of coastal sections with beaches interspersed among them … meaning different areas have their own unique characters.
Puerto Vallarta is the most gay-friendly destination we’ve found in Latin America, our number-one pick for LGBT expats and travelers.
Puerto Vallarta excels when it comes to ocean views. Here, you’ll find lots of properties perched on lush, green hillsides and long views looking out to the ocean.
You can find apartments for sale from under $150,000. Long-term monthly rentals start around $500. Upscale, ocean-view condos start around $2,000 a month.
Baja Peninsula
Over on the Baja Peninsula, the first destinations that probably come to mind are Ensenada or maybe Los Cabos, both very popular areas.
But how about the small seaside town of Loreto?
This Pueblo Magico (a Mexican town known for its beauty and history) is located in a National Marine Park, and its low-key charm and dazzling seascapes have made it a haven for nature lovers and in-the-know retirees.
Considered one of the safest places in Mexico, Loreto is friendly, walkable, and peaceful. You can find lots on the market here for under $50,000. To buy a home, you’ll need a budget of around $300,000.
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