In the Spring of 2015, I decided that I had finally had enough of Colorado winters and made a vow to spend next winter in Mexico.

In the Spring of 2015, I decided that I had finally had enough of Colorado winters and made a vow to spend next winter in Mexico.

Having spent many years traveling and wintering in different parts of Mexico (Baja, Yucatan, San Miguel de Allende), I was in search of a quiet place, warm, and within four days driving distance of my home.

My neighbor ,Steve, has been coming to San Pancho for many years, and he confided that he was selling his business, retiring, and moving to Mexico. He raved about the Riviera Nayarit, the scenery, the weather, and the kindness of the local people.

And so I began my search on-line . . .

I looked at many rentals from Sayulita to La Penita and nothing really clicked for me.

Too big, too expensive, too small, too busy . . . Not knowing the area, I decided to just trust my instinct that the “right place” would appear. And so I kept searching . . .

Finally, an ad appeared for what appeared to be a charming bungalow within my price range in a place called Lo de Marcos.

I immediately emailed for more information and received a quick response from Armando at Galvan Real Estate and Services with photos, pricing and information about Lo de Marcos. An auspicious beginning for what has turned out to be not only a wonderful winter but also a lasting relationship with the fine people at Galvan Real Estate.

Of course, I searched the internet for reviews of Galvan Real Estate as well as Bungalows Don Jose. I read reviews, looked at maps, and decided to book my bungalow through Galvan Real Estate. A flurry of emails between Galvan and myself included all the necessary booking information, rental agreement, answers to questions such as , “how will I get my keys?”, “is my bungalow on the second floor” and even so trite as “is there a blender in my bungalow?”

I arrived, as planned, on January 1 and drove straight to my rental, following the map and directions supplied by Armando. As I approached the office of my bungalow, the first question that greeted me was “do you have a reservation?” “Si” was my reply, “con

Galvan Real Estate”; welcoming smiles broke out from Joelle and Carlos at Bungalows Don Jose.

And thus began a new chapter in my life . . .

Four months later I am still here — waiting until the snow stops in Colorado so I can go home.