They also make amazingly gracious, comfortable living spaces. That is, once they’re updated for modern living. High-speed Internet, telephone, and cable television may not be romantic, but most of us couldn’t do without them.

Fortunately, renovating old colonials is a thriving business in Mexico. In most colonial cities you’ll find local architects who are experienced with colonial renovation. A good architect knows how to renovate respectfully, maintaining the traditional charm while discreetly adding modern conveniences.

I did buy and renovate a colonial property in Mexico, in the seaside World Heritage city of Campeche, in the Yucatán Peninsula. Like major house renovations anywhere, mine caused the usual frustration and hair-tearing—and took a year to complete.

But in the end I had a colonial home with 20-foot ceilings…gleaming, traditional tile floors…and a private lap pool in my interior courtyard, with a colonnaded walkway and lounging area beside it. And for all that I paid a fraction of what it would have cost me in the U.S.

I learned a lot from the experience. Based on my own renovation—as well as what I’ve heard from others who’ve renovated—here are a few tips for those of you dreaming of renovating your own colonial dream house:

* For best results, get an architect who’s renovated genuine colonial houses before. There are tricks to dealing with walls and floors that may be hundreds of years old. An architect—no matter how talented—who’s only built modern homes may not know these.

* Look at other properties an architect has renovated to see if you like his or her work. Some are good work-a-day craftsmen—while others are real artists, who can create wow-worthy features that never would have occurred to you. If you can get the latter, you’re golden.

* In Mexico renovation and new construction cost about the same. So if you find the perfect property and it’s lacking a few walls, don’t worry. You won’t be spending more to erect new ones that you would to repair old ones.

* Expect to fall in love with all sorts of items that weren’t in your original budget, from specific light fixtures to tile patterns to window fittings. That’s okay. It’s your house, after all. Just work with your architect to decide which over-budget items you’ll indulge in.

* The renovation always takes longer than expected. Get used to the idea. If you absolutely must move in by a certain date, consider putting penalties in the contract for late deadlines—or alternatively, bonuses for meeting deadlines early.

I’ve lived in my renovated colonial house for over a year now. I’ve gotten used to marrying centuries-old traditional style with modern amenities like a flat-screen television, high-speed Internet, and built-in dishwasher. I cook meals on a modern, six-burner stove, then serve them in a dining room with a high, wood-beamed ceiling, wrought-iron chandeliers, and a languidly turning ceiling fan.

On hot days, I take a quick dip in the pool in my central patio. In the evenings, I invite friends to join me there for drinks. We stretch out in the pool loungers, enjoy the cool night air, and watch the moonlight reflect off the pool’s placid waters.

As with any major renovation, I didn’t get 100% of what I’d expected. But it comes pretty close. Overall, am I happy with my new, gracious, colonial lifestyle?

You bet.

P.S. If you like the idea of rescuing your old colonial, join us for the Live and Invest in Mexico Seminar Nov. 11-13. We’ll cover everything. Learn more here.

Sunlight hits the forest floor like silver swords. Brightly colored butterflies flutter…hummingbirds hover…howler monkeys growl in the distance…

I’m in Ecuador’s north, on this country’s nicest stretch of coast. Until now, this area has been hard to get to. But the infrastructure is improving rapidly. As it does, I expect real estate prices to rise—and rise fast.

This will soon be the closest beach area to the capital, Quito, and to its new international airport. That’s why—a year after I first told International Living readers about this region—I’m covering it again now. The window of opportunity for the biggest profits will start to close over the coming months as the various highways and bridges under construction are finally connected.

Here—between Canoa and the area just north of Pedernales—the water is clear and blue. When the sun shines it looks turquoise. This is an area rich in nature, beauty…and opportunity.

It’s not just Ecuador’s loveliest section of coast; it’s also its most under-developed. On this trip, I took the road from Quito for the first time. On previous visits I flew to Manta and then traveled north by road. But highway improvements made over the past five years mean the road route from the capital is now feasible.

The improved Quito highway is impressive. This used to be a dirt road that served no purpose other than connecting little mountain villages. Carved out of the Andes, stretches of this road are now major engineering feats.

The first two hours of the drive from Quito are incredibly scenic. Just 30 minutes from downtown Quito, you are in an otherworldly, mountain wilderness. There is very little development; just a few viewing points and some small hotels.

Drive time from Quito to this coast will be down from seven hours to three-and-a-half hours once the final stretch of road is complete. This highway links up with the main highway connecting Atacames and Manta.

Right now, crews are busily completing the remaining stretches.

Work is also on schedule to complete the bridge from Bahia de Caraquez to San Vicente by the end of this year. It will be the longest bridge in Ecuador. San Vicente has a shiny new airport terminal…staffed and ready to go. I expect the airlines to announce new flights in and out of there soon.

You can profit from this “Path of Progress” play. I reveal how in the September issue of IL magazine. Subscribe now for just $17 and you’ll get instant access to my full Ecuador article.

But the country doesn’t have a monopoly on nice beaches. Indeed, some of the most desirable beachfront property in the world right now does not sit within the confines of U.S. borders.

In our special report, 7 Places You Can Buy Great Beachfront Property Under $100,000, we’ll reveal seven beach towns in Latin America where you can get the best value for your dollar…a house with a swimming pool in the back and the ocean out front, on one of the world’s most spectacular stretches of coastline, for $84,000…a beachfront lot, on which you can build your very own dream home in paradise, for $20,000…and many more amazing deals (most of which are under $100,000).

And don’t worry, these are not places that are dangerous, rat-infested, or miles from civilization! They just happen to be in countries where, for various reasons, your dollar will still go far…like Brazil, which has a very favorable dollar/real exchange rate…or Ecuador, where the legal tender is the U.S. dollar.

Simply provide your email below to receive the FREE report, 7 Places You Can Buy Great Beachfront Property Under $100,000. You’ll also receive a free subscription to our International Living Postcards – a daily e-letter that explores living, traveling and investing in the most exciting countries around the world.

Sunlight hits the forest floor like silver swords. Brightly colored butterflies flutter…hummingbirds hover…howler monkeys growl in the distance…

I’m in Ecuador’s north, on this country’s nicest stretch of coast. Until now, this area has been hard to get to. But the infrastructure is improving rapidly. As it does, I expect real estate prices to rise—and rise fast.

This will soon be the closest beach area to the capital, Quito, and to its new international airport. That’s why—a year after I first told International Living readers about this region—I’m covering it again now. The window of opportunity for the biggest profits will start to close over the coming months as the various highways and bridges under construction are finally connected.

Here—between Canoa and the area just north of Pedernales—the water is clear and blue. When the sun shines it looks turquoise. This is an area rich in nature, beauty…and opportunity.

It’s not just Ecuador’s loveliest section of coast; it’s also its most under-developed. On this trip, I took the road from Quito for the first time. On previous visits I flew to Manta and then traveled north by road. But highway improvements made over the past five years mean the road route from the capital is now feasible.

The improved Quito highway is impressive. This used to be a dirt road that served no purpose other than connecting little mountain villages. Carved out of the Andes, stretches of this road are now major engineering feats.

The first two hours of the drive from Quito are incredibly scenic. Just 30 minutes from downtown Quito, you are in an otherworldly, mountain wilderness. There is very little development; just a few viewing points and some small hotels.

Drive time from Quito to this coast will be down from seven hours to three-and-a-half hours once the final stretch of road is complete. This highway links up with the main highway connecting Atacames and Manta.

Right now, crews are busily completing the remaining stretches.

Work is also on schedule to complete the bridge from Bahia de Caraquez to San Vicente by the end of this year. It will be the longest bridge in Ecuador. San Vicente has a shiny new airport terminal…staffed and ready to go. I expect the airlines to announce new flights in and out of there soon.

You can profit from this “Path of Progress” play. I reveal how in the September issue of IL magazine. Subscribe now for just $17 and you’ll get instant access to my full Ecuador article.

A big stage has been erected in the Plaza de la Catedral. The crowd is “eclectic Panama”…surfer types, preppy soccer-moms, kids from the neighborhood…a human hodgepodge swaying to the music.

A sonorous bass sends vibrations over the cracked concrete to where I stand; it makes my feet buzz. Vendors in the plaza are selling smoky kebabs. There’s even raspao, fruity snow cones you can get topped with sticky condensed milk (for five cents extra) and the powdery crunch of malt.

The man making mine has no machine to crush the ice; he scrapes it with a big shaver, packing the fine crystals into a conical cup. I pay him 30 cents.

Today’s Casco Viejo is a mix of the contemporary and the crumbling, a study in contrasts. You find over 300 years of history here in the colonial sector, often referred to as the “second city.” (You can see what it’s like for yourself in this video tour.)

In fact, locals say Panama City is three cities in one. Modern Panama is the third city, famous for its skyscraper skyline. The first Panama City, founded in 1519, was burned to the ground by the dreaded Captain Morgan (not just a brand of rum).

In 1673, the city was rebuilt here as Casco Viejo, where fortress walls high above the water made a good defense. The architecture here is the nation’s prettiest—with French, Italian, and, of course, Spanish influences.

I’ve spent the day taking in this second Panama City. The coolest thing I’ve ever seen is…

Editor’s note: Subscribers to the IL magazine can read on in the September issue. If you subscribe now, you can get IL magazine for just $17…and instant access to Jessica’s full Panama article.

…and about the same distance from the malecón (boardwalk) that runs along the Gulf. Sea breezes cool the air, especially in the evening. People go running on the malecón then, or strolling in the center. It’s a very safe, peaceful city.

Campeche is great for my day-to-day shopping. I enjoy going to the traditional market for fruits and vegetables, and I have half a dozen large supermarkets to choose from for staples. But when I need big-ticket items or a taste of expat life, I head to the big city—Merida.

Mérida is less than a two-hour drive from my front door. In Mérida I can find large department stores like Liverpool and Chapur, and the U.S.’s familiar Sears. There’s also Pier One, a huge Home Depot, and Costco.

Mérida also has several malls…including one with a huge Cineplex that has films in English. I sometimes drive by there to see what’s playing. Films seem to open in Mérida at about the same time they do in the U.S.

For all its big shopping centers and range of stores, Mérida’s historic center remains very traditional.

The main squares are colonial. Long arcades filled with shops and cafes entice you to stop for a coffee, a beer or an ice cream. Sorbetería Colón, in the arcade near the cathedral, is one of my favorites. I can almost always persuade myself to stop for a fresh fruit sorbet. The mango and coconut flavors are outstanding. But I also love less common flavors like elote (corn) and pitahaya, an exotic fruit that tastes a bit like kiwi.

Many expats have chosen to live in centro. Like San Francisco, New York, and many European cities, Mérida’s centro is very walkable. (In fact, it’s easier to leave the car behind.) When I stay in Mérida, I tend to look for live music in the evening. There are usually musicians playing in a local square somewhere in centro. Or I’ll find artists who’ve set out paintings for sale, jewelers selling earrings and necklaces, or performance artists. There’s almost always something to see.

I usually try to stay a day in Mérida when I fly in and out of its convenient international airport. And now Mérida is more of a hub than ever: Regional airline Mayair now has daily flights from the Caribbean Coast—from Cozumel and Cancún—to Mérida. The flights cut the four-hour drive from Mérida to Cancún down to one hour.

Twice a week flights continue on to Campeche, putting me just two hours by air from Cancún. I’m thinking that I should try out the flight soon….though perhaps I should take a layover in Mérida on the way back—just for a little shopping.

Editor’s note: Glynna’s going to be talking in detail about colonial Mexico when she presents at IL’s Live and Invest in Mexico Seminar, Nov. 11-13. Get the full details here.

…and about the same distance from the malecón (boardwalk) that runs along the Gulf. Sea breezes cool the air, especially in the evening. People go running on the malecón then, or strolling in the center. It’s a very safe, peaceful city.

Campeche is great for my day-to-day shopping. I enjoy going to the traditional market for fruits and vegetables, and I have half a dozen large supermarkets to choose from for staples. But when I need big-ticket items or a taste of expat life, I head to the big city—Merida.

Mérida is less than a two-hour drive from my front door. In Mérida I can find large department stores like Liverpool and Chapur, and the U.S.’s familiar Sears. There’s also Pier One, a huge Home Depot, and Costco.

Mérida also has several malls…including one with a huge Cineplex that has films in English. I sometimes drive by there to see what’s playing. Films seem to open in Mérida at about the same time they do in the U.S.

For all its big shopping centers and range of stores, Mérida’s historic center remains very traditional.

The main squares are colonial. Long arcades filled with shops and cafes entice you to stop for a coffee, a beer or an ice cream. Sorbetería Colón, in the arcade near the cathedral, is one of my favorites. I can almost always persuade myself to stop for a fresh fruit sorbet. The mango and coconut flavors are outstanding. But I also love less common flavors like elote (corn) and pitahaya, an exotic fruit that tastes a bit like kiwi.

Many expats have chosen to live in centro. Like San Francisco, New York, and many European cities, Mérida’s centro is very walkable. (In fact, it’s easier to leave the car behind.) When I stay in Mérida, I tend to look for live music in the evening. There are usually musicians playing in a local square somewhere in centro. Or I’ll find artists who’ve set out paintings for sale, jewelers selling earrings and necklaces, or performance artists. There’s almost always something to see.

I usually try to stay a day in Mérida when I fly in and out of its convenient international airport. And now Mérida is more of a hub than ever: Regional airline Mayair now has daily flights from the Caribbean Coast—from Cozumel and Cancún—to Mérida. The flights cut the four-hour drive from Mérida to Cancún down to one hour.

Twice a week flights continue on to Campeche, putting me just two hours by air from Cancún. I’m thinking that I should try out the flight soon….though perhaps I should take a layover in Mérida on the way back—just for a little shopping.

Editor’s note: Glynna’s going to be talking in detail about colonial Mexico when she presents at IL’s Live and Invest in Mexico Seminar, Nov. 11-13. Get the full details here.

That’s how it all started. Caye Caulker is the name of the island that I now call home. You can see the stretch of the island all the way down almost to the split. What a treat. Also, because there are no cars or vehicles of any kind (just a few golf carts for taxis) it is very quiet. I love the quiet and I love the smiling people who nod their heads politely while greeting you.

This is an island of color… And in the clear water, you can see 25 feet down to the white sandy bottom…

The palm trees sway in the warm tropical breeze. For those of us who call this island home—whether native islanders or transplants like me from the California Bay Area—this is paradise.

This is a beautiful island with handsome people of every culture and color. One young woman told me her father was part East Indian and part Creole. Her mother was part Guatemalan and part Belizean.

With neighboring Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the south, Belize is the only country in Central America with English as its primary language. That everyone speaks English was an important factor in my decision to come here for my retirement years.

The locals are very family oriented and there are less than 2,000 residents with one elementary school and one high school. Most expats here are from the U.S., Canada, and the UK.

I get a feeling of peace and gentleness when I walk around the island. I know I made the right move for me. Just before I left the States, I remember saying goodbye to my friends and saying, “Oh, I am retiring….my husband and I bought a house on an island.” That almost sounds unreal, doesn’t it?

Well, we did it and I am so grateful for this paradise.

Editor’s note: Margot calls Caye Caulker a “sleepy little island.” It may be too sleepy to suit everyone’s tastes…but there are other Caribbean options in Belize just as affordable. Get the full details in our Belize report…discounted for the rest of this month during our September Bookstore Sale.

If you’re visiting, it’s like having a smorgasbord of beach lifestyles to sample. If you’re looking with relocation in mind, you’re even luckier…whatever beach lifestyle you seek, you can probably find it someplace along this coast.

For laid-back island life, take a look at Cozumel or Isla Mujeres. The snorkeling off Cozumel is world-famous, with a wealth of colorful marine life. On Isla, go just a quarter-mile away from the trendy bars near the harbor and you’ll find areas that look almost rural.

On Isla’s northern coast I saw locals walking long stretches of shingly beach, picking up seashells near the dramatic homes that look out to sea. It’s hard to believe that you’re a 15-minute ferry-ride from Cancún’s bright lights.

If you’re looking for a vibrant yet cozy destination with a bohemian touch, there’s Playa del Carmen, one of my favorite beach towns. You still find stalls along Fifth Avenue where vendors sell crystals or will braid your hair. And it’s an excellent place for people-watching.

But today you also find designer stores, top restaurants offering a variety of cuisines, and condos with all amenities. Those are all for whiling away the evening hours. During the day you’ll no doubt be at the beach, enjoying the wide array of sports activities. On one visit, I spotted swimmers, scuba divers, windsurfers, jet-skiers, fishermen, and a parasail glider all at the same time.

Tulúm has some of the most beautiful beaches along this coast. The beaches are pure white sand, the waters are turquoise, and the waves rolling in are almost irresistible. Unlike Playa with its bustle, however, Tulúm feels tranquil. This is the place for that yoga class in the morning, or massage or meditation after your day on the beach. It’s also a good base for eco-excursions.

West of Tulúm lies jungle area, and south of it is the huge Sian Ka’an biosphere, home to hundreds of varieties of plant and animal life. (I’m hoping to sign up for a kayaking tour of the reserve on one of my upcoming visits.)

Tulúm is just starting to be developed. Still largely off the radar (and off the grid) is the Costa Maya, south of Sian Ka’an running down to the Belize border. If you want pure undeveloped beachfront, this is the place. And it’s another great area for scuba diving—in places, the barrier reef offshore is only a few hundred yards away. There are few amenities in most of the Costa Maya, but Mahahual is a lively—and growing—little town.

You can find properties at almost every price point along this coast, from $50,000 jungle lots to condos in the low $100,000s up to million-dollar-plus beachfront homes. Just decide what you want and start exploring your options.

And believe me, on this beautiful coast, browsing for that perfect home is at least half the fun.

I’ll share full details on properties in this area at the Live and Invest in Mexico Seminar, Nov. 11-13. Complete itinerary and registration details available here.

If you’re visiting, it’s like having a smorgasbord of beach lifestyles to sample. If you’re looking with relocation in mind, you’re even luckier…whatever beach lifestyle you seek, you can probably find it someplace along this coast.

For laid-back island life, take a look at Cozumel or Isla Mujeres. The snorkeling off Cozumel is world-famous, with a wealth of colorful marine life. On Isla, go just a quarter-mile away from the trendy bars near the harbor and you’ll find areas that look almost rural.

On Isla’s northern coast I saw locals walking long stretches of shingly beach, picking up seashells near the dramatic homes that look out to sea. It’s hard to believe that you’re a 15-minute ferry-ride from Cancún’s bright lights.

If you’re looking for a vibrant yet cozy destination with a bohemian touch, there’s Playa del Carmen, one of my favorite beach towns. You still find stalls along Fifth Avenue where vendors sell crystals or will braid your hair. And it’s an excellent place for people-watching.

But today you also find designer stores, top restaurants offering a variety of cuisines, and condos with all amenities. Those are all for whiling away the evening hours. During the day you’ll no doubt be at the beach, enjoying the wide array of sports activities. On one visit, I spotted swimmers, scuba divers, windsurfers, jet-skiers, fishermen, and a parasail glider all at the same time.

Tulúm has some of the most beautiful beaches along this coast. The beaches are pure white sand, the waters are turquoise, and the waves rolling in are almost irresistible. Unlike Playa with its bustle, however, Tulúm feels tranquil. This is the place for that yoga class in the morning, or massage or meditation after your day on the beach. It’s also a good base for eco-excursions.

West of Tulúm lies jungle area, and south of it is the huge Sian Ka’an biosphere, home to hundreds of varieties of plant and animal life. (I’m hoping to sign up for a kayaking tour of the reserve on one of my upcoming visits.)

Tulúm is just starting to be developed. Still largely off the radar (and off the grid) is the Costa Maya, south of Sian Ka’an running down to the Belize border. If you want pure undeveloped beachfront, this is the place. And it’s another great area for scuba diving—in places, the barrier reef offshore is only a few hundred yards away. There are few amenities in most of the Costa Maya, but Mahahual is a lively—and growing—little town.

You can find properties at almost every price point along this coast, from $50,000 jungle lots to condos in the low $100,000s up to million-dollar-plus beachfront homes. Just decide what you want and start exploring your options.

And believe me, on this beautiful coast, browsing for that perfect home is at least half the fun.

I’ll share full details on properties in this area at the Live and Invest in Mexico Seminar, Nov. 11-13. Complete itinerary and registration details available here.