Canadian Guide to recreational property in Northern Mexico’s newest resort community; where the desert meets the sea

Getting there•Where to stay•What to do•Dining•Lifestyle•Investments•Safety •

Lifestyle & Leisure Guide

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Everything we could wish for

“My wife and I live in Edmonton. We are fifty-ish, both professionals, no kids. We have trav-

elled a lot over the years and experienced many countries and cultures.

By chance about 4 years ago we happened to visit San Carlos. It was a brief visit, but we were intrigued. Spectacular desert and mountain scenery contrasted with the brilliant blue of the Sea of Cortez. There’s a pleasant absence of high rises and chain hotels. The town was Mexican with a substantial dose of American and Canadian Gringos. The Mexicans were friendly enough to excuse our utter lack of Spanish and the Gringos were helpful and welcoming, rather than insular. Our travels have always taken us to the water and boating is a passion. San Carlos had not one, but two excellent, well-protected marinas.

On our return to Edmonton we decided maybe we had wandered enough over the years and that San Carlos might be that place we had been look-ing for. It might also permit us our dream of a waterfront home - there is still value in Mexico, and not only in the restaurants and cantinas.

Over the course of the following two years we did our due diligence on the web and visited San Carlos each year for a month at a time, renting a house on the beach at Playa Algodones, just out-side San Carlos. The beach is nothing short of sensational with the sunrise on the left, sunset on the right, and a sunny day in between. On each of those occasions we drove from Edmonton, taking our time (and dogs with us). The drive is lengthy, but manageable. The five hours from the Mexico / U.S. border to San Carlos is mainly four lanes and was a pleasant surprise.

In early 2010 we found and purchased that wa-terfront home. The home, the surroundings, and the people we have met combine to be everything we could wish for - except, maybe, more time to enjoy it.”

David Cunningham & Melanie Watson

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Take your time to enjoy itPristine beaches, marvelous scenery,

comfortable weather, peaceful

town, healthy atmosphere, friendly

community; the boat in the dock, the

bike in the rack, the fire in the grill, the

beer in the cooler; T-shirt and shorts

are more than enough...

Come to Sonora, Stay in San CarlosLive México

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www.go2sancarlos.com www.sonoraturismo.gob.mx

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The dream of being seaside on a boat, looking at a fiery sunset

listening to the waves, is possible in San Carlos. San Carlos, where the desert meets the sea, is a re-sort destination and community of 7,000 people that has become the secret jewel of the Sea of Cortez for visitors and residents alike. Many of these are originally from Canada and the US.

Everyday in San Carlos, beauti-ful sunrises accompany you dur-ing an early morning walk on the sand beaches. The breeze caresses the hills that surround the town, which is set around two natural marinas.

San Carlos is a small town lo-cated close to Guaymas, a seaport city of about 150,000 citizens. Guaymas’ port is the most impor-tant in Sonora.

San Carlos-Guaymas is rich in culture and tradition, with mod-ern day amenities, suppliers and services for a good standard of living.

A cruise line destination, the port of Guaymas and San Carlos are becoming known worldwide as a fantastic place to spend a va-cation or reside, but still retains its small town charm.

This area is famous for its big game fishing in its crystal blue waters. The Sea of Cortez is a great place for all kinds of water sports and its underwater life is excellent for diving excursions.

San Carlos is a place to relax, where you can enjoy the calmness

Welcome toLive the dream in the Sea of Cortez

of a small town community made of people with similar interests.

This place has something for ev-eryone, from the golfer, the extreme sports fan, to divers who want to discover its underwater life. A nat-ural gift for outdoor enthusiasts, San Carlos has estuaries, canyons, horseback riding, biking and hik-ing trails and many species of ma-rine life, sea mammals and birds to watch.

Temperature ranges from 17 to 26 Celsius degrees in the winter and 25 to 38 degrees in the summer. A cloudy day is rare. If you bring your boat, the two marinas in San Carlos and the port of Guaymas offer safe harbour and storage as well as all necessary services.

San Carlos is an actively laid back place, a wonderful seaside community that you can visit today and surely will not want to leave.

SanCarlos

Jacques Cousteau named the Sea of Cortez the “World’s Aquarium”.Su

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SOLDLos Asociados RE/MAX

tienen más experiencia en bienes raíces que otros

agentes inmobiliarios.

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE / INTERNATIONAL SECURITYRE/MAX FIRST CHOICE REALTY SAN CARLOS

1-800-587-2830 (toll free USA and Canada)01-800-832-9590 (toll free Mexico) (780) 651-1706 Edmonton(403) 770-6177 Calgary

226-1800 (Local) San Carlos

www.remax-firstchoice-sancarlosmexico.com

www.sancarlosproperty.com

2004-2009 RE/MAX First Choice Realty / San Carlos, Nuevo Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico 85506 All Rights Reserved / Each office independently owned and operated

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You can easily travel to sunny San Carlos-Guaymas from

anyplace in the world. Sonora is one of the Northernmost states of Mexico, due South of Arizona.

Flights arrive daily by US Air-ways from Phoenix, Arizona. The airports at Ciudad Obregón and Hermosillo are just 75 miles from San Carlos. These are con-nected internationally through at least 7 airlines that fly direct from Las Vegas, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Guadalajara, Mexico City and oth-er cities.

If you prefer to drive, the CANA-MEX ROUTE takes you directly to San Carlos. From Edmonton, drive Highway 2 (Queen Elizabeth II) to Calgary. From Calgary, Highway 4 will take you to the border with the US. Drive I-15 S to Salt Lake City and after three hours driving S, take exit 95 and follow I-89 S. It will take you to Phoenix and from here I-10 E will lead you to Tuc-son. Then take the exit to Nogales and drive I-19 to the border with Mexico. In Mexico, the four lane divided highway MEX15 will lead you to San Carlos.

Crossing the borderCanadian citizens, including those with dual nationality, are required to present a valid passport in order to enter and exit Mexico.

Permanent residents and land-ed immigrants of Canada should check for specific entry require-ments with Mexico’s immigration authorities. As for persons seeking to enter Mexico for purposes other

than tourism, they are required to have a proper visa.

For travel to Mexico beyond Nogales, Canadians must be in pos-session of a tourist card, also called Multiple Migratory Form for For-eigners (FMM).

Mexican authorities impose a tourism tax for all visitors to Mex-ico of approximately 20 USA dol-lars. This fee is normally included in airline ticket prices. Vehicle permitsThose who plan to travel with vehi-cles into the state of Sonora north of

Empalme/Guaymas no longer have to register and obtain a vehicle permit. If you want to travel South of Guay-mas, you will need a vehicle permit. Check www.inm.gob.mx for other re-quirements.InsuranceMexican insurance is required when traveling south of the border. There are many opportunities to acquire insurance in the USA prior to cross-ing the border. Also, look online for quotes or policies. Canadian and American insurance is not valid in Mexico.

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Alberta

Sea of Cortez

C A N A D A

U N I T E D S T A T E S

M E X I C O

Edmonton

GalgaryRed Deer

Sweetgrass

Great FallsHelena

Idaho FallsPocatello

Salt Lake City

St. George

Las VegasKingman

L. A.

S. Diego Phoenix

TucsonNogales El Paso

Albuquerque

HermosilloKinoGuaymas

Cd. Obregón

Mexico City

Guadalajara

Mazatlan

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Getting By air, sea or highway

hereDirect Route from Alberta, CANADA to San Carlos, MEXICO

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By Bryan Replogle

FishingMake friends with someone who owns a boat, throw away all your money and buy a boat, or better yet charter a boat with an experi-enced captain for a day on the Sea of Cortez. You can find terrific catches of dorado, yellowfin tuna, billfish, sailfish, striped and black marlin, sierra mackerel and bonita, depending on the season and cur-rents. Most boats practice catch and release for billfish.Diving/SnorkelingSan Carlos has world-class diving. Many excellent dive companies and instructors assist beginners to ex-perts with exploring the depths just offshore. The best diving takes place at Isla San Pedro, yet as the water warms and clears in close, there are many great areas just minutes from the harbour.Sailing/Windsurfing/KiteboardingThere is usually no cooler place to be than on the water. Sea breezes here can vary, yet they are usually very comfortable. Winter winds are usually the strongest, with summer breezes being lighter. Many sailboats reside in San Carlos as it is out of the ‘hurricane belt’. It is a great port to dry-dock and from which to launch for longer excursions to Baja.GolfThe San Carlos Country Club is an 18 hole par 72 facility that was origi-nally designed by Roy Dye, son of the legendary Pete Dye. They have cart rentals to help avoid walking in the heat and cold beer at the Caddy Shack waiting for you.

What to doNature and Adventure

HikingNacapule Canyon boasts a stream that trickles year round and is an easy hike from the end of the dirt road behind the air strip. Another short hike is from the end of the Mirador lookout to the top of San Antonio Point. For the more advanced hikers, a forty-five minute scramble up Tetakawi can provide some magnificent views of the town and ocean.

BikingMany people just bike around town, yet there are many great off-road trails near-by. There is an excellent single-track trail between the Delfinario and the highway just behind the estuary. The dirt road to Nacapule is an easy ride, and trails and roads past La Man-ga can keep you exploring for days.

Bryan Replogle is the owner/operator of San Carlos Aquatic Adventures.

Outdoor fun

San Carlos is a place where you and your family can live an endless adventure.W

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By Diane Barroll

San Carlos is not only a beautiful small town on the Sea of Cortez,

it is a community. In San Carlos we not only share the geographical space but we are connected in the emotive sense of the word community.

What that means to the predomi-nantly North American people who live here is a relationship with each other that is rarely found anywhere in the Western Hemisphere. Neighbors are neighborly and everyone greets each other whether they are friends or strangers. A lending hand is al-ways available to whoever needs it.

Notwithstanding that San Carlos is one of the most beautiful places in the world it is rare to find a place where one can become a part of com-munity where it is safe, relatively in-expensive to live and an infrastruc-ture that supports a healthy lifestyle. Making the decision to live here is likely one of the easiest choices one could every make.

Mexico is known as the land of Margaritas so we all expect that the tequila will be good. For those from north of the border they will learn that not only is there many different kinds of tequila but Mexico also has good beer, gin, brandy and vodka. All of these local brands are much cheaper than in the north. Imported wine can be found from Spain and Chile with an occasional sighting of Argentin-ean, French and Australian wines.

Eating well and enjoying a Mar-garita on the deck listening to the waves come in also means that get-ting some exercise is in order, and we have a new state of the art fitness facility. For those who enjoy the out-

Lifestyle & Why we choose to live here

doors there is hiking, biking, diving, snorkeling, golf, horse back riding and world class deep sea fishing. For those whose interests are more sedentary there is the Art League, the Performing Arts Council, a quilting group and card games everyday everywhere.

Access to good treatment has to be a part of the equation when consider-ing a home here. In Sonora we are for-tunate to have excellent facilities and well trained and experienced medical

practitioners. Rescate, the local ambu-lance service, is completely supported by the community.

As active real estate agents in San Carlos we have met many people who have fallen in love with the physical beauty of San Carlos and the texture of life here. Each person has a very clear reason as to why they choose to live here.

Diane Barroll is co-owner of RE/MAX First Choice Realty and First Choice Property Management.

Community

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www.century21marina.comTel (622) 226 1221 Fx (622) 226 2021

The newest !

GUAYMAS, SONORA.

Condos

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IMÁGENESde SONORA

D E S T I N O S

SponsorsCOFETUR-Comisión de Fomento al TurismoOCV- Oficina de Convenciones y Visitantes de GuaymasAPI- Administración Portuaria de GuaymasREMAX First ChoiceFirst Choice Property ManagementMarina RealCentury 21- MarinaPunta ArrecifesVista RealMarina Terra Hotel & SpaPlaya BlancaFomento Urbano de San CarlosPerlas del Mar de de CortésContributorsTom & Diane BarrollBryan ReplogleDavid & Melanie CunninghamProductionPhotos: Juan Luis Fernández, Enrique YescasCopy: Alfonso López PérezDesign: Omar SolanoPublished byEditorial Imágenes de Sonora, S.A. de C.V. Printed in CANADA Oct. 2010www.imagenesdesonora.com

Everything we could wish for

View from Tetakawi hill to East / JLF-IS®

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San Carlos has great real estate opportunities, from a beach-

front house, to modern condos that you can own and rent. Professional brokers offer their services and can assist you in your search for prop-erty, and also help you manage it if you are renting it or investing in it for resale. Foreigners can buy or invest in real estate in Mexico without any restriction, except in the coastal and border areas. There, foreign individuals and branches of foreign corporations can have 100% control of property through a real estate bank trust. Mexican corporations with foreign capital are allowed to buy directly if the property is to be used for profitable purposes.

A “Fideicomiso” or bank trust is defined for real estate purposes as a transaction between a Mexi-can bank and foreign individual or firm investing in areas otherwise restricted to foreign investment. The bank serves as the trustee and the investor is the legal benefi-ciary of the trust. The bank holds the title to the property in trust for the beneficiary who retains the ex-clusive right to use and control the property.

As a trustee, the bank acts on behalf of the beneficiary in trans-actions involving the property, in-cluding the decision to transfer, assign or otherwise dispose of his or her interest in the property. The trust is essentially a contractual ar-rangement which, in most respects, is identical to a US land trust. Mex-ican law expressly provides that at the end of the initial 50 years of term the trust, upon request,

Bank trustsSmart investing in Mexico

the Mexican government will issue a new permit which provides for a new 50 year term. Mexican banks are controlled in a similar manner to the Canadian banking system. As such HSBC and Scotiabank in Mexico are two of several international banks that act as trustees to foreigners ac-quiring property. As the beneficiary, foreign investors have a personal and exclusive right to use, occupy, encumber and possess the property,

including the right to build, subject to applicable construction and zoning regulations. In addition, the benefi-ciary may transfer or assign his or her beneficial interest to any person and may keep the profits from the sale of the property according to the instruc-tions given to the trustee, subject to the applicable tax laws and expenses of the sale.

Source: Comisión de Fomento al Turismo

Professional real estate agents can help you invest the smart way.El

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for real estate

luxury and privacywww.puntaarrecifes.com

info@puntaarrecifes.comjuliomty@puntaarrecifes.com

55 beach front lots from 100,000 US dlls.

www.century21marina.comTel (622) 226 1221 Fx (622) 226 2021

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Whether you come for vacation or business, there is accom-

modation in San Carlos or Guaymas waiting for you. Choose a beachside resort, a condo tower, a house in the hills, a boat at the marina or a hotel in downtown Guaymas near the port and you will receive traditional So-noran hospitality.

Perhaps you would like room with a vista of the mountains and the sea, a Mediterranean beach resort or a condo with spectacular views of the bay and marina. There are hotels and resorts with comfortable suites and bungalows, or apartments homes for rent or purchase.

With room service, restaurants, bars, business centers, Internet ac-cess, conference rooms, bilingual staff and attention to detail in all ar-eas, San Carlos has a wide variety of great places to stay. Some of these ho-tels have in-house transportation, car rentals, travel agencies, boutiques, gift shops, tourist information, water sports and outdoor activities.

We suggest that you make a res-ervation prior to your visit to San Carlos. Inquire directly with the ho-tel you wish to visit, a property man-agement company or visit the many websites available with extensive information about San Carlos.From Mexico with tasteEven before the sun rises, there are places to eat that offer freshly cooked and complete breakfasts. You can enjoy American style coffee, fresh fruit juices and eggs made to order with a special Mexican flavor, such as “chorizo”, refried beans and tor-tillas, “tamales”, “machaca” (shred-ded dried beef) and more.

There is nothing like sitting at a beach palapa, cold drink in hand with

Great placesLodging & Dining

thoughts of friends at home shoveling their driveway.

The meals prepared here are all made with fresh ingredients from Sonora’s farms and sea. Also, there are inexpen-sive taco stands where you can enjoy fish, pork and beef.

Savor Mexican cuisine to interna-tional gourmet dishes accompanied with the best wines, delicious and world famous Sonoran “carne asada”, prime steaks, pasta and Italian food, fresh seafood cocktails, sushi and

many types of sandwiches and tacos, also American style meals, hamburgers and pizzas and other specialties.

The décor and atmosphere at the local bars and restaurants can be de-scribed as casual, with good taste, and the service is top notch. Many restau-rants feature live music from local art-ists and musical “trios” can serenade you while you eat, drink and treasure the moment.

Enjoy the best hospitality and food with a view of the Sea of Cortez.Su

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for everyone

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Because of its biological diversity and geological peculiarities, San

Carlos is an ecological entity with various ecosystems that have very dif-ferent flora, fauna and microclimates. Desert, mountain and sea, each has its own beauty and life.

The Soldado Estuary on the coast-line, and the canyons between the mountains, like Las Barajitas and Nacapule, have their own natural gifts to offer the world and can be classified as exotic.

Abundant marine life, birds and sea mammals can be found around San Carlos, from the Island of San Pedro to Guaymas bay.

This coastline is one of the richest and most varied in Sonora. Come see its cliffs, reefs, caverns, points, bays, peninsulas, mountains and coves, different examples of underwater life, beaches, islands and estuaries.

On land, the symbiosis of desert and sea present extraordinarily beau-tiful scenes. At different hours of the day and seasons of the year, the mood changes and the colors are worthy of the best photographs.

Saguaros, cacti, trees, bushes and shrubs create a desert garden of un-equaled color. There are fiery sunsets and bright stars and moon in the eve-ning sky.Seasons and climateShould we talk about the weather? Yes! San Carlos has great weather year round, excellent for outdoor ad-ventures, sports and fun on the beach. You will not need heavy clothing to keep warm during the winter and you can easily get by just with a t-shirt during most of the year, even in the fall. Here is a guideline of typical weather patterns.

Natural giftThe original beauty of San Carlos

There are many ecological jewels where nature is reserved, like El Soldado Estuary.El

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to the world

Average water temperatureMonths Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov DecAverage 19 20 21 23 25 30 32 32 30 29 25 20

Average air temperatureMonths Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov DecHigh ( C ) 23 23 26 28 32 34 35 35 34 32 27 23

Low ( C ) 9 11 13 16 20 24 28 28 26 19 14 9

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San Carlos is visited and it is home to thousands of Ameri-

cans and Canadians that travel and live there peacefully. Mexico is a safe place for people who decide to spend their vacations there or have a home.

Sonora and its destinations like San Carlos, Puerto Peñasco and Bahía de Kino are favored by thousands of North Americans and Canadians.

Our recommendations is to use the same streetwise precautions when visiting Mexico that you would follow in Alberta or any-where in Canada, the US or the world. From Nogales down to Guaymas, Sonora is a state with friendly and welcoming people. Watch your step!Beware of slippery cobblestones, uneven sidewalks, knee-high curbs, head-knocking signs, eye-poking awnings, toe-stubbing thresholds, open trenches, unexpected drop-offs and discarded construction debris. Simply paying attention to your surroundings and where you are going will allow you to avoid many embarrassing and painful mishaps.Everything in moderationTourists who turn their vacations into nonstop happy hour wear out their welcome very fast. They also suffer the vast majority of accidents, arguments, misunderstandings and unpleasantness. Use common senseAvoid wearing any expensive jewel-ry in public, don’t carry fancy bags, and make your ATM withdrawals during busy hours, preferably during

Yes, Sonora isPractical tips for visitors

the daytime. Use the same common sense and be aware of your surround-ings as you would in your hometown.

Outdoor activitiesThere are many outdoor activities like kayaking, golfing, biking, surfing, fish-ing and more. Remember to bring your hat, sunscreen and drink water to stay hydrated.

Medical servicesSan Carlos is fortunate to have a 24 hour

emergency medical service called Res-cate and hospitals and clinics minutes away. Other programs like Skymed of-fer evacuation services as well. Always purchase health insurance before depar-ture from home. In Hermosillo, you can find first rate medical care in San Jose and CIMA hospitals.www.grupomedicosanjose.com.mx, www.cimahermosillo.com

For more information, visit www.sonoraissafe.com

San Carlos is a peaceful and safe place for residents and visitors.M

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a safe place!

First Choice Property Management

www.sancarlosproperty.com/

1-800-587-2830 (toll free USA and Canada)01-800-832-9590 (toll free Mexico) (780) 651-1706 Edmonton(403) 770-6177 Calgary

226-1800 (Local) San Carlos

www.sancarlosproperty.com

your vacation property specialist

First Choice Property Management

Vacation rental homes & condos,

property management services,real estate listings and supervision of investment property in San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico.

Tom and Diane Barroll, from Alberta, were looking for the perfect place to buy

property for their eventual retirement

Come and see why they chose San Carlos. Rentals by the day,

the week or the month.

Tom and Diane Barroll

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Guaymas-San Carlos’ community has year round activities that help

build friendships and welcome visitors. Hundreds of Canadians and Americans along with their Mexican friends share unforgettable moments at fishing and golf tournaments, sailing regattas and many other sporting events.

Many local clubs and associations gather enthusiasts of different sports and outdoor activities and hold charity events to benefit the local community.

The ladies actively participate in the fishing, golfing, and other sports. They organize fashion shows, cook offs, casino nights and many other events, all with the common good in mind.

Art has a very important role in San Carlos’ living. Exhibitions, charity auc-tions and other related activities are fun-damental to the local spirit. Art galleries and shops have impressive works from local and foreign artists on display and for sale.

There are many motorcycle rallies and exhibitions every year, which gather hun-dreds of riders.

Environmental groups, such as the World Wildlife Foundation, work ex-tensively in San Carlos and Guaymas to create awareness in preserving these area’s natural wonders.

There are also traditional events that have shaped the way of life of Guaymas and San Carlos since its beginnings. The “Carnaval” in Guaymas, before the “Cuaresma” in the spring, is an annual event that brings people together in a colorful fiesta with parades and musi-cal performances. Festival del Mar Ber-mejo commemorates the anniversary of the Battle of Guaymas, which occurred on July 13th, 1854. Shrimp and cala-mari have their own festivals. Come to Guaymas-San Carlos, there’s always something fun to do.

Year roundAlways something to do

Web linkswww.imagenesdesonora.comwww.go2sancarlos.comwww.whatsupsancarlos.com

Governmentwww.guaymas.gob.mxwww.sonoraturismo.gob.mx

Portwww.puertodeguaymas.com

Real Estate and condoswww.remax-firstchoice-sancarlosmexico.comwww.sancarlosproperty.com

www.bahiaelencanto.comwww.puntaarrecifes.comwww.playablanca.cawww.century21marina.comwww.seasidesancarlos.comwww.lascamelinas.comwww.posadacondominiums.com

Hotelswww.marinaterra.comwww.bwtetakawi.com

Pearlswww.perlas.mx

Traditional events help bring together the community and embrace visitors.Sa

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Activities

Fomento Urbano de San Carlos, S.A. de C.V.

Toll Free USA 1-866 804 4817,

MEX 1-800 507 7002

622.226.0226fusanca@prodigy.net.mx

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