Mérida, Mexico - If you've been to Mexico, it probably was to visit some of the country's beautiful beaches.

But there's much more to Mexico than beaches. It's one of the biggest and most culturally and geographically diverse countries in the world... and it's right on your doorstep.

And today, with the Mexican peso hitting record lows against the dollar, there's not been a more favorable time to stretch your retirement budget.

As of March of 2016, the exchange rate was 17.34 MXN: 1USD. A plentiful sit-down lunch yesterday in Merida, Yucatan, where we write to you from, cost less than $8 for the two of us. And $25 buys two entrees, a bottle of wine, and dessert at an upscale restaurant.

But Mexico has far more attractions than just affordability.

Today's Mexico is not only amazingly diverse and exotic; it's also far more modern and developed than it was 15 or even 20 years ago. And it's far safer than news media would have you believe.

No question, some parts of Mexico are dangerous. These are, mostly, isolated areas. But Mexico is a huge country... three times the size of Texas... and much of it is safe.

Tourists to Mexico, of course, know this. This country is a top destination for U.S. and Canadian tourists. But tourists aren't the only ones packing up and heading for Mexico. It's been a top retirement destination for at least 100 years now.

We've lived in Mexico ourselves over the years, in the Lake Chapala area, in San Miguel de Allende, and in Mérida, where we are now, visiting friends. Today, more U.S. and Canadian expats live in Mexico than anyplace else in the world.

The convenience factor is undeniable. Many of Mexico's top retirement destinations can be reached with a couple of hours' flight time from the U.S. or even a day's drive from the border. And Mexico offers all the modern amenities that make life comfortably easy.

You'll find fast internet and first-run films - in English. You can shop at big-box stores and eat at chain restaurants like Chili's, Burger King, and McDonald's if you want. But with Mexico's culinary reputation, it's doubtful you'll care much about chain restaurants.

Mexico is home to some of the world's tastiest and most exotic foods. Chilies, chocolate, vanilla - all this and more comes from Mexico. There's even a burgeoning wine industry. And you'll find regional cuisines here as varied as the country itself.

If you're looking for an affordable retirement destination that's close to home, now's the time to check out Mexico. Come and stay for a while. Mexico makes it easy for you to do that. You can get a tourist visa for up to 180 days at a time - that's almost six months. It's also twice as long as most countries allow. So, many expats never bother with a resident visa, although those are also easy to obtain.