If you like a mix of activities and geography that combine a cultured urban setting with a beachside resort near fabulous golf courses, then Costa Baja Resort should be top of your investment wish list.

Situated on 550 acres of environmentally protected coastal lands, Costa Baja is a residential master-planned resort community featuring expansive water views, one-of-akind real estate, a private marina, hotel and village complete with shopping, art galleries and restaurants.

Wanda Eilers, 45, of Calgary, has been an owner at Costa Baja resort since October 2007 when she and her husband Mark bought their first two-bedroom condominium on the beach. In November 2010 they also bought a threebedroom condominium in the Vista Mar building with southwest views of the water.

Prior to having four children, now aged 10 to 16, Eilers was the manager of real estate for the Bank of Montreal western region overseeing 250 branches. Today, she manages her family's personal investments, including various real estate properties in Canada and Mexico, and volunteers at a Calgary community association.

"The kids love this place, especially the beaches," Eilers says from her residence in Costa Baja. "I enjoy the spotless cleanliness of the Costa Baja development and the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff at Costa Baja and local people of La Paz."

The family travels to Costa Baja for vacations twice a year with the children for 10 days at Easter and Christmas, but Eilers and husband Mark travel back and forth independently up to four or more times a year.

The resort is only five minutes from downtown La Paz, a city on the New York Times Top 10 places to retire list because it is considered one of the safest cities in Mexico. The name means "peace," and the local population of 250,000 is relatively untouched by tourists.

The city has a modern hospital and medical centre and though the local language is Spanish, residents often try to assist tourists with a bit of English.

La Paz International Airport, with direct flights from Edmonton via Los Angeles, is under 25 minutes from Costa Baja resort, where many vacationers enjoy going.

The location allows for enjoyment of the many amenities in the privacy of the five-star resort located right on the beach for enjoying the beauty and bounty of the Sea of Cortez, and the laid-back atmosphere of the region.

"I love relaxing poolside at the Beach Club, dining carefree in the restaurants at Costa Baja and taking the kids on excursions like to the sea lion colonies," says Eilers.

"We enjoy trips to downtown shops and the Malecon (boardwalk) for strolls along the bay where local people 'play.' Sometimes I will take the kids on day trips to other beaches including those local to La Paz. We can be in Todos Santos and Cerritos beach on the Pacific in less than two hours."

Mark Eilers appreciates playing golf at the first Gary Player signature golf course in Mexico, which opened last November.

Spanning hilltops to sea level, the course offers wonderful and stunning water views from 14 of the 18 holes and is considered a challenge for seasoned golfers, yet a pleasure for novices to test their skills on.