What is the cost for health insurance in Mexico and how does it work?
Peter F Gordon, MD - Lake Medical Group
There are many options for health insurance in Mexico. And the costs vary depending on what you choose.
There are national health insurance companies that cover major medical conditions, ambulances and hospital expenses but they usually do not cover outpatient costs like office visits or laboratory testing. Their premiums are less than in other countries, but they typically do not insure someone over age 60 to 65.
We work with...
There are many options for health insurance in Mexico. And the costs vary depending on what you choose.
There are national health insurance companies that cover major medical conditions, ambulances and hospital expenses but they usually do not cover outpatient costs like office visits or laboratory testing. Their premiums are less than in other countries, but they typically do not insure someone over age 60 to 65.
We work with some independent insurance brokers who also offer international and travelers’ insurance. They too cover the major-medical expenses, there is no limit for age, and they are usually very reasonably priced.
Mexico has a national health care system called IMSS and foreigners who have a resident visa are eligible to apply. This has a yearly cost of about 300 to 400 dollars and covers everything: office visits, hospital, laboratory testing, even medications. On some occasions applicants are not accepted for pre-existing health problems or the coverage is slowly integrated over a few years. Also, like many other national systems they are over-utilized, understaffed, and lacking resources. Typically, what I see are patients who sign up for IMSS and use it only for the major health problems like hospitalizations, where they have excellent facilities and physicians. Then for the routine things they see me and use the private diagnostic services, which are fairly inexpensive, anyway.
Lastly, in our office we offer a service that works with a patient’s existing medical insurance. We have contracts with over 350 international medical insurance companies. The policy is reviewed and if it qualifies, the patient is able to see a physician in their office for $100 pesos (around US $5), have a hospitalization for $500 pesos (around US $25) total, no deductibles, no co-insurances, and no sign-up fee or additional cost.
(Dr. Peter F. Gordon MD with his staff, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.)
How's the adventure travel and activities in and around Cayo, Belize, including San Ignacio and Belmopan?
Penny James - Better in Belize Eco Village
With 880,000 acres of national parks and nature reserves, you’ll never run out of places to run, jog, hike or explore! The district of Cayo boasts some of Belize’s best known attractions such as the ATM Caves aka Actun Tunichil Muknal; Adopt-an-Iguana program at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel; Actun Chapat and Actun Halal Caving Adventure; Belize Botanical Gardens; Blue Hole National Park; Cahal Pech ruins, Chechem Ha Cave; Clarissa Falls; Mountain Pine Ridge Forest...
With 880,000 acres of national parks and nature reserves, you’ll never run out of places to run, jog, hike or explore! The district of Cayo boasts some of Belize’s best known attractions such as the ATM Caves aka Actun Tunichil Muknal; Adopt-an-Iguana program at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel; Actun Chapat and Actun Halal Caving Adventure; Belize Botanical Gardens; Blue Hole National Park; Cahal Pech ruins, Chechem Ha Cave; Clarissa Falls; Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve; Rio Frio Caves -which was rated by National Geographic as #1 of their Top 10 Sacred Caves; Tubing down the Mopan River, and Xunantunich.
You can enjoy many adventure travel and activities in Cayo such as birdwatching, canoeing, caving, exploring Mayan sites, hiking, horseback riding, kayaking, mountain biking, pontoon boat rides on Vaca Lake, river tubing, rock climbing, spelunking, swimming, Ziplining. Within minutes of the Village of Benque Viejo, you can cross the border into Guatemala. Enjoy the trail to Xunantunich from the Guatemala side. Check out Tikal, Flores and Antigua and El Mirador, the recently discovered largest pyramid – by volume, not height – in the world. Fifteen times bigger than Tikal!
(Pictured: volunteers at "Wildtracks", a conservation program.)
Even though other countries such as Holland, among others in Europe and Asia offer special programs and streets for bikes, and a bike is used in these places more for a transportation than for outdoor exercising, Panamá offers wonderful and interesting places for biking.
Let's begin with the "cinta costera", a beautiful boulevard by the bay in the city of Panamá, where locals and visitors enjoy an...
Biking in Panamá
Even though other countries such as Holland, among others in Europe and Asia offer special programs and streets for bikes, and a bike is used in these places more for a transportation than for outdoor exercising, Panamá offers wonderful and interesting places for biking.
Let's begin with the "cinta costera", a beautiful boulevard by the bay in the city of Panamá, where locals and visitors enjoy an everyday relaxing place to walk, jog, skate or biking. There are many non profits that organize "walkatons" in this area and other activities that involves biking.
It is very common to see professional bikers at the " Carretera Interamericana" (Interamerican Highway), going from the city to the "interior" (the countryside). There are many hills that bikers enjoy. One of the preferred places is Campana, a beautiful place with an outstanding ocean view.
Bicycle riders also love to go to the causeway (Ft. Amador). Either they carry their own bicycle, or they rent one in site. Because the causeway is surrounded by the ocean on two sides, the path is very enjoyable. The causeway is located at the entrance of the Panamá Canal, on the Pacific side.
If you are really adventurous, you may want to continue to other provinces, and go across the country.
Many biking international events are celebrated here in Panamá during the year.
For example, Panamá will host a great international biking event on March 30, 2014. The worldwide champion Mario Cipollini will be in Panamá for the "OCEAN TO OCEAN" competition 130km / 86km. This is a competition in which competitors cross the Isthmus of Panamá from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. It is sponsored by several organizations and private industry, with the proceeds donated to Fundación Amigos (Amigos Foundation), an organization that protects children with cancer and leukemia.
In Portugal, do I have to worry about malaria, yellow fever and other diseases we don’t generally have in North America or other parts of Europe?
Luis Rodrigues - Gouveia Pereira, Costa Freitas & Associates, Law Firm, RL
No, if you move or visit Portugal, you do not have to worry about diseases that are typical in tropical countries, which is not the case in Portugal. Although the climate is hotter than in most European countries, Portugal has a temperate climate (it has the same latitude as Virginia or Maryland), which does not allow such diseases to exist. There are no medical restrictions or warnings for travel to Portugal.
(Sao Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal, pictured.)
No, if you move or visit Portugal, you do not have to worry about diseases that are typical in tropical countries, which is not the case in Portugal. Although the climate is hotter than in most European countries, Portugal has a temperate climate (it has the same latitude as Virginia or Maryland), which does not allow such diseases to exist. There are no medical restrictions or warnings for travel to Portugal.
What's the best strategy for asset protection and wealth preservation offshore?
John Gilbert - PanamaKeys
There are three overriding views for asset protection and wealth preservation offshore, and those are diversification, diversification, and diversification. You want to make sure that your asset classes are diversified- that all your eggs aren’t in one basket. It would be foolish for an investor to hold 100% of his assets in cash. It will also be just as foolish for an investor to hold 100% of his assets in stocks. I think just as stocks are an important asset class, just as an...
There are three overriding views for asset protection and wealth preservation offshore, and those are diversification, diversification, and diversification. You want to make sure that your asset classes are diversified- that all your eggs aren’t in one basket. It would be foolish for an investor to hold 100% of his assets in cash. It will also be just as foolish for an investor to hold 100% of his assets in stocks. I think just as stocks are an important asset class, just as an important asset class is foreign real estate.
There are tremendous gains that can be made over time in Central American real estate. For example, I’ve met many people here in Panama who have fundamentally transformed their life through their investment in raw land here in Central America. I think foreign real estate absolutely has to be an asset class for any serious-minded investor.
When you envision someone in December packing their van in the middle of a driving rain, what pops into your mind? Do you see a person in swimming trunks and sandals? Probably not, unless you had the same experience as us, as we got ready to leave Akumal. I just couldn’t think of a smarter way to do it. It was raining hard, it was warm, we needed to get going right away, and I needed something that would dry quickly and that I could easily change out of. ...
We have many friends who are living the day-to-day hardship of the crisis in America. They choose to stay and deal with the political, economic and emotional stress on a daily basis. It takes a toll on everyone of all ages.
My husband and I chose to leave in hopes we could find a less stressful lifestyle. We wanted to be able to afford a more comfortable life in a climate that seems to boost our spirits. We found it in Boquete, Panama! Along with thousands of...
I absolutely love this part of Panama! Playa Venao is an excellent surf spot, a lovely beach, the crowds are very relaxed and chilled out. El Sitio is a great beach side bar restaurant with the best view of the surfing on the beach. If you plan on a visit to this part of Panama on the Azuero Peninsula, this is also where I would recommend you stay.
There are many options for health insurance in Mexico. And the costs vary depending on what you choose. 
and all over the country is a unique experience!!! 
With 880,000 acres of national parks and nature reserves, you’ll never run out of places to run, jog, hike or explore! The district of Cayo boasts some of Belize’s best known attractions such as the ATM Caves aka Actun Tunichil Muknal; Adopt-an-Iguana program at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel; Actun Chapat and Actun Halal Caving Adventure; Belize Botanical Gardens; Blue Hole National Park; Cahal Pech ruins, Chechem Ha Cave; Clarissa Falls; Mountain Pine Ridge Forest...
No, if you move or visit Portugal, you do not have to worry about diseases that are typical in tropical countries, which is not the case in Portugal. Although the climate is hotter than in most European countries, Portugal has a temperate climate (it has the same latitude as Virginia or Maryland), which does not allow such diseases to exist. There are no medical restrictions or warnings for travel to Portugal. 
There are three overriding views for asset protection and wealth preservation offshore, and those are diversification, diversification, and diversification. You want to make sure that your asset classes are diversified- that all your eggs aren’t in one basket. It would be foolish for an investor to hold 100% of his assets in cash. It will also be just as foolish for an investor to hold 100% of his assets in stocks. I think just as stocks are an important asset class, just as an...
When you envision someone in December packing their van in the middle of a driving rain, what pops into your mind? Do you see a person in swimming trunks and sandals? Probably not, unless you had the same experience as us, as we got ready to leave Akumal. I just couldn’t think of a smarter way to do it. It was raining hard, it was warm, we needed to get going right away, and I needed something that would dry quickly and that I could easily change out of. ...
We have many friends who are living the day-to-day hardship of the crisis in America. They choose to stay and deal with the political, economic and emotional stress on a daily basis. It takes a toll on everyone of all ages.