Mexico as a whole has an image problem when it comes to crime - and it is undeniable that there have been international headline-making incidents in the past few years.
However, it is important to remember that the crime rate in Mexico varies widely depending on where you are. It also depends on what is meant by "crime rate" - violent crimes are the ones that capture the most attention, but the overall crime rate statistics also include things...
Mexico as a whole has an image problem when it comes to crime - and it is undeniable that there have been international headline-making incidents in the past few years.
However, it is important to remember that the crime rate in Mexico varies widely depending on where you are. It also depends on what is meant by "crime rate" - violent crimes are the ones that capture the most attention, but the overall crime rate statistics also include things like theft, fraud, and other non-violent crimes. It is also important to remember that a significant percentage of violent crime is drug-related. Anyone planning to travel through Mexico, especially if they are driving, should consult Embassy websites for updates on the security situation as it relates to areas where drug-related crimes are common, or where travel on secondary roads is not recommended.
Speaking only about Mexico City, there are definitely areas that are notorious for criminal activity - as is the case in any large city. And, just as you would in New York, Philadelphia, or Washington DC, you should be cautious about visiting those areas. And, as in any large city, you should take care when using public transportation to avoid becoming the victim of a pickpocket. You should also try not to flaunt wealth - this is common sense regardless of what city or country you are in.
Generally speaking, however, you can feel safe in most areas of Mexico City, where violent crime rates are often well below those of major American cities.
(Patio for a family with small children in the midst of high rises in Polanco, Mexico City, Mexico, pictured.)
How's the biking in and around the Pedasi, Azuero, Panama area?
Manuel Baruco
People ride their bicycles in Pedasi everywhere. On account of the large amount of people who have bicycles in Pedasi, you have to have a permit for your bike issued by the municipality. On the main street you can see 10 – 15 people riding bicycles at one time, in all directions. This includes native Panamanians, expats, and tourists. We have a place called Pedasi Tours that offers bicycle rentals. It is very common to see bikes downtown.
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People ride their bicycles in Pedasi everywhere. On account of the large amount of people who have bicycles in Pedasi, you have to have a permit for your bike issued by the municipality. On the main street you can see 10 – 15 people riding bicycles at one time, in all directions. This includes native Panamanians, expats, and tourists. We have a place called Pedasi Tours that offers bicycle rentals. It is very common to see bikes downtown.
We don’t have bike lanes in Pedasi, but you could use your bike to go to the beach, downtown, to do errands, etc.
What’s the effect of illegal drug traffic in Portugal?
John Russell
Illegal drug trafficking is a big problem worldwide, in every country in Europe, and unfortunately Portugal is not an exception. There are 73 drug treatment centers in 14 of Portugal's 18 districts, including the Algarve. The number of newly diagnosed HIV cases among drug users has decreased recently to 13.4 cases per million, but that is still more than 4 times higher than the European average of 2.85 cases p/m. These are unfortunate facts and statistics of 21st century life in...
Illegal drug trafficking is a big problem worldwide, in every country in Europe, and unfortunately Portugal is not an exception. There are 73 drug treatment centers in 14 of Portugal's 18 districts, including the Algarve. The number of newly diagnosed HIV cases among drug users has decreased recently to 13.4 cases per million, but that is still more than 4 times higher than the European average of 2.85 cases p/m. These are unfortunate facts and statistics of 21st century life in Portugal.
(Vila Real de Santo Antonio, Algarve, Portugal, pictured.)
What's the language most often spoken in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua? Can I get by if I just speak English?
Gloria Pérez
Spanish is Nicaragua's official language. However, specially in cities like San Juan del Sur, as a tourist destination, you won't have any problems getting around if you don't speak Spanish since you will find a lot of people who speak English as a second language. Anyway, this is a great opportunity to learn a new language and locals will always be willing to help you learn new words in Spanish.
Spanish is Nicaragua's official language. However, specially in cities like San Juan del Sur, as a tourist destination, you won't have any problems getting around if you don't speak Spanish since you will find a lot of people who speak English as a second language. Anyway, this is a great opportunity to learn a new language and locals will always be willing to help you learn new words in Spanish.
How much does it cost for a housekeeper or maid in Belize?
Jaseth Bassaragh - The Alpha & Omega Group
Typically, people in Belize do a day’s work for about US $27.50 per day, depending on your location, of course. If you are in San Pedro or Placencia, it could cost you about $37.50. But for Belize City, Belmopan and in the rural areas, it’s about $27.50 a day.
If that all you need is for the gardener to come to your house only once, that is the rate. If you wanted to hire the help for a couple days or a week, the more days you...
Typically, people in Belize do a day’s work for about US $27.50 per day, depending on your location, of course. If you are in San Pedro or Placencia, it could cost you about $37.50. But for Belize City, Belmopan and in the rural areas, it’s about $27.50 a day.
If that all you need is for the gardener to come to your house only once, that is the rate. If you wanted to hire the help for a couple days or a week, the more days you take them, the lower the rate will be.
I wouldn’t say they spend a total of 8 hours because I think that is totally unreasonable to have somebody in your house for 8 hours, but you could be looking at anywhere from 4 to 6 hours.
(Local women watching the "chicken drop" game in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize, pictured.)
Do I lower my US income tax liabilities if I retire or work abroad?
David McKeegan
Whether or not you lower your US income tax liabilities if you retire or work abroad really depends on your personal situation and where you choose to retire.
If you are paying taxes locally you can use the Foreign Tax Credit to get a dollar for dollar tax credit on your US taxes. If you are in a zero tax country you can use the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion to exclude the first US $100,800 (tax year 2015) of your income from US taxes. This can...
Whether or not you lower your US income tax liabilities if you retire or work abroad really depends on your personal situation and where you choose to retire.
If you are paying taxes locally you can use the Foreign Tax Credit to get a dollar for dollar tax credit on your US taxes. If you are in a zero tax country you can use the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion to exclude the first US $100,800 (tax year 2015) of your income from US taxes. This can really help lower your tax liability.
(Resort near Santa Maria Beach, Nicaragua,pictured.)
We wanted very much to visit the towns just to the north and south of Lo de Marcos, in the state of Nayarit. How could we not? Lo de Marcos was beautiful, exotic and interesting, the people were friendly, the food was great, and we had never been anywhere else in the area. We had only eight days in which to explore before our deadline to leave for the Central Mexican Highlands.
From side to side, Lo de Marcos is only about a half a mile wide,...
Yesterday was the monthly spay and neuter clinic in Boquete. Over 130 animals were sterilized, thanks to the work of Amigos de Animales, started several years ago.
Some of the workers were talking yesterday of the long term effects of this fantastic program. It's easy to see that this area of Panama has less homeless, starving animals. Stray animals are captured, neutered, nursed back to health and put up for adoption. More Panamanians are...
Fútbol Americano is alive and well in Panamá. When my wife and I first arrived in Panamá we assumed soccer and baseball were the only popular sports in the country. That assumption changed one day when we were taking a power walk on the Amador Causeway. As we were heading back toward the Balboa Yacht Club, I noticed a familiar spherical object being tossed through the air on a field where soccer was usually played. My curiosity aroused, we...