You can definitely buy furniture in Puerto Vallarta. So many things are changing globally, and the whole online retail world is making it so much easier for people to shop. The challenge to buying furniture is knowing what to buy, and what not to buy.
Most expats in Puerto Vallarta come from a different climate. Even here in Mexico, we have microclimates. It is incredibly humid here in the Bay of Banderas in the summertime, and you do not want to be bringing...
You can definitely buy furniture in Puerto Vallarta. So many things are changing globally, and the whole online retail world is making it so much easier for people to shop. The challenge to buying furniture is knowing what to buy, and what not to buy.
Most expats in Puerto Vallarta come from a different climate. Even here in Mexico, we have microclimates. It is incredibly humid here in the Bay of Banderas in the summertime, and you do not want to be bringing something from home and taking it all the way here, and then find out that in the first week, it falls apart because the glue will not last in this temperature. You won’t know unless you get here and somebody else can tell you.
The biggest thing about buying furniture is really understanding what’s going to work and what isn’t going to work. Another thing that’s happening here in Puerto Vallarta that people aren’t realizing is that there are a lot of products that are brought in to big-box stores from offshore- China and Taiwan, and people think, for instance, “Oh, that’s synthetic rattan, that’ll last forever.” I thought that, too. What I didn’t know until I started this business and started learning more about these materials is that there are different grades of synthetic rattan. It can be cheap plastic, or it can be really well-made expensive plastic.
When I first moved here, I purchased the cheap stuff not knowing any different, and within one season, all of that weave in that synthetic rattan snapped. I had to replace it, and I had to pay twice of what I should have paid. It’s very important with furniture to talk to somebody who knows what’s going to last.
For instance, I would recommend powder-coated aluminum because it doesn’t rust and it’s nice and light. I would also recommend Textilene (the fabric that they use on yachts) to make sure that it lasts in the salt air and in the sun. You just spray and hose Textilene off to clean it. Another material that I would recommend is Poly-Wood, which is the new plastic wood that will outlast all of us- so you’re going to pay a little bit more upfront, but you’re never going to have to replace it, and it’s always going to look great.
Finding out from people who have been here and from people who are experts on furniture what lasts and what doesn’t, what type of wood to buy and not to buy, can save you hassle, frustration, and a lot of money.
A lot of people tell me that furniture in Mexico is horribly uncomfortable, but there is a difference. Having a furniture business for over 6 years here in Puerto Vallarta, I can speak more knowledgeably about the different comfort levels and the different styles of furniture that different groups of people like. For instance, there is a definite style that the Canadians like, which is different than what Americans like, and is different than what the locals here like. These styles differ in colors, fabrics, shapes, and in comfort level.
I have found it was difficult to find a really comfortable sofa here in Puerto Vallarta, and when you think about it, many of the traditional homes in Mexico have beds with a concrete base and a cushion on top. That means their degree of comfort is different than what we look for in comfort.
I love the fact that North America has different brands that are manufactured right here in Mexico because of the low cost of materials here. For instance, one of my suppliers is Palliser. Palliser Furniture is number one in upholstered leather in all of North America, and because Canadians in particular are really familiar with the Palliser brand name, they love to know that they can order a very comfortable sofa that’s exactly what they could get at home in Canada through us. I order the sofa from the plant in Saltillo, Mexico, ship it to them, and they can have that kind of comfort that they are used to at home while still supporting Mexico and its workers, including their families.
It is a win-win to me when we can find a brand that is well-known, and that provides really well-made, well-constructed, comfortable, and well-priced furniture that is made here in Mexico, because to me it just wraps it all up in a ball.
In most cases, furniture costs a little less here in the Bay of Banderas than what they would cost in Canada, and the quality is exactly the same as what one would get in Canada.
The key for people in the US and Canada is to find which brands are manufactured in Mexico, but there also has to be somebody you can speak to. Usually, you can’t purchase direct from the manufacturer. You have to be able to go through somebody because manufacturers don’t sell direct.
(Murphy bed wall unit, available at Solutions Mexico, Puerto Vallarta , Mexico, pictured.)
The economy of the Algarve is mainly focused on tourism, which is the main economic driver here. There is a little bit of agriculture in particular with the production of local fruits such as oranges, carobs, almonds, etc. There is some fishing, including offshore aquaculture or what we call “long line fishing,” cultivation of oysters, mussels, etc. There is also some tuna aquaculture in the Rio de Tavira. There is no manufacturing industry here but there is a little bit...
The economy of the Algarve is mainly focused on tourism, which is the main economic driver here. There is a little bit of agriculture in particular with the production of local fruits such as oranges, carobs, almonds, etc. There is some fishing, including offshore aquaculture or what we call “long line fishing,” cultivation of oysters, mussels, etc. There is also some tuna aquaculture in the Rio de Tavira. There is no manufacturing industry here but there is a little bit of the service industry.
Then of course, there is the public sector. There are a lot of public sector employees who work in the municipalities, tax department, and public services in general. Generally, tourism and the public sector and a little of agriculture are the economic drivers of the Algarve.
The economy right now is better than it had been 9 years ago. Tourism has been growing year after year. Tourism here includes the activities related to expats and anything else that involves people visiting the region or ultimately moving here, typically not full time initially but part time until they understand whether this is the place for them or not, and then becoming permanent residents. That transition phase is something that is included in the tourism numbers.
In the World Travel Market in London, the Algarve is again the Most Requested Region in the World. Tour operators in the UK are moving a lot of the traffic from North Africa and the Middle East to southern European places like the Algarve, which has been particularly popular. From the tourism, sector, the Algarve is doing very well and this has been boosted by the new legislation called the Non-Habitual Residency, which means that people can come and live and even retire in Portugal tax free. This has increased the demand for the country of Portugal and specifically for the Algarve.
(Olive you, Portugal. I love you, Portugal graphic by Jet Metier, pictured.)
How's the adventure travel and activities in and around Managua, Nicaragua?
Elizabeth Samayoa - Bosa Tours and Travel
In the department of Managua you have different options for adventure activities. First, in the center of the city, located in the Tiscapa Lagoon, you can cross the lagoon and jungle on a zipline and enjoy what is considered one of the best viewpoints in the city. The entrance fee is between US $15 - $20.
Other possible options are easy walks and hiking around the nearest nature reserves: Montibelli and...
In the department of Managua you have different options for adventure activities. First, in the center of the city, located in the Tiscapa Lagoon, you can cross the lagoon and jungle on a zipline and enjoy what is considered one of the best viewpoints in the city. The entrance fee is between US $15 - $20.
Other possible options are easy walks and hiking around the nearest nature reserves: Montibelli and Chocoyero. They are located only 30 minutes away from the city center. Both reserves are great option for bird watching.
If you prefer to have a more adventurous moment, you can go to our nearest beaches in the department of Managua. They are 45 minutes to 1 hour away from the capital city. Here you can surf all the time you want and rest in one of the close by hotels.
I hear a lot retirees here in Ambergris Caye say, “I am used to doing a lot of things every day and when I got to Ambergris Caye, if I can get one thing done every day, that day was a productive day.”
Ambergris Caye has a much slower pace of life. The hustle and bustle issues are not the same as what we are used to in North America. Your days here in Ambergris Caye can be spent getting out on a boat, heading to the reef and spending the entire...
I hear a lot retirees here in Ambergris Caye say, “I am used to doing a lot of things every day and when I got to Ambergris Caye, if I can get one thing done every day, that day was a productive day.”
Ambergris Caye has a much slower pace of life. The hustle and bustle issues are not the same as what we are used to in North America. Your days here in Ambergris Caye can be spent getting out on a boat, heading to the reef and spending the entire morning diving, and getting back in the afternoon, getting into another boat, and spending the rest of the afternoon fishing. You could be paddle boarding, biking, and riding around on a golf cart. You could be sitting at a bar listening to live music and just enjoying the beautiful weather that is just always consistent here on Ambergris Caye.
Most of the retirees that I see here in Ambergris Caye always have a smile on their face. You can do whatever you want to do here. You can socialize with other people. There are different tournaments that happen at different restaurants and bars such as a cribbage tournaments, trivia, horseshoes, and many other activities. All these happen all throughout the island of Ambergris Caye. There are constantly new activities and adventures that are presenting themselves.
If you are a dive fan, you can spend the rest of your retirement here. You may not even be able to find all the dive sites here in Belize. The fishing here is other worldly, ranging from fly fishing to deep-sea fishing to even just standing on the edge of your dock with a fishing pole in hand and some bait and spending an afternoon just tossing it in.
What are the things I'll be most happily surprised by when moving or retiring abroad?
David McKeegan
When moving or retiring abroad, every day is an adventure!
We have been abroad since 2002 and have lived in a number of different countries and I think by far our favorite part is the exploring! Finding the best coffee shop or the best restaurant, what new and exciting things are in the grocery store, etc. The “everyday” isn’t the same everywhere and that makes living abroad really interesting.
(Coffee at...
When moving or retiring abroad, every day is an adventure!
We have been abroad since 2002 and have lived in a number of different countries and I think by far our favorite part is the exploring! Finding the best coffee shop or the best restaurant, what new and exciting things are in the grocery store, etc. The “everyday” isn’t the same everywhere and that makes living abroad really interesting.
(Coffee at Artesanos Cafe and Bar in Matagalpa, Nicaragua, pictured.)
What would my neighbors be like in the Panama City, Panama area of San Francisco?
Nelson Vega
People in the San Francisco area of Panama are very quiet. In general, people in Panama City like to live in seclusion. I do not see people in San Francisco who socialize with neighbors or do things together on a regular basis. That is very much unlike people in the suburbs, where you can feel that people relate and share with each other.
Most residents of San Francisco are Panamanians, although recently, a lot of Colombians and Venezuelans are moving...
People in the San Francisco area of Panama are very quiet. In general, people in Panama City like to live in seclusion. I do not see people in San Francisco who socialize with neighbors or do things together on a regular basis. That is very much unlike people in the suburbs, where you can feel that people relate and share with each other.
Most residents of San Francisco are Panamanians, although recently, a lot of Colombians and Venezuelans are moving here, so you should not be surprised if 25% or 30% of the people who live in your building or on your street came from either Colombia or Venezuela. There is an amazing number of people who have moved into Panama from these two countries in the last two years.
I do not see many North Americans in San Francisco. I think they prefer to live in the interior or the countryside. They like places like Costa Del Este, which is around 15 minutes away from San Francisco.
From an interview in early July, 2016 by Jet Metier with Bill Edsell, pioneer, innovator, and proprietor of the Ventana Bay Resort.
Jet: I there any innovation that you’ve learned over time regarding the best way to situate a house in La Ventana?
Bill: Well, yeah. It’s pretty simple here. You want to face east for the view obviously and this nice breeze we’re getting today. They also face the way they do because of...
Presented with permission from Bob Adams of Retirement Wave
In the last eight and a half years, I’ve received thousands of emails from people all over the world interested in visiting and living in Panama. I’ve met with over 400 of you when you’ve come down and I’ve had the time available when you’ve contacted me and we got together to chat.
There are certain things that come up frequently. One of the most...
The theme of Panamá has always had worldwide importance, especially related Panamá's great importance in trade, commerce and American history. In 2013 we commemorate our 500 year anniversary of the discovery of the isthmus and the Pacific Ocean, and also when the first Catholic community was established in the American continent, our Lady of Santa María la Antigua. These are proud legacies from Panama to the world, not to mention the greatest project of all time: The Panama...
You can definitely buy furniture in Puerto Vallarta. So many things are changing globally, and the whole online retail world is making it so much easier for people to shop. The challenge to buying furniture is knowing what to buy, and what not to buy. 
The economy of the Algarve is mainly focused on tourism, which is the main economic driver here. There is a little bit of agriculture in particular with the production of local fruits such as oranges, carobs, almonds, etc. There is some fishing, including offshore aquaculture or what we call “long line fishing,” cultivation of oysters, mussels, etc. There is also some tuna aquaculture in the Rio de Tavira. There is no manufacturing industry here but there is a little bit...
I hear a lot retirees here in Ambergris Caye say, “I am used to doing a lot of things every day and when I got to Ambergris Caye, if I can get one thing done every day, that day was a productive day.” 
When moving or retiring abroad, every day is an adventure! 
From an interview in early July, 2016 by Jet Metier with Bill Edsell, pioneer, innovator, and proprietor of the Ventana Bay Resort.