How's the kayaking, rafting, and canoeing in and around Chapala and Ajijic, Mexico?
Luzma Grande - Ajijic Concierge Services
There is a friendly kayaking club in Ajijic that is always accepting new members and you can go and have a kayaking experience even if you have never done it in your life. The people from the kayak club will assist you and make sure that you are safe. We have kayaks that are just recreational kayaks and not for professional use and it’s very difficult to tip over in one of those. Somebody would take you kayaking to the bird sanctuary where you will see many different species of...
There is a friendly kayaking club in Ajijic that is always accepting new members and you can go and have a kayaking experience even if you have never done it in your life. The people from the kayak club will assist you and make sure that you are safe. We have kayaks that are just recreational kayaks and not for professional use and it’s very difficult to tip over in one of those. Somebody would take you kayaking to the bird sanctuary where you will see many different species of birds that come and nest in that area. You will not only see the pelicans that come every winter but also the white and blue herons and many other birds. It is so beautiful when you find a nest with blue eggs. You will see all of these when you go kayaking. When we find a nest, we stop and take pictures. It’s so relaxing.
If you are a more professional kayaker, there are places that you can go on your kayak as well. You can kayak from Ajijic to Chapala, which is about 7 kilometers away. You can also go from Ajijic to San Juan Coxala, which is also around 7 kilometers away. This is all in Lake Chapala. Some people even cross the lake, which is about 4 or 5 hours kayaking, which is a lot for me. So I’ve never done it. Lake Chapala is a flat lake so it’s pretty safe.
I have never had any health issue while kayaking and I’ve been kayaking here for over 3 years. Before you go kayaking, somebody in the kayaking club checks the water to see if there is anything that could cause you any rash or things like that. Overall, we have never had any health issues. There was only one instance when we had a problem while kayaking and that was because there were a lot of water hyacinths. When there are water hyacinths then it’s a problem because they cover the surface of the water and you won’t be able to kayak. But we only have water hyacinths once a year because the wind blows them here and when the dams free up some water from the dams to the lake. The water hyacinths come from the water from the dams, too. Usually, the lake is safe to kayak in. It may not be safe for drinking and swimming but it is not so unsafe that if you tip over from your kayak then you’d worry that you’d get sick. I have been in the lake doing a kayaking rescue class and I have never had a problem with the water.
(Pictures:
Top: Luzma Grande kayaking on Lake Chapala, Mexico
Bottom: two of Luzma Grande's friends kayaking on Lake Chapala, Mexico)
Do I need to renounce or relinquish my US citizenship or get a dual citizenship to move or live abroad?
Don Nelson - TaxMeLess
You do not have to renounce your US Citizenship to live any where in the world. Most countries will allow you to become a permanent resident without becoming a citizen of that country.
However, if you do renounce your US Citizenship, you will never have to pay US taxes or file a US tax return again. While you remain a US citizen you must file a tax return each year if your income exceeds a certain minimum amount, and often pay US taxes, in...
You do not have to renounce your US Citizenship to live any where in the world. Most countries will allow you to become a permanent resident without becoming a citizen of that country.
However, if you do renounce your US Citizenship, you will never have to pay US taxes or file a US tax return again. While you remain a US citizen you must file a tax return each year if your income exceeds a certain minimum amount, and often pay US taxes, in addition to those in the foreign country you have chosen to live. Surrendering your US citizenship may be good tax planning if you are moving to a low tax or no tax country.
If you need assistance with the legal or tax aspects of surrendering your US citizenship our firm can assist you. We have represented or advised over a hundred clients with this process who are now no longer having to file a US tax return.
Is there good fishing in and around Cayo, Belize, including San Ignacio and Belmopan?
Jonathan Lohr - Ceiba Realty Ltd.
Fishing in the Cayo District around San Ignacio in Belize is okay, but I wouldn’t say it is good fishing because you will not get any major fish. They are small fish; maybe a foot to a foot and a half in length if you are really lucky. Every now and then, you will catch a tarpon in the river. I have hooked some 4 or 5-foot tarpon in the river here, which is 188 miles from the sea by river, but you don’t expect to hook them, so they usually get away from you.
You can...
Fishing in the Cayo District around San Ignacio in Belize is okay, but I wouldn’t say it is good fishing because you will not get any major fish. They are small fish; maybe a foot to a foot and a half in length if you are really lucky. Every now and then, you will catch a tarpon in the river. I have hooked some 4 or 5-foot tarpon in the river here, which is 188 miles from the sea by river, but you don’t expect to hook them, so they usually get away from you.
You can catch Peacock Bass, some other types of local fish in the river, and you also have tilapia but they are not that easy to catch on a fishing line. You would usually have to jump in the river, spear them, or net them.
Fishing in the lakes here in Cayo are just about the same as fishing in the river since there are no major lakes in the Cayo. You catch same types of fish in the lakes as you would in the rivers. I like to go to the one that’s close to the town of Spanish Lookout called Aguacate Lagoon. I go fishing there but it is similar fishing to what you get in the rivers. Aguacate is about 45 minutes away from town by car and there is some bird watching, fishing, paddling, and it’s nice area. It’s a nice little reserve for the community of Spanish Lookout.
What are the expats like in Bocas Del Toro, Panama?
JB Seligman - BUENA VISTA REALTY located in BOCAS DEL TORO, PANAMA
There are so many wonderful people in Bocas Del Toro who have come from all over the world. Having gotten here, their stories are incredible. They are like colorful characters out of a book.
There are people here who are reclusive, who like to live out on the outer islands. You have also the social set, who are the people who live in town, which is a very lively tourist town. There is always live music and bars here in Bocas Del Toro. The...
There are so many wonderful people in Bocas Del Toro who have come from all over the world. Having gotten here, their stories are incredible. They are like colorful characters out of a book.
There are people here who are reclusive, who like to live out on the outer islands. You have also the social set, who are the people who live in town, which is a very lively tourist town. There is always live music and bars here in Bocas Del Toro. The expats in Bocas Del Toro are a mix of both these types of people.
There is nothing better than sitting down and talking with somebody and figuring out how they got here. There is always an interesting story.
Many people in Granada, Nicaragua do not own cars as it is so easy to walk around the city for almost anything you need. Taxi service about town is only about $.45 per person and there are also horse drawn carriages that will take you where you want to go. Bus service to almost anywhere in the country is also available in Granada. An "express" bus (not sure why they call it that because it makes about 100 stops along the way!) to Managua is only about $1 so it is easy to...
Many people in Granada, Nicaragua do not own cars as it is so easy to walk around the city for almost anything you need. Taxi service about town is only about $.45 per person and there are also horse drawn carriages that will take you where you want to go. Bus service to almost anywhere in the country is also available in Granada. An "express" bus (not sure why they call it that because it makes about 100 stops along the way!) to Managua is only about $1 so it is easy to get to the mall, shop, take in a movie and get back to Granada for so little money!
The construction standards in Portugal have been very, very high for the past 500 years. We’re a country with a lot of history, so there’s a lot of palaces and castles around Portugal that have been at the same place without any refurbishment for the past 400 to 500 years. The Portuguese have a history of being very dedicated to quality when it comes to building and to the construction of buildings.
We do not use a lot of wood. Instead, we use...
The construction standards in Portugal have been very, very high for the past 500 years. We’re a country with a lot of history, so there’s a lot of palaces and castles around Portugal that have been at the same place without any refurbishment for the past 400 to 500 years. The Portuguese have a history of being very dedicated to quality when it comes to building and to the construction of buildings.
We do not use a lot of wood. Instead, we use a lot of stones and we use a lot of bricks, so the construction in Portugal is very, very solid.
In Portugal, we have a very traditional culture; we tend to stick to the past. The things that worked in the past, we still use them today. So therefore, houses built out of wood or pre-fabricated houses do not have success in Portugal, even though they are very good and very warm.
When Portuguese look for a house and they knock on the wall and if the house is made of wood, they will not buy it. The Portuguese are really used to the thick walls that keep the heat within the house in winter and outside the house in the summer. For that reason we are really, really stuck with the old traditional ways of constructing houses.
The foundation of the house is the most important element of the building, and it’s the most expensive part of the building. We had an earthquake in 1755 in Portugal and just the coastal area was affected. The rest of the country didn’t have any other problems. So yes, for many years, we are very proud of the way we construct and build properties in our land.
(Thick walled construction of centuries old Portuguese buildings, pictured.)
Panamá has the privilege of having some of the best weather in the world, as well as having primary rainforest areas, and the most beautiful nature found anywhere.
The name “Panamá” means “abundance.” Abundance of fish, butterflies and birds. We have one of the most complete collection of all of these in the world. For a visitor who loves bird watching (with over 850 species), or who enjoys nature, this is the place to come.
(This video is of the Panamanian band that will be at the 2014 Rose Parade in Pasadena, California. Make sure to click the "make full screen" at the bottom right of the frame so you can see it better. More at bandaherbertolopez.edu.pa)
Pride is a very common trait among the human race. Everyone shines when they talk about their grandchildren, children, pets and accomplishments in their life. But, what about when...
Another sunny and breezy day. It´s late in the day and I´m just now ready for lunch, waiting for my grilled tuna sandwich with a tall glass of fresh squeezed pineapple juice! After all, this is the famous “Tuna Coast” of Pacific Panama.
I certainly hope those reading this information about living in Panama can arrange a trip down soon. And see for themselves the beauty of the Azuero Peninsula, the tranquility of the town of Pedasi and the...