What are the best and worst things about living and retiring in Yucatan: Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, Cancun, Merida, etc?
Gustavo Cisneros - Petén
I would start with the worst thing about living in Yucatan. Most people complain about the heat. It’s very hot in Yucatan throughout the year. This winter, we haven’t had a day that is below 20 Celsius or around 70 Fahrenheit. There is no winter here; it’s always hot during the day. In Merida (the largest city in the state of Yucatan in the Yucatan Peninsula), from May to September, it’s very hot for most of the people that come here but the rest of year has hot...
I would start with the worst thing about living in Yucatan. Most people complain about the heat. It’s very hot in Yucatan throughout the year. This winter, we haven’t had a day that is below 20 Celsius or around 70 Fahrenheit. There is no winter here; it’s always hot during the day. In Merida (the largest city in the state of Yucatan in the Yucatan Peninsula), from May to September, it’s very hot for most of the people that come here but the rest of year has hot days and fresh nights. On the coast, it’s always nice. The coast has the same temperature as in Merida but you have the breeze and that helps a lot to cool down the area.
The best thing about living in Yucatan is the quality of living here, which is an integral part. It is not just one element but rather all of the elements. I have friends and partners who are from other places of the world. They just arrived and they feel at ease here in Yucatan. I don’t know why but I know that that is one of the biggest advantages that Yucatan has. People who come here feel at ease. They feel relaxed and they feel that something is different.
I know that there are many things to consider, and in Yucatan, it is about the people, the culture, the food, and the feeling that you are welcome. That is the nicest thing about living in Yucatan. Most of my friends from Mexico City tell me that they really love Yucatan, and we have a lot of people from Mexico City who have started buying houses in downtown Merida.
(Riding a golf cart along the white sand beaches and pier near Peten development in Sisal, Yucatan, Mexico, pictured.)
Are there exotic birds in and around San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua? Where can I go bird watching in and around San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua?
Eugenio Cortez - Hacienda & Ecolodge Morgan´s Rock
Yes! You can go bird watching in San Juan del Sur.
San Juan del Sur is located on the path of many migrating birds. At different months of the year, you can see these exotic birds migrating from North and South America.
Non-migratory, ¨local¨ birds (like the Tucan pictured here) are also abundant in San Juan del Sur, as we are surrounded by tropical rain forest.
Yes! You can go bird watching in San Juan del Sur.
San Juan del Sur is located on the path of many migrating birds. At different months of the year, you can see these exotic birds migrating from North and South America.
Non-migratory, ¨local¨ birds (like the Tucan pictured here) are also abundant in San Juan del Sur, as we are surrounded by tropical rain forest.
What's the language most often spoken in Volcan and Cerro Punta, Chiriqui Province, Panama? Can I get by if I just speak English?
James David Audlin - Editores Volcán Barú
Of course, the language most often spoken in the Volcán and Cerro Punta region is Spanish. Second to that is Ngäbe Buglé, a Native American language. Third comes English, which a plurality of Panamanians can at least smatter. After that you run into French, Portuguese, German, Mandarin, Cantonese, Italian, Polish, and a few others.
You can get by with just English - but you don´t want to! English-only speakers miss out on a lot of the joy of...
Of course, the language most often spoken in the Volcán and Cerro Punta region is Spanish. Second to that is Ngäbe Buglé, a Native American language. Third comes English, which a plurality of Panamanians can at least smatter. After that you run into French, Portuguese, German, Mandarin, Cantonese, Italian, Polish, and a few others.
You can get by with just English - but you don´t want to! English-only speakers miss out on a lot of the joy of living here, getting to know their wonderful Panamanian neighbors, enjoying Panamanian television and sports and cultural events, traveling around the countryside, and so on
English-only speakers are at a distinct disadvantage; prices are higher for gringos who don´t live in harmony with their neighbors, and their neighbors aren´t disposed toward being friendly, toward looking out for them in a kindly way. So, sure, you can get by, but I urge you to learn some basic Spanish - of all the languages I speak it was the easiest to learn.
The cost to rent a home in Portugal depends on several things such as the size of the property, whether it is furnished or not, whether it has a pool or not, and whether it is with a garage or without. It is really relative.
As an example, in Cascais, a two-bedroom, furnished apartment without a pool would cost around €1,200 (US $1,300 or £865). The same apartment but unfurnished would be about €800 (US $870 or £587). If it has a pool and a garage, it would...
The cost to rent a home in Portugal depends on several things such as the size of the property, whether it is furnished or not, whether it has a pool or not, and whether it is with a garage or without. It is really relative.
As an example, in Cascais, a two-bedroom, furnished apartment without a pool would cost around €1,200 (US $1,300 or £865). The same apartment but unfurnished would be about €800 (US $870 or £587). If it has a pool and a garage, it would go up to about €2,000 (US 2,180 or £1,450). You pay for the utilities separately. The rental contract would be for one year.
The further away from Lisbon you go, the cheaper everything gets. Cascais and Estoril are the most expensive towns in Lisbon. It is even more expensive in Cascais than in the Algarve. Cascais and Estoril are the Beverly Hills or the Park Lane of Lisbon. Estoril is where the ex-kings live, such as the previous king of Spain, and most of the previous kings of Europe.
How long can I be in Belize before I have to apply for a residency visa?
Ryan Wrobel - Wrobel & Co., Attorneys-at-Law
To live legally in Belize, it’s not essential to apply for permanent residency. It’s something that you can choose to do so if you are so inclined. When you enter the country, typically, you are on a tourist visa. That visa is good for 30 days. You can apply for a renewal of that visa after 30 days, which is typically “rubber stamped” as long as the applicant stays out of trouble.
Theoretically you could be living in Belize...
To live legally in Belize, it’s not essential to apply for permanent residency. It’s something that you can choose to do so if you are so inclined. When you enter the country, typically, you are on a tourist visa. That visa is good for 30 days. You can apply for a renewal of that visa after 30 days, which is typically “rubber stamped” as long as the applicant stays out of trouble.
Theoretically you could be living in Belize permanently on a tourist visa as long as you update it every 30 days. Most people who do choose to apply for permanent residency do so in order to be granted permanent residency status, which means they no longer have pay any money to update their tourist visa and having permanent residency also means also you have the ability to legally work in the country.
The cost to renew a tourist visa in Belize is currently BZ $50 every 30 days, which works out to US $25.
(Christmas tree in Ambergris Caye, Belize, pictured. )
With some of the fantastic deals available in foreign countries people really need to do their home work before deciding to live there.
Some countries are not foreign friendly in that there is political unrest, anti-American sentiment and difficult languages to deal with. Money exchanges add to the likelihood you can be taken advantage of.
Sometimes laws are at odds with a foreigner's comprehension. A person should do some homework to...
With some of the fantastic deals available in foreign countries people really need to do their home work before deciding to live there.
Some countries are not foreign friendly in that there is political unrest, anti-American sentiment and difficult languages to deal with. Money exchanges add to the likelihood you can be taken advantage of.
Sometimes laws are at odds with a foreigner's comprehension. A person should do some homework to make sure they enter a foreign country with the proper documents.
Climates and diseases are reasons one country is wonderful for retirees and tourists and others are not so popular. Safety is a concern on the minds of many people when they travel. Thinking about safety you want to make sure the country is not rife with political unrest; active volcanoes, has earthquakes, landslides, floods, hurricanes or typhoons. This covers a large number of the places that people often consider retiring in.
If you like cold you will find a place that is cold is often quite expensive to live. Often they are remote, heating is costly, clothing is expensive and unless you are extremely rugged it is not place people want to visit.
What makes say Brazil not as popular as Panama for most Americans it that, while it is beautiful, there is often political unrest. There are floods, landslides, and even resentment of Americans. A place to visit, not to live.
The cost of living is to high to afford Denmark, or many other European countries. America doesn't have any place I could find with the amenities, and comfort of Panama.
The worst places to live are places with extreme weather, high cost of living, too remote or have serious political unrest.
After years of visiting Belize, since 2006, we decided to leave the family, friends and acquaintances behind and start a whole new life in a new country. As per my family a Third world country at that. Needless to say we started making friends almost immediately. Belizeans are so friendly and open their homes to you with no restraints, even without knowing you at all. Expats also were so heartwarming and friendly, eager to meet the new kids on the block. We found there are local hangouts...
Good friends, good coffee, great climate. Why not check out Boquete?
It was sad seeing the changes in America in the 2009, 2010, 2011 years. Obama had proven to be a total disillusionment. The rising cost of living was hitting us hard with increased costs for medical care and fuel, higher taxes, and Obamacare looming out there at the time. We were worried. Arne worked and earned good money as a freelance sound-man mostly for Lockheed...
I recently got my car towed by the police! What I found out on that fateful day has been a real eye opener that I have decided to share, as many people, including me, will not be aware of these facts…
Firstly, you must have your original driving license with you every time you drive, whether this is your Panamanian driving license or whatever original driver’s license for whatever country you are from.