Best Places In The World To Retire

First it is important to clarify that Bocas del Toro is  is a large province, not just an archipelago (group of islands). So really that makes this a 2 part question.  As Kevin said before there is only one main road along the coast which is only about 11 years old. It is a curvy road without much traffic and a lot of fun in the daytime.

 

If you start from the Continental divide up high in the mountains and drive down the Caribbean side you...

First it is important to clarify that Bocas del Toro is  is a large province, not just an archipelago (group of islands). So really that makes this a 2 part question.  As Kevin said before there is only one main road along the coast which is only about 11 years old. It is a curvy road without much traffic and a lot of fun in the daytime.

 

If you start from the Continental divide up high in the mountains and drive down the Caribbean side you get to the coastal road in about 1 hour.

 

You will pass a lot of waterfalls (like the one on the left) and as you cross the Continental Divide you will see the changes in the flora and fauna; changing from high mountain to tropical. It is wide open spaces for the most part with stunning views, mountains and valleys and just a smattering of houses.

 

By continuing on this road until you get to the Terpel gas/ bus station you can either go straight to Chiriqui Grande or if you turn left there the road takes you to Almirantwe where you can get the water taxi to the islands. If you keep driving you can continue all the way to Costa Rica past La Amistad International Forest. 

If you are going to the islands it is best to leave your car in Almirante and to travel on the water taxi. Once you are on the islands it is easiest to take buses, taxi's, and boats to get around. While Almirante isn't much to look at (a dilapidated banana town) it is the only place to get the water taxi which will take you to Isla Colon. From there you are able to explore all the islands with one of the many available boats. 

 

Along the way in the small villages don't be surprised to see someone walking a pig or to encounter cows in the road as this is almost as common as seeing guys with their roosters at bus stops or dogs on top of the busses. Sort of like seeing a pick-up with dogs in the bed of the truck is in the south of the US. 

 

Important safety tip: In Panama the large trucks by law have the right of way even on your side of the road so in a tight corner you must yield.  It is also important to watch for cows and horses in the road and if you see branches in the road that have been cut down and thrown in the road it is a warning that there is a breakdown or accident up ahead.

 

Most people don't carry an orange traffic cone in their car or truck but they always have a machete ready to handle whatever comes up and you should too.

 

We make the drive to our eco lodge in Rambala over the mountains to Bocas Province 2 times per month as a minimum and I can say that I never tire of the amazing drive and awesome views. There are some potholes but all in all a good road.  You also cross over La Fortuna hydro electric Dam which is pretty impressive!  

 

If you happen to drive over the mountains on a Sunday in rodeo season you just might be able to stop off and see some calf roping expertise, drink some local beer and eat tipico food.

 

You will not be disappointed with the drive over whether you drive yourself, take a bus or a private shuttle.

 

Saludos, Lyn

To find name-brand clothes in Nicaragua, you need to visit the shopping centers and malls in Managua.  Two of the malls are located on Carretera Masaya: MetroCentro is located next to the Intercontinental Hotel at Rotonda Ruben Dario and the Galeria is located a little farther toward Masaya at Rotonda Jean Paul Genie.  Centro Commercial is one of the original shopping centers of Managua and is located in the Altamira area; it has a large variety of stores. One of the newest...

To find name-brand clothes in Nicaragua, you need to visit the shopping centers and malls in Managua.  Two of the malls are located on Carretera Masaya: MetroCentro is located next to the Intercontinental Hotel at Rotonda Ruben Dario and the Galeria is located a little farther toward Masaya at Rotonda Jean Paul Genie.  Centro Commercial is one of the original shopping centers of Managua and is located in the Altamira area; it has a large variety of stores. One of the newest shopping malls is Multicentro Las Americas. This mall is away from the central tourist zone in the Bello Horizonte area - not too far from the airport.  Plaza Inter is located next to the Crowne Plaza Hotel in the Tiscapa area.

 

 

Although not known for fine clothing, the many local mercados (markets) have a large selection of items and come in all sizes and shapes.  You can get a real flavor of Nicaragua by visiting the mercados. In Managua one of the favorites of tourists is Mercado Roberto Huembes in the Altamira area and it is a good place to buy small gifts for friends and family back home.  You should avoid Mercado Oriental.  In Masaya visit the tourist market, not the local market.

 

Most small towns (pueblos) have a market and a visit can be an interesting experience. And as always, protect your personal belongings from pick-pockets when in the crowded markets.

There are some absolutely beautiful islands in the Algarve near the border of Spain. To go there, you have to take a 40-minute boat ride.  There are about six islands there. Only one of those six is deserted. 
 
Up the coast towards the north, there is another island that is inhabited called Berlengas. It is a small island off the coast of Peniche. They have little summer cottages there, a lighthouse, a couple of restaurants, and a ferry that takes people over.
 
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There are some absolutely beautiful islands in the Algarve near the border of Spain. To go there, you have to take a 40-minute boat ride.  There are about six islands there. Only one of those six is deserted. 
 
Up the coast towards the north, there is another island that is inhabited called Berlengas. It is a small island off the coast of Peniche. They have little summer cottages there, a lighthouse, a couple of restaurants, and a ferry that takes people over.
 
Because we are so surrounded by sea, on the far coast of Lisbon, we have a river, the Tagus, which separates Lisbon from the south. It is a large river that starts in Spain, crosses Portugal, and finishes in the mouth of Lisbon, at the Atlantic Ocean. So to go to the other side, you have to take bridges. There are three to four bridges. All of the land south of Lisbon, after these bridges, have a vast area of land very sandy, which are called the peninsulas. This is a natural reserve for dolphins. When you are on a boat or a ferry in these areas, you will see a lot of dolphins. Here, you will find an area called Tróia, which is a peninsula. Some of these areas become islands when it is high tide, which only happens at certain times of the year. It is a beautiful area of Portugal because this is where the river meets the sea. This is also a paradise for birdwatchers. They are now developing this area for tourism. A complex of condominiums were just built around this area with villas and timeshares. It is a vast area.
 
There is another development down in the Algarve, which is also in the peninsulas. This whole area is very stunning. It has lots of wildlife and they are very well preserved.  

 

(Tróia Peninsula, Portugal, pictured.)

You need to be ready to file taxes! The United States has a highly stringent policy when it comes to the taxation of its citizens and permanent residents (i.e., those with a green card). The US government taxes all of its citizens based on worldwide income, which means it does not matter where the money is earned. US citizens and permanent residents may be able to exclude up to $100,800 in foreign earned income provided they meet certain qualifications. Given the high exclusion...

You need to be ready to file taxes! The United States has a highly stringent policy when it comes to the taxation of its citizens and permanent residents (i.e., those with a green card). The US government taxes all of its citizens based on worldwide income, which means it does not matter where the money is earned. US citizens and permanent residents may be able to exclude up to $100,800 in foreign earned income provided they meet certain qualifications. Given the high exclusion amount, most US expats end up not owing any taxes, although they are required to file a tax return. In countries with a higher income tax rate than in the US, it is often preferable to utilize the foreign tax credit, rather than the foreign earned income exclusion to eliminate US tax liability. The foreign tax credit addresses the issue of double taxation. 
 

US persons (including entities) with an interest or signature authority over foreign financial accounts that have an aggregate balance exceeding $10,000 are required to file the FBAR (FinCen 114). The FBAR is separate requirement from your tax return. Failure to file the FBAR carries hefty penalties. Its important to note that with the implementation of FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act), foreign financial institutions are providing the IRS with the details of foreign financial accounts held by US persons. As a result, non-reporting is an increasingly risky proposition.