Personally, I would not take very much. Most things necessary can be purchased there, and I’ve found that too much stuff interferes with life. You may be different, but how much stuff back home do you actually need and use regularly? Having spent 8 years traveling in Central/South America and Asia, and living for some time in various places, I now keep possessions to a minimum, and life is much simpler.
Personally, I would not take very much. Most things necessary can be purchased there, and I’ve found that too much stuff interferes with life. You may be different, but how much stuff back home do you actually need and use regularly? Having spent 8 years traveling in Central/South America and Asia, and living for some time in various places, I now keep possessions to a minimum, and life is much simpler.
Is there racial tension, acceptance or diversity in Belize?
Tamrah Lozano
I don’t believe there is racial tension in Belize. Belize is a Caribbean country so it is expected to meet black people here. Even the locals do not look at expats any differently. Everyone is accepted.
I don’t believe there is racial tension in Belize. Belize is a Caribbean country so it is expected to meet black people here. Even the locals do not look at expats any differently. Everyone is accepted.
How good are the medical centers, hospitals and health clinics in Managua, Nicaragua, and how close are they?
Frank Martínez
It only takes 15 to 20 minutes to get to a medical facility, regardless of where you are in Managua, since we have several hospitals in and around Managua. Managua is a not a big city; it is only about 15 kilometers (about 9 miles) wide so in the event that you need to see a doctor, there are several hospitals where you can go. If you have an emergency, rest assured that you could get to a hospital within 10 minutes.
We have levels of healthcare...
It only takes 15 to 20 minutes to get to a medical facility, regardless of where you are in Managua, since we have several hospitals in and around Managua. Managua is a not a big city; it is only about 15 kilometers (about 9 miles) wide so in the event that you need to see a doctor, there are several hospitals where you can go. If you have an emergency, rest assured that you could get to a hospital within 10 minutes.
We have levels of healthcare here in Managua. We have public healthcare, where anybody, resident or non-resident can go; we have private clinics, which are very good; and we have hospitals, which are very good, too. There are people who are planning to retire and decide to come here to see a dentist or a specialty doctor because of the low fees that the doctors in Managua, charge. It is about 25% to 30% of what US doctors charge.
There are hospitals here in Managua that take in people with insurance. They sell the insurance here in Nicaragua to foreigners so that they can come here once or twice a year and have regular checkups for a fraction of what they would pay in the US. The two hospitals that are offering this type of service are Vivian Pellas Hospital and Hospital Bautista.
The doctors in Nicaragua go abroad to take a specialty after they finish from medical school because having a general degree in Nicaragua does not mean that much. Anyone can be a general surgeon, but many doctors in Nicaragua come with a specialty and there are even some with more than one specialty. I am confident in putting my life in their hands without second thoughts.
The question "what are the best places to live in the world" is too board to answer. For the cities, I know you can find the best in Australia, New Zealand, Canada...... If money is not an issue, you will find a whole lot more.
In my opinion, the answer to this question also concerns the heart. If you have a secure home with a loving family and good friends around you, you already have one best and happiest places to live.
...
The question "what are the best places to live in the world" is too board to answer. For the cities, I know you can find the best in Australia, New Zealand, Canada...... If money is not an issue, you will find a whole lot more.
In my opinion, the answer to this question also concerns the heart. If you have a secure home with a loving family and good friends around you, you already have one best and happiest places to live.
How's the kayaking in and around the Pedasi, Azuero, Panama area and the rafting in and around the Pedasi, Azuero, Panama area?
Jose Enriques Flores S. - Panama Discover Expeditions
You can go kayaking in the canal near Cañas Island in the Pacific Ocean, about 45 minutes away by car. It’s nice to go kayaking in this area because it is a very quiet place. You also go fishing in your kayak or just take the trip down the canal and enjoy nature. You’ll see monkeys and different birds, too.
Another place to go kayaking is in Arenal beach, which is only about 3-5 minutes away by car. The waves in Arenal are calm compared to...
You can go kayaking in the canal near Cañas Island in the Pacific Ocean, about 45 minutes away by car. It’s nice to go kayaking in this area because it is a very quiet place. You also go fishing in your kayak or just take the trip down the canal and enjoy nature. You’ll see monkeys and different birds, too.
Another place to go kayaking is in Arenal beach, which is only about 3-5 minutes away by car. The waves in Arenal are calm compared to other beaches so you can enjoy kayaking without being beaten by big waves.
There is another beach people go to for kayaking which is Playa Venao (30 minutes away by car). There is a huge wall of rocks in Playa Venal that slows down the waves from washing back towards the ocean so that during high tide it creates a natural pool which is good for kayaking.
The cost of food in restaurants in Portugal varies. I can have lunch for €6 (US $6.50 or £4.32) at my local café for a meal that includes a glass of wine, dessert and coffee. It’s cooked in the morning, served for lunch and you have a choice of two dishes. Grilled fish could cost about €15 to €20 (US $16.27 to $21.70 or £10.81 to £14.42) per person.
It’s very important to note that in Portugal, they have set menus. They have what...
The cost of food in restaurants in Portugal varies. I can have lunch for €6 (US $6.50 or £4.32) at my local café for a meal that includes a glass of wine, dessert and coffee. It’s cooked in the morning, served for lunch and you have a choice of two dishes. Grilled fish could cost about €15 to €20 (US $16.27 to $21.70 or £10.81 to £14.42) per person.
It’s very important to note that in Portugal, they have set menus. They have what is called “Dish of the Day” that usually varies between €7 and €10 (US $7.59 and $10.85 or £5 and £7.21) and it’s all inclusive of wine, coffee, and dessert. You have two choices, either meat or fish. Portuguese people do not generally eat sandwiches. The have meals which include a knife and fork for lunch and a knife and fork for dinner; they have traditional sit-down dinners.
However, we also have fast food chains like Burger King and Pizza Hut but they are not as many as you would see in England. In England, every street has a fast food chain, while here in Portugal, the fast food chains are mostly located in shopping malls. A Big Mac at McDonald’s here in Portugal costs about €5 (US $5.43 or £3.60).
It's the small things that you miss. They don't hit you right away, but over time, they become big things.
When we lived in the US, I hated the snow and the cold and winter in general. I could not wait to get away from it. Finally, I was in Nicaragua and there is definitely no cold weather or snow or winter there. I was so happy about it. That is... until I had a small child and it was Christmas. I suddenly missed...
[Editor's note: When Jet Metier couldn’t conduct the interview of Robert Adams, Chuck Bolotin, the Vice President of Business Development at Best Places had to step in. Luckily, Robert Adams (AKA, Bob Adams) saved the day.]
We visit with Bob as he gives us the benefit of his experiences and the very valuable and unique insights he gained from working or living in over 40 countries and talking with thousands of expats.
Ok, so I’m British, and for me it is all about good manners, I was coming to live in a Spanish speaking country, so the least I could do was to learn the language! “How hard could it be?” I asked myself! Well, when my family and I started this adventure back in 2012, we took Spanish lessons every time we visited Panama, because right from the start, it was apparent that English was not widely spoken and if we were to live here, we really needed to be able to communicate! Of...
You can go kayaking in the canal near Cañas Island in the Pacific Ocean, about 45 minutes away by car. It’s nice to go kayaking in this area because it is a very quiet place. You also go fishing in your kayak or just take the trip down the canal and enjoy nature. You’ll see monkeys and different birds, too. 
The cost of food in restaurants in Portugal varies. I can have lunch for €6 (US $6.50 or £4.32) at my local café for a meal that includes a glass of wine, dessert and coffee. It’s cooked in the morning, served for lunch and you have a choice of two dishes. Grilled fish could cost about €15 to €20 (US $16.27 to $21.70 or £10.81 to £14.42) per person.
