Can I bring my dog or cat or other pets to Mexico?
Juan Eufracio Marquez Flores - LM&A Immigration and Legal Services
Yes, you can bring your dog or cat with you to Mexico. Basically, there is a form that you can review in any Mexican consulate before you come, depending on your country of origin. The basic requirement is that the dog or cat must have all their shots or the paper that says it’s been vaccinated and the paper that says who’s the owner. You get these from a vet.
Sometimes the dog or cat owner can even get a permit right away at the Mexican...
Yes, you can bring your dog or cat with you to Mexico. Basically, there is a form that you can review in any Mexican consulate before you come, depending on your country of origin. The basic requirement is that the dog or cat must have all their shots or the paper that says it’s been vaccinated and the paper that says who’s the owner. You get these from a vet.
Sometimes the dog or cat owner can even get a permit right away at the Mexican consulate, if they follow the requirements. If they don’t get the permit right away, they go to the vet, make sure that the pet is up to date on all their vaccinations, and provide information on the pet. There are some vets that even put a picture, the name, the address, and the pet ID and just bring it to the airport or drive across.
(Dog being ridden by a toy cowboy, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, pictured.)
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).
The political stability of Panama is one of the best reasons to retire to Panama.
Panama is also one of the most secure countries in the area and Panama City is one of the most secure cities in the area.
In general, in Panama, you have high standards with regard to health, commercial facilities and shopping. Panama has a free trade zone. It has access to products from all over the world and at very good prices. So in Panama,...
The political stability of Panama is one of the best reasons to retire to Panama.
Panama is also one of the most secure countries in the area and Panama City is one of the most secure cities in the area.
In general, in Panama, you have high standards with regard to health, commercial facilities and shopping. Panama has a free trade zone. It has access to products from all over the world and at very good prices. So in Panama, you have a mix of things that First World countries would have with regards to commodities, accommodations and living social standards, while at the same time, you have the lower cost of living, which is not as high as in First World countries.
As a foreigner or expat, can I buy or own land or other real estate property in Belize?
Charles Evan - Panama Chuck's Everything Store
Anybody can buy land in Belize. You can come down as a tourist today and tomorrow own a piece of property. There's no difference to the type of ownership compared to a Belizean citizen.
Anybody can buy land in Belize. You can come down as a tourist today and tomorrow own a piece of property. There's no difference to the type of ownership compared to a Belizean citizen.
What should I be most concerned about regarding retiring abroad?
Lourdes Townshend
Most of the time when people consider moving abroad to retire, they have a desire for a new and happy life, and probably an adjustment to their budget. These desires bring about all kinds of changes for which you should be prepared, and do your homework, before you move.
You should ask yourself these questions: "Is that what I really want to do?" and "Am I ready for that challenge and change in my life"? Then, visit the country you are...
Most of the time when people consider moving abroad to retire, they have a desire for a new and happy life, and probably an adjustment to their budget. These desires bring about all kinds of changes for which you should be prepared, and do your homework, before you move.
You should ask yourself these questions: "Is that what I really want to do?" and "Am I ready for that challenge and change in my life"? Then, visit the country you are considering moving to several times, study their culture, and talk to people, expats as well as locals. And then, not only after you are absolutely sure those changes will make you happy, then, make your decision. See if the reason you are considering moving meets your expectations.
General things to be concerned about in a new country would be: Am I ready to learn a new language, adapt to local customary life, enjoy new things and people, place myself and accommodate to different weather? If the answer is YES... GO FOR IT, and enjoy your retirement abroad, without any concerns.
The most important holiday in Granada, Nicaragua is the 15th of December, which is the Virgen Maria Inmaculada, or, in English, the celebration of the Immaculation of the Virgin Mary. The Granadinos (the people of Granada) place an image of the Virgin Mary in front of the house. Everybody walks in the streets and sings to the Virgin Mary. The owners of the house give drinks and food to the people who walk and sing on the streets.
The people who have...
The most important holiday in Granada, Nicaragua is the 15th of December, which is the Virgen Maria Inmaculada, or, in English, the celebration of the Immaculation of the Virgin Mary. The Granadinos (the people of Granada) place an image of the Virgin Mary in front of the house. Everybody walks in the streets and sings to the Virgin Mary. The owners of the house give drinks and food to the people who walk and sing on the streets.
The people who have faith in the Virgin Mary bring out small statues of the Virgin. They take the statute outside, they put some flowers and lights, and the people in the street stop at that house. Everybody sings and prays. After that, the owner of the house gives out drinks and some candies that are also local. They do it all night; from 5 PM until midnight.
Everybody joins the celebration; even expats. Also people from other parts of Nicaragua come to Granada, and not just the locals. It’s very beautiful how the people make the arrangement for the Virgin, and the overall celebration.
Another day that’s very important in Granada is the 15th of August, which is the celebration called El Tope. This is a celebration for people who own horses. They walk on the streets with their beautiful horses and they dance on the streets. There are a lot of horses and a lot of carriages, which are arranged with people who are inside, dancing. It’s like a Mardi Gras but with horses or a parade with horses and carriages.
El Tope also happens in the capital but it’s celebrated on different dates than it is in Granada. We also celebrate the Virgin Mary in Managua but it’s on the 8th of December.
After a year and a half of reading over 4,700 answers and 200 stories posted by the expat experts who contribute to Best Places, I've learned a thing or two.
Below is an article I was asked to write for Next Avenue, a website whose media partners include PBS, Huffington Post, etc., and run by very talented and accomplished public television people and journalists.
This article represents the distilled wisdom of...
[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.
If you like warm weather and a slower pace of life then Panama is a perfect place for you.
I get tons of emails asking why I moved to Panama and what it’s like here.
I say why not! Panama is affordable and gives me everything I need. There is so much life here! Amazing fishing, surfing, beautiful birds and flowers and the people are so nice. I am constantly greeted as I walk through my little town of Pedasi with “Buenas” (the local way...