How are the rules of etiquette or customs different in Mexico?
Joan Silver
The rules of etiquette and customs are different in Mexico than in Canada and the United States because here, you acknowledge the staff when you walk into a store. When you leave the store, you thank them even if you didn't buy anything.
Walking by someone on the streets of Mexico, you either say “good morning” or "adios," which doesn't always mean “goodbye." Adios is “Be with God”. Mexicans say, Que le vaya...
The rules of etiquette and customs are different in Mexico than in Canada and the United States because here, you acknowledge the staff when you walk into a store. When you leave the store, you thank them even if you didn't buy anything.
Walking by someone on the streets of Mexico, you either say “good morning” or "adios," which doesn't always mean “goodbye." Adios is “Be with God”. Mexicans say, Que le vaya bien." (I hope things go well for you), and other other colloquialisms. Even if you're 80 years old they'll still call you "Señorita" (Miss), until you correct them that you are a "Señora" (Mrs.) or a "Doña" (Lady). Men are always very polite. Even if people have known me for long time and know my first name, they will always address me as "Señora Joan."
Raising your voice to a Mexican in public is very bad social faux pas and swearing at a Mexican is even worse as it is considered very ill-mannered.
In general, what do I need to know about FBAR (Foreign Bank Account Report)?
Don Nelson - TaxMeLess
The FBAR form is now Form 114 and can no longer be filed on paper. You must file it on line at a special US Treasury Site. It is due for each calendar year on the following June 30th. That due date cannot be extended. You can incur a $10,000 or more penalty for failing to file the form for any year it applies or for filing the form late. There are ways around this penalty though and you should consult with an experienced CPA / Attorney to enter into one of these...
The FBAR form is now Form 114 and can no longer be filed on paper. You must file it on line at a special US Treasury Site. It is due for each calendar year on the following June 30th. That due date cannot be extended. You can incur a $10,000 or more penalty for failing to file the form for any year it applies or for filing the form late. There are ways around this penalty though and you should consult with an experienced CPA / Attorney to enter into one of these programs.
The form must be filed if the combined highest balances in your foreign financial accounts at any time during the calendar year exceed $10,000 US or more. Foreign financial accounts include banks, foreign stock brokers, foreign pension plans, foreign gold storage places, etc.
You must also report all income earned on these accounts on your Form 1040 and fill out the proper information on Schedule B stating that you are required to file an FBAR form.
For those who are interested in moving to Azuero Peninsula, Azuero International School provides with an excellent schooling option.
No need to live in the city to attend an International School.
Our School is English speaking and provides students with a wholesome environment where nature is integrated into the children's education. Operating from September 2016, we provide a unique opportunity to build a stable and long-term life...
Hello,
For those who are interested in moving to Azuero Peninsula, Azuero International School provides with an excellent schooling option.
No need to live in the city to attend an International School.
Our School is English speaking and provides students with a wholesome environment where nature is integrated into the children's education. Operating from September 2016, we provide a unique opportunity to build a stable and long-term life setting in the Pedasi area.
Our classes cater from Pre-Kinder up to 10th Grade.
How's the adventure travel and activities in and around Managua, Nicaragua?
Elizabeth Samayoa - Bosa Tours and Travel
In the department of Managua you have different options for adventure activities. First, in the center of the city, located in the Tiscapa Lagoon, you can cross the lagoon and jungle on a zipline and enjoy what is considered one of the best viewpoints in the city. The entrance fee is between US $15 - $20.
Other possible options are easy walks and hiking around the nearest nature reserves: Montibelli and...
In the department of Managua you have different options for adventure activities. First, in the center of the city, located in the Tiscapa Lagoon, you can cross the lagoon and jungle on a zipline and enjoy what is considered one of the best viewpoints in the city. The entrance fee is between US $15 - $20.
Other possible options are easy walks and hiking around the nearest nature reserves: Montibelli and Chocoyero. They are located only 30 minutes away from the city center. Both reserves are great option for bird watching.
If you prefer to have a more adventurous moment, you can go to our nearest beaches in the department of Managua. They are 45 minutes to 1 hour away from the capital city. Here you can surf all the time you want and rest in one of the close by hotels.
How’s the kayaking, rafting, or canoeing in Portugal?
Juan Matias - BLUE Boutique Hostel & SUITES
We have three or four beautiful rivers that cross Portugal. Further south from Lisbon we have the Guadiana River, where I have rafted. Up north we have Mondego River and further north close to Porto we have Douro River, which is where the Porto Wine comes from. And this area Douro; the Douro River and the cliffs surrounding the Douro River, is where they plant the grapes to produce the world famous Porto Wine or “Port Wine” as you call it in America. We do not have the...
We have three or four beautiful rivers that cross Portugal. Further south from Lisbon we have the Guadiana River, where I have rafted. Up north we have Mondego River and further north close to Porto we have Douro River, which is where the Porto Wine comes from. And this area Douro; the Douro River and the cliffs surrounding the Douro River, is where they plant the grapes to produce the world famous Porto Wine or “Port Wine” as you call it in America. We do not have the very extreme classes of river rafting but we do have some mild intermediate class areas. People raft here in Portugal in the winter and spring. You can go in summer but the rivers are very low and it becomes a bit boring for people looking for some excitement.
We have sea kayaking in Portugal. I provide an excursion for my clients that is basically just a beautiful tour around our coastline around Cascais (near Lisbon) in a kayak. There are two levels of sea kayaking. You have the sea kayaking just to wonder around and you have the surf sea kayaking, which is on waves, which is for another level of expertise. You have to have a lot of experience to do that. But for the first timer, you have to do the traditional sea kayak and you’re only allowed to go when the sea is really, really calm. Portugal is close by the Atlantic Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean is quite rough. So 80% throughout the year we have waves in Portugal. The only two months of the year with light waves are July and August. You can go out throughout the year but then you have to go to protected bays, of which there are many throughout the country. The Algarve is the perfect place to do this because the Algarve gets the Mediterranean Sea so it doesn’t get as rough as it gets on the west coast, which faces the Atlantic. The southern coast is much more calmer than it is in the west coast.
(Sea kayaking provided by Blue Hostel and Suites, Cascais, Portugal, pictured.)
What are the best things to do in and around Corozal?
Daryl Blomdahl
The best thing to do around Corozal, in my opinion, is boating and fishing. From Corozal, you’re a two hour Catamaran cruise over to the second largest barrier reef in the world, so there is plenty of snorkeling and diving to do over there.
Corozal is a rather famous area where the Mayan population grew. There are Mayan ruins around there where you can go exploring. There are jungles that you can explore. There are actual underground rivers that you...
The best thing to do around Corozal, in my opinion, is boating and fishing. From Corozal, you’re a two hour Catamaran cruise over to the second largest barrier reef in the world, so there is plenty of snorkeling and diving to do over there.
Corozal is a rather famous area where the Mayan population grew. There are Mayan ruins around there where you can go exploring. There are jungles that you can explore. There are actual underground rivers that you can take inner tubes through. There’s hiking, of course.
There’s about as much to do as you can possibly think of and then you can also just go over Chetumal, Mexico, which is a city of about 300,000 or 400,000, and which you can drive to or easily reach by boat. In Chetumal, there are a lot of activities to do. The list goes on and on.
With all that, probably one of the best things to do in the Corozal area would be just getting out in a boat, going fishing, relaxing in style.
(Laguna Milagros, near Chetumal, Mexico, pictured.)
Not even Goldilocks would have a problem with Ajijic. It’s “just right” and in the middle: not too cold, and not too hot. Ajijic is not too crowded, but with enough residents to have services: there’s a Wal-Mart close by, and dozens of great restaurants, day spas, etc. Guadalajara, at 40 minutes away by car, provides an international airport, high-end shopping, culture, first rate medical care, etc. just close enough to be convenient but not too close to be an...
My family and I moved to Central American in 2000 with the idea of blue skies and sunshine. Never heard of culture shock, never imagined or dreamed there would be a problem adjusting to our surroundings because everything we had read said that we would LOVE it!!! Much to our dismay, all that we had read was not exactly accurate. While my husband was in an office that had to speak English and my boys were immersed in football where they didn't care what language was spoken, my...
We enjoy our coffee on the patio in Boquete, Panama, most mornings. This recent Sunday the weather was spectacular. We filled our coffee thermos and hastily dressed for a ride around Boquete while there was time before the clouds and rain arrived!
First stop was the Tourist Information Center at the bottom of the hill from where we live. Great timing, we had the camera this time and the White-nosed Coati troupe was there as if on cue. Best to see between 8:30 and 9:00 am....
The rules of etiquette and customs are different in Mexico than in Canada and the United States because here, you acknowledge the staff when you walk into a store. When you leave the store, you thank them even if you didn't buy anything. 
We have three or four beautiful rivers that cross Portugal. Further south from Lisbon we have the Guadiana River, where I have rafted. Up north we have Mondego River and further north close to Porto we have Douro River, which is where the Porto Wine comes from. And this area Douro; the Douro River and the cliffs surrounding the Douro River, is where they plant the grapes to produce the world famous Porto Wine or “Port Wine” as you call it in America. We do not have the...
The best thing to do around Corozal, in my opinion, is boating and fishing. From Corozal, you’re a two hour Catamaran cruise over to the second largest barrier reef in the world, so there is plenty of snorkeling and diving to do over there. 
Not even Goldilocks would have a problem with Ajijic. It’s “just right” and in the middle: not too cold, and not too hot. Ajijic is not too crowded, but with enough residents to have services: there’s a Wal-Mart close by, and dozens of great restaurants, day spas, etc. Guadalajara, at 40 minutes away by car, provides an international airport, high-end shopping, culture, first rate medical care, etc. just close enough to be convenient but not too close to be an...