What's the dress code in Chapala and Ajijic, Mexico? What clothes do they wear in Chapala and Ajijic, Mexico?
Amaranta Santos - Eager y Asociados
There is no such thing as a dress code in Chapala and Ajijic. As long as you cover the most important parts of your body, you can walk around wearing shorts 90% of the year. I don’t recommend flip flops because you might have a bad fall because of the cobblestones but otherwise, flip flops are accepted here. The only thing that is not accepted anywhere is going out wearing no shirt at all. If you don’t a shirt, you don’t get service. Other than that, you can dress as...
There is no such thing as a dress code in Chapala and Ajijic. As long as you cover the most important parts of your body, you can walk around wearing shorts 90% of the year. I don’t recommend flip flops because you might have a bad fall because of the cobblestones but otherwise, flip flops are accepted here. The only thing that is not accepted anywhere is going out wearing no shirt at all. If you don’t a shirt, you don’t get service. Other than that, you can dress as comfortably as you feel.
Most of the Mexicans here in Chapala and Ajijic have to work and because of that we have to follow the dress code set by the companies we work for. That’s why you see Mexican people wearing polo shirts or regular white shirts. You hardly ever see a tie or a suit because these clothes are not convenient weather-wise. Wearing a regular shirt without a tie is the more common dress code that you would find here. It is not that Mexicans are dandier. It’s just that we have to work and we have to follow the dress code of the companies where we work.
There are a lot of fashion-oriented people in town who even hold fashion shows in the area for the Lake Chapala Society. The whole town of Ajijic from the carretera (main road) to Lake Chapala is about 6 blocks. There are some nice boutiques on the main street Colon and Morelos, which is the street that leads to the plaza or the central town square. It leads from the carretera, and all the way to Lake Chapala. If you walk down that street, you will find a lot of boutiques with very nice pieces of jewelry and clothing. They are not the kind that you would wear at night in New York but something nice to wear in this kind of town and in this kind of weather.
We are one hour away from Guadalajara where you could find malls that sell Tiffany, Burberry, Coach, etc. So if you feel like you want to dress like a fashionista, you could go to those stores in Guadalajara. There are restaurants in Guadalajara where you can go to wear your beautiful jewelry and be in the right place.
(Chic women at Nueva Posada, Ajijic, Mexico, pictured.)
What's the crime rate in general in Coronado, Panama?
Lourdes Townshend
With the rapid growth of Panamá everywhere, from east to west coasts, of course, there will be some "unpleasant" facts that you might find here and there. But generally, Coronado offers a good amount of security, mainly because it is very well protected, as no visitor can get into the neighborhood if he or she is not a resident, staying at the hotel, or a verified guest.
At the entrance of Coronado, there are many...
With the rapid growth of Panamá everywhere, from east to west coasts, of course, there will be some "unpleasant" facts that you might find here and there. But generally, Coronado offers a good amount of security, mainly because it is very well protected, as no visitor can get into the neighborhood if he or she is not a resident, staying at the hotel, or a verified guest.
At the entrance of Coronado, there are many facilities including those for safety and everyone is willing to protect each other, or help in any way. As cellular phones are so popular, if anything should happen, anyone would call the police or emergency personnel, who would be in site very rapidly.
No statistics have been offered on crime rates, but judging from what the residents say, they have a very pleasant life inside Coronado, and they are not more concerned about crime than they would be if they were living anywhere else.
Can I receive my Social Security checks or benefits abroad, as an expat, outside the US and if so, how?
Alan Filliger - Alana la Casa del Arte
You can receive your Social Security check benefits in Panama. I feel the best way is through direct deposit into your Panama bank account. It is easy, safe and reliable. I can only receive Social security via direct deposit in Panama. All other benefits need to come by wire transfer or a mailed check. I use a mail service out of Miami, Florida which sends my mail to a location close to where I live. Mail Boxes, etc. seems to be good...
You can receive your Social Security check benefits in Panama. I feel the best way is through direct deposit into your Panama bank account. It is easy, safe and reliable. I can only receive Social security via direct deposit in Panama. All other benefits need to come by wire transfer or a mailed check. I use a mail service out of Miami, Florida which sends my mail to a location close to where I live. Mail Boxes, etc. seems to be good and reliable in Panama.
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.
What is the cost for health insurance in Belize and how does it work?
Mark Leonard
Private health insurance in Belize is available; however since public hospitals do not charge, not many folks carry it. International coverage is available. Belize has the same system as The British Commonwealth as before independence, Belize was British Honduras. If you go to a public hospital, even as an expat, or as a visitor to the country, you will be treated. The level of care, is a little bit more of an issue. You may give a little something for your...
Private health insurance in Belize is available; however since public hospitals do not charge, not many folks carry it. International coverage is available. Belize has the same system as The British Commonwealth as before independence, Belize was British Honduras. If you go to a public hospital, even as an expat, or as a visitor to the country, you will be treated. The level of care, is a little bit more of an issue. You may give a little something for your prescription that will be given to you at the hospital and its only a couple of bucks.
What I do is to maintain a major medical policy in the US, but I am looking at International policies that conform to Obamacare. I had cancer a long time ago and it was taken care of. I maintain major medical insurance just in case something comes up and I want to be treated in the US. With Obamacare my policy went up by US $300 a month to $800 a month.
In Belize, there are private doctors. You will pay maybe $15 to $20 for a visit and whatever your prescription costs.
I use the Hospitals in Belize and and a private doctor in Corozal.
Many Canadian citizens are also coming to Belize. They are allowed to travel to Belize for 7 months of the year and have to go back for 5 months to maintain their health insurance. Many have found that as they look at the economics of a full relocation, they can buy their own personal major medical policy and not return to Canada.
(In the picture are healthy and happy expats in Cerros Sands, Corozol.)
Sometimes it is possible in Nicaragua to open a bank account without being a resident. It will depend on the bank and if the potential client can prove his/her source of income, so a letter from his/her bank at home will work. Also very helpful would be a letter of reference from a Nicaraguan.
It will be also very useful if the applicant can prove he/she is in the process of obtaining residency in Nicaragua.
Some...
Sometimes it is possible in Nicaragua to open a bank account without being a resident. It will depend on the bank and if the potential client can prove his/her source of income, so a letter from his/her bank at home will work. Also very helpful would be a letter of reference from a Nicaraguan.
It will be also very useful if the applicant can prove he/she is in the process of obtaining residency in Nicaragua.
Some banks have bilingual executives or branch managers, so it will more comfortable to identify this in advance if it is a concern for you.
To open a bank account for a business purpose it will be imperative to have a corporation duly incorporated registered.
Zaqueo hired a third friend of his from his home area named Chicalo. He was to be an “ayudante,” or assistant as they are called when they don’t have a specific trade. Chicalo had only one working eye. The other had been irreparably damaged by a bungee cord accident. I used to work with eye surgeons, and one of them told me, “Don’t EVER use bungee cords, and tell everyone you know they are very dangerous and to throw them out!” She had...
Public transportation in Panamá made history last April 5, 2014 with the inauguration of the first metro (subway) in Central América.
Above and beyond all expectations, the construction of the modern metro was made in 38 months. It has 20 trains of 3 wagons each, accommodating 600 people per train.
But the most amazing thing is that the President of Panamá, Mr. Ricardo Martinelli, a nice and simple fellow,...
A couple months ago someone told us they saw a Sloth across the street in the woods. OK... Cool; I've never seen one. Well, a week ago while walking our dogs we saw one hugging a tree about ten feet off the ground.
Yesterday (again walking the dogs) a man was standing still looking up into the trees and voila......if we looked hard and long we saw a Sloth all curled up on a fairly small branch at least 40 feet up. The guy said he saw it at the same place...