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Recently Answered Questions

What are the holidays of Mexico?

Alfonso Galindo - I Go Yucatan

Carnival parade in Mexico – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living

Easter weekend and Christmas holidays are very big in Mexico, as well as the summer break which is usually in July. Those are the major holidays and there are also national days to celebrate a president or an event across Mexico.

Holidays such as Easter and Christmas are celebrated in Mexico in much the same way they are celebrated in the US.

Mexico has an Independence Day and a day that resembles Halloween called Dia de...

Holidays such as Easter and Christmas are celebrated in Mexico in much the same way they are celebrated in the US.

Mexico has an Independence Day and a day that resembles Halloween called Dia de Los Muertos, which is celebrated across Mexico. Dia de los Muertos has become a famous event internationally, and in Mexico it is an important event where Mexicans honor their past loved ones who have died. Their tradition is Dia de Los Muertos is to celebrate life and welcome the souls of departed loved ones back for that day so that they can be with their families. The time of the year corresponds roughly to the same days as Halloween.

Cinco de Mayo is generally not celebrated in countrywide in Mexico. It might celebrate in the city of Puebla where the even took place, which was a battle that was won by the Mexican army against the French nationals. It is not, as is thought by many in the US, the Mexican equivalent of the 4th of July. It’s just the commemoration of a famous battle wherein a Mexican ragtag army beat Napoleon’s French army.

Our independence celebration is celebrated in September, and is quite a big event. Not only does the president come out to do a big speech at the circle in Mexico City, but there are many reenactments in important cities like Guanajuato where the so-called “shout for independence” was started by Father Miguel Hidalgo.

Here in Merida right now we’re preparing for a carnival. Yep, carnival is just around the corner and then that’s celebrated very big here in Merida. The important cities in Mexico were they celebrate carnival would be Mazatlan, Veracruz, and here in Merida. Generally speaking, carnival is celebrated here the same way it is celebrated in New Orleans or Rio de Janeiro, although certain cities are a little bit different. Merida’s carnival tends to be much more family oriented whereas you can compare how carnival is celebrated in Mazatlan and Veracruz more to the more wild celebrations in New Orleans and Brazil.

In Mexico, Mother’s Day is very important, because Mexico is very family-oriented. You can expect Mother’s Day to be a very important holiday here. I would compare it to where people fly home for Thanksgiving in the US. People definitely come home for Mother’s day. In Mexico, Mother’s Day is bigger than Father’s Day.

Mexico is a Catholic country so Easter is a big deal. We have our very Catholic followers who complain because Easter here has become one of the most important vacation times where families come to vacation all across the beaches in Mexico rather than celebrating the more religious aspects of what Easter is meant to be. So you might have some Catholic followers a little upset that people have changed the holiday to make it an opportunity for a vacation.

(Carnival in Mexico, pictured.)

How much does food cost in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua?

Elaine Soto

The best way to describe San Juan del Sur's food cost is: variety. You can find lots of options when it comes to food, from cheap junk food to expensive gourmet plates. Even "expensive" food is not that expensive. You can eat a nice meal for less than $20 dollars but if what you want is just to calm your cravings and you're not that picky you can eat a hamburger, a burrito or a quesadilla in the main street for just US $1 to $1.50. San Juan del Sur...

What do I need to know about living overseas and retiring abroad?

Allen Rosen - Chiriqui Coastal Real Estate

I am a Canadian who has lived in Panama for 6 years.

The most important -- and difficult -- lesson I have learned in Panama is this:

If you arrive in your new country with an open mind and a willingness to adapt to its culture, you will thrive.

If you arrive with a 'gringo mindset' and believe that your new country has an obligation to adapt to you and your values, well, you are going to end up being miserable and...

What's the dress code in Panama? What clothes do they wear in Panama?

Lourdes Townshend

Dress code in the Republic of Panamá

What a beautiful custom to be nicely dressed, groomed and be admired! Your clothes don't necessarily have to be expensive, or from a brand name; just charming and clean.

Of course, if you are at the beach, park or outdoor adventure, you wear your shorts, jeans, sneakers or boots, but always in good taste. But don´t you feel good with yourself when...

How's the economy in Placencia, Belize?

Larry France - Chabil Mar

At the turn of the century, Mayan fisherwomen, when Belize was called British Honduras – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living

My perspective on the economy of Placencia is that it is quite healthy in terms of being a safe economy. Granted the cost of living in Placencia is pretty high considering the income of the local Belize residents, but at the same time it is an economy that seems to be very stable at this stage. I certainly have had that experience while working with the banks here. The economy in Placencia seems very good and very healthy. The tourism industry in Placencia is very healthy and driving the economy in a very positive way.

I would definitely say that tourism is the number one industry in Placencia. Second would probably be construction. There is a fair amount of construction going on in the country that has increased a lot since I became familiar with Placencia nine years ago. The reason is that Placencia is becoming more and more known as a great destination in Belize.

Placencia is not a very large tourism destination as far as Belize goes. Placencia is a village of approximately 1,500 people and there's only a certain amount of tourism that can be sustained in a village that small. The Placencia Village itself is the big population center along a peninsula by the same name, Placencia, which is about 18 miles long.

Compared to Placencia, Ambergris Caye is much more tourism-oriented. I have been to Ambergris Caye on half dozen occasions, and based on that experience, I believe that there are probably more tourists there than there are locals because of the number of beds they have available for tourists. In Placencia, what you get is a very realistic feel for what the Belizean culture is like and what it is like to live in Belize because there is only one street on account of Placencia being a peninsula. So along the street, there is a schoolhouse, the fishermen, and the people going about their day-to-day lives are right there in front of you. There are children playing in the streets, on bicycles, and out on the beach during the day. You really do feel that you are getting a Belizean cultural experience. Anybody going to the restaurants or to maybe a beach bar would have locals sitting right down next to you. They're very friendly and love to talk to tourists. I do things like play horseshoe on Saturdays when I'm down there. They just have an open horseshoe tournament for whoever who wants to sign up, which is just day-to -day life there.

(At the turn of the century, Mayan fisherwomen, when Belize was called British Honduras, pictured.)

How do I become a permanent resident living in Portugal?

Luis Rodrigues - Gouveia Pereira, Costa Freitas & Associates, Law Firm, RL

Montijo Portugal – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living

In order to obtain the Non-Habitual Resident (“NHR”) Status, firstly it will be necessary to be considered as tax resident in Portugal in the same year that the Portuguese Tax Authorities accept the request to be a Non Habitual Resident.

Thereby, in general terms, to be considered as tax resident in Portugal, it is necessary to fulfill one of the following requirements:

i) Has remained there more than 183 days,...

Recently Posted Expat Stories

The National Dress, Dance and Heritage of Panamá

Woman wearing a traditional Panamanian dress-- the Pollera – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living

The official national dress in Panamá is the pollera. This dress is unique and takes between two to three years to make by hand. Polleras are passed from generation to generation, making them more valuable as the years pass by.

What it makes the pollera unique are several things:

Artisans make them individually.
The material is of extraordinary beauty with different styles and colors.
The pollera is many times embellished with real gold and pearls...

A Coastal Jewel About To Shine Brightly-- Puerto Armuelles, Panama

A surprising small town with evidence of a once vibrant past is located just 60 miles (97 kilometers) from the provincial capitol, David, Panama. Only 5 miles as the crow flies from Costa Rica you will find Puerto Armuelles, Panama. It is about 21 miles south of the Pan-American Highway (at the border to Costa Rica, turn left before you go through the border crossing.) A side street view of Puerto Armuelles Panama – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living

A side street view of Puerto Armuelles Panama – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living

The surprisingly good two-lane highway is under construction to become...

BEAUTIFUL CONTADORA ISLAND, PANAMA

North and South America were divided by the sea, until the Isthmus of Panama was created three million years ago. It was the biggest and reportedly the most significant geological event in 60 million years. Prior to that date as the Earth's plates began to join, the Pearl Islands emerged from the sea. Indigenous tribes lived on many of the Pearl Islands, including Contadora, and Pre-Columbian artifacts have been found there. The biggest island in the chain is Isla del Rey where more...