My husband pulled our high-top white van with the dogs in the backseat into the Pemex, the ubiquitous gas stations of Baja California, Mexico. We were returning to the outskirts of La Paz, a busy little town that fronts a bay and is held in by the mountains. He spoke in Spanglish to the attendant about the price of gas as the van was serviced. I sat inside, drowsy from a day of walking along soft surf. From my side of the van, I watched a woman approach the car to the right of me....
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Having spent around 5 years researching the best places to retire my wife and I decided that Panama was the best place. We arranged an exploratory trip to judge first hand. We selected a bed and breakfast in Ancon which is strategically placed for easy access to the important places of interest and conveniently just 5 minutes drive to the bridge of the Americas. Nearby Albrook airport was the perfect place to rent a car and only 10 minutes away in a cab.
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Panamanians take Carnival very seriously. Many people prepare themselves for months to participate, in any way, in the Carnival, and visitors book their flights almost a year in advance to enjoy these four days of music and dancing.
A version of Carnival is called "Fiestas del Rey Momo" (King Momo party), which is celebrated throughout the country, but mainly in Las Tablas, on the Azuero Peninsula. Lately more and...
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A lot of foreigners erroneously think that they can’t start a business in Mexico. I guess it is the same for me as a Mexican doing business in the States. There is no law saying that you cannot. All you have to do as an American in Mexico to start a business is set up a corporation where you as an American can be the director or president of the corporation and own 100% of the corporation. The purpose is just a Mexican entity is just to do the paperwork. Once that happens, you...
Under Portuguese law, each car needs to have a third party’s liability insurance to cover the damages that you may cause to other people in case of an accident. All risks insurance is also possible and common although not mandatory. Please note that these insurances relate to each car and not to the driver. 
Owning a vehicle in Nicaragua is nice, although it is not needed, depending on where you are living. Take for instance, the Gran 
The coral reef in Placencia is amazing. One of the best things to do in Placencia is snorkeling. I haven’t been snorkeling that much, but when I did, the coral reef was really amazing. The corals are beautiful at the Laughing Bird Caye.