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Recently Answered Questions

Are there American-trained doctors in Chapala and Ajijic, Mexico?

Flip Nicholson - Fenix Real estate

Hospital México Americano, Guadalajara, Mexico – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living

There are American-trained doctors in Chapala and Ajijic. There are people from California and other places who had some training or did some work for several years in other places. Many times I talk to a doctor who speaks perfect English and I would say, “How did you learn your English?” and they say they trained in California or in Texas.

The dentist whom I know goes back repeatedly for the latest technology education. They get a lot of...

The dentist whom I know goes back repeatedly for the latest technology education. They get a lot of that kind of training, and that’s why their English is perfect. Many doctors in training from the US whom I’ve talked to have had their training and internship in Guadalajara. Because you have to wait forever to get a spot in a US medical school, they go to Guadalajara where they can get a spot right now, and they end up falling in love with Guadalajara. Some of those people come back to practice here in the Chapala area.

Most of doctors here are Mexican nationals who have spent a lot of time north of the border, doing their training and learning, and they have learned English there. Then they come back and practice here in Chapala, so that’s the best of both worlds. I think the training of our local doctors here is better than the training in the US. The local doctors here seem to have that old-fashioned desire to make and keep people healthy.

We’ve seen this, and this is a common complaint when people move to Chapala. People say, “I’m so tired of the medical industry of the north because I feel like a piece of meat going through their show.” That means if there are six doors and you’re in one of them, sitting there and twirling your thumbs for 20 minutes after waiting an hour and a half to get to that point, a nurse comes in and takes your vitals, the doctor comes in and does a couple of “Ahems,” looks at your chart, writes a script for you, and he’s gone. What was his name again? You pay $100 or more than that because you pay insurance. An office visit in the US costs $100 bucks, and it’s overrated.

Don’t get me started on healthcare, because I’m telling you, it will drive you to Mexico in a hurry. The healthcare system in the US is just escalated to such proportions, but down here in Mexico, you can actually pay for your office visit with cash money and it costs next to nothing. A doctor will sit there on the visit with you as long as you need him to. In addition, the bedside manner of the doctors here is incredible. We’ve all been hospitalized in top-rate 5-star hospitals in Guadalajara with facilities that are clean, and with very friendly nurses who will get someone who speaks English if they don’t, just to make sure you’re comfortable, content, and happy with their services. It’s unbelievable.

(Hospital México Americano, Guadalajara, Mexico, pictured.)

How corrupt are the police in Nicaragua? Do I need to bribe the police in Nicaragua?

Carlos Roman Gutierrez Solis - Casa Granada Properties

Granada, Nicaragua – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living

Police corruption in Nicaragua is like everywhere else in the world. It is less in this country than in Mexico and Guatemala, but there is police corruption. The police in Nicaragua are not extremely crazy, but they ask for bribes all the time, especially when you get a ticket while driving.

However, when you start a business, you don't need to worry about the police asking for payment. They mostly ask for bribes for traffic violations. They only...

Are there American-trained doctors in Cayo, Belize, including San Ignacio and Belmopan?

Tiffany Swift - Rentals In Belize

Hon. Pablo Marin, Minster of Health, Belize – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living

There might be American-trained doctors here in Cayo but a lot of the doctors here are trained in Cuba or some other Caribbean country. We have many good doctors in the Cayo district, and in Belize in general, and some of them might be American-trained.

The quality of healthcare here in Cayo is good. We have a private hospital in the Cayo area and we have public hospitals. Over the past 5 years, healthcare has improved a lot. Many years ago, people used to go over the border for healthcare, but now they're sticking to Belize, because the doctors here are well-trained.

For local injuries and non-emergency cases, healthcare is free at the government or public hospitals. For expats, it's the same thing. If they break their hand or if something happens to them, they could go to the public hospital and it’s free. For more major injuries, you would go to Belize City and it is still inexpensive compared to the US. A couple of years ago, John, my boss, had a surgery. It was twelve-hour operation in San Ignacio and it cost him about 50% less than would it would’ve cost in the US.

When you need to see a doctor here in Cayo, the cost will depend on where you go. I go to the public hospital and I don't get charged anything. If you need medication and they have it at a hospital, they give it to you for free. If not, you'll have to go to the pharmacy to buy it. Basic treatment is free as well. Blood tests and x-rays can be done at the public hospital for free. Anybody could go to a public hospital; even expats.

If you go to a public hospital for a surgery, whether you pay or not depends on what kind of surgery is needed but in case you have to pay, it's very inexpensive. An appendix surgery, for example, is inexpensive. To have a child, there's only a minimum fee for staying in the hospital if you have to, for a couple of days, which I would think is about $10 a night. It's very inexpensive. The delivery is free.

I don't have insurance here in Belize and I don't have a reason to get it because healthcare here is very inexpensive. A lot of people do not bother about getting health insurance because it's not needed. It's money that you really don't have to spend. Some companies, however, do offer insurance to their employees and then they would use it.

(Hon. Pablo Marin, the Minster of Health, Belize, pictured.)

What do I need to know about pet shipping to Portugal, pet travel to Portugal and pet transport to Portugal?

Luis Teixeira da Silva - Algarve Senior Living

Cao de agua portugues – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living

The most important things to note about pet travel to Portugal are vaccinations, pet passport, quarantine requirements, and the shipping requirements.

You have to make sure that your pet is fully vaccinated and that the vaccines are up to date. You also have to make sure that your pet has an international pet passport. In addition, you have to take into account all the quarantine requirements that may occur in your country, which depends on the country...

In general, should I keep my US bank, brokerage, investment, IRA or retirement account if I move overseas?

Roy Cannon - Gestoria Cocle - main office in Penoneme

By all means, keep your home financial arrangements in place while you are exploring new countries. You never know in advance if you will be staying, or going back home. In addition, your new country will most probably have different financial products with a different cost and fee structure than you have at the present time. Most countries have ATMs that can be used to take money from your home bank account as needed, which is useful while you decide if you want a local...

How much does it cost for a gardener in Coronado, Panama?

Sarah Booth - Panama Holiday Homes & Buyer's Consultant with My Panama Real Estate

In Coronado, Panama a gardener costs between US $100 and $200 per month. If you have a larger property and you want to delegate more things, you can pay a gardener $200 per month but that is the maximum. Most people have gardeners come over 2 or 3 times a week and the average cost for their services is $130 to $150 per month. The higher cost is if you have a garden and a pool.

Recently Posted Expat Stories

ExPat Americans and Canadians Can Get Private Health Insurance

If you have recently relocated to Panama or another foreign country, you may have questions about how to purchase an international, private major medical policy.

Of course no one plans on getting sick or having a car accident, but that is what insurance is all about. It handles the "just the in case" which we hope never actually happens. We hope we never have to use our health insurance the same way we hope we never actually have to use our...

Proud History of Panamá

The theme of Panamá has always had worldwide importance, especially related Panamá's great importance in trade, commerce and American history. In 2013 we commemorate our 500 year anniversary of the discovery of the isthmus and the Pacific Ocean, and also when the first Catholic community was established in the American continent, our Lady of Santa María la Antigua. These are proud legacies from Panama to the world, not to mention the greatest project of all time: The Panama...

Bocas Del Toro, Panama, The Redneck Riviera

Bocas Del Toro is located in the Republic of Bocas del Toro Palm Trees At Sunset from the Balcony – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living

Bocas del Toro Palm Trees At Sunset from the Balcony – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living

Panama on the Caribbean side of the country. The coastal views are of lush tropical trees, shrubs, flowers and beaches. Many islands dot the ocean in this beautiful mystical blue water paradise.

You can get to Bocas del Toro by plane from Panama City or from Costa Rica's airport at San Jose. Buses have regular scheduled trips, and there are many car rental locations in the country of Panama: Thrifty Car...