Are there good vets in Mexico? Where are the best vets in Mexico?
Yvon Marier - Travel Info Mexico
There are several very good vets here in Mazatlán. There are vets in almost every corner in Mazatlán. I know at least four or five vets that Gringos in Mazatlán visit all the time who have a very good reputation. I’ve never had problems with vets here in Mazatlán.
We have a 12-year-old Chihuahua that we bought from a vet in Mazatlán whose clinic is...
There are several very good vets here in Mazatlán. There are vets in almost every corner in Mazatlán. I know at least four or five vets that Gringos in Mazatlán visit all the time who have a very good reputation. I’ve never had problems with vets here in Mazatlán.
We have a 12-year-old Chihuahua that we bought from a vet in Mazatlán whose clinic is open at daytime for visits, and 24 hours a day for emergencies. This vet speaks perfect English and is a very good animal doctor.
There’s a veterinary clinic very close to our home here in Mazatlán that has a program called “catch and release.” “Catch and release” means they take stray cats and give them proper care, and then release them. Vets charge 200 pesos ($11) for neutering male cats , and 400 pesos ($22) for spaying female cats. The cats that they take of are then released four to six hours later when they were picked up.
The vets in Mazatlán are better in some ways than the vets I know in Edmonton, Canada. There are excellent vets in Canada, but for me the vets in Mazatlán are better. As an example, we took one of our chihuahuas to the vet here in Mazatlán last year, and it was discovered that our Chihuahua had liver problems- something the veterinarian in Canada who had been looking after the same dog for several years never noticed. Because the veterinarian in Mazatlán did, we were able to treat our dog’s liver problems.
A blood test for pets in Mazatlán costs about 200 pesos ($11), while in Canada they charge around CA $200 (US $150). We had our Chihuahua’s teeth cleaned last year here in Mazatlán for 500 pesos (US $30). The same procedure in Canada would have cost CA $1,500 (US $1,127)per dog.
(Animal lover Yvon Marier and his pet chihuahua, Mexico, pictured.)
The number one form of transportation in Ambergris Caye is a golf cart. So for the majority of the island, people are driving golf carts. There are taxis, mini vans, and some industrial equipment, too but majority of the traffic is golf carts. The speed limits are less than 15 miles per hour. Driving in Ambergris Caye is like driving around Disney World on a golf course.
Nothing is really named here in Ambergris Caye, so directions tend to be fun. ...
The number one form of transportation in Ambergris Caye is a golf cart. So for the majority of the island, people are driving golf carts. There are taxis, mini vans, and some industrial equipment, too but majority of the traffic is golf carts. The speed limits are less than 15 miles per hour. Driving in Ambergris Caye is like driving around Disney World on a golf course.
Nothing is really named here in Ambergris Caye, so directions tend to be fun. Streets have names but they are also known by just the common vernacular of how something is described. In downtown San Pedro, which is the largest town on the island, there is a front street, back street, and middle street. The actual street signs have different names, but they are known locally as with their more descriptive nicknames.
Coconut Drive goes north and south through the middle of town. It runs all from south and all the way north of the island as far as you can imagine you can drive. The road is paved for about 3.5 miles from San Pedro to the north. After that it becomes more of a dirt road.
(Room for four in this golf cart in Ambergris Caye, Belize, pictured.)
What's the crime rate in general in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua?
Daniel Snider - Snider's Realty Nicaragua
You will hear of some crimes such as theft in San Juan del Sur but most of them are not violent crimes such as murders. Just recently, I read an article naming Nicaragua as the safest country in Central America. I couldn’t equally compare it to the crime rate in Santa Barbara, California where I come from, because in Santa Barbara, you may not hear a lot about thefts but there’s a lot of gang-related or drug-related crimes. So it is more violent over there in Santa Barbara...
You will hear of some crimes such as theft in San Juan del Sur but most of them are not violent crimes such as murders. Just recently, I read an article naming Nicaragua as the safest country in Central America. I couldn’t equally compare it to the crime rate in Santa Barbara, California where I come from, because in Santa Barbara, you may not hear a lot about thefts but there’s a lot of gang-related or drug-related crimes. So it is more violent over there in Santa Barbara than it is in San Juan del Sur because of these organized crimes in Santa Barbara. You wouldn’t see much of that type of crime here in San Juan Del Sur.
Is it safe to drink the water in the Panama City, Panama area of Casco Viejo?
Maria Suarez
Yes it is safe to drink the water in Casco Viejo. I never had any problems drinking water from the taps here but of course there are some people who are more sensitive so it might not be recommendable to drink tap water in Casco Viejo. If someone comes here from the US, for example, I tell them to drink bottled water. You may choose to drink bottled water if you are sensitive but in general, the water here in Casco Viejo is safe to drink.
(Houseboat on...
Yes it is safe to drink the water in Casco Viejo. I never had any problems drinking water from the taps here but of course there are some people who are more sensitive so it might not be recommendable to drink tap water in Casco Viejo. If someone comes here from the US, for example, I tell them to drink bottled water. You may choose to drink bottled water if you are sensitive but in general, the water here in Casco Viejo is safe to drink.
What should I be most concerned about regarding retiring abroad?
Harry Hunt - ownboquete
First of all, don't be scared. I know it's a foreign country and everything is a little bit different, but in Panama at least nobody is going to attack you or assault you at least in Boquete and actually most of the interior and even Panama City is pretty safe with the possible exception of Chorillo or some of the rougher parts of town late at night. Most Panamanians are God fearing Christians and very non-confrontational, so you have a better chance of being killed by an...
First of all, don't be scared. I know it's a foreign country and everything is a little bit different, but in Panama at least nobody is going to attack you or assault you at least in Boquete and actually most of the interior and even Panama City is pretty safe with the possible exception of Chorillo or some of the rougher parts of town late at night. Most Panamanians are God fearing Christians and very non-confrontational, so you have a better chance of being killed by an American than a Panamanian and I personally feel you are most at risk dealing with a lawyer here than at any other time. I only know two or three lawyers that I really trust and they are all women.
Second of all, most expat communities are like a college mixer where everybody is new, nobody was born here and everyone is a little unsure and uncertain about things and you find some people who become your friends and some you may not like that much. It might be better not to get too drunk and insult everybody, but almost any and every behavior happens and we seem to be pretty tolerant in our old and middle age.
There are all kinds of cool and experienced people in Panama so just relax and be nice and if you listen carefully you will be able to pick someone that will be a good friend and you may join some group that does something like castrate dogs. As a matter of fact there is a group in Boquete that has spayed and neutered over 5,000 dogs and we don't have starving dogs and packs of violent dogs roaming the streets and the Panamanians that thought we were all nuts when this all started years ago now see the benefits and are bringing their dogs and cats to the clinics held on the last weekend of the month.
Living in Panama is easy, there are some differences, but don't worry about a traffic stop where some of the police carry machine guns. Just show them your passport and don't act like an idiot and smile too much. Just be respectful, treat the officer as you would a strange policeman in America and if you haven't done anything wrong you will be driving down the road in no time. If you don't have your passport or were speeding the officer might suggest you settle the matter by paying the fine to him. This used to happen a lot more frequently and everyone used to carry $5 to buy some instant justice on the side of the road. These days you usually get a ticket that the policeman writes on his cell phone and you have thirty days to pay it in the district you are cited in.
Try to be tolerant and understanding. You are in a country that is changing rapidly. Most people took the bus a few years ago and now almost everybody drives even if they have never heard of driver education or rules of the road. Just remember, any car can do anything at any time. Be prepared, keep your eyes open and expect the unexpected.
I have lived here for ten years now and survived quite nicely. Try to behave, be nice and be cool and when you are confronted with something totally different from what you are used to try and understand that this is their country and fifty years ago it was probably no different in America. If possible don't do anything you are going to regret or be ashamed of tomorrow. Most of all have fun and make some memories that you will enjoy sharing with friends and family back in the States.
In Portugal, do I have to worry about malaria, yellow fever and other diseases we don’t generally have in North America or other parts of Europe?
Luis Rodrigues - Gouveia Pereira, Costa Freitas & Associates, Law Firm, RL
No, if you move or visit Portugal, you do not have to worry about diseases that are typical in tropical countries, which is not the case in Portugal. Although the climate is hotter than in most European countries, Portugal has a temperate climate (it has the same latitude as Virginia or Maryland), which does not allow such diseases to exist. There are no medical restrictions or warnings for travel to Portugal.
(Sao Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal, pictured.)
No, if you move or visit Portugal, you do not have to worry about diseases that are typical in tropical countries, which is not the case in Portugal. Although the climate is hotter than in most European countries, Portugal has a temperate climate (it has the same latitude as Virginia or Maryland), which does not allow such diseases to exist. There are no medical restrictions or warnings for travel to Portugal.
We had loved our six weeks in the little coastal village of La Ventana, in Baja California Sur, on the Sea of Cortez. Now, as our tour continued, we would have the opportunity to experience another little village, Lo de Marcos, in Nayarit, about an hour north of Puerto Vallarta, on the Pacific Ocean. While Baja was majestic, with mostly barren, expansive landscape, harder edges, and gorgeous contrasts, Lo de Marcos was vivid, infused and saturated with color. In Lo de...
On Wednesday, January 7th 2018, while walking near my apartment in Medellin, I had a heart attack. I realize it was above and beyond the call of duty for a writer/contributor to go to this length for a story. No need to thank me, I’m recovering nicely, and because of my Colombian cardiac adventure I now have in-depth, personal info on health care in my adoptive country.
I once lived in Colombia. Now I live in the land of Ace Inhibitors, Beta Blockers, Plavix &...
I don´t remember exactly how it happened, who contacted who that contacted me. It was for sure one of Panama`s classic two degrees of separation, which in Casco makes for a cozy half degree. All I know is that I said “sure, sounds like fun”, emails were sent, and all of a sudden we were on camera! And I`m glad we did.
The experience was truly fun, and it also shifted a lot of my ideas about TV and the people behind it. The crew couldn´t be more down to...
There are several very good vets here in Mazatlán. There are vets in almost every corner in Mazatlán. I know at least four or five vets that Gringos in Mazatlán visit all the time who have a very good reputation. I’ve never had problems with vets here in Mazatlán. 
The number one form of transportation in Ambergris Caye is a golf cart. So for the majority of the island, people are driving golf carts. There are taxis, mini vans, and some industrial equipment, too but majority of the traffic is golf carts. The speed limits are less than 15 miles per hour. Driving in Ambergris Caye is like driving around Disney World on a golf course. 
Yes it is safe to drink the water in Casco Viejo. I never had any problems drinking water from the taps here but of course there are some people who are more sensitive so it might not be recommendable to drink tap water in Casco Viejo. If someone comes here from the US, for example, I tell them to drink bottled water. You may choose to drink bottled water if you are sensitive but in general, the water here in Casco Viejo is safe to drink. 
No, if you move or visit Portugal, you do not have to worry about diseases that are typical in tropical countries, which is not the case in Portugal. Although the climate is hotter than in most European countries, Portugal has a temperate climate (it has the same latitude as Virginia or Maryland), which does not allow such diseases to exist. There are no medical restrictions or warnings for travel to Portugal. 
We had loved our six weeks in the little coastal village of La Ventana, in Baja California Sur, on the Sea of Cortez. Now, as our tour continued, we would have the opportunity to experience another little village, Lo de Marcos, in Nayarit, about an hour north of Puerto Vallarta, on the Pacific Ocean. While Baja was majestic, with mostly barren, expansive landscape, harder edges, and gorgeous contrasts, Lo de Marcos was vivid, infused and saturated with color. In Lo de...
On Wednesday, January 7th 2018, while walking near my apartment in Medellin, I had a heart attack. I realize it was above and beyond the call of duty for a writer/contributor to go to this length for a story. No need to thank me, I’m recovering nicely, and because of my Colombian cardiac adventure I now have in-depth, personal info on health care in my adoptive country.