Best Places In The World To Retire

I happen to be a little bit of an expert on this particular subject because I’ve lived in 10 Latin American countries, and I’ve travelled through Asia. I was on the road for 8 years, and lived in 16 countries. I’ve stayed in over a dozen expat communities for 3 months, 6 months, and 2 years, so I know a bit about that. Of all the places I’ve been, which is extensive, I think San Miguel is at the top of the list. That’s why I live here.

 

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I happen to be a little bit of an expert on this particular subject because I’ve lived in 10 Latin American countries, and I’ve travelled through Asia. I was on the road for 8 years, and lived in 16 countries. I’ve stayed in over a dozen expat communities for 3 months, 6 months, and 2 years, so I know a bit about that. Of all the places I’ve been, which is extensive, I think San Miguel is at the top of the list. That’s why I live here.

 

I went to Boquete, Panama, when it was still a quiet little town and quite lovely. It was a little bit boring, but it takes time to settle into the community. I’ve lived in villages, but I didn’t stay there for too long. I went back later because I was looking for a place to live. Boquete is an expat nightmare. The locals have been ripped off, and they tried to be nice because it’s a livelihood, but they weren’t happy about it, and I couldn’t blame them. A lot of the expats were kind of disrespectful. They just don’t get it.

 

San Miguel is the opposite. San Miguel in the 40’s and more in the 50’s started to get expats coming from the GI Bill. I actually went to the Instituto Allende in 1974, so I’ve known about San Miguel for a long time. It has a very long history. But people are people, and you’re going to get everything that you get anywhere else, but generally speaking, I think that there is exceptionally good rapport between the Mexicans and the foreigners that has existed for a long time. There are many, many, many charities in which expats participate.  The foreign community also gives; it doesn’t only take. I think it’s exceptional.

 

(Residential street in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, pictured.)

For me the best things to do in Panama would be about the same best things to do where you are now.  What is best for you? 

 

If you love the outdoors Panama is great for biking, hiking, sightseeing, hunting for orchids in the mountains, checking out waterfalls, boating, fishing, horseback riding, ATVing, scuba, snorkeling, golfing, river-rafting, kayaking, surfing following the "beckoning road", climbing trees, bird watching, searching for...

For me the best things to do in Panama would be about the same best things to do where you are now.  What is best for you? 

 

If you love the outdoors Panama is great for biking, hiking, sightseeing, hunting for orchids in the mountains, checking out waterfalls, boating, fishing, horseback riding, ATVing, scuba, snorkeling, golfing, river-rafting, kayaking, surfing following the "beckoning road", climbing trees, bird watching, searching for wildlife .... You name it.  I think Panama has it all for outside activities.

 

Shopping, movies, health clubs, horse races, the auto show, concerts, boxing, soccer and baseball are all fun things to do.  Finding good to great restaurants is wonderful.  Checking out the party scene of discotheques,  bars and lively casinos might just be a great ticket for you.

 

You can do just about anything and everything in Panama.  I believe the only real limits are in your mind.

You absolutely do not have to renounce your US citizenship if you move or live abroad... but you do have to go through an immigration process, so that you can obtain a Residency Visa.  There are lots of different types of Residency Visas in Panama available to choose from, and many of them, most notably the Pensioners Visa (Pensonado) include benefits such as discounts on:

You absolutely do not have to renounce your US citizenship if you move or live abroad... but you do have to go through an immigration process, so that you can obtain a Residency Visa.  There are lots of different types of Residency Visas in Panama available to choose from, and many of them, most notably the Pensioners Visa (Pensonado) include benefits such as discounts on:

To become a permanent resident of Belize, the entry requirements have to be met, which is you enter with permission under a visitor’s visa for 30 days thereafter. Every month you must get permission upon payment of $50 Belize (US $25; these fees are subject to change) with a stamp from the department of immigration to stay longer than 30 days. To stay permanently in Belize, you must be a resident of Belize for 12 months and paid 12 months’ worth of those permission stamps on...

To become a permanent resident of Belize, the entry requirements have to be met, which is you enter with permission under a visitor’s visa for 30 days thereafter. Every month you must get permission upon payment of $50 Belize (US $25; these fees are subject to change) with a stamp from the department of immigration to stay longer than 30 days. To stay permanently in Belize, you must be a resident of Belize for 12 months and paid 12 months’ worth of those permission stamps on your passport. Then you are qualified for a permanent residency. You are only allowed to leave the country in that 12-month period for a short stint or two weeks, except for emergency purposes.
 
It normally takes 3 to 6 months to get your residency. While your residency is being processed, you will remain as a visitor, but you will no longer be charged the fee each month and you basically would use your receipt from the application as proof that you have an application for permanent residence pending. Therefore, if you leave the country and you enter, they would not restrict you with a 30-day restriction anymore.
 
During that 3 to 6 months period, they do background checks on you through Interpol. There is an exchange of information between local authorities and international authorities and they will make sure that you are not on a list of persons which unsavory backgrounds. You also have to have a Belizean sponsor, who is a citizen, and who would post a bond on your behalf.  If your Interpol checks out, along with your sponsorship, upon payment of the permanent residency fee (which is different, depending on the country from where you came), you should get the approval.  Applying for a residency could be as much as US $ 750 depending, on where you are from.
 
If you don’t know anybody in Belize, then getting the bond posted might be a problem. One would have assumed that over a course of 12 months you would have some level of relationships somewhere to be able to get this done. Failing that, you could pay the government in cash, if you have the means.

 

(Greenbelt around government building in Belize's government district, pictured.)

Finding a clothing store in San Juan del Sur is not a problem. There seem to be shops popping up on every corner.

 

Finding good quality clothing is a little more tricky. There are a few shops that have nicer quality clothes but they are more expensive and not usually the same quality as you would be accustomed to from the U.S.

 

Several clothing stores in San Juan del Sur have opened up recently with imported clothes but choices are slim. If you...

Finding a clothing store in San Juan del Sur is not a problem. There seem to be shops popping up on every corner.

 

Finding good quality clothing is a little more tricky. There are a few shops that have nicer quality clothes but they are more expensive and not usually the same quality as you would be accustomed to from the U.S.

 

Several clothing stores in San Juan del Sur have opened up recently with imported clothes but choices are slim. If you are looking to buy a bathing suit and sarong choices are many. Having lived here for 10 years and likewise my ex-pat friends we usually stock up when visiting our country of origin. It is sort of a given that you will ask or be asked to bring something from your home country whether it be a clothing item or coveted food item.