Archive for November, 2007

Thanksgiving Day in Belize

Thursday, November 22nd, 2007

Mr. John Madeira, retired technology executive now living in Belize, tells us about Thanksgiving Day in his new country:
“We made arrangements to eat Thanksgiving Dinner at Caves Branch. They do not celebrate Thanksgiving
Day in Belize. However, Caves Branch has lots of guests from the US at this time of year, so Caves Branch has a […]

Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica, Belize, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua: A Word of Advice

Friday, November 9th, 2007

There are many pieces of advice I could give someone who is thinking about relocating to Central America, but the main one is this: learn the language.
While it is very true that most people in Central America speak English, it is also very true that English is the second language, not the first. […]

Costa Rica Mail: I Hope You’re Not In A Hurry

Thursday, November 8th, 2007

Costa Rica has a pretty reliable Postal system, especially when you consider that the country has few street signs, many streets with more than one name, no house numbers, and people who think “just a little ways down from the blue house with the big tree in the yard” is a reasonable address to put […]

Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama. . . Great Tax Deals!

Wednesday, November 7th, 2007

American retirees and expats living in Central America often have questions about taxes. These are legitimate and reasonable questions.
In Mexico, Costa Rica, and Panama, American retirees are GENERALLY not taxed on pensions, Social Security, and similar income earned in the States.
HOWEVER, the IRS insists that US citizens must file US tax returns, even if […]

Mexico? Nicaragua? The Carnival of Latin America Is Up Now!

Tuesday, November 6th, 2007

The Carnival of Latin America is now up, over at Fausta’s Blog. Click on over there right now to catch up on the latest happenings in Mexico, Nicaragua, and other Central and Latin American countries!
Fausta’s Carnival of Latin America is a regular feature, and from now on, you will always know when she posts […]

Relocated in Costa Rica? Why Not Take A College Course or Two?

Monday, November 5th, 2007

Costa Rica has much more than just a near-perfect climate, breath-taking scenery, beautiful mountains, peerless beaches, friendly people, low cost of living, English language, American money, and inexpensive real estate.
Costa Rica also has a 96% literacy rate.
The educational system in Costa Rica is excellent. The typical schooling for a student ends with grade 11, […]

Nicaragua: Two Seas, Two Coasts, and an Almost Perfect Climate

Friday, November 2nd, 2007

Over a hundred years ago, Mark Twain visited Nicaragua. His impression of the country was much like the impression any American might have.
“What a home one might make among their shady forest, their sunny slopes, their breezy dells, after he had grown weary of the toil, anxiety and unrest of the bustling driving world.”
There […]

Dominican Republic Amber and Larimar: Just Simply Beautiful

Thursday, November 1st, 2007

The World Tourism Organization has named The Dominican Republic one of the hottest Caribbean destinations, and it’s easy to understand why!
The climate, the culture, the friendly people, the warm welcome extended to expats and retirees, the beaches. . . there are just too many wonderful things about the Dominican Republic to mention!
The Dominican Republic also […]