There’s no better way to appreciate and understand a city than a birds eye view and for those of us not financially fortunate enough to possess helicopters I have an easy solution in Panama City. Although it’s a place that us residents of the city see every day not many people take the time to venture up the immensely green hill topped with a gargantuan Panamanian Flag that looms over the city. It almost seems to fall into the background most of the time as we drive around to get wherever we are going that day. Last weekend this Gringo was in a “mountain summiting” type of mood and as Ancon Hill (Cerro Ancon) is the highest point of Panama Read more
Why you should visit Santa Tecla, right now!
Walking around in downtown Santa Tecla you are immersed in Salvadorian history and culture.
Architecture from the early 1900 makes a regular appearance in the Santa Tecla landscape. Beautiful
neoclassical buildings line the streets and remind us of a simpler time in El Salvador.
A must see example of this architecture is the Palacio Municipal de las Bellas Artes. Here modern
art meets classical Salvadorian arts and crafts. Built in 1911 by Jose Jerez, as a family home and later
donated to the municipality this building became the municipal building in the late 1920’s. In 2001
the building suffered some major damage from an earthquake and was left to gather dust. In 2008 a
remodel was completed and this local Read more
How to get around in Belize
You’re finally in Belize and you face the big question, do I rent a car? Do I take a taxi? How do I get
around? The truth is you should have probably thought about that before you got to Belize, but now
you’re here and I have to help you. Here are your options
Taxis will take you anywhere you want to go. They are more expensive then public transportation but it
certainly won’t cost as much as a New York cab ride. The best idea is to agree on a price to your desired
location before you get in. If you don’t agree on a price beforehand then it’s up to the cab driver to
decide how much he Read more
How to open your very own Costa Rican bank account
Fees, fees, fees. We’re all familiar with the high international fees and ATM fees were charged every time we take money out of our American bank accounts. How can you avoid losing half your money on fees? The answer may be very simple. Open your very own Costa Rican Bank Account!
How? Here’s the breakdown.
Passport, residency permit or permanent residency card
Proof of residency (water, power, internet or other bill with your physical address on it)
Fill out and sign application form
Deposit the minimum amount for the account you want. If you want an account with Banco de Costa Rica you need to deposit a minimum of ₵50 000 or $500. Banco Nacional only
Ancon Hill: The Best View of Panama City
There’s no better way to appreciate and understand a city than a birds eye view and for those of us not financially fortunate enough to possess helicopters I have an easy solution in Panama City. Although it’s a place that us residents of the city see every day not many people take the time to venture up the immensely green hill topped with a gargantuan Panamanian Flag that looms over the city. It almost seems to fall into the background most of the time as we drive around to get wherever we are going that day. Last weekend this Gringo was in a “mountain summiting” type of mood and as Ancon Hill (Cerro Ancon) is the highest point of Panama Read more
Nicaragua Retirement: How to get residency
Having to leave the country every three months can really start to get old. Most of us just want to relax and enjoy Nicaragua without having to worry about planning our next visa renewal trip. The answer is simple, become a resident.
You can hire a lawyer to do everything for you and all you have to do is sign the checks, right? Sure but those checks can get pretty steep. The most cost effective approach is to do it yourself. Dealing with the government yourself can be a real pain in the neck, believe me I know, but it’s not very hard.
When applying as a retiree you will need the following documents:
Residency application form obtained from
Direccion
All-inclusive, is it worth it? An inside look at Occidental Allegro Papagayo.
Our hearts were filled with fear and excitement all at the same time. We were headed to the Occidental Allegro Papagayo All-inclusive Resort. Our stay there was a gift from our family. As we read the reviews online, our hearts sank. There were horrible horror stories and also stories of lovely vacations. We were so confused we didn’t know what to think.
The truth. The rooms are nice and comfortable. They are large, clean, air conditioned and they have hot water. The view from our third floor room was amazing. We had a great view of the pool, the beach and the forest surrounding the resort. Everything needs a little updating. A nice coat of paint, a couple Read more
A True Winter Wonderland Anytime of the Year!
Summer is approaching, it’s time to head to Patagonia! Why? To see the glaciers, of course. The Glaciers National Park is home to 13 glaciers, all of them impressive. Perito Moreno, though smaller than Upsala, is the most visited.
The trip to the majestic glacier starts in Calafete. There are plenty of hotels, hostels, B&Bs to fit any price range. An excellent choice is the Hotel Kosten Aike. A modern take on Tehuelche tradition and heritage, this hotel is the perfect introduction to a very unique Patagonia.
After settling in at the hotel, it’s time to get down to business. A day trip into The Glaciers National Park, a World Heritage site. As you approach Read more
A True Winter Wonderland Anytime of the Year!
Summer is approaching, it’s time to head to Patagonia! Why? To see the glaciers, of course. The Glaciers National Park is home to 13 glaciers, all of them impressive. Perito Moreno, though smaller than Upsala, is the most visited.
The trip to the majestic glacier starts in Calafete. There are plenty of hotels, hostels, B&Bs to fit any price range. An excellent choice is the Hotel Kosten Aike. A modern take on Tehuelche tradition and heritage, this hotel is the perfect introduction to a very unique Patagonia.
After settling in at the hotel, it’s time to get down to business. A day trip into The Glaciers National Park, a World Heritage site. As you approach Read more
Where to find the best goodies to bring home – Chichicastenango Market vs Solola Market
Chichi or Solola. Everyone’s got a different opinion and you may be reading mixed reviews wondering what is the best use of your time. Let’s talk frankly one gringo to another. The truth is that it depends on what kind of experience you are looking for. Each market has its merits as well as drawbacks.
Chichicastenango market is huge and full of locals and tourists. Over the years this market has become more and more touristy all the while hanging on to Mayan tradition. Allow me to explain. Walking around in the market you will see people dressed in their typical traje selling the traditional hand-crafted clothing and purses, wood-carved masks and decorations, incense and candles amongst the usual touristy Read more
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