Posts tagged Warmth
Panama Hotels
Oct 29th
One of the most important questions that need answering when you are considering a holiday or visit to any place is the accommodation available. It is important that you choose a hotel or rental that suits your needs and budget. If you are planning a vacation or business visit to Panama you will be thrilled to find a range of Panama hotels that cater to the needs and requirements of most visitors.
Ideally it is a good idea to book your hotel in advance to ensure that you don’t have to bother looking for a room when you get here. This is especially true if you are coming during the peak tourist season, that starts in September and goes on to April. Also often advance bookings help fetch a cheaper price for the rooms.
Hotels Around the Country
There are plenty of sites that help you book your Panama hotels or you could speak to a travel agent for suggestions. Once you arrive at Panama City, the capital of the country you will find hotels that fit every budget. Depending on the purpose of your visit you can select the location of the hotel. For instance, if you are in Panama on business you may prefer accommodation that is close to the business district. On the other hand you could choose a hotel according to the services it offers such as a casino or for its location close to the lakes or the Panama Canal. If you want to get away from the city for a few days then book yourself into an El Valle hotel. Most hotels here are family owned and run with warmth and concern.
For the eco tourists, consider The Canopy Tower or the Los Quetzales lodges that have been developed for avid bird watchers. Bocas del Toro is an another favorite for people who wish to discover the natural beauty of this area. You can choose a hotel that has historical legacy and virtually a tourist attraction in itself or choose a hotel on one of the many islands here.
Do remember that the interiors of the country such as the far eastern part may not offer the kind of services that you would except in the city. However the rustic beauty of the terrain and its flora and fauna more than make up for it. It is important that you have a clear understanding of the kind of hotel you are checking into so that you aren’t caught unawares later.
Panama hotels offer exquisite cuisine. The sea food here should not be missed and is something that you are sure to list highly in your experience of the country. The diversity in culture and the foreign influence can be seen in the food here. Also since the country receives a lot of American and European tourists the cuisine is usually planned and prepared to meet the taste.
You could even consider a vacation package and check into a hotel that offers you all the sun, sand and activities that you are interested in. Do consider some of the resorts here including those in Decameron and Playa Blanca. If it is the country’s marine life that interests you, then choose a hotel on the Pearl Islands. For a truly unique Panama experience check in to a hotel at Boquete, located in the Chiriqui province. Some of the tourist attractions here include the Volcan Baru and river rafting.
Retiring to Mexico – Cheap Living With Flair
Sep 26th
Retiring to Mexico is something more folks should consider in these tough economic times.
People that should consider this are people that long for the small towns that they grew up in 50 years ago. That’s right small towns in Mexico have that time warp feel.
Retiring to Mexico can be like stepping back to the 50s. Michael J Fox in… Back to the Future. Remember the reaction you had when you saw the gas station attendants cleaning the windows…the warmth of the soda shop. What’s wrong with that? Nothing…it is still here in Mexico, waiting for you.
The family is of paramount importance to the Mexican people. Do not believe in the stereotype of manana. True it does take longer to get things done, but if you are a candidate for retiring to Mexico you will be slowing down as well. If you can’t see yourself being more calm and patient Mexico may not be for you. If you have to have it right now…well you should stay home.
If the thought of walking down to the town square, in complete safety, and visiting with your fellow expat retirees appeals to you…consider retiring to Mexico. An unhurried lifestyle waits.
In the mountains of Mexico you are treated to a year round spring like temperature. At 7,000 feet it will rarely exceed 80 in the summer. AC forget it you don’t need it. On the beach you will.
If the current health care debate has you bummed out remember for $270 a year you have just taken care of your health care for a year if you retire to Mexico. No co pays, no nothing…you are done, Doctor visits, hospital stays are all taken care of. We pay over that for a month here in the US for a policy with a $10,000 deductible. Retiring to Mexico is cheap living in many ways.
If you think you cannot retire on your Social Security check… think again. In a small town in Mexico you could live very well on $1500 a month. If you don’t speak Spanish you may have to stay closer to the communities with large expat populations. Your choices, and how much you will spend, will be broader if you can speak a little Spanish. You certainly don’t have to be perfect at all…the people will appreciate you trying to learn Spanish.
An incidentally for $100 a month you just may have scrubbed your last floor, ironed your last shirt, and washed your last window. Domestic help is that cheap in Mexico.
If this has just nudged your curiosity consider making a trip to Mexico to check it out. The towns I am referring to are all within a day’s drive of Brownsville Texas. Retiring to Mexico it makes sense now.
