This one’s for you guys. Which is better, the inland haven or the Caribbean getaway? We want to hear from everyone…tourists that have visited as well as expats and retirees currently living there. Voice your opinion below.
photo provided by cocolimemonkey at http://www.flickr.com/photos/locachica/2926141774/
The fourth in a series of articles comparing Central America’s two leading expat and retiree destinations. Costa Rica is the more established of the two, but Panama is the upstart new kid on the block with a full head of steam and a pocket full of dollars. Who will come out on top? Read more and find out.
Click here for Round 1: Retirement Benefits
Click here for Round 2: Climate
Click here for Round 3: People and Culture
Round 4: Things to do
If you are going to pack up (or sell) everything and move to Central America, you might as well go somewhere where there is stuff to do; after all, you can only sit on the porch and drink so many margaritas before it becomes mundane (or does it…). In this matchup, the cultural and outdoor activities of each country are looked at and a winner decided. Round four, begin!
Note: While sitting on the beach all day is fun, it can be done in both countries with equal laziness. Thus, beachbumming does not count as an activity.
Costa Rica
Expats, retirees, and tourists wouldn’t have been flocking to CR for two decades if all there was to do was sit on the beach all day. For a tiny country, Costa Rica boasts a huge array of attractions that can keep the average gringo busy for months, if not years. Here are a few top picks, both in outdoor activities and cultural discoveries.
Into the wild:
1. Arenal volcano- Yeah, its been exploited more than Macauley Caulkin, but Arenal still is one of Costa Rica’s most impressive, and easily accessible, natural attraction. Not only does lava commonly spurt from the top, but the surrounding area is popular for hiking, fishing, and canopy tours.
2. White water rafting- This is some intense stuff. The #1 river to raft is the Pacuare River, which not only offers a rush of adrenaline but also a chance to see virgin rainforest up close, without the mosquito bites.
3. Parque Corcovado. It would be a sin to leave out Corcovado from any list. This is the absolute best place in Central America to immerse oneself in the rainforest without going “Man vs Wild” Bear Grylls-style. Far enough from the tourist trail but still within civilization, the park offers unparalleled access to plants and animals in their natural habitat. And the hiking isn’t all that difficult.
Whats a Tico, anyway?
1. San Jose museums and opera house- not many travellers or expats spend much time in the capital, but the gold and jade museums, along with the Belgian/Italian designed opera house, are worth checking out to get some background on Costa Rica’s long history.
2. Grana de oro- Coffee is big time in CR, and even non-fans of the stuff (like me) will find the coffee regions intrguing. The process, the climate, the scenery, plus the opportunity to taste and buy some of the “gold grain”
3. Craft shopping- Even the guys out there will enjoy this, as every manpad (or dining room…) should have at least one piece of badass foreign art that you can tell your friends about. Despite not having a gloried pre-Colombian past, the country boasts some excellent handmade crafts, from pottery and dolls to colorful oxcarts, that are available for a fraction of what you would pay for them in North America.
While it can sometimes feel like you are being led around by the hand by tour guides and its often hard to go five minutes without seeing a fellow gringo, Costa Rica has a ton of activitis to offer, too many to list here. The infrastructure is top notch, making even the novice traveler or expat feel comfortable.
Panama
In a country that is still being discovered by gringos, Panama has some really cool stuff for the expat, retiree, and tourist alike.
Into the wild:
1. Wildlife viewing- Rainforests and cloudforests dominate Panama, so there is no lack of opportunity to get out and see some nature. The famed Pipeline Road is close to the capital in the Soberania Park and is great for birdwatching, and the Baru National Park in Chiriqui is well known for its Quetzal birds.
2. Tree canopy adventures- scattered in forests throughout the country, these “rides” consist of a person being harnessed and attached to a zipline, then literally flying around the forest canopy from one platform to another. Really cool, safe, and a total adrenaline rush.
3. Diving and snokeling- Get off the beach and into the water. Around Portobello, Isla Grande has well-established dive programs and Bocas del Toro offers some untouched diving spots.
The canal and more
1. Panama Canal- Every tourist, expat, and retiree should see the canal in action at least once. Not only is it really a remarkable feat of engineering, but also a big part of each Panamanian; a true source of pride. If possible, book a trip from the Pacific to the Caribbean or vice-versa.
2. Portobello- Steeped in history, this Caribbean town was once one of the most important cities in the Western hemisphere. Some of the most famous pirates fought brutal campaigns in and around the town, and the ruins are quite amazing and the tourist infrastrure well set up.
3. Go native- Panama boasts some pretty unique and accessible indigenous tribes, each one being different in some way, beit customs or language. The Embera people mainly inhabit the dangerous Darien forest along the border with Colombia, but a few communities have made their way to the Chagres River by the canal area and welcome visitors daily. Along the Caribbean coast, the Kuna people make their home among the 400 islands of San Blas, so visitors are treated to an incredible setting as well as indigenous customs.
Round 4 winner: Costa Rica. This was a close one, but Costa Rica’s far superior infrasture gives it the edge. While this might not appeal to everyone, CR is just more accessable than Panama; however, given the right oversight Panama could easily equal, or even surpass, Costa Rica in terms of cool things to do. And man, Corcovado just plain rocks. Score: Costa Rica: 2, Panama: 1, 1 tie
Voice your opinion below. Agree, disagree, or have additional info thats been left out? We want to hear from you…
As the H1N1 Swine Flu enters its second full week of being the world’s #1 news story, Mexico – ground zero of the whole mess – continues to be hit the hardest. Mexico City is still in full lockdown mode in an attempt to contain the virus, with nearly all commerce stopped. Despite not reporting large numbers of H1N1 cases, the tourist and epxat hotspots on Mexico’s coastlines are reporting incredible losses as gringos stay away: Rodrigo de la Peña, Cancun’s hotel association president, says that reservations are down 30% and still dropping quickly. Here’s a rundown of how Mexico’s top destinations are being affected.
Acapulco
99.9% of the time its good to be the favorite beach destination for a city of 25 million, but alas the coastal resort town is experienceing that .1% right now. As wealthy residents of the capital enjoy a mini vacation, and with much of Mexico City closed, many are flocking to ‘Pulco for some fun and sun….but in the eyes of the town’s residents, they are potentially bringing the dreaded flu along with the sunscreen and beach towels. And they aren’t happy: Police report that as many as four cars with Mexico City plates have been stoned by Acapulco residents as they entered the town. So much for a warm welcome…
Despite Covadonga Gomez, the town’s hotel and tourism cheif, publicly pleading with capital city residents to stay away from Acapulco, a steady stream of vacationers made the five hour trip from Mexico City last weekend. And while Apaculco officials reiterated the fact that every restaurant, bar, and disco were closed, many establishments deemed the almighty dollar, er, peso, was too much to ignore. High profile places like Señor Frog’s and Sibu were open for business and reportedly quite crowded.
Cancun
It’s without surprise that Cancun, which relies so heavily on foreign tourists and expats, is getting economically kicked all over the place by the flu outbreak. As soon as news of the flu began, most cruise lines cancelled their stops in Cancun and the rest of the Maya Riviera, taking away the lucrative invasions of cruisegoers. Hotels are reported to be half empty with cancellations coming in every hour and outbound flights are jam packed with tourists trying to flee. Additionally, many European and U.S. airlines have cancelled or cut back the number of flights to Cancun since the confirmation that several New York students have the H1N1 virus and also just returned from the resort town (no official link between the two has been found, however).
Mónica Roberts, operations chief for Real Resorts in Cancun, reports only 20% of the rooms are full at a time when 80-90% should be, according to the Washington Post.
Following local leaders’ insistence that not one case of H1N1 has been confirmed in Cancun or the state of Quintana Roo, tourists and expats in the area report that there seems to be a hush-hush attitude held by hotel staff, restaurant waiters, and just about everyone else with vested interest in the tourist industry. Without foreigners, Cancun will suffer terribly, and for now it seems like it is just doing enough to keep its head above water…
San Miguel Allende
San MA, and the state of Guanajuato in whole, has not confirmed one case of H1N1 and the population is reported to be quite healthy. Despite this, fear and panic have taken over many of the citizens of this popular expat and retiree destination. Like Mexico City, many of the public sectors have shut down and, unlike in the coastal resort towns, green facemasks have become the new fashion craze. As with the rest of the country, schools are closed for the foreseeable future, but for the time being there is no H1N1 in the area.
Cabo San Lucas and the Baja Peninsula
The expat and tourist mega-destination that is the southern Baja Peninsula, including Cabo San Lucas, has been confirmed “Swine flu free” by the Mexican government, however, this did not stop Rosarito officials from cancelling Cinco de Mayo celebrations or several cruise line operators to cancel stops in Baja. Tourist numbers are reported to be slightly down in the last week, but again, there have been no confirmed cases.
Have more information about the H1N1 flu in Mexico? Are you an expat, retiree, or tourist somewhere in this great country? We want to hear your story! Let us know whats going on in your community.
photo provided by Current News Stories at http://www.flickr.com/photos/currentnews/3489545692/
The third in a series of articles comparing Central America’s two leading expat and retiree destinations. Costa Rica is the more established of the two, but Panama is the upstart new kid on the block with a full head of steam and a pocket full of dollars. Who will come out on top? Read more and find out.
Click here for Round 1: Retirement Benefits
Click here for Round 2: Climate
Click here for Round 4: Things To Do
Round 3: People and Culture
If you are going to relocate, either as an expat or retiree, its important to know what your neighbors will be like. Considering that most prospective expats and retirees don’t want to live in a country full of jerks, this article takes a look at the culture and people in both countries and determines a winner. Round 3, begin!
Note: These are generalizations and not meant to include every citizen. Also, food will be covered in another article.
Costa Rica
The oft-repeated generalization is that Costa Rica, in fact, has no culture. This is impossible; even a land of brain-eating zombies have a culture of, well, eating brains. The Ticos certainly do have a culture, albeit not as impressive as the Mayan-rich countries to the north. And if culture is defined by recent social and political instability, then I think most Costa Ricans would be more than happy to have little of it.
CR is definitely the whiter of the two countries, with 97% of the population classifying themselves as white or mestizo. Some Ticos will claim that there isn’t racism in the country, which is easy to say when you never really see Afro-Caribbeans or pure indigenous people. In fact, Afro-Caribbeans were not allowed to leave the Limón province until 1949 (however, the U.S. had some pretty draconian racial laws at this time as well). But alas it is the 21st century and for the most part all is well.
Ticos are generally conservative people who for the most part shun the weird and bizarre. Additionally, they shy away from debate in an almost offensive manner as to, ironically, not offend anyone. Perhaps that is the Central American key to political stability: don’t talk about politics, don’t stir the pot. They will, however, do whatever they can to impress their guests and are extremely amiable.
Religiously, Costa Rica is a dominantly Catholic country. However, the church does not have the kind of power or influence it does with CR’s neighbors; many Ticos claim to be Catholic but practice it more as a tradition than a lifestyle. A crucial part of the country’s culture is its strong middle class, something of an oddity in Latin America. It acts as a sort of homogenizing ease between the poor (yes, Costa Rica has poor people despite claims to the contrary) and the rich elite, smoothing over tensions by giving the poor an feasible economic ladder to climb. Thus, coupled by the fact that the country has no army and no military budget, is the reason why the school, medical, and road systems are developed.
Summing up, Ticos are smart, kind people who wish to leave a good impression on visitors. While this makes for a great vacation and you know your neighbors will be peaceful folks who invite you over for sunset dinners, the general disdain for healthy debate takes some of the spark out of conversation
Panama
Panamanians must be split up into two groups: those living in the capital, and everyone else. Just about every city-dweller in the world makes fun of, looks down on, or thinks less of the hicks, rednecks, countryfolk, farmboys, etc etc that live outside the metropolis’ limits. But the inhabitants of Panama City seem to have an indignation, nearly reaching hatred status, of everyone else in the country. Once, when telling a Panama City friend of mine that I was going to go to the rainforests to the west of the city, he became perplexed and responded simply with “Why would you want to go there?”. PCity is the place to be; if you don’t live there, then you haven’t made it to the top yet. Thus the snobbish attitude that many capital residents have and the reason why two groups must be made when looking at the people and culture of the country.
Whereas Costa Rica is very, very white, Panama is a melting pot of races and cultures. A healthy population of Afro-Panamanians, as well as several indigenous communities, inject a good deal of diversity into the country. Additionally, the canal project and subsequent international trade has brought sizable enclaves of Chinese, Koreans, and Indians to the capital. The diverse crowd, along with prosperous economic times, makes racism a mute point, although it does exist.
The Panamanian attitude, especially in the capital, is a combination of New Orleans’ “let the good times roll” and Las Vegas extravagance. The new found wealth that the canal and international banking have brought has fostered a forward-thinking capitalistic society that could care less about the past; in fact, I had a Panamanian history and culture professor in Panama City tell me that history is pretty much irrelevant and can even be a hindrance.Panamanians can be a bit more closed off than their Tico counterparts, but once the initial ice is broken they are as inviting as any culture. They love to talk about anything, which is perhaps a vestige from their Colombian roots. However, the wealthy elite, who are growing in number, can be a bit prudish and flashy.
Round 3 Winner: TIE. While their timidity and political disassociation can get a bit annoying at times, the Tico’s welcoming vibes are irresistible and definitely add to the charm of the country. Also, their predominately European heritage makes them unique in Central America. Panamanians love a good party and are cool people, but the initial closed circles and penchant for the uber-rich to flash money around is a turnoff. But the diverse racial mix of the country, including several indigenous groups and the Afro-Panamanians on the Caribbean coast, make up for any big-spending showboaters.
The second in a series of articles comparing Central America’s two leading expat and retiree destinations. Costa Rica is the more established of the two, but Panama is the upstart new kid on the block with a full head of steam and a pocket full of dollars. Who will come out on top? Read more and find out.
Click here for Round 1: Retirement Benefits
Click here for Round 3: People and Culture
Click here for Round 4: Things To Do
Round 2: Climate
A major consideration for any prospective retiree or expat wanting to relocate to Central America is climate. No where in the U.S. or Europe does the climate change so rapidly, even within an hour or two by car. Let’s take a look at the climates in each country and see who comes out on top. Round 2, begin!
Panama
What happens when decide to build your capital city in the rainforest? A metropolis that is hot as hell. That’s precisely what Panama (well, the Spaniards) did and the result is a swealtering, humid city where it is impossible to stay dry, especially if you are a gringo. That, coupled with the Panama City penchant for always wearing collared shirts and suits, and it is nearly impossible not to sweat out every toxin in your body. I lived there, and needed a shower after my walk to the university at 7:30 in the morning.
Outside of the city things change dramatically. The coasts, especially the Pacific, enjoy a nice ocean breeze that keeps things comfortable, and this is where many foreigners spend much of their time. The rainforest – and Panama certainly has a lot of it – is hot, muggy, and wet (duh) but I found it to actually be cooler than the burning concrete of the capital. Conversely, the awesome Azuero Peninsula is much like southern Spain: hot and arid.
The mountains, of course, are much more temperate. Thus the reason Boquete feels like a suburb of a U.S. city. El Valle de Anton is also a quaint mountain hamlet within striking distance of Panama City But Panama just doesn’t have the mountains that Costa Rica does.
Costa Rica
There is a reason Costa Rica has been the expat and retiree haven for 30 years. The climate is quite incredible, extremely diverse, and for the most part predictable. The rainforests are hot and sticky, which of course is what makes them rainforests. The central mountains (including San Jose) are cool year round (60′s and 70′s) with moderate rainfall, providing the climate needed to produce the famous coffee. The nights are cool here and light jackets are fashionable. The beaches, like Panama’s, benefit from the seabreeze; however, the Caribbean can get sweltering and it can rain like hell.
Round Two Winner: Costa Rica. While Panama City may rule in terms of nightlife, diversity, and commerce, its like an oven. An oven with a rainforest in it. San Jose’s mild climate and close proximity to rainforests and beaches gives it the edge in terms of climate. The mere fact that Costa Rica has more mountains, thus a milder climate, makes it the winner in round two.
Voice your opinion below. Agree, disagree, or have additional info thats been left out? We want to hear from you…
Click here for hourly updates on the H1N1 virus in Latin America
Every weekend tens of thousands of soccer fans crowd into Mexico City’s stadiums to cheer on the city’s three teams and transform the grey concrete stands into a vibrant array of flags and song. But last weekend the
Mexico's cavernous Azteca Stadium sits empty during a game last weekend
games were played in silence; not one spectator was allowed to enter.
As of April 27th, the swine flu outbreak in Mexico has caused the deaths of at least 100 people, with thousands more suspected to be ill with the disease. The sudden appearance, along with the rapid spread of the disease, has caused major concern around the globe, with several governments warning travelers to stay clear of Mexico.
The disease, caused by the influenza strain H1N1, is similar to the H5N1 strain that caused the bird flu panic in Asia a few years back. While not as deadly, this new strain appears to be much more transmissible between humans. Mexican health officials are working closely with the U.S. Center for Disease Control and have located the origin of the outbreak to be in the pig farming region of La Gloria in southeastern Veracruz; however, the spread of the swine flu has been so rampant that most of the country has been affected. Hundreds of cases have been determined throughout the central mountain chain, particularly in Mexico City and San Luis Potosi and as far south as Oaxaca. This, of course, makes sense since a highly transmissible disease will flourish in populous areas. Cases have also been reported in the northern Baja region, centering around Tijuana. Mexico City is in a near panic as the 4 million facemasks given out to prevent infection have been quickly used up. Riots have been reported outside some city hospitals.
This flu – aptly named with such a disgusting moniker – is a real threat to the health of the entire country. Incredibly, Mexico has canceled all school until May 6th in an attempt to prevent the gathering of large groups of children. This is an enormous country, and closing down every school in the country is something that doesn’t happen very often anywhere in the world. Additionally, most of the capital’s theatres are closing for the foreseeable future and the qualification tournament for North American youth national soccer teams has been called off. Thus is the seriousness in which the government is taking this situation.
Passengers wear masks on a Mexico City subway
The flu has now reached some of the tourist and expat hotspots along the Pacific coasts, most notably in Acapulco, where the usually vibrant nightlife has ground to a halt after the government ordered nightclubs and bars to close. Incidentally, there are fears that citizens from the capital, enjoying something of a vacation because of the school cancellations, will accidentally infect previously clean areas. And with the speed in which this disease is spreading such fears are rational.
U.S. officials have dismissed talk of strict travel restrictions to and from Mexico, as well as any border closures. They have, however, recommended that U.S. citizens think twice about traveling to Mexico unless it is essential, echoing the words of European governments. Its too early to tell to what extent the swine flu will spread, but with situation escalating on a daily basis, things may get worse before they get better. While the spread of this flu is alarming, the number of people infected is still relatively low, and the mortality rate is, for now, staying down. Don’t go buy a ton of bottled water and Spam and head for the bunker, but normal health precautions should be taken. We here at Latinworld.com want to keep the expat and retiree community up to date on this evolving problem, and will keep our readers updated with daily reports about the situation on the ground. Check back often.
Are you an expat or retiree living in Latin America? We want to here your story. What is your country, community, or family doing to stay healthy? Are you worried, or is this a exaggeration of the media? Tell us, and the world, your story below.
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internal photo #1 provided by muisicneverstopped1 at http://www.flickr.com/photos/mnsblog1/3480234976/sizes/o/
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Costa Rica is a very small country, but yet still represents 5% of the bio diversity of the planet. Places like Corcorvado park is a haven for back packers, jet setters and those looking for eco-adventure. Being conscious about your carbon footprint is crucial to the success of sustainable tourism. The local community needs to be encouraged to take care of the environment and preserve nature.
Bocas del Toro:
Located on the west part of Panama near the border of Costa Rica, the Bocas del Toro Archipielago consists of nine islands, 52 keys and around 200 tiny islets. The biggest and most developed island is Colon Island.
Bocas del Toro
Panama City:
Located on the Pacific Coast, east of the Panama Canal, the city has tons of tourist attractions that include worl class hotels and restaurants. Investors from all over the world are constantly pulled to Panama’s real estate market due to the fact that the Canal has undergoing plans for expansion.
Panamá City
Boquete:
Located on the Chiriquí Province, one of the most developed provinces in the country, with an economy that is based on the production of agriculture and tourisim. Boquete is known as the flower garden of the nation and as one of the top places in the world for retirement with espectacular mountain views and cattle ranches.
Boquete
El Valle de Anton:
Located in the province of Coclé on the southern coast of Panama, inside a 20 square kilometer crater of a volcano atop a mountain. It’s a magical experience full of waterfalls, hot water springs, square trees and golden frogs.
El Valle de Anton
San Blas Islands:
Located to the northeast of the Panama Canal with 365 islands, one for each day of the year. There aren’t too many destinations in the Caribbean quite like the San Blas Islands Panama archipelago were you will find some of the oldest reefs in the world, beautiful arts and crafts and the Kunu Indians, who run the islands as an autonomous province.
San Blas Islands
Bocas del Toro pic provided by Jason’s Travel Photography at http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasonweaver/2478375748/sizes/l/
Panama City pic provided by seracat at http://www.flickr.com/photos/mserarolsbcn/2932517286/
Boquete pic provided by Rita Willaert at http://www.flickr.com/photos/rietje/2319517510/
El Valle de Anton pic provided by g[wiz] at http://www.flickr.com/photos/ggunter/2331421859/
San Blas pic provided by meytevidri at http://www.flickr.com/photos/maytevidri/2474614966/
