What's the food like in the markets in Chapala and Ajijic, Mexico?
Bruce Fraser
Food in the markets in Chapala and Ajijic typically are of very high quality, very fresh, picked today and sold on the market some time tomorrow, available pretty much all year long. There might be a few things like mangoes and tomatoes that tend to be seasonal and a couple of other things but for the most part, you can get just about everything all year long.
It's just a matter of finding what you prefer; if you prefer the outdoor markets or if...
Food in the markets in Chapala and Ajijic typically are of very high quality, very fresh, picked today and sold on the market some time tomorrow, available pretty much all year long. There might be a few things like mangoes and tomatoes that tend to be seasonal and a couple of other things but for the most part, you can get just about everything all year long.
It's just a matter of finding what you prefer; if you prefer the outdoor markets or if you prefer to go to some places that are permanent and fixed. I go to three or four different places. I even go to Walmart for some things because I like the quality of their melons and their watermelons. I go to my little corner store for bananas, lettuce, and tomatoes. I go over to the big market in Chapala to get things like spinach, broccoli, and onions.
When you get used to things, you've got the time, or you're driving by, you can go to different stores. If you don't care, you just go to Walmart and buy all your food there or just go to the Mexican supermarket and buy there. But invariably, it's way cheaper than what you would spend up North. The cost of survival is just incredibly less in Chapala and Ajijic.
Off topic, you don't have to buy long-sleeved shirts. You don't have to buy boots. You don't have to buy parkas unless you're riding in the back of a pick-up truck at four in the morning.
For the markets you have a choice between the US/Canadian style supermarkets like Walmart or even the Mexican versions, which are Soriana, Chedraui, Mega, and Aurora. They have good prices.
You could go to a little tienda, which usually have signs that say “abarrotes,” which means “groceries” in Spanish. These are tiny, little stores, normally family-run, and no more than 100-square feet. You could go to farmers’ markets every week. Ajijic has its Wednesday farmers’ market. Chapala has its on Mondays. San Juan Cosala, which is another little area, has its market on Tuesdays.
Here in Chapala and Ajijic, we have a lot of individual places, which I don't think they have so much in the US any more like a butcher by himself or a guy who sells seafood by himself. You can go to these roadside stands where they'll have fruits or vegetables sometimes, as opposed to in the US, you will just go to the supermarket.
The little tiendas are the least expensive. You never know what they're going to have. Sometimes they've got a box of fresh mangoes. The first mangoes I saw this year were in my little tienda. It was totally unexpected because it was the end of January. Wow! This is a month early for mangoes.
What's the crime rate against Americans and other expats in Nicaragua?
Carolyn Membreño - León Travel Bureau
Overall, (and probably many people get shocked about this) Nicaragua has one of the lowest crime rates in all of Latin America. Specifically, in Leon, where I live, it is very safe. There have only been three murders in the entire year 2015 and there were none in 2013 and 2014. Leon has a population of around 200,000.
Nicaragua, in general, is a very safe country to live in. However, there are a lot of opportunistic or petty crimes here. For example, there...
Overall, (and probably many people get shocked about this) Nicaragua has one of the lowest crime rates in all of Latin America. Specifically, in Leon, where I live, it is very safe. There have only been three murders in the entire year 2015 and there were none in 2013 and 2014. Leon has a population of around 200,000.
Nicaragua, in general, is a very safe country to live in. However, there are a lot of opportunistic or petty crimes here. For example, there are petty thefts of bicycles or personal items that are left out in the open. A lot of the crimes that happen here are familial crime – for example, a husband and wife, who are in a violent situation. But overall, the crimes here in Nicaragua are petty crime so if you are out and you are not careful, you might get pick-pocketed. That does happen frequently, especially during the holidays so you have to exercise caution.
Managua has some of the higher crime rates in the country because it is the capital and there are many more people there. Places like Leon, Granada, or Estelí have very low crime rates. As an example, we have moneychangers here in Nicaragua, where people go to exchange their dollars into córdobas because the money changers offer a better exchange rate than if you go to the banks. You will find these moneychangers on some corners and in parks, processing thousands of dollars all day and nobody bothers them. In the US, if there is a money changer exchanging money at the corner, you wouldn’t last five minutes and you’ll get robbed. Here in Nicaragua, money changers are so common and nobody bothers them at all. It is just a way of life. People here, for the most part, are very honest.
Overall, Nicaragua is not a violent country compared to the US. Where I am from in Elizabeth, New Jersey, if you leave your garbage can outside, it will be gone in 10 minutes if it is not chained to something. Elizabeth is near Newark, New Jersey, which is a major city. Here in Nicaragua, many people still leave their front doors wide open. You cannot do that in Elizabeth because if you do, you will be mugged within 15 minutes of somebody seeing your door open. If you are going out at night, you just have to exercise caution as you would anywhere. Nicaragua is a pretty safe country.
What are Rights of Possession in Panama and why is this so important for me to know?
Anne-Michelle Wand - United Country Bocas del Toro
Panama ROP 101 (Rights of Possession)
When people come to Panama with the intention of purchasing a property on a tropical island paradise like Bocas del Toro, they are often confused by the way properties can be acquired. Most of us are used to the concept of having a property title and perhaps even access to a title company that researches a property and makes assurances there is a clear trail of ownership with no encumbrances on the land. Panama does have a property...
Panama ROP 101 (Rights of Possession)
When people come to Panama with the intention of purchasing a property on a tropical island paradise like Bocas del Toro, they are often confused by the way properties can be acquired. Most of us are used to the concept of having a property title and perhaps even access to a title company that researches a property and makes assurances there is a clear trail of ownership with no encumbrances on the land. Panama does have a property recording system similar to that of the US and these days, there are even title companies that offer their services to property buyers of titled properties.
What is different is a long standing custom called “Rights of Possession”. It is a very old concept and is not unique to Panama. In a lot of ways it is a good concept for countries where the average income is marginal and many of the inhabitants have little or no chance of ever purchasing any property.
In its truest form, the basic premise is that the government, by default, owns any property that is not registered or recorded in some manner as being owned by a private person or entity. If there are no restrictions or regulations that forbid it, anyone may claim possession of a portion of the unused, unclaimed government land for their own usage. So, for example, if someone clears a piece of unclaimed land and uses it as a homesite, he is perfectly within his rights to do so as long as no-one else can show that they have been using the land for some purpose prior to that claim. If in the future the man wants to expand the boundaries of his property, perhaps for a growing family or increasing farm production, he can do so if no-one else claims rights to the property he desires. He never owns the land but as long as he can demonstrate that he is actively using the property for some real purpose, he is entitled to the use of it. He cannot sell the land because he does not own it but he can pass his “Right of Possession” on to his family or anyone else under whatever arrangement is mutually agreed upon.
The problems that typically arise with “ROP” properties stem from the inconsistency of past recording methods used and the lack of clearly defined boundaries. Sometimes it may be that the land has a history of several past users who have occupied or used the property. The claim may go back through several family generations and although the land has been neglected for some time, a distant cousin may suddenly claim rights if he foresees some immediate personal benefit. Ownership of the rights to the property is not always documented in a standardized manner. It may have been registered with a regional Office of Agrarian Reform, or the local mayor’s office, or even with a local notary or other “official.” True ownership of the property rights can be challenging to demonstrate if ROP property was not registered with Catastro, the public registry in Panama.
If ownership is contested, tradition has it that ownership rights must be proven by the possessor. So buyers who have not spent the time on proper procedure and research can find themselves in a difficult position. It is extremely important then to make assurances that the person selling the ROP is the actual and sole holder of the ROP.
Another point of confusion with people who are unfamiliar with ROP property is that the possessor must maintain a presence on the property in order not to lose his rights of possession. If the holder of the ROP does not sustain some evidence of his continued use of the property, he will lose claim to it. As an example, if you purchase an ROP property, use it for three years and then leave for ten years without maintaining the property in some manner, it may well be that when you return, the property rights will have been taken over by someone else.
However, all of these potential problems can be avoided by following a few simple procedures from the beginning. ROP ownership of property is a land-backed asset and has a viable market value. ROP properties can be used for anything ranging from agriculture to a vacation home to a beach resort. The value is determined by the usage and the current real estate markets. Sometimes the only property that fits your criteria is ROP and if done properly, the benefits certainly outweigh the risks.
The primary way to reduce the risk is to hire an attorney that fully understands the intricacies of ROP and is experienced with ROP transactions. Even though, in some cases, legal documents are scattered, a competent attorney familiar with local procedures will be able to find documentation of ownership if it exists. Obtain documents from the Magistrate office, Reforma Agragia, and ANAM certifying that the seller is the sole holder of the ROP. Find as much information as possible to prove occupancy and the right of possession of the seller in advance of the sale. Make a contract that allows for adequate due diligence time before any money changes hands.
Almost without exception, the challengers of rights of possession come from either a family member of the seller or from a neighbor of the seller. Make an effort to get official statements from all family members declaring that the seller has the sole right to sell the property. Have the property surveyed and then have all the adjoining neighbors (if any) sign the same declaration with the additional acknowledgement of agreeing to the surveyed boundary lines.
It all sounds like a lot of work. It can be, but your attorney does it all. ROP is not to be feared if you proceed through proper channels. There are great opportunities to be had in Panama with ROP Properties. With a secure judicial history and the Panamanian legal recording structure becoming more centralized, confidence in ROP transactions is growing and it is now becoming easier and more streamlined to gain clear title to land if you desire.
In future articles regarding real estate in the beautiful tropical islands of Bocas del Toro, Panama, I will talk about some of the proper procedures to title ROP properties in a timely manner.
Does Belize quarantine pets, such as dogs or cats?
David Berger - Tradewinds Hospitality at Orchid Bay
I don’t think Belize quarantines pets. They didn’t quarantine my dog when we came here. When you leave the US you have to prepare and buy an international health certificate within 14 days of arrival. That basically catches up your pet on all their shots and makes sure that they don’t have any problems like rabies and things like that which can be contagious. They just trust the doctor’s statement and that is good enough.
The BAHA...
I don’t think Belize quarantines pets. They didn’t quarantine my dog when we came here. When you leave the US you have to prepare and buy an international health certificate within 14 days of arrival. That basically catches up your pet on all their shots and makes sure that they don’t have any problems like rabies and things like that which can be contagious. They just trust the doctor’s statement and that is good enough.
The BAHA (Belize Agricultural Health Authority) inspections every pet. BAHA has an online application that you can do prior to your arrival, which I find weird but they do that. They look at your pets and touch them and make sure that they do not have anything on them. It costs around $50 Belize (US $25) to import a pet. You will have an importation document, too.
Some people buy a passport for their pet if they go back and forth like most people from Canada do. They stay in their house here in Belize for a couple of months, and they bring their dogs. The pet passport costs about $100 Belize (US $50) and that allows you to travel with your dog much easier.
Personally, I just imported my dog because I don’t take him back to the US. I drove across the border, showed them my pet’s certificate, and that is it.
Carol Bartlett Ribeiro - Carol Bartlett Ribeiro, Property Consultant
Yes, it safe to drink the water in Portugal in most areas. Sometimes, if you’re out in country houses, a lot of people will have their own wells and then they say not to drink the water or they’re just fine because people will have their well water filtered.
A lot of people buy bottled water, but, I, for example, drink from the tap. It depends on how you respond, but on average, it’s fine.
(Ancient Roman...
Yes, it safe to drink the water in Portugal in most areas. Sometimes, if you’re out in country houses, a lot of people will have their own wells and then they say not to drink the water or they’re just fine because people will have their well water filtered.
A lot of people buy bottled water, but, I, for example, drink from the tap. It depends on how you respond, but on average, it’s fine.
(Ancient Roman aqueduct near Tomar, Portugal, pictured.)
Do I need to renounce or relinquish my US citizenship or get a dual citizenship to move or live abroad?
Karyn Saunders
No, you do not need to renounce or relinquish your US citizenship and No, you don't need tdo get a dual citizenship to move or live abroad. I am still a Canadian Citizen and Resident who now holds a Panamanian Residency Visa. As a US citizen you can do the same. Dual passports is another story for a US citizen but you do not need a passport in Panama to live here permanently. As a Canadian you can have multiple passports and many do.
No, you do not need to renounce or relinquish your US citizenship and No, you don't need tdo get a dual citizenship to move or live abroad. I am still a Canadian Citizen and Resident who now holds a Panamanian Residency Visa. As a US citizen you can do the same. Dual passports is another story for a US citizen but you do not need a passport in Panama to live here permanently. As a Canadian you can have multiple passports and many do.
As you progress south on Highway 1 in Baja, you know you’re starting to enter La Paz because, just like in any other part of the world I’ve visited, as you enter a more densely populated area, the road adds lanes on your side, in this case, from one, to two, and then, eventually to three.
The first major thing you see when you arrive driving south on Highway 1 into La Paz is… Wal-Mart. So we had driven 842 miles into Baja from Mexicali to La Paz,...
Red wine drinkers delight in proclaiming the benefits of red wine over white wine. Although some new studies indicate there can be some benefits to drinking white wine, red wine wins out above the sweeter white flavors. Some of the important features red wine offers above the lovely whites are:
Red wine has a score of 7 as cited by Prevention; white wine has a score of 1
This is our second Christmas in Boquete. Our first Christmas was just three weeks after we arrived in Panama. We are now enjoying our second Christmas with some of the many new friends we
have made this year in Boquete.
Arne and I spent the first Christmas with our landlord and his friends.
We have been to a couple of small holiday events.
Parties are all over the place, festive decorations are
Food in the markets in Chapala and Ajijic typically are of very high quality, very fresh, picked today and sold on the market some time tomorrow, available pretty much all year long. There might be a few things like mangoes and tomatoes that tend to be seasonal and a couple of other things but for the most part, you can get just about everything all year long. 
Overall, (and probably many people get shocked about this) Nicaragua has one of the lowest crime rates in all of Latin America. Specifically, in Leon, where I live, it is very safe. There have only been three murders in the entire year 2015 and there were none in 2013 and 2014. Leon has a population of around 200,000. 
When people come to Panama with the intention of purchasing a property on a tropical island paradise like Bocas del Toro, they are often confused by the way properties can be acquired. Most of us are used to the concept of having a property title and perhaps even access to a title company that researches a property and makes assurances there is a clear trail of ownership with no encumbrances on the land. Panama does have a property...
I don’t think Belize quarantines pets. They didn’t quarantine my dog when we came here. When you leave the US you have to prepare and buy an international health certificate within 14 days of arrival. That basically catches up your pet on all their shots and makes sure that they don’t have any problems like rabies and things like that which can be contagious. They just trust the doctor’s statement and that is good enough. 
Yes, it safe to drink the water in Portugal in most areas. Sometimes, if you’re out in country houses, a lot of people will have their own wells and then they say not to drink the water or they’re just fine because people will have their well water filtered. 
As you progress south on Highway 1 in Baja, you know you’re starting to enter La Paz because, just like in any other part of the world I’ve visited, as you enter a more densely populated area, the road adds lanes on your side, in this case, from one, to two, and then, eventually to three. 
