For travel ideas, I highly recommend Mexico! Here are a few tips and facts to help you on your way to this vacation paradise. When you get back home and youre organizing all of your pictures and souvenirs and may think, wouldnt it be great if I could find a beautiful Mexican Flag to remember my vacation by that doesnt cost too much to add to my whole vacation experience? Well, Ive found a great site that sells great looking flags for not a lot of money and their shipping is super fast www.FlagWave.com .

Mexico Travel Mexico is fun and exciting – beautiful sites, exotic fashion and a lively culture can be found here! There are also a lot of different customs to be aware of. Here are some tips to make your trip a fun and hassle free experience. Getting into Mexico To enter Mexico you will need a photo ID like a driver’s license, a tourist card and valid proof of citizenship. A tourist card is your permission from the Mexican government saying that you are allowed to be there. These cards are free and you can get help from your airline to obtain them.

Travel by plane If you are traveling to Mexico by air, you will have two documents to fill out before you can enter Mexico. They are given to you by the airline before you get off the plane.

Getting a Rental Car. There are many rental car companies to choose from in Mexico. To rent a car, you must carry a valid drivers license and be at least 25 years old. Plan to carry a Visa or MasterCard credit card with you and reserve your car before you arrive to ensure that it is ready for you when you get there. You may even get a lower rate if you reserve your car ahead of time. Make sure that you have auto insurance. Your regular insurance from home will probably not be sufficient in Mexico. Before you go, make sure that you call your agent to make sure that you have coverage. It doesn’t matter if you are driving a rental car or your own, insurance is a must in Mexico.

The Climate Mexico is a great place to visit any time of the year. The rainy season is from June to October. November through May has more moderate, drier temperatures. Whenever you go to Mexico, you should be safe from weather worries.

Staying Healthy Be very careful what you eat and drink in Mexico. Drink lots of fluids, but ONLY bottled water. When you eat fruits and vegetables, remember to peel them first. Bring along over-the-counter medications from home such as aspirin and pepto. These are good to have on hand just in case you eat something that doesnt agree with you and you may need them fast! Remember to use good common sense when traveling and youll have a great vacation in Mexico.

About the Author

I developed www.flagwave.com to bring fun and color into your life! My goal is to bring you Quality Flags, Low Prices and Super Fast shipping!

Relocating to Costa Rica means more than beautiful beaches. The real estate is a bargain compared with the USA and Canada and you don’t have to be a resident to buy it. Costa Rica has beautiful beaches, beautiful mountains, awesome panoramas, but Costa Rica is also a very cultured nation with art museums, good entertainment, ballet, and a wide variety of activities that make living there an ongoing delight.

Faced with the spiraling cost of living, oppressive taxes and a slew of government regulations in the U.S., people of all ages includingbaby boomers and entrepreneurs, are searching for an affordable place to reside outside of the United States without sacrificing their current lifestyles. Costa Rica may be the place they are seeking.

Costa Rica seems too good to be true. The country never experienced the ravages and exploitation visited upon other countries in Latin America by the Spanish conquistadors. Instead the country was originally settled by colonists who were forced to supply the labor themselves. Thus, a sort of egilatarian society developed with everyone doing their share of the work, and few becoming very rich or very poor.

As a result, today Costa Rica has the largest percentage of middle class and the most equitable distribution of wealth in Latin America. In sharp contrast with the history of most of the other nations in the region, democracy has been the norm for the last fifty years and not the exception. The country seems to be blessed since it recently escaped the destruction and loss of lives unleashed on Central America by Hurricane Mitch.

Combine this poilitcal stability and year round spring-like weather in the Central Valley (72 degrees average), the friendly people who actually like Americans and it is easy to see why Costa Rica has become tops on the list of expatriate havens. There are more Americans living there per capita than any other country outside the U.S. The country has become very Americanized and occupies a place somewhere between the first and third world, so Americans should feel right at home.

Newspapers and newsletters like Internatonal Living extol the affordability of living in neighboring countries like Nicaragua, Honduras Belize and Mexico. However, they seem to overlook the quality of life and tranquility found in Costa Rica. A few months ago Honduras imposed a curfew in its capital city, Tegucigalpa, because of the proliferation of Los Angeles-type street gangs. Granted the cost of living in Nicaragua is lower but there is virtually no infrastructure. Belize has some nice spots but crime is rampant in Belize City. Recently a caravan of over 50 cars was held up at gun point by bandits in the countryside. Mexico has beautiful beaches and offers low prices outside of the cities but the anti-gringo mentality and sentiment always seem to loom in the background. Safety is another concern since six American tourists were murdered in the last year and kidnappings are out of control.

Let’s look at what makes Costa Rica so attractive for expats. A very low incidence of violent crime (no society is crime free), a low cost socilaized health care system, inexpensive housing, a wealth of every imaginable activity to stay busy and happy, two excellent English newspapers, cable and DirectTV with all of the U.S. channels and a myraid of exciting business opportunities for enterprising foreigners, all help to contribute to the country’s excellent reputation as a place to live. Moreover, most people can live on less than $1,000 monthly excluding rent. Some live for less and some for more depending on their lifestyles.

When you take into account all of these factors and such intangibles as a more peaceful and laid back way of life – no price is too high to pay for living in a unique tropical paradise like Costa Rica. Housing is only a fraction of the cost it is in most prime area of the United States and hired help is a steal. A full-time maid costs around $10 per day. Utilities such telephones, electricity and water are much lower than in North America. Public transportation is excellent and very inexpensive, so you don’t really need a car.

Costa Rica is a healthy country. The average life expectancy of 76.3 years is rumored to be the third in the world. The country has an up-to-date medical system with hospitals, clinics and complete medical services in all major cities and some towns. Costa Rica has been considered by numerous international medical authorities as having one of the best low-cost medical care systems in the world, when considering preventative and curative medicine. Cosmetic surgery is affordable and Costa Rica’s plactic surgeons are among the world’s best.

There are also many tax advantages to living in Costa Rica. Investors pay no capital gains taxes on real estate, business taxes are minimal and high interest bank accounts are tax free. Property taxes are also reasonable when compared to the U.S.

If you choose to go into business, the government offers incentives. You may also form a tax sheltered corporation and write off most of your business expenses. Foreigners are not required to pay taxes on external income. Internet connections average around $25 a month and the service is excellent making it very feasible to do business on a global level.

For those who wish to buy, housing prices start at about $35,000 with financing available. Beach front property may be purchased but is usually expensive.

On top of all the above, Costa Rica is considered a single man’s paradise. Costa Rican women have an unparalleled reputation as being the most beautiful, flirtatious and accessible women in the Latin America including Brazil. The ladies of Costa Rica are more warm-hearted and eternally devoted than their North American counterparts. They consider you a joy. A man doesn’t have to be rich to meet women here – an $1000 Social Security check translates into a millionaires pay in Costa Rica. Middle age men can find the “Fountain of Youth” here since age does not seem to pose an obstacle when meeting women. One man we met who previously resided in Mexico stated, “For every good looking women in Mexico there are twenty to thirty gorgeous women here.”

In sum, this beautiful little country has the warmth and flavor of Mexico, without the anti-Americanism and fear of expropriations, the physical beauty of Guatemala without a large military presence and climate of fear, the sophistication of Brazil without the abject poverty or violent crime and more winter sunshine than Hawaii of Florida with fewer people.

About the Author

Christopher Howard has a Master’s degree in Spanish and has lived in Costa Rica and Latin America for the better part of the last thirty years. He is married to a Costa Rican and has a 10-year ol son. he conducts retirement and relocation trips to Costa Rica in conjunction with The Overseas Retirement Network. For information call 888-535-5289.

Howard just released the first and only guidebook, “Living and Investing in the New Cuba.” It is available by mail from Costa Rica Books at the address above and from amazon.com. The price of this unique 270-page guide is $29.95 + $3.00 postage and handling.

Any astute or experienced ex-pat will tell you that moving to a foreign land, especially with a foreign language, and “manana land” culture can test the mettle of the best of us.

Once the bud of the romance of “living in paradise” wears off, culture shock and reality can be a cold slap in the face for the unwary and ill-prepared. On the other hand, for those who can adapt and manage in a “new rules” environment, plenty of opportunity can be had. We’ve seen both.

My wife and I have been living in Costa Rica since ‘99. The first few weeks were rough on her, making the adjustment, not knowing the Spanish language, except for “Taco Bueno”, learning how to re-organize our lives in a new land and culture was tough. Her first challenge was to buy a tomato in the local mini-super. She walked in with only that one objective. It was a very small place with some strange male characters milling about and one drunk sleeping on the sidewalk in front. She went in and was back out promptly.

Back in the car now, she reached in the bag and pulled out a small bottle of clear liquid. Neither one of us knew what it was. We later learned, after 3 months in our fridge, not knowing what to do with it, that it was the local version of “white lightning” cane liquor.

I asked, “where’s the tomato?”. She responded, “Well I asked for a tomato in what I thought was Spanish and this is what he gave me. With all those strange characters milling around, I wanted him to think I knew exactly what I was doing, so I just took it and left.”

I don’t know who got the better laugh, us or the store clerk?

This is a microcosm of what it can be like buying and investing in property in a foreign land. Without extreme caution and diligence, “It’s hard to know what you are likely to get”.

We have seen it all. Talk with any experienced gringo in Costa Rica and you will hear horror stories abounding. Not just on real estate investing, but on doing business in general. The weak of heart just can’t adjust and they don’t last. They lose money, lose heart and leave.

People come down here expecting to find a level of professionalism, business systems that offer reliability, people who operate like we are used to (actually getting things done and properly) and who will do what they say they are going to do. Uh-Uh. Forget about it. It doesn’t exist. Here you take “nothing” for granted and you have to do everyone elses’ job for them, or it won’t get done and certainly not properly or on time.

We have seen it all; people trying to sell land they don’t own, trying to sell government concession property that’s illegal to sell and doesn’t have a title, trying to sell land with legal liens on it due to previous criminal or civil fraud cases, you name it.

The locals basically have a legal system (Civil Law Napoleonic code) that is set up to steal from the unsuspecting and offers no consequence to the perpetrators, thus the independent attorneys are some of the most formidable and stealthy adversaries to deal with, when they smile and pretend to be your friend !

When the locals see a gringo coming of course, the gringo price is always 3 times the “regular” price. And even dealing with other gringos, there is a saying down here, that due to a lack of regulation and enforcement, that Costa Rica is full of the “Wanted” and the “Unwanted” from up north.

Caveat Emptor!!

Recognizing the gauntlet of obstacles which is placed in front of any real estate investor in advance could very well be a daunting deterrent for most. But it’s such a beautiful place! The climate and bio-diversity and lifestyle are unparalleled in 90% of the rest of the world and it’s so pleasant. What do you do? Walk away? Fortunately, no.

Just be smart and have the right tools and professionals to work with. Here are a few ideas.

Firstly, because of the problems mentioned above, there are significant opportunities. Other people’s problems, for whatever reason, can be your good fortune. And there is plenty of that.

For example, we found one gringo who was fed up. He was liquidating and moving back home to the “real world”. As a result, we bought land from him which he had never even inspected thoroughly. He didn’t know what he had. This was beautiful property with mountaintop views of the ocean, a fast moving river running through it down below, commercial quality wood adding value with both agricultural, touristic and tremendous development potential in an area that was yet undiscovered, pristine, quaint and certain to gain greatly in value in the near term.

This property is currently worth $5 a square meter (10.6 sq. ft.) in the market. We picked it up for $.18 a meter (that’s eighteen cents!) or 4% of current market value without any improvements or appreciation! He bought it cheap, years ago, sat on it and just wanted his money back. We gave it to him! In fact my wife saw it, liked it and raved about it. I had never even seen it, but on her word we went ahead and bought it. After a recent trip there for the first time, I am truly excited.

We have a local “caretaker” there who helps to keep up the road, keep off “squatters” and keep the fencing in good condition. He is a local native and knows the area as his home all his life. He is our “scout” and is able to bring us deals that only other “locals” would see or get. This gives us an “edge” to find bargains in this beautiful area.

The other key element we have found in making successful transactions, to avoid all the pitfalls and eliminate the trickery and treachery of crooks, or well intentioned but ignorant players or “campesinos” in the market is the use of one professional organization known as BOLCOMER which is the “Bolsa de Commercio” or “Commercial Exchange”.

It is a regulated exchange which, historically, has dealt with the government and the private sector in trading commodities and goods of all kinds. It is run according to very strict guidelines approved by the Central Bank of Costa Rica.

Bolcomer now offers real estate transfer and escrow services along with title guarantees in addition to other types of business, whereby their legal professionals can bring a level of transparency, accountability, professionalism and legal thoroughness to successfully and safely complete transactions to everyone’s satisfaction. The strength of Bolcomer has always been to bring security and a level playing field to foreign and domestic buyers or investors, when dealing in the unknown or unfamiliar local markets.

Bolcomer also offers investors a very unique and attractive opportunity for secure passive investment. Here’s how it works: Many land owners in Costa Rica are cash poor. They have spectacular land but no money. Further, with no money or little income, they also have no chance to qualify for bank loans if they ever need money for other opportunities, for development or whatever the need may be.

There is a new system in Bolcomer which allows land owners to put their property into a trust managed by Bolcomer. Investors can make arrangements to provide the trust with certain funds which are secured by the property and then end up with the previous land owner.

The Land Owner and Investor negotiate the terms of the deal through Bolcomer. A typical deal might look like this: 50% Loan to value (200% property guarantee) and 10% to 12% annual interest for one or two years.

The previous land owner now has the right to buy back the property from the trust at the agreed upon terms. If so, the investor has an above market rate of return with up to 200% security on his money. Good for both parties.

Option #2 for the previous owner is to try and sell the property (if that was his original intention) for more than what he owes the investor on it. This allows him to generate cash from the property now, without having to wait for the market to come to him, and gives him time to try and get his price and keep the difference generated later on.

Option #3 for the previous land owner is to just take the money and walk from the deal, leaving the property to the investor. The benefit of using the trust is that there are no foreclosure proceedings, legal headaches or court induced delays as there would be if the investor used a mortgage to secure the investment.

This is one potential way to pick up properties for pennies on the dollar. Bolcomer sees to it that all liens and encumbrances are cleared, title is good and clear and even requires the title guarantee for the benefit of the investor or buyer.

So, in the end, there are some wonderful opportunities in Costa Rica. The real estate market on the Pacific coast is “Red Hot” and we are still seeing good growth and appreciation despite what you may read elsewhere. Cost Rica is an increasingly popular destination for retirees, “escapees”, “PT’s” and others seeking a better life.

It is fraught with potential trouble as we discussed earlier so buyers need to be extremely cautious. Having said that there is a “right way” and the “wrong way” of doing things here.

Seeing the opportunities here, my wife and I have acquired an authorized trading seat on the Bolcomer exchange and are also organizing an investment club for those interested in exploring these opportunities or getting more information.

May you have happy travels and “Good Deals” ahead!

Contact the Author
Email: Rex Freeman

Planning your holiday in Peru

Peru is a country with a rich and varied cultural and architectural heritage. Facing the Pacific, it enjoys spectacular and varied scenery, including Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake, and has a strong Inca and pre-Inca heritage, which includes the famous Lake Titicaca area, the Nazca Lines, and the ancient Inca capital of Cuzco, with its Inca Trail to the lost city of Machu Picchu. It’s a fantastic place for a holiday and in this article, we’ll be looking at some hints and tips to make sure you can get the most out of your holiday in Peru!

Language

The primary language in Peru is Spanish. This is almost identical to the Castilian Spanish of Madrid, albeit with slightly different pronunciation and a few vocabulary changes. In the high Andes, particularly around Cuzco and Puno, many people still speak Aymara or Quechua (the language of the Incas) as a first language, although almost all will also speak Spanish. Some English is often spoken in areas popular with holiday-makers and in staff of services that deal with international customers (eg: airports, banks, etc.) will invariably speak some English.

People in Peru

Peruvians are renowned even in South America for their friendliness and they are always keen to engage you in conversation. Even if they are hoping to sell you something they are still often curious to find out something about you and where you come from. The British are quite popular in Peru, although we still have something of a ‘Victorian’ reputation; we are usually seen as very polite and efficient but somewhat lacking in passion and, of course, quite unable to dance! The Peruvian expression for being on time is ‘A la hora ingles’ (English time) and if you try and explain about the current situation on British railways you are usually met with polite disbelief and an assumption that you are just being kind…

Geography and Transport

Peru is split into 3 separate climatic zones: costa, sierra and selva (the coast, the mountains and the jungle). The character and culture of the three areas is remarkably distinct and can give your Peru holiday real variation although nowadays the country is inter-connected by a good road network, some amazing railway lines and excellent air services.

The coast mainly consists of a small fertile strip along the Pacific which merges slowly into the desert at the foothills of the Andes. In the very north and south of the country it is not unknown for it not to rain for years at a time but complex irrigation systems (some of which date back to Inca times) keep areas like the Pisco valley surprisingly fertile. The Panamerican highway travels the length of the coast, making travel within the coastal region both comfortable and speedy.

The Andes range covers the entire central region of Peru, from north to south. They offer some of the most spectacular views and some of the most interesting cultural experiences in the world. As mentioned above, in many areas you can still hear Quechua – the language of the Incas – spoken as a first language and the spiritual ideals of Inca culture remain strong. Today cities like Cusco combine stunning Inca and colonial architecture with thoroughly modern services but just a short distance away from the major urban areas, life carries on in a way which would be instantly recognisable to the Incas. The Andean areas are where most travellers spend the majority of their time while on holiday in Peru.

The Peruvian jungle is some of the most unspoilt rainforest in South America and much of it is protected under international law. The only access to large sections of the jungle (including the few cities) is by boat or plane and so it feels very different to the rest of the country – you get a real sense of arriving somewhere! The rainforest is home to a bewildering and spectacular array of wildlife, with more unique species being discovered every year!

Food and Drink

Peruvian cuisine is excellent and a real highlight of any Peru holiday, with all the regions having different specialities. Coastal dishes owe a lot to African and Spanish influences, tending to be quite rich and often reasonably spicy. Seafood is, unsurprisingly, excellent and anything with chicken is usually a good bet. The coast is also the birthplace of the national dish: ceviche. This is a selection of fish pieces marinated in lime juice and is absolutely stunning – we urge you to try it even if you’re not usually too keen on fish! Good chicken dishes include aji de gallina – chicken in a spicy, creamy sauce.

Highland dishes tend to be more simple than coastal (and especially Limeño) cuisine, concentrating on the excellence of the ingredients, but is just as delicious! Particular favourites include rocoto relleno (stuffed Andean peppers). These are the size and shape of the peppers we eat in England but have a rather spicy edge to them. They are usually stuffed with small pieces of beef and vegetables, although most places will do them with just vegetables on request. We’d also suggest that you try an alpaca steak at least once during your holiday in Peru: it’s a kind of heavenly mix between pork and beef and has to be tasted to be believed. Of course, for the adventurous then nothing will do but the Arequipa speciality of cuy – roasted guinea pig! It’s surprisingly good so long as you can deal with the guilt…

Rainforest cuisine features a great deal of fresh fruit – both on its own and as part of main dishes. An unusual one to try is chirimoya (which you can also find in fruit juices and milkshakes outside the jungle). It looks a bit like an apple but tastes like strawberries and cream! Chicken dishes are popular in the jungle, as they are elsewhere in Peru but tend to be served with yucca (a kind of manioc) rather than the usual rice or chips.

Of course, if you’re on holiday in Peru then you may well be wanting a couple of beers to unwind! Peru has several excellent national beers, probably the best of which is Cuzqueña. All the beers are lagers but you can often get cerveza malta – a kind of dark, hoppy lager which is similar to an English Brown Ale. Peru is starting to make some good wines, particularly reds but is not as far down the road as Chile or Argentina in this respect. The country does, however, produce one of the great world brandies: Pisco. This is also the source for what must be one of the world’s best cocktails: the Pisco Sour. Made from Pisco brandy, egg-white, cane sugar syrup and limes it is a great aperitif, although you may find yourself drinking more than just one…

Also worth a mention is the fact that Peru is one of the only countries in the world where the local soft drink outsells Coke! The local ‘Inka-Cola’ is bright green and very sweet but is very refreshing and 100% Real Peru! Apart from fizzy drinks, Peruvians love milkshakes (often known as yoghurt) and all kinds of fruit juices and these can often hit the spot when you fancy a break in a shady café.

I hope all this information has given you some tips for your holiday in Peru, so why not find out some more at The Real Peru Holiday Company and enjoy some really buenas vacaciones!

About the Author

Dan Clarke is one of the founders of The Real Peru Holiday Company – the UK’s leading specialist in organising tailormade holidays in Peru. Dan spends a large part of each year in Peru, researching new ideas and making sure the old favourites are still great!