If you enjoy life in the big city, then Panama City is definitely the place to be. But if you enjoy smaller towns and resort areas, you’ll definitely want to check out Granada and San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua.

Other great up-n-coming towns and resort areas are Boquete and Coronado (Panama), Jaco and Liberia (Costa Rica), San Jose del Cabo and La Paz (Mexico.)

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/gc06/idUSN0125596420080801

HGTV, the cable television channel that brings us home shows such as “Designed to Sell” and “Secrets that Sell,” which teach millions of people each week on the best way to sell a home, also bring us great shows such as “House Hunters” and “House Hunters International.”

Visit www.hgtv.com or http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/shows_hhint/ for a complete listing of House Hunters International - show times. If you’re even mildly interested in moving to and buying a home in Costa Rica, Mexico, Belize or Panama, then you won’t want to miss these up-and-coming shows!

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call us at (our U.S. phone number) 305-984-1868 or send us an email at info@movetolatinamerica.com.

Best wishes with your international house hunting!
The MovetoLatinAmerica Team

Note, the following is provided by one of our competitors but hey, they can save you money! and that’s what we’re all about. If any of us can save you money than we’re all for that! So… read carefully, as certain time restrictions do apply (they don’t offer these prices during peak times), and you may just find yourself on the next flight to Panama City, Panama!!

Source: http://www.internationalliving.com/countries/panama/country_archive/11_06_07_flights

Here is the deal Copa Airlines is offering:

Pay for your ticket and your companion will fly free. Here are the roundtrip rates (excluding surcharges and tax):

Miami to Panama City for $448
New York to Panama City for $489
Washington, D.C., to Panama City for $419
Los Angeles to Panama City for $513
Orlando to Panama City for $498

Yes, there are conditions, limitations, and exclusions. The offer is not valid for travel:

Dec. 1-Jan. 19
Feb. 1-10
Feb. 18-23
March 9-15

If you book the web-only fares on the Copa site, you will get cheaper fares than those quoted above. (Roundtrip from New York to Panama City for $256, for example.) But remember the web-only fares are for one ticket…the fares above are for two tickets. So it’s still a pretty good deal and the cheapest way for you and a friend to fly to Panama.

Call 1-800-FLY-COPA (1-800-359-2672) to take advantage of this offer. Tell your customer service agent you want to “fly to Panama two-for-one.” Remember, you and your travel companion must be 55 or older and must travel together. Flights are valid only if originating in the U.S.

• 30-70% off the US cost of Professional Medical and Dental services! Note: There is a Johns Hopkins affiliate hospital (Punta Pacifica Hospital) in Panama City, Panama.
• One-time importation duty exemptions (limits do apply, set at $10,000.00.)
• All foreigners (not just retirees) who purchase a home of more than $200,000 may have the right to a residency visa.
• Property tax exemptions for primary residence up to 20 years!!!
• A full-time maid for less than $250.00 per month.

The following benefits for those 55 and over.

• 50% off hotel accommodations Monday-Thursday.
• 50% Hotel savings, Monday - Thursday with a 30% savings on weekends.
• 50% off entertainment including movies, concerts, sporting events and theater everyday. (Note: the cost of a movie at the Cinema is generally under $3.00 at regular price!!!)
• 30% off bus, boat and train fares.
• 25% monthly energy, phone and water bill savings.
• 25% off both international and domestic airline tickets.
• 25% savings at most restaurants.
• 15% at fast food restaurants.
• 15% off Professional Optometry and Dental services. (in addition to the regular low cost!!)
• 10% off prescription medicines (which are inexpensive to begin with.)

You may also be aware of the phenomenon where expats, like yourself, are receiving kickbacks from each ‘client’ they refer to their favorite attorney, real estate broker, lender, etc. As you know, people are always looking for ways to make an extra dollar or two and it’s our understanding that many expats are getting quite good at this.

This is just one reason why we strongly suggest you educate yourself in all aspects of life and liberty as you make your transition to Central America, Mexico or elsewhere. Know that there is a tremendous learning curve the first year or two and make sure you work with experts that can efficiently guide you through the process. Either way, you’ll most likely be paying for this information, overtly or not, but your best bet is to work with legitimate professionals who have nothing to hide.

I remember it clearly, as if it was yesterday… I bought my first home eleven years ago, with a rookie real estate agent. (mistake #1 - trusting the real estate professional) I recall discussing the high prices at that time and how the market had been going strong the past few years. I’ll never forget how excited and overwhelmed I was and how one of the other real estate professionals in her office told me what a great investment I was making. I don’t recall any of the “professionals” explaining to me the challenges that may come with owning a home or how it could take 4-6 years to earn any kind of profit… none-the-less be able to sell the home without actually losing money. We soon had the home inspected and I wasn’t there to actually witness the inspection. (mistake #2 - trusting the inspector)

After moving in I found out there were carpenter ants eating away at the home and large deck and many of the windows had broken seals, so they would fog up when there was humidity in the air, making them virtually impossible to see through. This one you’ll get a kick out of… I also trusted the seller. (mistake #3)

It wasn’t long when I found myself spending my entire savings on getting rid of the large wood eating carpenter ants and calling a local window company to replace the windows. Just my luck… I had called the same company the sellers of the home had ordered new windows from; however, the sellers had cancelled the order (after the windows had arrived) because the home passed the “inspection.” Keep in mind, I was a first time… fresh out of college home-buyer and the windows needed had been a special order. The owner of the window business was so elated that was finally going to be able to sell these ’special order’ windows that he was kind enough to give me a 20% discount. I’m still grateful for his generosity as it seems he was the only one who was actually helpful!

OK, maybe I’m being a little hard on the “professionals” and the sellers… but would you know, it happened again when I bought my second house only this time I was slightly more prepared.

After buying the first home and having completed four years of college (in business administration) I soon found that I was unprepared for the real estate world, so I took the necessary classes, offered by a local real estate professional, which prepared me for the State and National exams. Passing these exams was only the beginning of my real estate and banking career, but I was then off to a good start. I eventually went into the field of mortgage lending (because I enjoyed finance) by working with a small, local mortgage company. This is where I learned that being honest, doing the right thing and truly wanting to help others, doesn’t always pay as well as… well, let’s just say… being able to talk fast, make people laugh and hmmm… take’m to the cleaners!!! These guys always amazed me with their ability to create what I call ‘hot air’ and take people to the cleaners… but they’re all over the place and you really have to watch out for them. They’re out there just waiting and looking for clients who don’t really know what they’re doing and willing to listen to a smooth talking ‘gentleman or gentlewoman’ who may or may not know their field that well and don’t really care about doing what’s right. Folks, I can’t stress this part enough… it’s very important that you find someone highly competent, dedicated to his/her clients, always ready to do the right thing, and truly there to work for you!

Back to house #2. By this time I had let my real estate license lapse (because it wasn’t required while working in the home mortgage industry) so I found a friend of a friend, well-educated and he owned several homes himself (of which he kept as rentals – so he must be a smart guy!) I couldn’t believe my eyes when I had to help him write the offer letter and complete the purchase contract! Good thing I had paid attention to all those bank underwriters dos and don’ts! They should have offered a college course on the best way to purchase a home (unfortunately they didn’t offer this class) but I was well versed and had paid close attention during my years in the mortgage business. Needless to say, when the first rain came, the roof leaked. Although I knew the roof was old, I didn’t expect it to leak during the first rain! Again, I learned never to trust a seller to do the right thing. I also learned that never again would I work with anyone less than the best in his/her field, especially when it came to real estate transactions!

I’ll save the house #3 story for another time. Most importantly, what we want you to walk away with is that when buying a home, especially in Latin America, it’s critical you work with professionals that have the right experience, who know how to get things done for you, professionals you can trust AND professionals that are passionate about their career and looking out for your best interests, NOT just another ‘sale.’

When working with anyone within the MovetoLatinAmerica, Corp. ‘Circle of Business,’ you will know that we are not only true professionals, you will know that you are the #1 reason we’re here and ready to serve you! We care about you, your family and the effect that buying a new home in Latin America will have on each of you for many years to come. We care that you find exactly what you’re looking for, at a fair price, and that it’s in good condition when you take ownership.

Don’t ever worry about asking too many questions or continuing that search for the home, whether it be for your family or investment purpostes, that you will have made the right choice and will be able to look back many years later and be happy with your decision! Remember, buying real estate can be very challenging, especially in Latin America and you can count on us, The MovetoLatinAmerica Team. We can be reached by phone (via a US phone #) at 305-984-1868. Best wishes to you, your family and happy house hunting!

As the Colombian and US Governments work together, continually placing increased pressure on the rebels and with an aid package of over $4 billion (US), it appears the last remaining rebels are very hungry, tired and are now finally ready to build peace and unity amongst the Colombian people and the rest of the Latin American Community.

Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to the silent heroes who recently risked their lives to help those who’ve been held captive these past several years (most recently rescued - Keith Stansell, Marc Gonsalves, Thomas Howes & Ingrid Betancourt) and our thoughts and prayers go out to each hostage rescued this week and those held by the rebels now and during the last 40 years of civil war.

For more information, try this Wikipedia site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cane_Toad

Generally, if your pet can fit in the cabin of an airplane then your travel should be rather simple, just be sure to have all necessary shots up-to-date, retain the paperwork to prove this, call your airline to make sure they will allow pets on the plane and check with the local pet bureau or call a professional in the destination of your choice to be sure the rules have not recently changed.

If your pet will not fit in the cabin and needs to travel in the cargo-hold, then there are going to be weather restrictions. Also note, MANY AIRLINES DO NOT TRANSPORT pets in cargo-holds, so be sure to call the airline before purchasing your tickets. For example, American Airlines has historically been pet friendly airline, but has temperature restrictions. If the weather is considered too warm or too cold for a large pet, they will not allow your pet to travel that day.

We recommend you contact a professional, such as our friends at World Pet Travel. You can speak with Angela Passman by calling her toll-free at 877-889-1131 or visit her website at www.world-pet-travel.com. Don’t forget to tell Angela that her friends at MovetoLatinAmerica say hello!