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I'm waiting for someone to suggest Belize. I don't know much about it except it's the only country in Central America that has English as the "official" language (although Spanish is obviously spoken by more people than English is). It's proximity to Mexico would make it a contender but I don't know about it's safety. I know a lot of Canadians are buying vacation property there so it can't be that bad. Does anyone know much about it?
I'm waiting for someone to suggest Belize. I don't know much about it except it's the only country in Central America that has English as the "official" language (although Spanish is obviously spoken by more people than English is). It's proximity to Mexico would make it a contender but I don't know about it's safety. I know a lot of Canadians are buying vacation property there so it can't be that bad. Does anyone know much about it?
I've heard pretty much all negative about Belize. The largest capital city is supposedly an absolute pit where drive-by (which means on bicycle) shootings are reported, etc. Just heard nothing of interest by anyone who has been there.
I've felt interested in the country from time to time because of the English-speaking as well, so have spent a lot of time reading 'traveler's reports' who give impressions after visiting. I don't think I've read a single one who liked the cities or the country.
Diving, however, people who are into diving and resorts, they generally love the country. They are removed from the reality of Belize. Those are the ones who seem to absolutely love Belize.
All that being said, that's just the impressions I get from extensive reading with previous strong interest in the place, in the past.
In Cartagena and Bogota there are so many police around that it is unlikely that anyone is going to try to rob or kidnap you. Also I say this as someone who has actually been inside the country.
Except that police aren't always honest in countries like Colombia. Many take bribes all the time from tourists, while checking if their papers are 'in order'
I don't have experience with Colombia in this regard, but it was certainly the case next door with Venezuela.
Except that police aren't always honest in countries like Colombia. Many take bribes all the time from tourists, while checking if their papers are 'in order'
I don't have experience with Colombia in this regard, but it was certainly the case next door with Venezuela.
In my experience they did not seem anymore dishonest than the ones in the US.
In Bogota I asked one police officer for directions there and the guy personaly walked with me to my destination was and refused to take any money on top of that even when I offered to give the guy a few bucks.
I've heard thru the grapevine that there is an important expat community in David and in Boquete, Panama. Someone here knows about these places? what are the positives/negatives?
I've heard thru the grapevine that there is an important expat community in David and in Boquete, Panama. Someone here knows about these places? what are the positives/negatives?
One of the regulars here lives in Boquete, but I can't recall his handle. The climate in Boquete is beautiful, and yes, a lot of expats are investing there. I love David, it is down in the tropical lowlands, just a half hour or so from the little town of Boquete, and David is a very nice, biggish, busy city but with an older tropical feel to it. They are both nicer than comparable places in Cosa Rica.
Things have changed. Medellin is now considered a very safe city. Bogota and Barranquilla are still pretty dicy, but no worse than similar cities elsewhere, and there are a few localities where wandering in the countryside is not recommended, but everyone knows where those are and will warn you about them.
Medellin had 2,899 murders(2009) in a city of ~2,600,000.
Bogota had 1,401 murders in a city of ~9,500,000.
Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile. Pretty euro style women, spanish speakers, decently developed cities. No african people there. (avoid if u arent white, racism is rampant there).
One of the regulars here lives in Boquete, but I can't recall his handle. The climate in Boquete is beautiful, and yes, a lot of expats are investing there. I love David, it is down in the tropical lowlands, just a half hour or so from the little town of Boquete, and David is a very nice, biggish, busy city but with an older tropical feel to it. They are both nicer than comparable places in Cosa Rica.
Back from Costa Rica last week , and I enjoyed it tremendously (but as a tourist, it's different)...and now you tell me that these places in Panama are yet better! I can't wait (next winter) to visit!
Thanks for the tip anyway!
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Great!
I can't wait (next winter) to visit!
