Comments on: Panama vs. Costa Rica

By: Pasqual263

Pasqual263 — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 03:33:46 +0000

hello your comment is well apreciated and to the point congratulation

By: eric

eric — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 21:10:34 +0000

simon you should go to granada nicaragua—-the rich americans go there to go hunting and fishing”””i have lived there off and on for 2 yrs the richest guy in town is one of the largest land owner of costa rica…..

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:24:20 +0000

you briefly mention Nicaragua. There seem to be a few nice developments there. I really like the idea of great beaches with great surfing. What are your thoughts on investing there. Thanks

By: jeronimo

jeronimo — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 22:34:35 +0000

Simon:
Though I don’t dispute your disdain for the CR colon as a currency, your
point of view is off kilter, unless you’re writing for a Costa Rican native.
Gringos and other retired people from countries with a stable currency
benefit from the weakness of the colon. Since I started visiting CR the
annual inflation rate there has averaged 11%, while the USD has gained
12% annually. Meaning that foreigners who receive dollars from abroad
are not dinged by the rising prices nearly as much as the natives.

By: Reney

Reney — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 22:13:39 +0000

Greetings Simon,
As usual, lots of useful information in your recent letters. Thanks for your time and sustained efforts. In your missive of 1/27/2010, you reaffirmed Panama, Costa Rica and Nicaragua as three Cental American countries worth considering for flag-planting or expatriation purposes.

Of course I know it’s in South America, but what’s your take on Ecuador. It’s gone up considerably in ranking for “the best places to retire in the world”; they use USD as their currency; other than their 12% sales tax, other taxes seem insignificant or non-existant; certain areas have spring-like weather year round; medical care seems very good; government intrusion in one’s affairs does not seem a problem; food sources and quality appear to be on par with its neighbours; culture seems to thrive there better than in surrounding countries; and from the preliminary researches I’ve done, real estate is more like Panama 10-15 years ago than what’s prevalent there now. What’s your take on it? Many hidden and uncovered problems? Please give us what you know and have discovered on Ecuador so far. It looks very appealing the more I read about it and now for me, the question is: is it like one of Homer’s sirens in the Illiad & Odyssey? Any information or guidance will be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much. Reney

By: Jay

Jay — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 19:48:05 +0000

I lived in Costa Rica for a year, working on an alt-energy project. Costa Rica’s time has come and gone. Just the difference between 2001 to 2003 saw major changes – crime is up, costs are up, and residency requires $3000/ a month not $600 like it was prior to 2003.

What about Ecuador? Beaches, mountains, cheap land, $25,000 in property gets you residency. But I’m not really looking for a vibrant city life, beyond good medical facilities.

By: peter

peter — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:18:22 +0000

and your thoughts on Nicaragua?

By: Michael

Michael — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:08:41 +0000

So… What about Nicaragua?