Gringoville

Just wanted to post a quick note since it has been so long since my last entry.

Lately I’ve been mainly focused on trying to finish up Phase 1 of development on my new website.  The new website will provide Central American businesses with an affordable and technologically-advanced platform to market goods and services to the huge number of boomers and other North Americans (and Europeans) thinking about making the move South.

Furthermore, the site will greatly improve the research experience for consumers, by providing lots of geographic and categorical options.

Once Phase 1 is finished, we’ll be doing a quick Phase 2, and then I’ll be heading to Panama to conduct some tests with actual users.  From there, we may or may not do a short Phase 3 of development and then go live, most likely in the Fall of this year.

I’m really excited about this new solution and can’t wait to get it out on the market!  Thanks for visiting and be sure to stay tuned for more updates. 

Conor over at Green Taxi brought a great article to my attention about two entrepreneurs who traded their 9 - 5 corporate lives in for machetes and rubber boots — literally.

Jay Viola and Jim Kimball left their families behind and moved to Panama to build an eco-resort.  Many years later and with many lessons under their belt, their dreams are now a reality. 

Read about their inspiring yet arduous journey here:

Paradise the Hard Way (Inc.com)

Sorry, but I forgot to post yesterday about Cinco De Mayo. 

I did some quick research to find out what Cinco De Mayo is all about.  Cinco De Mayo is not Mexico’s independence day, as many people apparently believe. 

Rather, Cinco De Mayo celebrates the victory of Mexican forces over the French in the Battle of Puebla, on May 5th, 1862.  Furthermore, Cinco De Mayo is predominantly celebrated in the State of Puebla, and is not a major federal holiday.

In any event, hopefully everyone had some time last night to toss back some tacos and margaritas in celebration of our neighbors to the South.

Viva Mexico!

Sadly, as US tourist was attacked and fatally wounded by a shark on Monday, while surfing at a Mexican beach near Acapulco.  The fatal attack was the third this month, following others in Australia and the US (San Diego). 

Mexican authorities are now using baited hooks to try and catch the shark that may have been responsible.  The surfer’s death is quite unfortunate, but it is further saddening that many sharks will now likely die as a result of the incident.

More details on this tragic story can be found below.

Mexico Hunts Sharks After Attacks (AP)

If you’re contemplating retirement and committed to making some serious life changes but don’t know where to start, Barbara Corcoran may be able to help. 

Her book, titled Nextville, aims to teach people how to find their “place”.  According to Barabara, each of us have a different place (or places) in this world where we’re meant to be – places where we find happiness, growth, charity and fulfillment.

The only problem is, finding our place is not easy.  Nextville examines the issue from many different angles and provides readers with a construct to better understand where they’ll ultimately live happily ever after.

Click below to read a summary of Barbara’s book in her own words:

Where will you retire? (MSNBC) 

If you’re interested in buying Barbara’s book, you can find it at Amazon by following the link below:

Purchase Nextville at Amazon.com

NuWire Investor posted an article recently discussing how foreigners can obtain financing for real estate purchases in Guatemala.

If you’re looking to invest in Guatemala, you may want to explore the financing options available.

Guatemala Real Estate: How to Obtain Financing for Foreigners (NuWire Investor)

Costa Rica has long been heralded as the model country for environmental awareness and tourism development.  I came across the article below which discusses some of the issues Costa Rica is currently facing as a result of their recent developmental boom. 

As always, you can’t believe everything you read, but this article paints a pretty sad picture.

Costa Rica sees tourism’s environmental dark side (Sedona.biz)

Below is an article I came across in the St. Petersburg Times, which discusses many of the fun things to do and see if you’re visiting Panama.

Escape the confines of the canal in Panama (St. Petersburg Times)

According to an article printed by Reuters, inflation in Panama rose 1.2% from February to March of this year.  Furthermore, 12-month trailing inflation at the end of March was at a scary 8.8%. 

Major factors contributing to the high-level of inflation include high global prices of food and fuel coupled with a weak dollar (Panama uses the US Dollar as its currency).

The Torrijos administration is currently working to enact tax breaks for middle and lower-class Panamanians in an effort to provide them some relief from rising prices.

More information on this issue can be found in the article below:

Panama consumer prices rise 1.2 percent in March (Reuters)

If you’ve ever thought of retiring in Mexico, you’ll be interested to read one author’s take on the status of the real estate market in the Puerto Vallarta area.

Living in Mexico could be an affordable retirement option (Austin American-Statesman)