US Americans will need a ‘visa’ for Europe next year, El Salvador the next hot expat location, Airbnbs are not great and Global Peace Index map and more Expat News

Welcome back to Expat News by Expat Rebel. Here’s a weekly digest to keep you updated on the Expat World. If you were forwarded this message, you can get the free weekly email here.

In this issue:

• Embracing the Tropics: Gardening Tips and Tricks in Yucatán, México video
• US Americans will need a ‘visa’ for Europe next year, El Salvador the next hot expat location, Airbnbs are not great and Global Peace Index map and more Expat News.

Embracing the Tropics: Gardening Tips and Tricks in Yucatán, México

We bought a bunch. of plants and dirt this week for our beach home and in this video I show you some tips on gardening in the tropics.

 Watch Embracing the Tropics: Gardening Tips and Tricks in Yucatán, México video

Our cats help us while we garden. Here they are pointing out the new growth and new plants.

Expat News

• American Travelers Will Need a ‘Visa’ for the EU in 2024—Here’s What to Know | Condé Nast Traveler – Most applicants will be granted travel authorization within an hour, but if further checks are required, the process could take up to 96 hours. The application costs €7 ( about $8) and is required for all travelers regardless of their age. Once approved, this authorization is valid for multiple entries over the course of three years, or until the traveler’s passport expires.
• Costa Rica’s Homicide Rate Soars to Record High : – so many future expats worry about crime and plan out where they will retire to 20 years in advance meanwhile life happens and things change. Even super nice Costa Rica is currently having a problem. “The government must allocate more resources to law enforcement and crime prevention programs. It must also work with the community to build trust and cooperation.”
• LGBTQ travel is surging after a slow pandemic recovery – the LGBTQ+ community was slower to come back to travel than the general population because Covid became such a political issue in the United States.”We are very liberal, and I think that changed our perceptions about safety and how we should be responding,” he said of the community (76% of survey takers reported being either very or somewhat liberal).
• El Salvador clears way for mass trials as crackdown on gangs ramps up | El Salvador – I saw an expat expert say that El Salvador is the next big expat location because the crime has gone down a lot. It’s true it has because 2% of the population was put in jail when a new president came into office. What happens after the trails? I think saying El Salvador is the next new expat place is a bit premature.
• I don’t stay in Airbnbs anymore. It’s morally sketchy — and hotels are cheaper and better in every way. – good article about many people have reverted to using hotels over airbnbs, including myself. “I stayed in a hotel recently with my family, and it was amazing. Not only was it $160 cheaper than an Airbnb, but there were so many amenities. It wasn’t anything fancy, but I forgot how luxurious even mid-range hotels can be. There was coffee and breakfast in the lobby every morning, and staff freshened up our room each day while we were out.”
• Mérida will be the first city in Mexico and Latin America with a fleet of electric buses as public transport – my nearby city is pretty hip
• Mexican peso on its seventh-straight month of gains – Mexico’s peso posted its seventh-straight month of gains, the longest such streak in 15 years, with the currency’s carry trade appeal unshaken by warnings the rally has left it overpriced.
• Safest countries in the world 2023 – ranked
• Global Peace Index Map » The Most & Least Peaceful Countries – Costa Rica is the most peaceful country in Latin America and the Caribbean with Uruguay the highest-ranked South American country. Europe remains the most peaceful region in the world and is home to seven of the 10 safest countries in the world.
• Is It Safe To Travel Alone As A Woman In 2023?