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:
- 2023 Global Retirement Index Is Out
- US FAA Shutting Down?
- Delta Apologizes For Recent Changes
- Bright Ideas In Travel 2023
- Google’s AI adds new capabilities in travel planning
- And more Expat News
Welcome back to a double issue as I was away for a week.
Low Cost Rentals
Someone asked me about renting a place for under US$1000 a month.
This studio is about US$676 a month and they don’t say how far the beach is but I know this area and it’s at most a few minutes away on foot.
These type of deals are around throughout Latin America but it’s best to see them in person first. Get a hotel or Airbnb beforehand.
Visitor Tourist Visa Research Example
I wrote an article about researching what you’re requirements to visit a country as a tourist. Recent question I got.
It varies a lot depending on your passport country. USA, Canada and Europe are treated really nice and typically get them while flying in on the plane. Other countries have to apply in advance or just not allowed at all.
Check out the article on figuring all that out.
Travel News
- House bill would give FAA a short-term funding extension – wow, the US FAA
- If a Government Shutdown Happens, How Will It Impact My Travel Plans? – Aviation workers like air traffic controllers and TSA officers are federal employees, so they’ll continue working at full capacity through the shutdown.
- How to Beat Jet Lag, According to Flight Attendants – nice tips from the experts in jet lag. I liked the idea of taking a nap after arrival, or overnight rest in some cases to instantly reset my internal clock.
- To Renew a Passport During the Current Backlog, You Should Apply Earlier Than You Think – if you don’t have a passport apply today
- Bright Ideas in Travel 2023 – the 2023 Bright Ideas In Travel winners have been announced. This list honors the ideas that are approaching travel’s most pressing issues with thoughtfulness and zeal—ideas that straddle the realms of tech, design, sustainability, community, inclusion, accessibility, and conservation. From airports making strides towards universal design and destinations sharing stewardship of lands with their Indigenous peoples to hotel programs that keep local craft tradition alive and next-gen booking platforms that are marrying efficiency with personalization, these 53 innovators are changing the way we travel, one bright idea at a time.
- The Best Luggage of 2023: Traveler’s Essential Guide to Suitcases & Bags – an extensive list of the best luggage
- The Best Hard Shell Luggage, Tested and Reviewed – and just for hard shell luggage
- Delta Is Reducing Sky Club Lounge Access to Credit Card Holders – As of Jan. 1, 2024, those who hold a basic economy class ticket on a Delta flight will not be allowed access to any of the airline’s airport lounges–even if they carry the Platinum Card by American Express or any other co-branded premium credit cards. Those passengers flying in Main Cabin economy with an eligible credit card still retain access.
- Some travel agents find Delta’s loyalty program change unrewarding – Last week I wrote about Delta’s loyalty program changes and travel agents are not liking it. “The negative impact is this is a possible reason why we might lose some clients directly to Delta Vacations if they go through the fine print and learn that they can get more qualifying dollars by booking the whole package directly with Delta Vacations,” said John Hawks, executive director of the Destination Wedding and Honeymoon Specialists Association.”
- Delta regrets recent changes to loyalty program – Delta Air Lines is rethinking changes recently announced to its loyalty program, with the airline’s CEO saying it went too far trying to address a surge in the ranks of elite frequent flyers.
- West Maui travel restrictions lifting Oct. 8 – Maui is open for visitors
- Google’s AI adds new capabilities in travel planning – Bard can find and share information from Gmail, Docs, Drive, Maps and YouTube, as well. Now Bard can suggest things like real-time flight and hotel information to users. Inspirational YouTube videos are just a query away, too.
- Carnival Cruise Line introducing vegan menu fleetwide – good news if you still like to eat healthy while cruising
Expat News
- 2023 Global Retirement Index – The 74 glossy 2023 Natixis Global Retirement Index ranking of the top countries to retire in is very detailed.
- Starlink Cleared for Costa Rica Launch, Bridging Digital Divide : – The subscription is pegged at a competitive $49 monthly, with a one-time equipment fee of $499. Subscribers can eagerly anticipate average speeds of 130 Mbps.
México
- These Canadians moved to Mexico because of the cost of living | Canada – nice stories of people who found it better in México
- FAA restores top safety rating for Mexico’s civil aviation: Travel Weekly
- Most Americans support sending U.S. military personnel to fight drug cartels in Mexico – interesting idea
- Parras: The ideal destination for ‘LGBT tourism’ in Mexico – The Nancy Cárdenas Movement in Parras de la Fuente has embarked on a crusade to transform the Magical Town into a preferred destination for “LGBT tourism,” not only nationally but also internationally. They are collaborating with hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, and other service providers who will offer discounts and special promotions for this market.
- U.S. and Mexico clash over Genetically Modified Corn – I thought this was finished but the corn fight still continues
- The largest species of turtle on Earth now nests near Playa del Carmen
- The arrival of sargassum continues to decline on the coasts of Quintana Roo – The Yucatan Times – predictions of low sargassum arrival for this season, as it transitioned from alert level 4, “moderate,” to level 2, “very low,” in less than a month.
- They describe Tulum as “the king of real estate scams” in Quintana Roo – – I don’t to sound like a broken record (remember those) but Tulum México isn’t the easiest place to live or invest in.
- Preventive actions by the SSY against dengue fever continue in Merida and municipalities across the state & the official reports in Spanish from the Mexican Government Panorama Epidemiológico de Dengue 2023 | Secretaría de Salud | Gobierno | gob.mx
- Decoding the myths and truths of the Real Estate boom in Yucatán – Researchers from Allegheny College in Pennsylvania, USA, explain that the increase in violence in other parts of Mexico has made Yucatán an attractive destination for those seeking security for their families. Between 2000 and 2020, Merida’s population increased by more than a third due to the arrival of people from other parts of Mexico.
- The era of ‘affordable’ homes in Yucatán has come to an end (CMIC) – Yucatán is not the deal it used to be.
- Leones de Yucatán makes history with its first women’s team – The Yucatan Times – historic first edition of the Mexican Women’s Softball League (LMS), it was revealed that there will be a total of six teams, including the Leones de Yucatán, who are aiming to make history as they have in baseball.
- The Amazonas: A distinctively rural softball team that plays to win – The Amazonas of Yaxunah start off every softball game with Maya battle cry, ending with a roaring mujeres fuertes! They are most famous for the fact that they play barefoot and wear the traditional Mestizo huipil.
- Chichén Viejo archaeological area is now open to the public – The Yucatan Times
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