International Living Community

Hi Robert,

Citizens of Canada do not need a visa to enter Mexico. You only need two things:

The first is your Canadian Passport, which has to have at least six months validity (from your arrival date in Mexico) left on it to cover your maximum 180 day stay in the country.

The second is a Mexican tourist card. It’s called an FMM (Forma Migratoria Múltiple) and used to be issued on your flight (if flying into Mexico) before landing.

Recently, this has changed and now you must apply online and print the form, which you can get here.

The same applies if you’re entering Mexico via a land border.

The FMM form is mandatory for all travelers entering Mexico from all other countries, including Canada. It will allow you entry into Mexico and a stay of up to 180 days.

The FMM has two sections. Both with identical information: name, nationality, date of birth etc. Fill them both in. One section will be retained at the border crossing or customs, the other section you need to keep. You’ll need this second section to leave Mexico after your stay.

Once you get through customs or across the border, keep the second half of the FMM with your passport, so there is no problem when leaving the country at the end of your stay.

Hi Matt,

No immunizations are required when entering Costa Rica from the US or Canada. However, there are some recommended.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has the following recommendations, classed as “routine vaccines”:

Chickenpox (Varicella) Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Flu (influenza) Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) Polio Shingles

Personally, I don’t get the flu vaccine, and having received the others when I was young don’t need to worry about those.

Other recommended vaccines by the CDC are:

COVID-19 Hepatitis A Hepatitis B Malaria Measles Rabies Typhoid Yellow Fever

I got a couple of Covid-19 shots, but I am not continuing with them; the only other two I have gotten are Hepatitis A and B. I don’t know anyone who has ever taken Malaria medicine before traveling to Costa Rica.

However, if you plan to spend time in very rural parts of the country, you may want to play it safe and get everything. Also, if you plan to travel to other Latin American countries from Costa Rica, be aware that some vaccines such as yellow fever and typhoid may be required.

For everything else you need to know about moving to Costa Rica, check out the dedicated page on our newly redesigned website.

This depends a lot on the part of Costa Rica you wish to spend time in.

Recently, the Costa Rican Accessible Tourism Network has been working on environmental and social responsibility projects related to making the country more accessible. But some places are seeing more impact from this than others.

In San José, the capital, city buses are wheelchair-accessible, and most taxis can put a folding wheelchair in their trunk. The national airline, Sansa, can take passengers using a folding wheelchair; however, they require everyone to be able to board and deplane by themselves.

Roads and sidewalks in other parts of the country could prove challenging, as many are in poor repair.

Some expats laud Tamarindo as a good place for people with mobility issues and seniors because of its easy access to the beach and town, plus the prevalence of sidewalks. Its central location is great for seniors, however, in my opinion, there are not many sidewalks that are wheelchair friendly.

Speaking of beaches, the first beach that was made accessible in Jan 2021 was Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste. This beach has a 52-meter retractable walkway to the sea, a couple of amphibious chairs, and other facilities.

In June 2022, Playa Herradura, just north of Jacó, became the13th accessible beach in Costa Rica. So you can see that there has been a recent push to expand access even though there is still work to be done.

In general, I would suggest staying closer to San José, perhaps somewhere in the Central Valley.

One thing is for sure: it is easier to get around with disabilities in the US and Europe than in Costa Rica. I would contact the hotels and activities in the area I plan to visit to confirm accessibility before booking a trip.

Options to hire personal caregivers in Costa Rica are plentiful. And I have had some friends hire live-in help for their parents. The most important thing to consider is hiring from a reputable source to verify certificates and get recommendations.

You can find the list of minimum salary amounts in Costa Rica here. A personal home caregiver in the Central Valley has a monthly salary of about $700, much lower than U.S. prices.

I hope this has been of some help! You can get much more detail about life in Costa Rica in our Escape to Costa Rica guidebook.

Hi Franklin,

Congratulations on your choice of Porto as a potential overseas destination. I hope you’re having fun on your exploratory trip.

With so much to do in the city, it’s a safe bet. Porto has something for everyone—from touring the local football stadium to handmade azulejo tile workshops; from visiting the soaring Cathedral to finding the perfect brunch spot on Rua de Cedofeita, Portugal’s “second city” is a delight.

Due to its history and ongoing international business presence, Porto has a welcoming attitude toward expats. So you shouldn’t have much trouble finding some expats in the city.

There are several international organizations in the city, for example, InterNations Porto, that hold expat events specifically designed to connect people from all over the world who have relocated to the city.

Another fantastic resource you shouldn’t overlook is Facebook. There are plenty of expat Facebook groups in the city, and many of the people you’ll find there are happy to offer advice, answer questions, and even get together with new or potential members of the Porto expat community.

Many of these groups are private, but simply requesting to join and explaining why (usually through a series of questions in the request process) is enough to get you in. Closed groups merely prevent the expats involved being spammed by businesses, and shouldn’t be interpreted as a desire to keep people out.

You should look into Porto Expats, Porto Internationals, and Porto Internationals: Expats & Locals.

Best of luck with your visit!

Hi Sasha,

Considered the oldest city in Portugal, Braga is located in the north, about 20 miles east of the wind-surfing destination of Esposende.

Like so many cities in Portugal, Braga’s history was influenced by Roman occupation, and the city’s architecture and landscape vividly recall those ancient days. The magnificent Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary, a sacred pilgrimage site, sits perched on a hill and is accessed by a spectacular staircase or the world’s oldest water-powered funicular.

The population of almost 200,000 is primarily Portuguese, but there’s a sprinkling of residents from Brazil, Africa, China, and Eastern European countries. The University of Minho adds diversity to the populace as well, with Erasmus students coming from all over Europe and the Far East.

That youthful influence gives a lift to an otherwise very traditional city, and many of the younger locals speak passable English. This, and the fact that many shopkeepers and restaurant owners cater to tourists, makes Braga an easy spot for expats to adopt as their own.

Braga’s climate is moderate. In summer, temperatures average around 69 F, while in winter that falls to around 47 F. December is the wettest month, with rainfall of about seven inches—similar to nearby Porto’s.

For all its richness, life in Braga is reasonably affordable. A couple can rent a two-bedroom apartment, enjoy the city’s youthful vibe, and live nicely for $2,200 per month or $26,000 a year.

Read more about Braga in the in-depth exploration of Portugal in your monthly International Living, here.