American Patients See Mexico as a Better Health Care Alternative

Plastic surgery in Mexico is getting a bit more organized. Due to the demand for lower plastic surgery cost and consumers still demanding savings for medical care, affordable plastic surgery in Mexico is again on the hype.

Two weeks ago, Grupo Angeles, the parent company of Mexico’s largest private hospital group, Hospital Angeles, signed a contract with Health Travel Guides (HTG) to provide the technology infrastructure for managing its medical tourism operations. Another leading medical tourism agency, GoSculptura, now provides excellent but affordable plastic surgery packages in Mexico. GoSculptura now includes Mexico in its network of medical vacation destination and now has more than 500 satisfied patients and a 97% satisfaction rate. Other agencies such as Healthbase also chose the country to be part of its health care network and provide U.S. patients satisfactory plastic surgery in Mexico.

The overwhelming plastic surgery cost and the long wait to get medical treatment are two of the top reasons why American patients travel to other countries to receive medical and dental work. Whether a good new hip and a nice new face, you might have to dig deep into your wallet or wait several months before receiving the medical or dental care that you require. In 2006, more than 50,000 Americans go abroad to acquire affordable plastic surgery and dental work. According to the National Coalition on Health Care, year by year millions of patients from all places go to Mexico, Argentina, India, Dominican Republic, Brazil and Costa Rica. The reason – to evade the trauma of plastic surgery cost, to acquire affordable plastic surgery with less time to wait and experience inclusive vacation package and recuperation activities. These countries are top notch medical destination places where health care, medical facilities and surgeons are comparable and may exceed the quality of health care of the U.S.

As of now plastic surgery in Mexico is at the height of fame, thanks to medical tourism agencies. Mexico offers the same medical care quality as the U.S. but goes out with rock-bottom plastic surgery cost. Although the medical care in Mexico may not be as inexpensive as the ones in some Asian nations, the proximity to the U.S. is a big advantage to patients. Some U.S. companies are now sending employees to Mexico for their annual checkups. Some expert also find Mexico as a definite answer to treat the aging and under-insured Americans at a time when the retirement of baby boomers will further tax the U.S. health care system. An estimated 43 million Americans, about 15 percent of the population, are uninsured, according to a Census Bureau study.

The growth of medical tourism in Mexico and how the country will mature in terms of health care will determine the future of most American patients. According to Peter Maddox, Christus Health senior vice president for business, strategy and corporate development, “Our country will go broke unless we find a health care alternative”. He sees Mexico as a wonderful alternative with incredible potential.

A Guanajuato, Mexico Vacation Still Makes Sense Even in Scary Economic Times

Though the Worldwide Economic Crisis seems to have the world in a tizzy of worry and despair, Gringos are still coming to Mexico. I remember last year at this time unprecedented numbers of Gringos were walking the streets of my adopted Mexican home of Guanajuato. The city of Guanajuato, that bears the same name as the state, Guanajuato, had swarms of Gringos that extended from late Spring into early Fall even while gloom and doom spread all over the planet.
Statistics for 2008 will be forthcoming in the Spring. But, if subjective observation is to count for anything, it appeared to all the Mexicans and American Expats with whom we spoke that 2008 seemed the year for the most visible tourists in years.
In previous years (2006-2007), the average age of tourists to Guanajuato was under 36 years old. These tourists came to Guanajuato in 2006 in groups of three family members and, in 2007, in pairs. In 2006, 35% of the tourism was Mexican regional tourists, 54% was Mexican national tourists, with a low 11% being foreign.
In 2007, there was only a one or two point increase in national and regional tourists and the foreign tourist percentage stayed the same. About 50% of the international tourism comes from the United States.
I’ve made this point often in my articles that the city of Guanajuato is not a resort town. It is not like the West and East coast Mexican cities. Nor is it like San Miguel de Allende. These towns have become dependent upon the tourist money and regard the foreigner as a source of income.
How you will be treated in one of these resort towns that has been traditionally dependent upon the foreign tourist’s dollars or euros will be radically different from how you will be treated in a town whose tourist income is predominately from Mexican regional and national tourists. To put it in the words of one American woman who actually moved to San Miguel de Allende, “This is like living on a cruise ship. There is something planned to do every moment.”
The city of Guanajuato, or the rest of the state for that matter, is not like that at all. In Guanajuato, you will see how real Mexicans live and work in their ordinary everyday lives in a city that has history and culture oozing out of every cobblestone. If you expect to be entertained like in the resort towns, look elsewhere.
However, having said that, Guanajuato is a traveler’s dreamland to visit. That, I suppose, largely depends on your motive.
Of those surveyed, 7% to 10% came to Guanajuato in 2007 to visit family; 4% to 7% came for business; 6% to 8% for historical significance; 2% to 6% ventured here for ecotourism; 65% to 78% came just for a little R & R-Rest and Relaxation.
And, let me just say that Rest and Relaxation is what the average Joe and Jane American needs in times like these. If your American life has become something unrecognizable and transformed into something you would rather not even think about, then Guanajuato is the cure for what ails your hectic existence.
Five Steps To Maximize A Guanajuato Vacation
Think creatively: You can’t possibly find a much-needed cure for your stress in Guanajuato if you try to have a whirlwind rush through the city and state.
1. Guanajuato is absorbed and not so much seen. Take time to sit and smell the foods cooking in El Jardin; listen to the music, the children playing, the donkeys braying, or the vendors hawking their wares; feel the textures of the serapes, scarves, and whatever else catches your attention.
2. Don’t fret over your lodging. Be willing to stay anywhere. Staying in the historical center is not what it is cracked up to be. If you are planning a Restful and Relaxing vacation, staying in the noise-filled El Jardin is not necessarily what you will want. Try to book a hotel outside the historical center and nowhere near churches where you will be serenaded with bell ringing virtually around the clock. An apartment vacation rental is often the better choice.
3. Be willing to limit eating out from one to three meals for your entire vacation. If you find lodging in an apartment or hostel with cooking facilities, it would broaden your cultural horizons immensely to shop in the local markets for fresh foods you can cook on your own. It is a lifesaver on your pocketbook. My wife and I employ this tactic almost always when we travel through the country. Eating out can be a budget killer.
4. To minimize the financial impact on your savings, watch the airfares like your life depends on it. If you become a little pre-vacation obsessed, you can catch a deal on the flight to Mexico. My wife is liable to check three to four times a day when we are planning trips to catch the best prices. Or, consider driving to Mexico if you live within a one or two state’s distance from the border. It isn’t as hard as you think it might be. We are getting feedback from articles and forums that more and more Americans (and even some Canadians) choose the driving options. (Check the search engines for current restrictions and documents needed to drive into Mexico.)
5. Mexico is still a relative safe place to vacation. You have to put on your best “Big City Safety” thinking caps and play it safe the entire time. For reasons totally unknown, even to God, a lot of Gringos will come to Mexico, and especially Guanajuato, acting as though they’ve crossed over into the Promised Land of Safety and Virtue. I have not only personally witnessed this behavior in both tourists and American expatriates, but have a friend who is a long-time resident of the city who was robbed. She was not only relieved of her cash but was also beaten up in the process. She thought it was safe and secure to walk home at about three in the morning.
This is a serious issue. I cannot explain why Gringos come to Mexico and commit careless and dangerous behaviors that they would not do back home in Anywhere, America. They would not try walking home in the wee hours of the morning in almost any city in America and yet when they come here, they suddenly think they can do this and get by with it.
Don’t walk back to your hotel at hours of the night where you are most likely to be robbed; don’t visit ATM machines in the late hours; don’t do anything here that you wouldn’t do back home. If it feels dangerous it probably is, even in Guanajuato.
And, if you worry about all the news reports of Narco-Traffickers in Mexico, Guanajuato is still relatively safe from that source of organized crime. The point is to play it safe and smart and you will most likely come out smelling like a rose and have good experiences to tell your friends when you get back home.
The Authentic Mexico
Some people bristle at the phrase “authentic Mexico.” They often scream at me something akin to, “What is that supposed to mean?”
What it means is a Mexico that has largely resisted the Americanization attempts of the Resort Moguls and has done things and continues doing things its own way.
Recently, Guanajuato has “acquired” a Starbucks. Now, why anyone would want to come to Mexico and drink a four-dollar, or more, specialty coffee from America is beyond me and I am wont for an explanation. But, Americanization is coming to Guanajuato as it has infiltrated the resort areas of Mexico.
Still, Guanajuato is not a resort (yet) and is full of regular Mexicans going about their regular lives trying to eek out a regular living. History, culture, and Mexican life are worth more to me to see and experience than being entertained with a Cruise Ship agenda. Guanajuato can indeed be a dreamland vacation.
Let Guanajuato be the place you spend your next vacation!
A Walk Through Mexico’s Crown Jewel: A Guanajuato Tr

Bbplanet – B&B, Hotels, Holiday House, Farmhouses In Italy

BBPlanet is an on-line booking site for touristic accommodations addressed to both landlords and users looking for B&B, Hotels, Holiday House, Farmhouses  where to spend their holidays.

The site, on-line from 2004 and already very well established, has a plain and elegant layout, clearly carried out by specialists of the sector, and has a list of 11.500 offers – translated into 6 languages – among Bed & Breakfast, Holiday houses, Hotel and Farmhouses all over Italy.Owners of Bed & Breakfast, Holiday Houses and Hotel are offered the possibility to freely publish online their accommodation, with photos and descriptions. Moreover, it provides with an “on demand” booking service, through which the tourist can directly ask the owner of the estate about price and availability.You can complete the purchase paying online by either credit card or bank transfer directly to the bank designated by the landord, with none of your personal data being acknowledgeable to either BBPlanet or the landlord. 

The tourist can count on a very large list of accommodations (about 11.500) and a fine and intuitive searching system in order to choose the best one. Each lodging has a dedicated web page divided into the following sections:”Details” – photos and exhaustive descriptions about the location and the structure, bedrooms’ arrangement, breakfast, spoken languages, room services, etc. all that a traveler wants to know about an accommodation. Including the price list.If the structure offers apartments, then, all of them are thoroughly described.”Availability” – a form where the user can directly ask the landlord about availability of both sleeping beds and dates, and the best price possible.”Map” – a map by Google Maps shows the exact position of the accommodation, in both “Map” and “Satellite” mode.”Users’ Feedback” – feedbacks and comments, with scores for several parameters of valuation, left by the previous guests. 

Use impressions:BBPlanet searching system is artfully realized.Simple, intuitive and complete from all view points. Excellent is the section dedicated to the guests’ feedbacks that represents a good way to have an idea of the accommodation we are going to book besides the landlords’ assertions. Excellent is the payment system that guarantees our bank data privacy, preserving it from both BBPlanet and landlords.

Useful the report that gives us account of all our requests and bookings.Final EvaluationThe system is excellent from all points of view. It is hard to find a fault in BBPlanet. There is plenty of Accommodations, Hotels, Bed & Breakfast, Holiday House and Farmhouses with accurate information and a simply excellent research system. A site that is worth the “Top Rate” evaluation and that whoever is looking for an accommodation in Italy MUST refer to.

How To Get Online Car Insurance Quotes In Canada

It’s not very difficult to find car insurance online in Canada, but locating those that offer the most reasonable auto insurance rates can be very demanding. These tips can help you figure out how to obtain the lowest car insurance online quotes, so that you don’t have to spend a fortune on your car insurance.
Provide details
As a rule, insurance companies issue higher car insurance quotes in Canada if you do not provide them with specific information regarding your zip code, marital status, car’s safety features, and annual commuting miles. Always remember to include as much detail as you possibly can to ensure that none of the discounts that you qualify for are overlooked.
Shop around
Conducting a little research before making any agreement with an online car insurance company is also important, because auto insurance rates can vary as much as 300% between companies for the same coverage. Compare prices and online car insurance quotes between several companies and opt for one that incorporates the most affordable auto insurance rates. If you already have a current car insurance company that you’re doing business with, find out if they offer lower rates for new customers. If so, negotiate and try to obtain the same for yourself.
Raise your deductible
Higher deductibles result in lower insurance premiums. Think, for example, if you increase your deductible on online car insurance in Canada from $250 to $500, you’d be saving a few hundred dollars on your annual premium. At the same time, it’s also imperative that you do not neglect additional financial resources that can help cover the deductible in case of an accident.
Cut the miles you drive
Reducing the miles on your car can also be a very decisive factor if you want to get a cheaper online car insurance quote in Canada. This is because most insurance companies provide a low mileage discount for car owners who travel on average 40 miles or less a day. Consider a few effective methods you can employ in order to cut down on the car’s mileage, such as using public transit a couple of days a week, carpooling, taking a flight or a train for vacations, and avoiding long-distance drives.
Switch drivers
The online car insurance quote may also depend on aspects regarding who the main driver of the vehicle is going to be. This is particularly useful for married couples because some companies issue lower car insurance online quotes if, for example, the female is insured on a truck and the male is insured on the minivan. And if you have teenagers in your household, it’s a good idea to insure them on safer, less powerful automobiles such as the family sedan.
Anti-theft devices
Another method to obtain lower online car insurance quotes in Canada is to install anti-theft devices such as a car alarm or a tracking system on your vehicle. Since these devices reduce the chances of your car being stolen, you will get a discount from most insurance companies. Also consider attending a certified defensive-driving class, which can considerably reduce your premium for about three years.

Tips for Backpackers â?? What Stays and What Goes?

You have lots of stuff to pack for your trip. How do you decide what stays and what goes? How are you going to fit it all in your pack and how are you going to carry it? Here are some tips to consider when packing for your backpacker trip:

 

1. Buy a good backpack. Investigate the right kind of backpack for your trip and you will make your packing easier before you go and when on the road. 

2. Put your sleeping bag in first. 

3. If you are going to be camping get a tent that is lightweight and durable and pack it in the tent compartment in your backpack.

4. Clothes â?? what are you going to take? Lay everything out on the bed. Now cut it down to half. If youâ??ve got something thatâ??ll youâ??ll only wear a couple of times, leave it behind. Youâ??re backpacking on a budget so itâ??s unlikely youâ??ll be going to any balls or ritzy restaurants. Pack your rain gear where you can reach it quickly. Make sure you have enough layers if you are going to colder areas. Donâ??t forget your gloves and hat.

5. Cooking utensils should be packed where they wonâ??t rub on your other gear and you want to make sure the hard edges donâ??t stick into your back.

6. Food should be packed in outside compartments; you donâ??t want any crumbs getting into your other gear. Carry enough food for a day, just in case. Make sure you have at least one water bottle packed on the outside. And pack water purifying tablets if you are traveling to under-developed countries.

7. Your mattress (if youâ??re taking one) should be strapped to the outside of your pack unless itâ??s small enough to fit on the inside.

8. Camera!

9. Have you got your map? What about a compass if you intend going off road on a hike?

10. Donâ??t forget your matches, first aid kit, army knife, flashlight, batteries, sun screen and sunglasses. A whistle and insect repellant are good items to pack, especially if you plan on doing a lot of hiking. And toilet tissue. Just in case.

11. Have you packed a decent pair of walking/hiking boots? These are essential because any backpacker will be doing a lot of walking.

12. Put in a daypack. This will make day hikes and sightseeing much easier if you can have a smaller pack to use on shorter trips.

13. Money, money belt, travelerâ??s checks and credit card. Along with your passport and necessary visas. Donâ??t take large amounts of cash and keep it safe while traveling.

 

And there are other things you need to consider before you set out. Keep in mind the following:

 

* Take out travel insurance.

* Are you taking your mobile phone? If so make sure you have global roaming set up. 

* Give someone at home a copy of you itinerary and passport. 

* Get to the airport in plenty of time to enable a smooth check in and time to say goodbye to your loved ones.

 

Pack well and have a good trip!

 

This article is brought to you by: Stuart S. Travel â?? Your Online Travel Guru

www.stuartstravel.com

costa rica real estate

Ask most anyone the three most important criteria for purchasing a specific piece of real estate and they will reply ‘location, location, location’. The concept is useful in deciding what country to invest in, as well.

The decision to purchase property in Costa Rica is strongly supported by this premise, and there are several location-based reasons to purchase here. Perhaps the most obvious is the physical location itself and all that it encompasses: beaches, mountains, sun, and practically perfect weather. Secondary to these items comes the experiences available here: the culture, the people, the history, the language.

Many people choose to invest in Costa Rica because of monetary reasons. Those looking to reside here point to the low cost of living, how far their dollar will go toward satisfying their needs. When one’s needs are taken care of, the remaining funds comprise their disposable income which may be used to purchase wants and desires or to invest. Those wishing to invest here point to the weakening U.S. housing market, its ever-broadening effects on the U.S. economy as a whole, and their desire to find an alternative market unencumbered by these woes. Costa Rica is the location where these conditions exist.

Perhaps the most compelling of the reasons to purchase real estate in Costa Rica is lifestyle enhancement, a hybrid of the above reasons. When you combine sun, surf, friendly people, an exciting environment, low cost of living, and investment opportunities the result is an enhanced lifestyle for less money; ‘More Bang For The Buck’. Who wouldn’t be interested in decreasing the amount of money they spend while simultaneously improving their diet, accommodations, spending power, and the service they receive?

Those interested in investing in Costa Rica real estate, but not residing here still have the opportunity to reap the rewards of improved lifestyle. Income from owning investment property in such a lucrative market is often substantial enough to make a significant improvement in lifestyle at home and allow for travel to Costa Rica. Ownership of condo-hotels and similar arrangements allows for use of the unit whenever desired, and income for the rest of the year, when escape from the rat race is impossible.

Whether you are interested in residing in Costa Rica full-time or looking for a solid investment with benefits, purchasing real estate here will make your lifestyle richer. Riverside Developers can assist you in finding the right investment property, one that fits your image of the ideal lifestyle. The selection we offer ensures that you will find the unit that is right for your needs, and our experience in the Costa Rican market assures that you will have a truly turnkey experience even if you have little or no previous experience in purchasing real estate abroad. Give us a call and we’ll help you attain the lifestyle you’ve always dreamed of!

Prince Edward Island Casts A New Light On Fishing In Canada

Prince Edward Island is the smallest province in Canada, yet this tiny gem, a perfect jewel of nature boasts some of the largest and best fishing opportunities for a summer vacation and most are pulled from the sapphire blue waters that surround it. Below the surface, a little deeper and the blue of the water tends towards a darker shade, hinting perhaps of a Marlin in its depths, the hoped for catch of the day as you charter your fishing expedition.
As renowned as the Island is for its lobster, for its potatoes and for its golf, there is little that can compare to the adventure offered by a deep-sea fishing expedition on Prince Edward Island. Your bounty is promised to be as varied as the island’s geography; you can fish for mackerel one day or an elusive 800-lb. blue-fin tuna the next. This is an opportunity that is not to be missed, and an opportunity made that much more memorable when shared among friends.
Fishing in Canada doesn’t get any better than it does on Prince Edward Island and charters are available usually from early in July throughout the summer and into September.
Admit it, aren’t you a little intrigued? After casting your line into the deep blue depths of the Atlantic and catching your own fish, you’re certain to gain a whole new appreciation both for fishing, and for eating fresh seafood.
Should you prefer a fishing experience with a quiet solitude and more leisure about it, grab a rod and a reel and make for a bridge or setting yourself on the edge of a pier and settle your hook into the water. For it is here that you’ll find an abundance of Mackerel, a perfect catch for the day’s dinner. And it is here that you’ll also find a moment’s peace unto yourself.
Venture inland on this Gentle Island and you fishing Canada adventure travels with you, particularly if you’re a fly-fishing or trout fishing aficionado. Prince Edward Island is home to the Brook trout, however, Rainbow trout were introduced the island rivers in the 1940’s.
And while the water world of Prince Edward Island is home to endless varieties of fish, it offers so very much more than that. A Prince Edward Island vacation is the opportunity to create memories to last a lifetime. You don’t have to go deep to enjoy the ocean; there’s nothing more refreshing than a swim in the warmest waters north of the Carolinas.
Of course, if you prefer your seafood already waiting for you on a platter, a vast number of restaurants on The Gentle Island offer some of the best seafood dining you’ll ever experience. And don’t forget to order famous PEI potatoes on the side.
On this Maritime island, other delights are as plentiful as the seafood. Sample, for instance, some of Canada’s best golf courses, or stroll the endless beaches of white, champagne, pink or red sands.
Fishing and vacationing in Canada just doesn’t get any better than this.

Smart Travel Tip: 7 Things To Look Out For When Dealing With A Travel Agency

Many people are looking at price when searching for a discount travel agency, however, there are some other things you need to watch out for that can save you time, money and headaches when using a travel agency to plan your trip.
1) Check to see if the agency is a member of ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents). Agencies who are members must follow strict rules of conduct. If you should have a problem with your agency, it will be easier for you to file a complaint.
2) Make sure their offer isn’t too good to be true. The travel industry is very competitive and some agencies will promise you the moon. Make sure they can deliver what they promise before signing up.
3) The agency should disclose their full contact information. You should easily be able to find their name, address, phone number and email address. Call the phone number and see if a real person answers. If their contact information isn’t readily available, you should take your business elsewhere.
4) Some discount agencies will promise you low rates to get your business, then hit you with hidden fees. Since you are budgeting for your trip, you don’t want to be hit with a larger bill than you planned on. Be sure to get all agency rates and fees on paper to avoid surprises.
5) Respectable travel agencies will bend over backwards to make sure you are well taken care of, especially if you have medical needs while traveling. An agency out for a quick buck will not provide you with great customer service, so ask questions about how they will accommodate your special requests before signing.
6) A good travel agency will be there to help you during and after your trip to make sure everything is going smoothly. If you have a problem during your trip, the agency will be available to assist you. Fly by night services will disappear after you’ve handed over your money. Check out the agency’s reputation before you commit to a deal.
7) A good travel agency will have access to all kinds of information about the city and/or country you are visiting. They are one of the best insider travel tip resources around whether you need a business travel tip, family travel tip, an air travel tip, or a travel packing tip.