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Central American Travel..American Family with 2 young kids in tow

BOSTON MAMA

Hello All,

I am looking for some information. We are hoping, trying to leave the US. A little background information; we where schedules to receive a transfer and live in Valencia, Spain for 1 year- after years of preparation..but the bottom fell out on that plan. Economy dried up and so did the opportunity for a transfer.

We are still hoping to use our limited knowledge of the Spanish language and have our children (ages 5 & 8) emmersed in another culture.  With some work, my husband can work remotely for his US based company.

How crazy would it be to live in Costa Rica, Belize, Panama, Ecuador for 3 months each while I homeschool the children. What would you say the biggest danger would be? Is this idea way to hippy and off the wall??

Would love some solid information

Thank you

See also

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AuntieFlo

If you are home schooling the kids how exactly are they going to get culturally immersed?  And if you are moving around for three months at a time how are your kids going to make lasting friendshps? 

Have you priced out places to live?  How are you going to find a place to live for three months in each country? And do you really want to live like a local?  Do you know what that means in these countries?  Ask me and I'll tell you.

Limited Spanish?  How limited?  Do the kids speak any spanish?  If not they are going to be very lost and very lonely.

There are no expat kids even here in Boquete that I know of and very few in David. 

It sounds more like you are giving the kids a three month vacation in each country.  I would suggest that you pick one country, enroll the kids in an International School where the kids speak English and then settle in for the long haul.

But what country to pick and which city?  I don't know.

I'm going to honestly say that if you were looking at moving to Spain I think you should still do that.  A European education for the kids would be better than a third world experience in Latin America. And being in Europe and learning and meeting people from multiple nations is far more rewarding in the long haul. 

Have you looked into Ireland as a base?  There are so many English speaking places to take the kids that are close enough to other countries if you want to expose them to other cultures.

If you were talking South America; Santiago, Buenos Aires, Iquique, then I wouldn't even hesitate.  They are very cosmopolitan and culturally advanced and very European in flavor. And they all speak Spanish.  Way, way better environment for the kids and just as much history.

Just my thoughts.

Faeleone

Hello,
I am living in Corozal Town, Belize. If you are interested in the northern part of Belize then this is the place for you. Belize is of course an English speaking Country (honestly, here I have only met a few older folks that speak only Spanish. Most everyone is bi-lingual.) the schools are taught in English, most of them are Church run schools and have a very good program. There are also the public schools or Government Schools. The people here are WONDERFUL. They have accepted us in as close friends and in some cases nearly family.  I have never in my life known people this nice and friendly. Just message me if you would like to know more!

carrie_h99

If you are really committed to Central America there are lots of options.  I agree getting immersed in one place and not hopping from place to place is probably better long term.  But your kids are young - taking a year or two to explore and spend time as a family might be a good way to settle on the right long term home.  My husband is from El Salvador and we spend a lot of time in Nicaragua - specifically San Juan del Sur.  We know several expat families there with young children.  There is an international, English language primary school with a good mix of expat, mixed family and local kids.  You can get along fine in the short term on English, but I would suggest you invest some effort into learning Spanish.  there are a number of Spanish schools in town.