Driving in Central America is easier than you might think -- even if you're not well-versed in Spanish.

The basics are the same as in North America.  Drivers stick to the right hand side of the road, the traffic signs are in (comparatively) easy to read letters and familiar shapes, and the speed limits are posted in numbers (though 45 means 45 km/hour not 45 miles/hour).  Yield signs are yellow triangles and stop signs (they say ALTO) are red and octagonal.  It's all about keeping  your wits about you, and keeping your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road (as the old song goes).

It's unfortunate, but for many folks, this is where the conversation stops. I hope you are smarter than that. Because,the facts show a safe, stable, and beautiful country under-valued and under-appreciated because of a reputation left over from 20 years ago. 

What’s the Number #1 most useful news item for businesses and investors in 2011?

The first members of the baby boom generation turn 65.

Last year the Nicaraguan government passed Law 694 named "Ley de Promosion de Ingreso de Residentes Rentistas y Residentes Pensionados." This law established the rules to give Residency and tax exemptions for household goods and cars for Retired People or People with privates incomes.

Dear Readers,

It's still a very serious situation for retirees. Even more serious for Hispanics. Stories and reports of the economic crisis continue ad nauseam in the traditional news media because bad news sells. CNNMoney just reported that 46% of Americans have saved $10,000 or less for retirement. A report produced by the Hispanic Institute for Americans for Secure Retirement states that the situation is far worse for Hispanics in general. The good news is that it is possible to save on costs, while enhancing your quality of life if we look outside the United States. But first the reality of the situation. 

My mother Lucia lived the all American lifestyle until it was time to retire. For years she worked and flourished in San Francisco California. She excelled both personally and professionally in one of the most beautiful cities in America.

You wake up to a warm tropical breeze, with the sun shining through the open window and down onto the clay-colored tile floor. It´s warm but not hot, and you can smell the ocean in the breeze. You smile to yourself, as you do every morning. After all; this is retirement and you´re in paradise. 

A lot has been going on in the world over the past few months, including some vacation time with my family back up North in the cold. The change for me is delightful, but my ladies were excited to get back to the 88 degree weather and the beach here in Nicaragua. The longer we are here, the thinner the blood bonds. Alas, I may be here for a long time and that´s Ok for me too. 

Dear Friends of Nicaragua, 

Thank you for your continued interest in Nicaragua. I write today with some disturbing news. Not about Nicaragua, but about North American Baby Boomers and the state of their retirement funds. 

Surf experts rank Nicaragua's Pacific surf as the best in Central America - and Rancho Santana is in the heart of the action, sporting some of the best waves in this hemisphere from May through October.