The Expat Files: Living in Latin America

Progressive Radio Network

3.8 (139)
Places & Travel
Updated Semiweekly

A guide to moving to Latin America, finding work, and settling in.

Sep 4

The Expat Files - #1524 FRI, SEPT 04 (09-04-26)

Johnny announces his week-long Latin American Insider seminar in Guatemala and El Salvador (November 13–20, 2026).Go toExpatplanb.com for signup details: NOTE the early-bird discount deadline for the seminar has been moved up to September 20. Earlybird signups get $1,000 off the regular price (plus another $1,000 for repeat attendees). Early Spanish learners usually master nouns first but struggle with verbs, making real sentences difficult. The advice is not to fear “murdering” the language—Latinos are generally very tolerant of foreigners’ clumsy attempts. Many expats hit a language plateau where their Spanish works well with a Latino partner (who adapts to their particular errors) but is still hard for outsiders to fully understand. A 2025 Latino Barómetro poll showed very high percentages of people in several Latin American countries view immigration to their own countries as dangerous and harmful (Peru 80.4%, Ecuador 80.2%, Panama 76.7%, Colombia 76.3%). Argentina was the most accepting of immigrants at only 27% of people polled having negative feelings toward immigrants. The strong general negative views are largely driven by the huge Venezuelan migrant wave that began around 2017. A 12 year Yale study of thousands of adults over 50 yrs found that reading books for 30+ minutes a day was linked to living about two years longer than non book readers (the benefit did not apply to reading newspapers, magazines, or online articles). According to trans-national corporation Siemens, the Latin American countries with the worst power grids (25–35% transmission losses, frequent outages and brownouts) are Venezuela, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Brazil. Chile has the strongest grid, largely due to its foreign maintained and financed mining industry. Nicaraguan president/dictator Daniel Ortega recently stated there will be no more elections and that he and his wife will continue to rule. The top IMF world debtors include Argentina (#1 at ~$42.5 billion), Ukraine, Pakistan, and surprisingly Ecuador (#4), a popular retirement destination for expats. Be sure to pick up my newly updated, "2026 - LATIN AMERICAN HEALTHCARE REPORT": The new edition for 2026 (and beyond) is available now, including the latest "Stem Cell Clinic" info and data and my top picks for the best treatment centers for expats and gringos. Just go to www.ExpatPlanB.com
Aug 28

EXPAT FILES SHOW #1523 FRI, AUG 28 (08-28-26):

Johnny announces his next one-week Latin American Insider seminar in Guatemala and El Salvador (November 14–20, 2026). Go to Expatplanb.com for signup details: The difference betweenkilowatts (power rate) and kilowatt-hours (energy used or stored), a common source of confusion for people considering solar systems. A Panama listener mixed up the terms (calling a 5 kW inverter “5 kWh” and a 40 kWh battery “40 kW”); the real issue was an underpowered inverter that couldn’t handle three mini-split ACs at night. Advice for solar shoppers: Ask the salesperson to explain the difference between kilowatts and kilowatt-hours — if they can’t, walk away. A modern 1-ton AC unit typically draws about 800–1,000 watts; look for a SEER rating of 20+ for much better efficiency than older units. Brazilian president Lula’s Bolsa Família program is mentioned critically for tying cash payments to children’s vaccinations. A Mexican national living in the U.S. was arrested in Colombia for defrauding U.S. COVID relief programs of more than $1 million. A new retirement-cost study shows a middle-class American needs roughlya $738,000 nestegg to retire comfortably in the U.S.; most Latin American countries require less than half that amount (Costa Rica and Uruguay are the most expensive in the region). Practical warnings about renting in Latin America: verbal promises from landlords often don’t match the written Spanish contract, tenants are usually responsible for appliance repairs, and full security deposits are rarely returned. Strong recommendation to use WhatsApp for all landlord communications (for a permanent record) and to run any Spanish rental or purchase contract through Grok or ChatGPT before signing. The first unmistakable sign you’re getting old issomewhat gross and not much discussed … Be sure to pick up my newly updated, "2026 - LATIN AMERICAN HEALTHCARE REPORT": The new edition for 2026 (and beyond) is available now, including the latest "Stem Cell Clinic" info and data and my top picks for the best treatment centers for expats and gringos. Just go to www.ExpatPlanB.com
Aug 21

EXPAT FILES SHOW #1521 FRI, AUG 21 (08-21-26):

Johnny’supcoming week-long “Latin American Insider Seminar” will be in Guatemala and El Salvador (November 13–20, 2026). For details go to Expatplanb.com or click on: https://www.expatplanb.com/expat-insider-seminar-nov-2026/ Only a handful of Latin American countries (Chile, Colombia, Panama, Ecuador, Costa Rica) actively enforce mandatory yearly vehicle technical inspections; most others have the laws but rarely enforce them. Annual vehicle registration stickers (“marbetes”) are required everywhere and are usually obtained at banks after paying taxes and any outstanding tickets. Many expats avoid sticking the ugly yearly marbete on the windshield and simply keep it in the glove compartment; police rarely care as long as you can show proof of payment. Traffic tickets in Latin America are cheap compared with the U.S.; fighting them is possible but often wastes more time than the fine is worth. A listener email from Panama contrasts the high cost and entitlement culture of U.S. dating/weddings with the much lower cost and more appreciative attitude of a Latina spouse in Panama. One of the biggest attractions of living in Latin America (especially off the tourist trail) is a slower, less stressful, more manageable lifestyle. Johnny criticizes expats who constantly complain and try to force Latin culture to match their home-country expectations instead of adapting. Listeners praise Grok AI for giving more direct, less politically correct answers than ChatGPT. A warning about recent data breaches involving Ledger and Trezor hardware-wallet customer mailing lists, leading to phishing emails and fake official-looking letters. Be sure to pick up my newly updated, "2026 - LATIN AMERICAN HEALTHCARE REPORT": The new edition for 2026 (and beyond) is available now, including the latest "Stem Cell Clinic" info and data and my top picks for the best treatment centers for expats and gringos. Just go to www.ExpatPlanB.com
Aug 14

THE EXPAT FILES SHOW #1520 FRI, AUG 14 (08-14-26):

Johnny announces his next one-week Latin American Insider seminar in Guatemala and El Salvador (November 14–20, 2026). He observes that most small tiendas, mini-marts, and wholesale businesses across Latin America are owned by Chinese and Koreans. Large chain stores like La Torre, Costco, and Walmart are owned by wealthy Latino families, while smaller scruffier shops are Asian-owned. Hardware stores (ferreterías) are a rare exception rarely owned by Asians due to the specialized product knowledge required. Asians are described as highly industrious, frugal, and work long hours, rarely spending on restaurants, bars, or vacations except for nice cars. Latinos generally do not resent Asian business dominance and would not trade places with them because of cultural differences in spending and lifestyle. Johnny strongly recommends using the “hidden wallet” feature with an extra passphrase on Ledger or Trezor cold wallets for better security after recent hacks. He reviews median fixed broadband speeds in Latin America, with Chile leading at 335 Mbps and Cuba at the bottom with only 4 Mbps. Prescription drugs (including Viagra, pain meds, opioids, and now GLP-1s) are widely available without a prescription at many mom-and-pop pharmacies despite official rules. Ecuadorian authorities have seized over 20,000 motorcycles since 2021 for lack of plates, registration, or licenses, which Johnny celebrates. Be sure to pick up my newly updated, "2026 - LATIN AMERICAN HEALTHCARE REPORT": The new edition for 2026 (and beyond) is available now, including the latest "Stem Cell Clinic" info and data and my top picks for the best treatment centers for expats and gringos. Just go to www.ExpatPlanB.com
Aug 12

EXPAT FILES SHOW #1519 FRI, AUG 07 (08-07-26)

· Avoid Facebook expat groups — they create a dependency bubble full of know-it-alls, sellers, and political ranting. · WhatsApp is essential in Latin America; without it you’re basically cut off from daily life. · Machetes are common and rarely used for crime except crimes of passion. · Cleaning staff often salvage useful items from your trash and may open their purses for inspection when leaving. · Most toilets are cemented rather than properly bolted to the floor to save time and money. · Cheap steel screws rust rapidly in the tropics; stainless steel is rarely used by local contractors. · Peruvian flute bands mysteriously appear in every tourist-heavy park around the world selling CDs no one will ever play. · Boa constrictors almost never kill people, but venomous snakes still cause several hundred deaths a year in Latin America, especially in rural areas. Be sure to pick up my newly updated, “2026 – LATIN AMERICAN HEALTHCARE REPORT”: The new edition for 2026 (and beyond) is available now, including the latest “Stem Cell Clinic” info and data and my top picks for the best treatment centers for expats and gringos. Just go to www.ExpatPlanB.com
Jul 31

Expat Files - #1518 FRI, JULY 31 (07-31-26):

#1- More on that crazy Guatemalan Jade mining story: #2- Proof why Latin American governments can never be trusted: Oh, and the US govt is even worse…. #3- The problem with Miami mailbox forwarding services: #4- What you never knew about your Latin American electric bill: #5- Why buying a hybrid car is NEVER recommended: #6- How newbee green gringos are easily misled by woke Fakebook gringo expats sites: #7- More proof that only corrupt people need run for Latin American political office: The question is… are the candidates just a little corrupt or a lot corrupt? #8- Be sure to pick up my newly updated, "2026 - LATIN AMERICAN HEALTHCARE REPORT": The new edition for 2026 (and beyond) is available now, including the latest "Stem Cell Clinic" info and data and my top picks for the best treatment centers for expats and gringos. Just go to www.ExpatPlanB.com
Jul 24

EXPAT FILES SHOW #1517, FRI, JULY 24 - 07-24-26:

#1- DYK that severe Air B&B restrictions are in the works in most all Latin American countries? So, as govts. crack down, Gringos and expats must be aware that owning an Airbnb is NOT a long term good or sure investment anymore... #2- DYK Costa Rica has double the minimum wage of most all other Latin American countries, and they enforce it: That means in the rest of Latin America you can get 2 cleaning ladies for the price of a single Costa Rican maid… #3- What laws do Latin American cops actually crack down on or seem to enforce? #4- Homeowner’s insurance policies in Latin America: #5- Emotional support animals and their whimpy owners in Argentina: #6- About that rat's nest of wires you're seeing on the nearest power pole: #7- My Book Review of a brand new must read called, “ THE GRINGO ADVANTAGE” Finally… there is an actual no BS step by step guide to getting out of dodge... #8- Be sure to pick up my newly updated, "2026 - LATIN AMERICAN HEALTHCARE REPORT": The new edition for 2026 (and beyond) is available now, including the latest "Stem Cell Clinic" info and data and my top picks for the best treatment centers for expats and gringos. Just go to www.ExpatPlanB.com
Jul 17

EXPAT FILES SHOW #1516, FRI, JULY 17 (07-17-26)

#1- Dumb and dumber in Latin America: #2- A word about physical books and bookstores in Latin America: #3- What you really need to know about phone and internet plans in Latin America: #4- What the Narcoculture influence has done to women in Mexico: #5- Emotional support animals and their wimpy owners in Argentina: #6- The downsides of having a Latina GF: #7- Latino male complaints about American Gringas: #8- Be sure to pick up my newly updated, "2026 - LATIN AMERICAN HEALTHCARE REPORT": The new edition for 2026 (and beyond) is available now, including the latest "Stem Cell Clinic" info and data and my top picks for the best treatment centers for expats and gringos. Just go to www.ExpatPlanB.com

See All (211)

3.8

out of 5

139 Ratings

One of my favorite podcast shows!

02/04/2023

EMF5110

This expat is sarcastic, irreverent, informative and entertaining! But if you disagree, just don’t listen.
I don't need to know how you got out of a speeding ticket in Chitown

01/06/2024

Rischárd

Please! Give me back that twenty mins!
Troglodyte venom

04/04/2023

MachinistNickColorado

Those who have never travelled far from their parents basement may get their feelings hurt while listening to this show. If wokester listeners had the patients to listen to several episodes without getting “triggered”, they would find Johnny to be quite complimentary toward Latin people in general without blatantly ignoring the realities of life in South America.
Insightful and current

08/24/2022

ScubaGato

Informative show. Wish there was less crypto shilling.