Peter Greenberg: Retirement Destination Tours

By: Peter Greenberg | Source: AARP.org | 2004-04-25

My husband and I would like to take a trip this summer to either Mexico or Panama to explore retirement opportunities in these areas (more likely Mexico). Can you recommend a reputable organization that does these types of tours? 
-Norma, Monticello, Ill.

There are a number of companies that offer trips like this. One company called Mi Casa, in Mexico (http://www.micasainmexico.com/), offers week-long tours geared toward people considering living in Mexico; destinations include Merida, Queretaro, Guanajuto, and more. Each tour is accompanied by a seminar that teaches you how to buy real estate in Mexico, and if you're too busy to take part in the tour, you can join only the seminar. They don't receive commissions from any outside company and thus claim to be completely unbiased.

Another company called Tropical Pathways offers "guided investment tours" to Belize, Panama, Mexico, and other locations. You'll explore these destinations with English-speaking guides and take part in seminars which will teach you about real estate law, health care, banking, and more.