Our Plans for the Weekend series is created for expats who want to transform a few days into a vivid memory in their new countries. Each article highlights destinations that invite relaxation, exploration, and a sense of discovery. Today, we share how to spend the weekend in Grenada, exploring the charm of Grenada Best Beaches. Grenada offers one of the most attractive Citizenship by Investment programs in the Caribbean. This opportunity allows you to live, work, and build a business without restrictions. 

The CBI world is both interesting as it is challenging. Conditions, regulations, and requirements are constantly changing, programs are evolving, and monitoring is becoming stricter. Word is spreading about the eastern Caribbean programs applying yearly application quotas, enhanced supervision between the parties, and a unified regulatory organ. This, along with the increase in costs we witnessed last year, may put these regions at a disadvantage when compared to Europe.

Panama is a place that attracts people looking for warm weather, friendly communities, and new opportunities. Life here is closely connected to the official language, Spanish, and speaking it opens countless doors. We spoke to our chief editor, fluent in both English and Spanish, to find out how hard is it to learn Spanish for English speakers. Hopefully, her insights can guide you on your own path toward mastering the language. We often write about Panama, its advantages, and the opportunities it offers for those seeking a fresh start in an extraordinary country. Known for its strong economy, investor-friendly environment, and attractive residency programs like the Friendly Nations Visa, Pensionado Program, or Qualified Investor Visa, Panama makes relocation straightforward for foreigners with financial or relocation goals. If you’ve made up your mind about coming to Panama, learning Spanish will help you navigate daily life, expand business opportunities, and integrate faster. The guide below will show what you can realistically expect when learning the language as part of your new chapter in Panama. For English speakers, gender in Spanish language can be a surprise. Nouns and adjectives are divided into two categories: masculine and feminine. This is something English does not have, which makes feminine words in Spanish a challenge. For example, the word libro (“book”) is masculine, while mesa (“table”) is feminine. Knowing the Spanish feminine and masculine forms is essential if you want to speak correctly. Consistency comes with practice. Regular exercises that focus on study Spanish gender of nouns will help you remember patterns and exceptions. Over time, using the correct Spanish feminine and masculine forms becomes second nature. Spanish has one of the richest forms of the subjunctive mood, which can be tricky for English speakers. It changes the verb when expressing a wish, doubt, or something that could happen. Unlike in English, where mood is less visible in grammar, the subjunctive mood in Spanish is woven into everyday expressions. The good news is that in daily conversations, mistakes in the subjunctive mood usually don’t prevent understanding. Native speakers will often guess your meaning even if you don’t conjugate perfectly, so the focus can be on gradual improvement rather than perfection. Written accents (or “tildes”) in Spanish can completely change the meaning of a word. For example, papa means “potato,” while papá means “dad.” Similarly, si means “if,” and sí means “yes.” Understanding where to place accents when writing is as important as knowing the right vocabulary. Does it sound too difficult? Don’t worry, because if you want to master this, you can study theory. There are clear rules that indicate when a syllable goes with a “tilde” and when it doesn't, which depends on the number of syllables and the vowel at the end of the word. If you don’t have time to study, regular reading and writing will help you naturally remember the correct placement. Over time, this habit ensures you won’t confuse té (“tea”) with te (“you”). It’s a detail that can elevate your fluency and help others understand you better. Pronunciation is one of the more forgiving aspects of Spanish for English speakers. Words are pronounced the way they are spelled, and even if you sound like a “gringo,” people will still understand you, a luxury not always available the other way around.

The world is full of places with names so similar, it’s easy to confuse them, until legal, financial, or political realities highlight just how different they truly are. Just as there is a Panama City in both Panama and Florida, or cities with similar names, like Grenada and Granada, we find the US Virgin Islands and British Virgin Islands, two names that often confuse travelers and entrepreneurs alike. While the names suggest similarity and even though they are very close to each other geographically, these jurisdictions operate under distinct flags, laws, and business environments. The US Virgin Islands are located in the Caribbean and form an unincorporated territory of the United States. Their capital is Charlotte Amalie on the island of Saint Thomas. The islands operate under U.S. federal law, use the U.S. dollar, and residents are American citizens. They lie approximately 1,100 miles from Miami, about 1,600 miles from New York, and around 4,200 miles from London, making them a relatively accessible destination from both North America and Europe. Just a few miles away, also in the Caribbean, are the British Virgin Islands, a British Overseas Territory. The administrative capital of the British Virgin Islands is Road Town, situated on the island of Tortola, the largest and most populated island in the territory. Though governed under the British legal system, the islands enjoy autonomy in internal affairs. It’s interesting to note how close the British Virgin Islands are to their American namesake. We can see this by comparing the distances described above. The distance from Miami to Tortola is around 1,100 miles, while it lies 1,500 miles from New York, and just under 4,000 miles from London. Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, the Caribbean archipelago became a region of strategic competition among European powers. Nations like Great Britain, Spain, France, Denmark, and the Netherlands vied for control over valuable maritime routes and island outposts. These rivalries shaped the destiny of many territories, including the British Virgin Islands and the US Virgin Islands, leading them down very different political and legal paths. The British Virgin Islands ultimately remained under British authority. That foundation later adapted to the needs of international finance and corporate structuring, making the territory a respected and stable location for global business. The US Virgin Islands, by contrast, were originally a Danish colony known as the Danish West Indies. In 1917, during World War I, the United States purchased the islands from Denmark for $25 million in gold. Since then, they have been governed under U.S. federal law, and their legal and business systems have reflected the country’s broader regulatory philosophy. If you’d ask us to choose one of these two for company incorporation, we wouldn’t have to think that long. The British Virgin Islands have long been recognized as a key destination for setting up international corporate structures. The jurisdiction offers a balance of confidentiality and a transparent legal and tax framework. At Mundo, we provide a well-structured, clear, and internationally compliant company formation service in this jurisdiction. It is especially relevant for those seeking a convenient setup for holding companies, trading activities, or investment structuring.

When the weekend is just around the corner and you're looking for something uplifting, a walk along the Amador Causeway with a stop at the Biodiversity museum may be exactly what you need. This is where tropical nature, world-class architecture, and curiosity come together. In our Plans for the Weekend series, we regularly explore places that allow you to see Panama in a new light. This one reveals the spirit of the city through color, space, and thought. Along the Pacific shoreline, a bold and colorful building rises like a geometric sculpture made of origami. Its vibrant forms and shifting angles belong to a master of unconventional design. This remarkable work was created by Frank Gehry. The Biodiversity museum is his only completed project in Latin America, and it has become one of the city’s most distinctive symbols. The name Frank Gehry is synonymous with innovation, and his work reshaped the skyline of the late 20th century, infusing each creation with motion and emotion. His ideas speak through angles and curves. Frank Gehry projects include the Guggenheim Museum, in Bilbao, the Walt Disney Concert Hall, in Los Angeles, and the Foundation Louis Vuitton, in Paris. Each building reveals a dialogue between architecture and its environment. This is why Frank Gehry architecture style never imitates; it always transforms. This is the kind of destination that fits naturally into a weekend plan. We feature places that leave an impression and the Biomuseo Panama-City is truly unforgettable. The museum’s exhibitions tell the story of Panama, the narrow strip of land that changed the history of the world’s flora and fauna. Through immersive sound, light, and interactive installations, you are drawn into the worlds of animals, forests, and the deep ocean. Unlike many cultural institutions, the museums in Panama are known for their accessibility and creativity. The Biodiversity museum blends education with wonder. Here, multilingual displays, projection rooms, gardens, and shaded courtyards create a space that welcomes both children and adults. In this environment, visitors don’t just observe nature; they become a part of it. Just steps from the museum, a new residential development is set to rise — one that offers panoramic views of the Biomuseo, in Panama-City. Construction begins in December 2025, and the project is designed to unite architecture, natural beauty, and modern coastal living. With this opportunity, you could welcome 2026 with a perspective of a space shaped by light, air, and vision. Created for those who value meaning in every detail, the project includes a beach club, panoramic rooftop pool, oceanfront restaurant, and fitness center. The sight of the Biodiversity museum, Panama, greeting you each morning brings a quiet sense of wonder that lingers throughout the day. If you can already picture yourself sipping coffee on a terrace with views of the Pacific, there’s good news: you can reserve a unit today with just $5,000. After signing, only 10% of the total price is required. Moreover, flexible payment options are available. When ecosystems, heritage, and human creativity meet in one place, the result is never ordinary. The Frank Gehry Panama masterpiece has become a living symbol of the country’s identity.

At what age should we start thinking about retirement planning? It's important to start from an early age, as the sooner we start, the higher the chances of making smart decisions. Moreover, in Panama, retirement may be closer than you think through the Pensionado Visa. Today we explore this status, whom it can help, and why it could represent an optimal use of retiree savings through visa discounts. The retirement visa in Panama is called the Pensionado Visa, which means “visa for pensioners” in Spanish. This is exactly what it offers: all applicants need to do is prove they have a lifetime pension of only $1000 a month, something not that hard to achieve for European or US citizens. Thus, the applicant has the right to permanent residency with the opportunity of adding a spouse and dependent children. The latter can be included in the application and residency until they turn 25, but only if they are full-time students at a university. After the said period, the applicants will lose the visa and will have to apply through any other process as any foreigner would do. Under certain conditions, the minimum monthly income can be less than $1000. If you're applying with your spouse, the one thousand dollars can be combined, which means $500 each, or 600 and 400, as long as it's a lifetime pension. Application is also possible with a combined income of $750 if you purchase real estate for USD100,000. This sum is not at all bad for real estate, especially in Panama, where you can acquire high-end properties at surprisingly convenient prices. With an outstanding lifestyle at the same level as you can find in any high-class capital in the world, Panama has lower prices. When compared to Paris, New York, Miami, or Sydney, the living costs are considerably lower. After years of hard work, it will be nice to live in a place where your retiree savings have higher yields than in your home country. To be fair, the only drawback that you may have in Panama is a serious traffic issue during peak hours. Even though there are several new infrastructure works in progress to solve this, the basic structure of the city is very old, and it doesn't have a grid layout, or much space for expansions. So far, the projects are focused on creating better passages to and from the outskirts of the city through the fourth line of the metro, a fourth bridge over the Pacific, and enhancing the Panamericana in Panama Pacifico. There are a few exceptions, like Costa del Este, a modern neighborhood, or Casco Viejo, which is the colonial city built after the very first settlement was destroyed. This second city was built on the Spanish crown's new urbanization rules at the time; hence, it shows well-defined squares with clearly delineated sidewalks for pedestrians to enjoy. Next to the colonial houses and churches, there are several modern complexes available for rent or sale. On top of this, retirees have access to special discounts, and some of them are exclusive to Pensionado Visa holders. When it comes to healthcare, they enjoy 20% off medical consultations, and 10% off prescriptions. 

There’s a certain magic about the weekend, a time when the pace of the city slows down, and you get to choose: stay home or head out and feel the pulse of evening life in Panama. This article from our “Plans for the Weekend” series offers three carefully chosen routes for a memorable evening. Whether you're walking along the vibrant Cinta Costera, Panama, exploring the charm of Casco Viejo, or seeking indoor comfort at Multiplaza, Panama, each route offers its own unique atmosphere for a perfect experience. Each of the routes described below can become your plan for a single weekend night. You can pick the one that fits your mood best, or try all three on different weekends. There’s a place where the sea meets the sky and the city opens up to the breeze of the bay. That place is Cinta Costera, Panama, a perfect space for an evening stroll. As you walk along the coast, you feel the gentle ocean breeze and watch the sun drop behind the horizon. You’ll see locals and visitors cycle, jog, or relax on benches in an ideal place to breathe clean air and reflect. When you're ready to extend the evening, just around the bend lies Calle Uruguay. In Calle Uruguay, Panama becomes vibrant, and the city’s nightlife truly comes alive. The street is lined with charming wine bars, softly lit terraces, and restaurants offering modern Latin American cuisine—grilled octopus, citrusy ceviche, and tropically inspired tapas. It's the perfect way to end your evening with flavor and rhythm. As night falls, the city begins to glow. In Calle Uruguay, Panama boasts one of those streets that awakens after dark. Behind each window, there’s laughter, music, clinking glasses, and conversation. Just steps away from all this, Mundo presents a refined residential project designed to match the pulse of the neighborhood. It’s a two-tower complex tailored for different lifestyles. One tower is perfect for short-term rental seekers, while the other offers long-term comfort and a true sense of home. To sum up, this is the ideal choice for those who want to stay close to the city's energy while enjoying a sense of peace and privacy. Casco Viejo is a district where every cobblestone has a story. Colonial balconies and arches blend with glowing windows of studios and restaurants. If you're looking for a place that inspires and connects you to both past and present, this is it. For more details on evening strolls and the best restaurants in Panama City, Panama, we’ve covered this neighborhood in a dedicated article on our website. As lights begin to twinkle in Casco Viejo, the streets reveal another layer of charm. Not far from the main plazas lies a boutique residential development seamlessly woven into the neighborhood's rhythm. With flexible layouts and terraces overlooking the city, it's a place for both work and rest. Just steps away, you’ll find the best restaurants in Panama City, Panama, as well as winding streets that feel like a journey through time.

At Mundo, when we present a service, we like to show you its environment and everything that's special about it. Today is Saint Lucia's turn. This is the Helen of the West, the home of the Pitons, a business hub where to open a bank account or get citizenship, and now a nation that cares about education in the Caribbean. We celebrate how St Lucian students graduated from the prestigious Monroe University in New York, and how these young talents are enjoying the results of their hard work and the benefits of scholarships. The story of Monroe University is interesting, and it was signed by initiative from day one. It was a group of women led by Mildred King who started this wonderful adventure in 1933. The institution that receives students from St Lucia and different parts of the world was, back then only a secretary school with a class of seven students. Now, Monroe University continues to be managed by King's descendants, having obtained the status of university quite recently. One of our favorite countries is committed to improving education in the Caribbean and offers scholarships in Monrow University to its citizens. According to the government’s official webpage, Saint Lucia is offering 50 scholarships in Monroe University covering tuition fees and books. The invitation is open for the year 2025 and requires certain conditions like proving that you are a St. Lucia citizen, being the 1st generation to receive a university education in your family, and being in financial need. As the world is becoming more shaken by war, inflation and several other negative news, we want to celebrate life and the commitment towards self-development. If you're looking for a second or third citizenship, and you haven't decided on which program yet, why not choose a country that supports the youngest generations? Education in St Lucia is becoming better as its people become smarter and better prepared, and the government agreement within Monroe University, in New York, surely plays an important role in all this. There are many reasons why a person will choose one country over another for a second citizenship. If you're interested in long-term reputation, you may choose St Kitts because it has the first CBI to ever be created. On the other hand, if you have plans to do business in the US, Grenada has an E2 agreement with said country. If you have a large family and you want to include everyone in your application, Antigua and Barbuda is probably the best option. Furthermore, it has an interesting approach towards education as well. Here, one of the investment pathways to apply for citizenship is through investing in a University of the West Indies fund. These funds will be used to finance a new campus for the institution, and the program grants a scholarship for one member of the applicant's family. 

At Mundo, we introduce an array of services and opportunities across different countries, and what sets us apart is that we love to talk about those places. If we discuss citizenship by investment or residency in any given country, we also like to show you a picture of what your life would be like there when living or visiting. Today, we explore what living in Riga, Latvia, means, the secrets of this Baltic country that's home to a unique blend of Western and Eastern European traditions. Here you can find a number of special places, for example, the historic district, which is a world heritage site designated by UNESCO. The people here are closely connected to nature; they love buying at farmers' markets or going into the wilderness to collect mushrooms. The Latvian people are known for their loyalty, sincerity, and commitment to their loved ones, however, living in Latvia as a foreigner might require some getting used to, especially when the first cultural barriers appear. Living in Riga, or any other Latvian city, you need to understand how locals think. As a writer from LATAM who has lived in Russia, I can say from firsthand experience that the differences in communication are significant and may lead to misunderstandings. Nonetheless, these can be avoided if we go to Eastern countries, already grasping their sense of politeness. If you come from the west, living in Riga, Latvia, can feel uncomfortable at first because people will not be nice to you from the beginning. If you approach someone on the street and say hello, they will probably ask why you are addressing them if you are not acquaintances. For an American, this might seem impolite, but this isn’t so: they're simply not used to talking to strangers. While Latvians are very reserved, they are also welcoming and loyal to their friends. This means that, when they start considering you a friend, they will stop at nothing to help you, and they will be there for you no matter what. In the West, we're used to being chatty and making small talk. But living in Riga, Latvia, you shouldn't be surprised to climb into a bus and find it completely silent: they simply don't chat if they don't need to. I experienced something similar when I first climbed down the plane in Moscow for the first time. So, if you call a Latvian friend and ask them how they're doing, be ready to hear the real answer. For Americans, it's important to understand that they're not being rude, they're just being who they are: Latvians simply don't see the need for long introductions before getting to the point. In Latvia, people love natural products, which is why they like to shop in Riga’s Central Market. Living in Riga, you can expect to have a diet based on meat and potatoes, and often mushrooms. Don't expect to find any spicy food, but you will find dill in abundance. 

The world is vast and full of wonders. Some places dazzle with breathtaking scenery, others captivate with cultural depth, and many become sanctuaries for those seeking a new beginning. In this article, we will not debate the best country in the world. Every destination offers something unique. Instead, let’s explore the globe by theme, from ancient mysteries to modern havens for expatriates. Get ready to uncover the best countries to travel to for every kind of journey. When it comes to ancient enigmas, Egypt holds a special allure. The majestic pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, and the temples of Luxor stand as monuments echoing across millennia. Egypt opens a gateway into the world of pharaohs, priests, and eternal secrets. For those drawn to heritage, Egypt is undeniably among the most cultural places in the world. While Egypt preserves the East’s legacy, Mexico immerses travelers in the mystique of the Americas. The ruins of Chichen Itza and Palenque, the pyramids of Teotihuacan, and the lush Yucatán jungles reveal a vivid past. Anyone fascinated by Mayan culture and ancient spirituality will recognize Mexico as one of the most cultural places in the world and a destination full of wonder. Panama is considered one of the best countries to travel to, particularly for those planning to relocate. Its tropical weather, stable economy, attractive tax framework, high-quality healthcare, and luxury real estate continue to draw expatriates from all over the globe. Panama offers a balanced lifestyle where urban energy meets serene nature. Therefore, anyone looking for the best country in the world to live comfortably should consider Panama as a top contender. Portugal steadily earns its place as one of the best countries to travel to, especially for those starting a new chapter. It offers pleasant weather, safety, developed infrastructure, and a welcoming spirit across its cities. Those who dream of blending European quality with peaceful rhythms will find Portugal a compelling option when searching for the best country in the world for a tranquil life. While Portugal has a residency by investment program, Mundo recommends Panama because it offers the same lifestyle, more opportunities, and lower costs. For travelers in search of cultural richness, Russia is one of the most cultural places in the world. In nearly every big city, you’ll find philharmonic orchestras, drama theaters, opera houses, ballet, and even puppet theaters. The depth and accessibility of cultural institutions are deeply rooted in the national identity, which makes Russia a must-visit for those who seek artistic inspiration and generational heritage. The United States offers an extraordinary range of cultural experiences. Broadway theaters in New York create a landscape full of creative expression.