The Expat Files: Living in Latin America

EXPAT FILES SHOW #1499, FRI, MAR 20 (03-20-26):

#1- When gringos and expats obtain indigenous wives and girlfriends:

#2- AI arrives in Latin America in a big and unexpected way…starting with the famous “Mercado Libre” buy and sell website eliminating10,000 white collar jobs (half of their support and marketing staff):

#3- How’d 3 million folks of Japanese decent end up in Brazil and Peru?

#4- About those gringo expats who prefer to have a driver or chofer on call:

#5- Extreme gringo prices and the excessive gringo gouge… today’s shocking “boots on the ground” story:

#6- What is the best Spanish language course or system for gringos and expats?

#7- Our own Expat Captain Mango has developed a unique one-on-one Crypto consulting and training service (he’s been deep into crypto since 2013). To get started, email him at:

bewarecaptainmango@gmail.com 

EXPAT FILES SHOW #1498, FRI, MAR 13 (03-13-26)

#1- When transit cops target gringos:

 

#2- The problem with gringo tourists:

 

#3- How Latinos can spot a gringo tourist a mile (or a kilometer) away:

What about them spotting out us long term expats?

 

#4- Do Latinos mock or make fun of us gringos behind our backs (like we do them?):

 

#5- The use of glyphosate in Latin America:

 

#6- Why buying a “Hybrid” car is pretty stupid:

 

#7- Our own Expat Captain Mango has developed a unique one-on-one Crypto consulting and training service (he’s been deep into crypto since 2013). To get started, email him at:

bewarecaptainmango@gmail.com 

 

The Expat Files: Living in Latin America - 3-6-26

#1- Do you have EFWS? (Expat Files Withdrawl Syndrome)

 

#2- TEN small ways Latin American repair guys will gouge and rip you off (and you probably won’t realize it):

 

#3- Those little piles of glass you occasionally see at street corners are NOT natural artifacts:

 

#4- Is it possible that Venezuelans are naturally more dishonest and scheming than Latin Americans from other countries?

 

#5- Our own Expat Captain Mango has developed a unique one-on-one Crypto consulting and training service (he’s been deep into crypto since 2013). To get started, email him at:

bewarecaptainmango@gmail.com 

The Expat Files - #1496, FRI, FEB 27 - 2026

#1- A word about Mexico “Lindo”:

Hate to say “I told ya so” but… I told ya so …

 

#2- Are there any places safe from the cartels in Mexico?

 

#3- Giving up on Air B&B’s:

 

#4- Why I don’t recommend Peru for your plan-B:

 

#5- I’m forever being asked about my pick for the best Latin American country for gringos and expats:

 

#6- Our own Expat Captain Mango has developed a unique one-on-one Crypto consulting and training service (he’s been deep into crypto since 2013). To get started, email him at:

bewarecaptainmango@gmail.com 

EXPAT FILES SHOW #1495, FRI, FEB 20 (02-20-26):

#1- Should you bring your kids with you to live in Latin America?

At first they will whine, kick and squirm….

 

#2- Don’t confuse nerds with intellectuals:

I’ve met Latino nerds on the spectrum, but I’ve yet to meet any real Latino lintellectual…  

 

#3- How Latinos rate you, versus how you rate yourself:

 

#4- Netflix is super popular in latin America:

Note though that the Spanish version in Latin America is very different from the USA netflix you are accustomed to:

 

#5- Even wealthy educated Latinos believe in and brujas, witches, spells and multiple superstitions:

DYK there’s a witch (bruja) on call in every neighborhood…

 

#6- Our own Expat Captain Mango has developed a unique one-on-one Crypto consulting and training service (he’s been deep into crypto since 2013). To get started, email him at:

bewarecaptainmango@gmail.com 

EXPAT FILES SHOW #1494, FRI, FEB 13 (02-13-26):

#1- About those horses you occasionally see on the street and in the boonies in Latin America:

 

#2- How educated Latinos in Latin America are reacting to Bad Bunny’s Superbowl appearance:

It’s not exactly what you might think…

 

#3- When Gringos attempt to apply for a Latin American driver’s license:

A funny thing happened on the way to the driver testing station….

 

#4- New Whatsapp scams are appearing every day here in Latin America:

Are they targeting Gringos and Expats?

 

#5- Hard water problems in Latin America and how to solve them… or not:

 

#6- Our own Expat Captain Mango has developed a unique one-on-one Crypto consulting and training service (he’s been deep into crypto since 2013). To get started, email him at:

bewarecaptainmango@gmail.com 

 

The Expat Files: Living in Latin America - 2/6/26

#1-  Why have some Latin countries like Guatemala suddenly appeared on Trump’s new blocked travel VISA list while other Latin countries don’t:  

 

#2- How Latinos use time-tested immigration scams to get legal USA 90 day travel visas, 

 

#3- A funny thing happened on my way to the USA embassy:

 

#4- An update on taking Gold and Crypto assets across country borders:

 

#5- Our own Expat Captain Mango has developed a unique one-on-one Crypto consulting and training service (he’s been deep into crypto since 2013). To get started, email him at:

bewarecaptainmango@gmail.com 

THE EXPAT FILES SHOW #1492, FRI, JAN 30 (01-30-26)

#1-  My personal history of being scammed in Latin America (by popular listener demand):

Yes, we all get scammed in our lifetimes and have the scars to prove it, some more than others but hopefully we learn. There are bad people out there, though sometimes we're asking for it. We're just stupid , gullible, unlucky or ill-informed and thus become marks. Since no one is 100% immune from scams, before you start crying and whining about your own history of being clipped, you’ll want to hear this story…

 

#2- Beware!!! With silver at over 100 bucks an ounce and gold over 5000, if you are lucky enough to have some, what are you supposed to do with it? 

It’s a dangerous time to buy, especially when there are tons of near perfect counterfeits out there on ebay and other online sites…

 

#3- Will Latin Americans ever accept self-driving cars and robots? Will the technology ever make it down to Latin America in a meaningful way?

 

#4- Our own Expat Captain Mango has developed a unique one-on-one Crypto consulting and training service (he’s been deep into crypto since 2013). To get started, email him at:

bewarecaptainmango@gmail.com 

THE EXPAT FILES SHOW #1491, FRI, JAN 23 (01-23-26)

#1-  The best and worst case scenarios when one attempts to build or remodel a house or property in Latin America:

Today we cite examples at both ends of the spectrum… a gringo house building project that went very smoothly and a project that became a complete disaster…  

#2- When your Latino neighbors have bodyguards:

How might it affect you and what are you to make of it?

#3- Crazy Latin American floor patterns and abrupt staircase height changes are common:

Be extra careful or someday you will surely trip and fall on your ass…

#4- When a building contractor's verbal and implied warranties,

The Expat Files: Living in Latin America

Descriptions - EXPAT FILES SHOW #1490, FRI, JAN 16 (01-16-26): 

 

#1- What Latin American Spanish rags are saying about the Maduro capture:

Here’s what 1^st world captured media won’t tell you…

 

#2- The “macho” culture restaurant effect- in reverse:

Why does the lone gringo at the table so often get guilted into picking up the check?

 

#3- Crazy Latin American relationship facts- PART 2:

A continued rant on why so many beautiful Latina women have unattractive, low-value husbands, boyfriends and errant kids…

 

#4- How to kill a formerly nice, popular gringo tourist spot:

Might decapitating five or six locals and mounting their heads on poles at the beach do the trick?

 

#5- Our own Expat Captain Mango has developed a unique one-on-one Crypto consulting and training service (he’s been deep into crypto since 2013). To get started, email him at:

bewarecaptainmango@gmail.com