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Originally Posted by MSV
Any answers?
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How is the weather?
6 months of "high" season and 6 months rainy season. The capital city is some 2000 feet or something above sea level, temperatures vary up to about 30 or so in the high season. 4 months of the rainy season is characterized by sunny mornings, rain in the afternoon, and drying off for the evening. 2 months it rains most of the day. The temperature drops a few degrees in rainy season but is mostly noticable at night. The beaches are obviously sea level, and usually up to about 5 degrees hotter or so on average.
How is shopping for food? How are the movie theatres?
Food shopping is pretty normal except for a few things. Quality meat is difficult to find in supermarkets, but their are some "export" quality butchers in the nicer suburbs. Booze, fresh vegetables and fruits and bakery products tend to be very cheap. Prepared, or canned items (such as campbells soup) is substantially more expensive than you're probably used to.
We have something called The VIP theatre, with leather reclining chairs, and waiters that bring you drinks and food (sushi, among other things). It's an awesome experience. Other theatres vary in comfort and quality, but all in all it's not too bad
How is the internet?
Pretty good in most parts of the capital city. Slow or simply not available yet on most beaches. It is improving on the beaches, but it'll be a few more years probably. In the city I have 2mb/256K cable modems for about $70 a month.
How are the roads?
Fucking terrible. If you can, you'll want to buy an SUV. Pothols are everywhere and some of them can swallow your vehicle whole. Also, people steal man hole covers and sell them for scrap in some places, so you have to watch out for that. Things only get worse as you get closer to the beach. Locals drive like fucking idiots, wherever you can fit a car on the road. Streetlights, reflectors and even lines on the road can be rare. Good luck, you'll need it.
What is typical cost of cars there, what cars are available?
Most types of cars are available here and expect to pay somewhere around 60% more than in the US.
How hard is it to find hookers, and are they clean, look good?
I guess, but try being a man, you don't need to pay for sex. That's desperate.
Is it common for foreigners with money to have maids, cooks, etc as in other countries?
My maid works 3 days a week and costs $50 a week. My gardner comes once a week but has to clean up after 3 Rottweilers, so he gets paid $20 per week. It's quite common and most nicer houses will have built in servant quarters.