Arriva Journal
Field notes from Latin America
Honest, specific, from-experience relocation writing.
Panama Pensionado Visa Cost 2026: The Real Numbers
Most Pensionado guides quote the $250 government filing fee and call it a day. The realistic all-in for a couple in 2026 is closer to $4,500–$6,000. Here's the breakdown.
Jul 11, 20268 min readPanamaPensionado
Costa Rica vs Panama for Retirement 2026: Honest Comparison
I keep getting asked which is 'better.' The honest answer is neither — they're solving different problems. Here's how to pick the right one for your situation.
Jul 11, 202610 min readPanamaCosta Rica
How to Vet an Immigration Lawyer in Latin America (Without Getting Burned)
The most expensive relocation mistake isn't a wrong visa — it's paying a lawyer $2,000 up front, then paying another $2,000 to a second lawyer to fix what the first one missed.
Jul 11, 20266 min readLegalImmigration