We didn't see much bitcoin use among the normal population, although TBF, we weren't at the touristy areas that are more bitcoin-focused.
Interestingly, the locals use USD coins very frequently. Like the Susan B Anthony, and a bunch of others I had never seen before. We first thought they were some sort of counterfeit or game token. And they seem to hate change. Most things are rounded to a dollar or 25cents so you don't need anything smaller than a quarter. Plus, outside of retail, the government stays out and doesn't bother to enforce sales taxes, so rounding is easy. I've been told the government basically keeps it's nose out of small businesses.
What's sort of fascinating is that there's this almost underground distribution network. We only saw pieces, but the Tiendas are supplied by runners on motorcycles or bicycles. It's this vast network of local micro-scale suppliers moving products to micro-scale stores. Very resilent, flexible and functional without any mega-corps or government regulations. Reminded me of the US a century ago.
It's probably the biggest barrier. You can get through the airport on arrival with just English, but beyond that, most people speak only Spanish unless you go to very tourist-focused places or expat enclaves.
For us, those are areas we don't find particularly interesting or desireable so getting conversational is a goal for us. We live in a rural area in the US and plan on living in a rural area there. It'll be hard enough as gringos, but almost impossible without being able to speak the langauge.
Plus most of the North American expats are damned annoying. I can see why the locals tend to despise them in just about every country.
We didn't see much bitcoin use among the normal population, although TBF, we weren't at the touristy areas that are more bitcoin-focused.
Interestingly, the locals use USD coins very frequently. Like the Susan B Anthony, and a bunch of others I had never seen before. We first thought they were some sort of counterfeit or game token. And they seem to hate change. Most things are rounded to a dollar or 25cents so you don't need anything smaller than a quarter. Plus, outside of retail, the government stays out and doesn't bother to enforce sales taxes, so rounding is easy. I've been told the government basically keeps it's nose out of small businesses.
What's sort of fascinating is that there's this almost underground distribution network. We only saw pieces, but the Tiendas are supplied by runners on motorcycles or bicycles. It's this vast network of local micro-scale suppliers moving products to micro-scale stores. Very resilent, flexible and functional without any mega-corps or government regulations. Reminded me of the US a century ago.
Could you see yourself living there?
Definitely, but we already have friends there which makes it easier for us.
And you probably speak the language which helps.
Not yet, but working on it.
It's probably the biggest barrier. You can get through the airport on arrival with just English, but beyond that, most people speak only Spanish unless you go to very tourist-focused places or expat enclaves.
For us, those are areas we don't find particularly interesting or desireable so getting conversational is a goal for us. We live in a rural area in the US and plan on living in a rural area there. It'll be hard enough as gringos, but almost impossible without being able to speak the langauge.
Plus most of the North American expats are damned annoying. I can see why the locals tend to despise them in just about every country.