I have read the posts, and I can see that many are a reflection of (let's face it) the increasing bad to shockingly bad behavior worldwide. This puts would-be expats in an awkward position, perhaps having to make the best choice among the many bad choices out there. Everyone knows the highly touted expat havens in the Americas, e.g., Costa Rica and Panama. With enough capital to qualify for retirement in such places, I've done some homework in comparison to PR. I can make a list.
Colombia: Medellin, not the murder capital of the world anymore, but can't breathe the air either. A lot of unhappiness in the forum posts, reflective of those who would jump out of the frying pan into the fire without doing their due diligence. Can't find one place on the northern Caribbean coast that I would spend two minutes in, let alone retirement, including Santa Marta. Just dense and dirty. Cali -- out of the question.
Mexico: this is the murder capital of the world, including expat seniors; election of AMLO speaks volumes; you think PR is corrupt -- here they just kill politicians. I guess one could "run" to a place like Cancun, but you can't "hide."
Costa Rica: shocked to find actual reports of homicides on the increase in this once highly touted tranquil and stable (?) place. Higher COL than other countries.
Nicaragua: tried to recruit expats with low financial requirements. Today, snipers are aimed at students hiding in university classrooms. Expats fleeing.
Panama: Politics can turn on a dime, along with attitude toward expats. Typically, health insurance coverage is available to pensionados -- CAJA in CR and EPS in CO, but here, I can't find this benefit, just a bunch of useless senior discounts. Also high COL in the cities. Borders Darien -- need I say more.
Belize: QR program is inhospitable to those on fixed retirements less than $2500 USD.
Ecuador: Looks like this one is popular with possibly the least negative feedback.
US State Department country profiles/warnings a good place to start if you're like me in comparing PR to other warm weather locations.