The lakeside towns of Chapala, Ajijic and Jocotepec are situated about an hour’s drive south of Guadalajara, Mexico’s second largest city.  These lakeside colonial towns are home to one of the largest concentrations of foreign residents anywhere in Mexico.  Attractions of the location include an ideal year-round climate, easy access to Guadalajara’s amenities and international airport, and a long-established populace of foreign residents who organize a wide range of social and cultural events in the locality.

Living in Lake Chapala, Ajijic and Jocotepec

Situated at elevation on the shores of Mexico’s largest lake, Lake Chapala, the towns of Chapala, Ajijic and Jocotepec are home to the largest concentration of American and Canadian residents anywhere in Mexico.  Although the population increases during the winter season, many foreign residents make this their primary year-round home.

Discovering Lake Chapala, Ajijic and Jocotepec

Chapala, Ajijic and Jocotepec are small Mexican colonial towns situated on the northern shoreline of Lake Chapala, Mexico’s largest lake.  The area is conveniently situated about an hour’s drive from the southside of Guadalajara —Mexico’s second largest city— and is also close to Guadalajara’s international airport.

The ‘Lake Chapala area’ encompasses the towns of Chapala and nearby towns of Ajijic (about a 20-30 minute drive, depending on traffic) and, further west along the north lakeside, the small town of Jocotepec (about a 45-60 minute drive from Chapala) that has begun to experience a higher influx of foreign residents of late.

The area became popular in the early 20th century when Mexico’s former president Porfirio Diaz vacationed here, and famous writer DH Lawrence wrote his notable work, The Plumed Serpent, while staying in Chapala.

After the revolutionary war, transport connections were improved with a train line (now closed; the old station has been turned into a cultural center) and today the area is made easily accessible by road highways that connect the towns to each other and to the nearby city of Guadalajara.  The region’s main airport is conveniently situated 20 miles (about a 30-minute drive) north of the town of Chapala, and offers regular flights to Mexico City and various US cities. Check FlightConnections.com for current routes.

Chapala

Chapala is a popular weekend get-away destination for Tapatios, as people from Guadalajara are known.  The town’s lakeshore district is characterized by it bandstand, scenic pier, and local cafés and restaurants; boat rides depart from here to take tourists to some of the islands on the lake, including Isla de los Alacranes (Scorpion Island) that offers sight-seeing and a place to sit and enjoy a meal.  Chapala is the first lakeside town you’ll encounter as you drive south from Guadalajara and the airport and is also where the area’s principal bus station is situated.  Chapala becomes particularly busy during the weekends as well as during long holiday weekends.

Ajijic

About a 20-30 minute drive west from Chapala (depends on local traffic) is the picturesque town of Ajijic.  This is the best known of all the lakeside towns, and tends to be the one most sought-after by foreign residents considering a move to the area.  Its picturesque streets, cobbled alleyways, pleasant plazas, and agreeable treelined boardwalk along the lakeside offer an environment that is quintessentially colonial Mexico coupled with Anglicized stores and restaurants.  Combined, these two worlds fuse into an attractive environment that provides the picturesque feel of a traditional colonial Mexican town with the comforts and amenities of an American one.

One of the striking features of the town is the proliferation of street and mural artworks that can be found throughout Ajijic.  The presence of this artwork sprang from the 1954 Children’s Art Program at Lake Chapala Society (see community, below, for more information about the LCS).  The town also makes efforts to recognize and celebrate writers and artists which you can discover and read about on local historian Tony Burton’s website, Lake Chapala Artists.

Jocotepec

“Joco,” as it’s referred to locally, is the western-most lakeside town along the north shore of Lake Chapala. Far fewer foreign residents live here than in neighboring Ajijic and Chapala, although as property prices have soared in established neighborhoods, potential new residents looking for lower-priced homes or rents, as well as those who seek a town near to Ajijic but with less concentration of foreign residents, may consider Jocotepec as a potential alternative.  Joco serves as a mid-point between the social and cultural attractions in Ajijic and Chapala and the growing assortment of modern services and stores in southwest Guadalajara, including CostCo, readily accessible from Jocotepec via highways 15 and 80.

Long-established community of foreign residents

The Lake Chapala area, with the main towns of Chapala, Ajijic and Jocotepec (and smaller enclaves including Riberas del Pilar, La Floresta, San Antonio, and San Juan Cosalá) is the most comprehensively developed of all the popular regions where foreign residents live in Mexico.  Like San Miguel de Allende, the unfolding of this locality as a foreign resident enclave happened over many decades, and was brought about through a series of organic events and situations which, together over time, cultivated a community of people with common interests and lifestyle priorities.  It is this long-established group of foreign residents who have arrived and become actively involved in the care and development of the communities they live among that has formed the Lake Chapala areas as they have become today.

For potential foreign residents seeking a place to live in Mexico, the lakeside villages offer a ‘turn-key’ lifestyle location that combines the idyllic characteristics of Mexico with familiar tones and behaviors of Anglicized culture, including an immediate community people speaking English as their principal or strong second language.

Perfect year-round climate

One of the biggest attractions for foreign residents living in the Lake Chapala area is the near-perfect climate that this region offers.  Situated at over 5,000 feel above sea level and settled alongside a natural lake, the locality offers all of the benefits of living in a mountain climate.

You don’t need to spend money keeping warm in the winter, and unlike living at the beach, you don’t need to spend money on expensive air-conditioning to keep cool during the summer months.  The year-round temperate climate provides ideal living conditions for indoor and outdoor activities.  You can learn more about the climate and weather in Lake Chapala in the section below.

Strong local community

The Lake Chapala area has what is probably the best organized and most highly developed local community of foreign residents anywhere in Mexico.  This has come about through decades of dedication by foreign residents who arrived and took an active interest in the local community and environs.

The lion’s share of the community efforts are spearheaded and coordinated by The Lake Chapala Society, headquartered in Ajijic, with arts and cultural activities led by the Lakeside Little Theatre company.

Residents who come to live in the area tend to become actively involved in social, cultural and altruistic activities, all of which contribute to the growth and strength of the local community spirit that exists here.  For newcomers, the Lake Chapala Society provides an immediate connection to local people, activities and events; and for long-term residents the society serves a foundation and focal point for the ongoing development of local community interests.

Unique and not easily compared

There is nowhere else in Mexico like Lake Chapala; other small towns that aspire to become ‘meccas’ for foreign residents (for the investment and energy they bring) talk about ’emulating the model,’ but the truth is that the Lake Chapala area (and Ajijic in particular) evolved over many decades as people attracted to the locale streamed in naturally and made unique contributions —some significant, others quite small but cooperatively important— in ways that cannot be forced or brought about in short time scales for the expediency of creating a new lifestyle destination.

This is not an ideal destination for everyone who wants to forge a new lifestyle in Mexico, and like anywhere else it’s worth taking time to consider your needs and priorities, but towns around Lake Chapala offer a comfortable and agreeable situation, especially for people who want to combine Mexico’s atmosphere and its physical environment (e.g. climate, food, architecture) with the immediate presence of a familiar Anglo culture that has formed over decades right on the doorstep in the form of social, cultural, and educational events and facilities.  The lakeside area’s proximity to an international airport is also a big pull for foreign residents with family and/or business ties in the US and Canada.

Cost of Living in Lake Chapala & environs

The cost of living in Mexico is typically lower than it is the USA, Canada and Europe, although precise costs depend upon where you live and your lifestyle choices.

Living or retiring in the Lake Chapala area is more affordable than in the US and Canada and Europe; however, it is among the more expensive places in Mexico to live, in part to due to the steady demand from foreign residents for property and services here, and the fact that some elements of the local economy (especially rents and house prices) are effectively dollarized—see real estate, below, for details.

Prices for everyday goods at local shops, supermarkets, and everyday services like telephony and utilities are in line with prices everywhere else in Mexico.

The Lake Chapala area is well served with local stores, including a large Wal-Mart, and within an hour’s drive residents have access to a wide range of modern shopping amenities including big stores like CostCo and Sam’s Club that are popular with foreign residents, as well as specialist retailers that stock imported goods which are not easily found in Mexico.

Real Estate in Lake Chapala & environs

The Lake Chapala area offers a wide range of home options to suit all tastes and budgets; from small rustic casitas to large homes built into the upper levels of the nearby mountainside offering breathtaking views across the lake.  Most foreign residents who are attracted to Lake Chapala and can afford it will rent or buy a home in Ajijic proper (and a range of price levels exists within the town itself, depending on the locale and type of property); Chapala is the second most popular locale with foreign residents; and Jocotepec, the western-most town on the north shore, is the location in this area with the least concentration of foreign residents and also the town with lower rental and purchase prices.

Principal areas (neighborhoods) around Lake Chapala

These are the principal areas where foreign residents typically buy or rent homes in the Lake Chapala area:

• Chapala itself — most foreign residents have homes situated in the hillsides above the pier and downtown lakeshore area; neighborhoods include Lourdes, San Miguel, Tepehua, La Purisima, La Parota, and Nuevo Chapala;
• as you travel west from Chapala, you’ll find Riberas del Pilar and San Antonio—popular small town/neighborhoods nestled between Chapala and Ajijic; and
• Ajijic — the most sought-after and the most expensive of all the lakeside towns; it’s where the Lake Chapala Society is headquartered and is the focal point for all the social, cultural and educational activities of the area; it’s also the most crowded and with the highest concentration of foreign residents;
• west from Ajijic along the north shore is San Juan Cosalá, an increasingly popular conurbation in the locality that’s attracting significant interest from foreign residents as well being a focal point for property developers; then
• further west are the small conurbations Jaltepec and Chantepec; before you reach
• the westernmost town on the north shore, Jocotepec, that is also the gateway to the highway connecting Lake Chapala with the (growing) southwest side of Guadalajara, including the shops and amenities near Santa Anita.

Ajijic remains the most popular and most sought after of all the lakeside towns. The demand is driven by its picturesque streets and plazas, its role as the focal point for social and cultural activities, and its ample assortment of attractive accommodations. It is, however, the most expensive of all the lakeside towns for property rentals and purchase.

Chapala, Ribera del Pila, San Antonio and San Juan Cosalá are the next most popular (and expensive) areas; as you travel further west along the north shore of the lake, you’ll find lower prices in the conurbations of Jaltepec and Chantepec, and in the town of Jocotepec.

Small properties can be purchased from around US$100,000.  Property rentals in Ajijic and Chapala tend to be quoted in US dollars and start at around US$400 per month for a small studio. Two bedroom homes can rent from US$800 per month.

Lower rents (and rents quoted in Mexican pesos) can be sought in more traditional neighborhoods and in conurbations outside of Ajijic and Chapala proper.  Our Mexico Cost of Living guide contains chapters on property prices as well as links to portal sites where you can browse properties for rent and for sale.

Healthcare services in Lake Chapala

In addition to Mexico’s state sponsored healthcare provided via the country’s national health service IMSS, good quality healthcare services offered through private clinics with US-standard healthcare services exist in the Lake Chapala area.

Hospitals/Clinics:  The area offers two local private hospitals, both situated between Chapala and Ajijic, which offer “tier 4” facilities (almost all services) with lab work and care provided lakeside and no need to travel to Guadalajara for treatments.  You will need to be insured or pay out of pocket to use these.  See the insurance options article link, below, for details about coverage choices.

Doctors: Lake Chapala is well served by doctors on call, many of whom speak Spanish and English.  They can refer you to local (public and private) clinics, specialists and hospitals.

Dentists: There are plenty of dentists to choose from; ask locally for a recommendation.

Opticians: There are several optometrists available offering eye tests, treatments and some also offer laser surgery.  Ask locally for details.

The city of Guadalajara (about an hour’s drive away) offers additional medical services and healthcare specialists if these are needed.

Local climate in Lake Chapala

As we mentioned earlier in the guide (see above), Lake Chapala offers a near perfect year-round climate to live in, and it’s this temperate climate that is one of the top attractions to people considering a move here, and as well encouraging those already living here to stay.

The towns along the north shore of Lake Chapala enjoy year-round temperate climates.  In the fall and winter months, daytime high temperatures average around 75F (23C) and nighttime lows average around 42F (6C).  In the spring and summer months, daytime high temperatures average around 85F (29C) and nighttime lows average around 55F (13C).  The rain season runs from around mid-May to mid-October each year, sometimes spilling into November.

Lake Chapala & environs essentials

Connect to practical information and gain insights about living and lifestyle in nearby Guadalajara, Mexico

Lake Chapala articles and guides

Connect to more articles and guides about Lake Chapala here on Mexperience

Lake Chapala airport

The Lake Chapala towns are served by Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla international airport (GDL) situated about 20 miles (50 minute road trip) north from the downtown pier area of Chapala. Check FlightConnections.com for current routes.

Lake Chapala map

Explore Lake Chapala on Google maps

Getting around Mexico

Transportation choices in Mexico

Communications in Mexico

Stay in touch when you’re in Mexico:

• Telephony services
• Internet and WiFi services

Money and banking services in Mexico

Learn about money management and banking in Mexico

• Free guide to Money and Banking Services in Mexico
• Latest articles about money and currency in Mexico

Driving in Mexico

Learn about driving and road trips in Mexico

• Driving and road trips in Mexico
• Auto insurance in Mexico

Health and safety in Mexico

Connect to articles and resources about health and safety matters in Mexico

• Safety in Mexico
• Health and safety updates

Learn about the prospects and opportunities offered by a new lifestyle lived and enjoyed on the shores of Lake Chapala, Mexico’s largest lake, situated in the mountains about an hour’s drive from Guadalajara and a six-hour drive northwest of Mexico City.

Invaluable program that shares essential insights into lifestyles around Lake Chapala

The program is organized and run by Focus on Mexico who, for two decades, has offered structured learning programs, seminars, and guidance for people who are seriously considering a move to Lake Chapala in Mexico, and want to get detailed insights about the prospects, opportunities, as well as the realities of living here.

Dates are open for 6-day events at Lake Chapala, as well as Online Programs which feature twice-weekly online meetings over a four week period.

Program dates for 2024

Focus on Mexico runs programs in Ajijic, on the shores of Lake Chapala, as well as online programs.  These are the current program dates:

• NEXT ONLINE PROGRAM: The next online program is taking place between between January 16th and February 13th, 2024 (twice weekly meetings over 5 weeks).
• HOSTED AT LAKE CHAPALA: The spring 2024 program will be held at the Lake Chapala Society in Ajijic between February 25th and March 1, 2024.

The programs, whether you attend in person or online, offer a fully guided, hands-on experience that will give you a detailed insights into “life at Lakeside” to help you determine if this area is right for your life situation, whether you’re single, a couple, or a family thinking about a move here.

Get current information that’s relevant and concise

Whether you attend a program hosted online or hosted at Lake Chapala, each program is carefully designed and customized for people thinking about moving or retiring to the Lake Chapala area, and the program material also provides essential knowledge as you make your transition, regardless of where in Mexico you eventually decide to live.

The program is carefully structured into logical steps, organized into three key stages:

• local knowledge and insights that help you to assess the area and lifestyle and decide whether Lake Chapala and environs is right for you;
• learning about the choices and practicalities of creating a new lifestyle in Mexico; and
• practical advice about the move itself, sharing essential things you need to know as you physically move to Mexico and settle-in here.

What’s included in program hosted at Lake Chapala?

Lake Chapala is one of the easiest places to get to in Mexico, via Guadalajara’s international airport, situated about 40 minutes’ drive from the lakeside towns.  Many participants choose to arrive earlier and/or stay on longer to explore the area on their own.

Your program begins with a Welcome Cocktail evening reception (including snacks and drinks) and registration at the Lake Chapala Society restaurant—a delightful and fresh open-air dining and meeting venue surrounded by lush vegetation. It’s an ideal opportunity to meet your program leaders and fellow participants amidst a relaxed and social atmosphere.

Comprehensive resource materials are provided, including a Workbook, Topic Handouts, and ‘Moving your Stuff’ to Mexico Instruction Book.

First-hand knowledge presentations by local experts: The week will be filled with interesting talks and seminars given by experts in their fields. Contact information for Expert Speakers will be provided, along with a growing list of recommended local providers, whose talks will give you insights into:

• health care, hospitals/doctors/health insurance options in the area;
• living lakeside lifestyles, safety/crime, legal;
• cost of living, U.S. taxes, Canadian non-residency, currency exchange;
• Mexican economy, investing in Mexico, immigration visas, doing business in Mexico;
• moving to Mexico, bringing pets;
• real estate, home financing, title insurance, renting or buying;
• keeping foreign plated vehicles, buying a car locally… and more.

Next steps and FAQs including a special session that helps you to determine “what do I do next?”, the creation of an Action Plan, and “how to” guides for when you are ready to make the move.

An invaluable personal experience

This 6-day program at Lake Chapala is an ideal opportunity to meet and talk to like-minded people, get first-hand insights about living and lifestyles in and around Lake Chapala, and gain valuable insights that can help you to make considered choices about a move to Mexico.

The program hosted at Lake Chapala is carefully structured to help you get the most from this type of gathering, including:

• coffee breaks, and private time for individual viewings and/or appointments;
• two Area and Housing Tour excursions; two lunches and two dinners are included in the program price with these excursions. (Additional optional outings available a-la-carte on advance request);
• activities info sheet including recommended restaurants and entertainment venue options;
• optional Focus ‘a-la-carte’ services for more detailed information on specific areas of interest, for example, getting a Mexican driver’s license, applying for the senior citizen discount card;
• access to a private Facebook Group of ‘Focus Alumni’ and the Focus Team to capture memories, continue the conversation, share photos, experiences, and advice.

Your week’s program at Lake Chapala will be rounded-off with a farewell Mexican Fiesta party at the home of a Focus alumnus, including evening dinner and drinks.

Pricing for Program hosted at Lake Chapala

This carefully designed and comprehensively structured program is offered for US$790 per person, or US$1,380 for a couple.

• A US$100 deposit will be taken in advance to secure your place on the program, with the balance due about a month before the program start date.
• A list of recommended accommodations will be sent to participants that offer comfortable lodgings within walking distance of the Lake Chapala Society.
• Optional “Focus ‘a-la-carte’ services” are quoted and paid for separately, in addition to the program fee.

Reserve your space by completing the form below.

What’s included in the Online Program?

The Online Program all of the same essential move-to-Mexico topics and benefits of the programs hosted at Lake Chapala, (see next section) with the exception of the local social and touring events.

The Online Program is presented over 5 weeks

The live online sessions are recorded and you’ll be given special access to these for post-event review, or in case you miss the live event online.

Join the Online Program for:

• One-on-one pre-program interview
• Live twice-weekly trainings you can attend in the convenience and comfort of your own home
• Live online Q&A sessions so you can get experts to address matters of specific concern to you
• Written guides and Cheat Sheets on key topics to support your learning throughout the online program
• Access to the Members-only Facebook group where you can meet like-minded people and share knowledge and experience
• One-on-one RoadMap implementation session with the leader of the program
• One-on-one post-program Action Plan review
• In addition to having access to the recorded program in 2023, you’ll also get full access to the the online program recorded in 2021 if you want to research further
• Money-back guarantee offered by the program organizer

Online Program pricing

Online program price: US$490, and the organizer offers a 100% no questions asked money-back guarantee if you did not find value in excess of the program cost.

Reserve your space by completing the form below.

Request further information and booking

Complete the request form below and the organizers of this program will contact you with further details, including information about how to reserve your place(s).

Greg Custer leads walking tours on Saturdays, which encompass key facets of the picturesque town of Ajijic, its history, culture, attractions, and ecology.  Greg has been visiting the Lake Chapala area for over 40 years and has been living here full-time since 2015.

Discover Ajijic intimately—on foot

The picturesque town of Ajijic is the best known of all the lakeside towns, and tends to be the one most sought-after by foreign residents considering a move to the area.  Its picturesque streets, cobbled alleyways, pleasant plazas, and agreeable treelined boardwalk along the lakeside offer an environment that is quintessentially colonial Mexico coupled with Anglicized stores and restaurants.

Greg Custer offers an insightful, informative, and entertaining walking tour of the village of Ajijic and its shoreline along Lake Chapala—Mexico’s largest natural lake.

The tours take three hours and include insights about local legends, ancient history, and a colorful constellation of characters who have impacted the Ajijic community.  This agreeable half-day outing is a moderately easy walking tour, with opportunities to rest, including a complimentary beverage from a local café as the small group explores the nooks and crannies of this charming mountain town and helps you delve into its heritage, appeal, and attractions.

The tour is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the area if you’re visiting the town for leisure.  If you’re planning a possible move to the Lake Chapala area, this small-group walking tour will provide you with helpful insights and vital local knowledge that can help you to consider your choices as you form your Mexico lifestyle plans.

Make a request for your walking tour of Ajijic

Complete the tour info request form below and Greg will contact you directly to arrange your walking tour of Ajijic.

Mexico lifestyle consultant, Greg Custer, helps you to make informed choices and form a coherent plan for your intended lifestyle in Mexico.

Save time and gain valuable lifestyle insights

This lifestyle consultancy service is carefully structured to assist in your lifestyle deliberations and planning. The full consultation will:

• help you to consider choices and the groundwork needed to plan for living, working, or retirement in Mexico;
• save you valuable time by focusing on matters related to your specific circumstances;
• give you unique insights into the options and choices available for different lifestyles in Mexico based on your aims and intentions;
• help you to learn about the practicalities of moving and adapting to a new lifestyle and culture; and
• the consultation may also help you to avoid making material mistakes commonly made by those seeking a lifestyle abroad.

Free 15-minute discovery consultation

Greg offers a free 15-minute consultation with you so that you can meet and get to know each other, briefly discuss your situation, and determine if the service and his experience is right for your needs.

During your free 15-minute discovery consultation you can:

• Meet Greg and learn about his background and experience.
• Share a brief summary about your situation.
• Determine if this consulting service is right for your needs.
• Optionally schedule a date for a full consultation.

Full consultation and written brief

Detailed questions you want to ask and concerns you want to address will be discussed during the full consultation.  The lifestyle consultation package is offered for a fixed fee of US$249 and you can book and pay for a full consultation directly with the consultant.

Benefits of a full consultation

The full consultation will identify important aspects about your situation, address potential issues, and answer specific questions or concerns you have regarding a move to Mexico.

During the full consultation, our associate will:

• Help you to identify your priorities and define your aims and intentions.
• Consider realistic and viable options, based on your life stage, lifestyle choices, and intentions.
• Help you to consider whether Mexico is a good fit for you alone, or with your partner and family as relevant.
• Address any specific questions or concerns you have about moving to Mexico to live, work, or retire.
• Help you to compile a shortlist of potential locations that may suit your lifestyle needs if you’re not yet sure about where in Mexico you want to live.
• Help you to consider the groundwork needed to plan the move and adapt to a new lifestyle abroad.
• Share helpful local knowledge and valuable advice based on practical real-life experience of having moved to, settled, and adapted to Mexico.

After the consultation, our associate will compose a written summary briefing and send this to you by email. The brief will summarize your consultation, and contain curated references based on your individual situation for further research and planning.

About Greg Custer

Greg Custer was born and raised in California. He spent 25 years based in Oregon where he raised his family of three children and from where he led a thriving Mexico tourism consultancy business.

In 2015 he and his wife migrated to Lake Chapala with his mom, who lived in assisted living lakeside, and he is now a permanent resident.  Greg’s an integral part of the highland lakeside community in Chapala, Jalisco; surrounded by volcanic mountains, facing Mexico’s largest freshwater lake.  His expertise includes:

• Greg’s focus over the past 40 years has been educating travel agents around the world about Mexico, working on behalf of Mexico’s Tourism Ministry from 1992-2018.
• He’s based in Ajijic, on Lake Chapala —Mexico’s largest long-established community of foreign expats— where he actively helps potential foreign residents to consider their options, and existing residents to settle-in to their new lifestyles here.
• His detailed knowledge about the country and its culture provides unique insights to people seeking Mexico lifestyle options and opportunities.
• Greg holds a BA and Master degree in Latin American Studies from UCLA.

Greg is also founder of Choosing Mexico, helping people to connect with a Mexican pueblo, urban, or resort lifestyle. He has a valuable depth of knowledge and experience about moving to and living in Mexico, including having visited and written about all of Mexico’s 32 states.

Fixed fee lifestyle consultation

The lifestyle consultation package is offered for a fixed fee of US$249.

The full consultation call typically lasts for about an hour, and the package includes a post-consultation written summary brief for your review and further reference.

• The consultation begins with an in-depth conversation by telephone or video conference that typically lasts about an hour.
• After the consultation, Greg will compose a written summary briefing and send this to you by email.
• The brief will summarize your consultation, and contain curated references based on your individual situation for further research and planning.
• Optional follow-up consultations may be booked directly with Greg, billed on an hourly basis.

Greg Custer offers a free 15-minute discovery consultation with you by telephone or video conference so that you can meet and get to know each other, briefly discuss your situation, and determine if the service and her experience is right for your needs.

If you decide to hire Greg and proceed with a full consultation, he will send you a payment request for a fixed-fee lifestyle consultation package.

Additional consultation time

If you would like a follow-up consultation after purchasing the fixed fee package, Greg also offers consultancy on an hourly basis at US$99 per hour (one hour minimum).  Any time over one hour is billed precisely as used.

Make a service request

To make a service request, please complete the request form below.
Our lifestyle consulting associate will contact you personally to organize your consultation.

The sweeping landscape of Mexico’s central highlands (also known as the Mexican Altiplano) is home to some of the country’s most picturesque and agreeable colonial towns and cities which offer an abundance of character and culture—and the benefits of mountain living.

The benefits of mountain living in Mexico

Living at elevation —typically, Mexico’s inland colonial towns and cities are situated at elevations of at least 4,000 feet above sea level— offers several benefits:

Ideal climates

Many places situated at elevation in Mexico offer the benefit of year-round temperate, low-humidity, climates created by a combination of the locations’ latitude and an average elevation around 6,000 feet above sea level which make it a pleasure to live and be outdoors, and an ideal location to enjoy active outdoor activities.

Enjoy plenty of daylight all-year

Year-round and especially during the winter, you benefit from at least ten hours of daylight every day of the year, with no shortage of daylight hours in the winter, and you also enjoy extended light into the evenings during the late spring and summer months.  You can learn about climates through the seasons in Mexico here on Mexperience.

Fresh highland air and breathtaking views

Enjoy crisp, fresh, mountain air which complements the magnificent views from local vantage points, and elevations that can aid your good health and general well-being without being too high so as to become uncomfortable.

Access to good local infrastructure and amenities

Many of Mexico’s popular colonial highland towns and cities offer provincial living with plenty of local fresh food and produce markets, (much of it grown locally), independent shops and boutique traders, with accessibility to popular big-brand stores, outlets, and supermarkets as well as specialized stores offering foods and homewares foreign residents often seek out when living here. Most colonial cities also have adequate-to-excellent healthcare facilities locally; in smaller towns, more extensive facilities are available in larger nearby cities.

Well-connected to transport links

You’ll discover that the highland towns are well connected by modern roads, most are serviced by frequent intercity bus services, and some also have airports nearby. High-speed internet access is available in your home, as well as wireless data over advanced mobile networks which form part of Mexico’s extensive communications infrastructure.

Integrate into genuine local communities

Many of the colonial towns and cities offer you the opportunity to participate and integrate in local communities.  Here you can discover authentic neighborhoods and real local community spirit, and if you choose to, you can integrate with local lifestyles and community groups, and forge long-term friendships.

Considerations for mountain living in Mexico

Mountain living isn’t for everyone.  Some people yearn to be near the ocean with year-round warmth, whereas highland towns tend to be cooler—and may even get cold at times during the winter months.  A very small number of people find that they can’t adjust to living at higher elevations, while others find the mountain towns too remote, rural, or provincial for their lifestyle preferences or intentions.

If you’re unsure, visit for an extended stay

An ideal way to determine if mountain life in Mexico will suit you is to invest in a trial period —perhaps six months to a year— and see how you respond to the experience.  When you take the time to explore, you’ll discover thriving communities where, when you’re prepared to integrate, local people will come to know and greet you by name, you’ll cultivate appreciable relationships, you’ll give and receive value as you trade at the local markets through transactions which feel human and personal… and over time, you become the community you seek.

When you look with care you’ll also find the very best of Mexico in these places—people, culture, climate, food, amenities, and real local communities. For some, Mexico’s highland towns and cities become exceptionally special places to live.

Choosing between urban and (semi) rural settings

Other than Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey, Mexico’s highland towns and cities are situated in provincial (rural or semi-rural) settings and we recommend your consider whether living in the Mexican countryside would suit you, as well as giving careful thought to your lifestyle needs as a whole as you short-list potential places to live instead of looking at certain aspects in isolation.

As with other places you may consider moving to in Mexico, you’ll need to plan and prepare for your new lifestyle, you might need to acclimatize to the higher elevation, and you’ll need to be prepared to forge your own story here. Hundreds of thousands of foreign residents enjoy a good life in Mexico; with some considered choices and forward planning, you could as well.

Explore highland towns and cities in Mexico

Here are some of the more popular colonial towns and cities foreign residents have settled in, as well as some which are less well-known and gaining attention in recent times.

Mexico’s colonial heartland

Querétaro, Guanajuato and San Miguel de Allende for traditional colonial highland cities; Aguascalientes for a more contemporary living lifestyle; and Zacatecas if you’re seeking a mountain city off-the-beaten-track and on the edge of a mountain frontier.

South-central highlands

Cuernavaca, Tepoztlán, and Puebla.  These traditional provincial highland places are situated conveniently close to Mexico City and yet are far enough removed from the congestion of the capital to enjoy a genuine provincial atmosphere and feel.  For a more rustic option off-the-beaten track in this area, consider Taxco.

In the mountains west of Mexico City

The highland lakeside towns of Chapala, and Ajijic are home to the largest community of foreign residents in Mexico; the city of Morelia offers old-world colonial elegance, and the ancient highland town of Pátzcuaro offers an attractive blend of colonial indigenous cultures amidst an intimate colonial setting. If you’re seeking an urban lifestyle at elevation, Guadalajara offers vibrancy, culture, and all the benefits of a large metropolitan city, and is close to Ajijic, Chapala, and Jocotepec—small towns settled along the northern shoreline of Lake Chapala and home to tens of thousands of foreign residents, most from the US and Canada.

Further south, to Oaxaca and Chiapas

Oaxaca City remains one of the most authentic and cultured colonial cities in Mexico; and further south, in the breath-taking state of Chiapas, you’ll find the highland mountain town of San Cristobal de las Casas—somewhat off-the-beaten-track and close to the traditional indigenous mountain communities of San Juan Chamula and Zinacatán.

Discover more places to live in Mexico

Discover interesting and charming locations to live, work or retire in Mexico, and articles with helpful insights about choosing a place to settle here.

Resources for Living & Lifestyle in Mexico

Mexperience offers you a comprehensive online resource of information and local knowledge to help you discover Mexico, explore choices, find opportunities and plan a new life in Mexico.  Our resources include:

• Detailed knowledge about planning a move in Mexico
• Insightful articles about living and lifestyle in Mexico
• Detailed insights about retirement in Mexico
• Practical insights for planning your Mexico lifestyle
• A regular Mexico Newsletter you can subscribe to for free

Chapala isn’t just a retirement haven

Since the 1940s, the ‘lakeside’ area of Chapala has been a magnet for foreign residents, particularly retired Americans and Canadians who enjoy a comfortable retirement here.  Some make their home at the lake year-round, while others arrive in the ‘high’ winter season between November and April and return to their homelands for the other half of the year.

Although the majority of residents in the area are retirees, in recent times Lake Chapala has also come to the attention of people exploring places to live and work in Mexico.  Lake Chapala has good transport links and internet services, making the location viable for remote or home-working arrangements.

A ‘turn-key’ location in a thriving local community

This lakeside area is the most comprehensively developed of all the popular regions where foreign residents live in Mexico.  The unfolding of this locality as a foreign resident enclave happened over many decades and was brought about through a series of organic events and situations which, together over time, brought people together with common interests and lifestyle priorities.

The towns situated around the lakeside offer a ‘turn-key’ lifestyle location that combines the idyllic characteristics of Mexico with familiar tones and behaviors of Anglicized culture, including an immediate community people who speak English as their principal or strong second language.

Cost of living in Lake Chapala

Ajijic is the focal point of the lakeside’s social and cultural scene, and thus the most popular (and most expensive to buy property in); while nearby Chapala and, a little further afield, Jocotepec, offer more choice and lower property prices.  Living and retiring in the Lake Chapala area is more affordable than the US, Canada, and Europe; however, it is among the more expensive inland places in Mexico to live—in part to due to the steady demand from foreign residents for property and other services here.  Our guide to living in Lake Chapala shares more details about this and you can download our guide to the cost of living for further insights (see links below).

Benefits of Lake Chapala for living, working and retirement in Mexico

When you’re short-listing potential places for living and retirement in Mexico, it’s worth exploring this lakeside area, underpinned by the three anchor towns of Chapala, Ajijic and Jocotepec; each one featuring a selection of charismatic local neighborhoods and conurbations.

In addition to the long-established community of foreign residents who live here, the area offers a range of benefits to residents including an ideal year-round temperate mountain climate, one of the strongest and most active local communities of foreign residents, and ready access to a wide range of amenities and services including shopping, culture, entertainment and healthcare facilities.  A major regional airport is just 20 miles away offering flights to Mexico City and internationally (Check FlightConnections.com for current routes).

Living in the lakeside towns around Chapala

Discover the lakeside area around Chapala and explore the opportunities it offers; we offer you insights, local knowledge and contacts to help you:

• Connect to our guide to living, working and retirement in Lake Chapala & environs that includes details about the different towns, features and benefits of the area, the real estate market, services and amenities and the cost of living.
• Read our latest articles related to the lakeside area
• Connect to our associate in Lake Chapala who can help you learn more and make the move
• Download free Mexico eBooks that help you consider key aspects about moving to Mexico including the cost of living and real estate in Mexico.

Place is personal, subjective, and important—and as you consider places to live in Mexico, Mexperience helps you to consider your choices and shortlist locations that may suit your lifestyle needs.

Discover places to live, work or retire in Mexico

To help you discover and explore potential places to live here, Mexperience publishes a curated list of locations to consider for living, working or retirement in Mexico—organized by popularity and notoriety and classified by the location type.

Our articles introduce you to key places where many foreign residents live now, emerging locations that are becoming increasingly popular with foreign residents, as well as those places that are less well known, or situated off-the-beaten path. We also publish a selection of detailed guides of places to live in Mexico:

The most popular places to live in Mexico

Discover locations that have for a long time, or in recent times, garnered considerable popularity with foreign residents (retirees and others) and have active communities of interest established at the location.

Emerging locations to live in Mexico

Discover locations that have, in recent years, been catching the attention of foreign residents and have fledgling or developing communities of interest present there.

Underexplored locations to live in Mexico

Discover places that do not have significant numbers of foreign residents already established and are generally ‘off-the-beaten-path’ for most foreigners considering Mexico for living and retirement. These places can offer attractions that may be of interest to some potential foreign residents and retirees seeking someplace more traditional, unusual, and with a lower concentration of foreign residents living there.

Detailed living guides

For detailed guides to selected places to live and work or retire, connect to our section with Guides to Living Places in Mexico

Marianne Carlson founded an art festival that seeks to raise awareness for genuine Mexican art and the Master Artisans who bring it into being. Feria Maestros del Arte, now in its fifteenth year, has become an important stage for genuine Mexican art.

Mexican art has a long and rich history that stretches back to pre-Hispanic times, with artists applying techniques and styles to their works which have been handed-down through countless generations: these are the works which retain and reflect an authenticity that only hand-made original art can convey.

Marianne and her team scout all of Mexico seeking the best art and artisans, and invite them to Feria Maestros del Arte. The artists have their expenses covered by the organization, and are not charged any fees for attendance, so they keep every peso in income from the sales they make at the fair.

The fair is unique. This is an art market where you’ll find a carefully curated collection of Mexican art works, crafted and sold in-person by the country’s finest living artisans, and where you can be assured that the art you purchase is hand-made in Mexico, and authentic in every sense.

Over 100 artisans will be present this year, offering an abundance of high quality and diverse art pieces for buyers to choose from, including:

Panama hats, the classic and timeless hat, made in Bécal, in the state of Campeche on Mexico’s Gulf coast

Handmade footwear, including fashionable ethnic shoes from Oaxaca

Kitchen utensils, including knives from the famous José Ojeda family

Wooden art works, including Alebrijes which are hand-carved wooden animals, individually painted and every one unique

Catrinas, skeleton dolls, hand-made in plaster and individually painted. They are one of the most traditional artwork displays for celebrations around Day of the Dead

An abundance of ceramics, including barro betus, barro canelo, barro bruñido, black ceramics, and high-fire ceramic

Unique Mexican jewelry, including silver Yalalag crosses, pieces made from recycled aluminum, cloth, and other materials

Woven art including beautiful rebozos, huipiles, blouses, and more

Straw art, including papier-mâché, hand-made paper amate, and hand-made hammocks using traditional materials

Furniture made of chuspata (a type of reed), and equipales (traditional Mexican furniture)

See Also: Tips for Spotting Genuine Mexican Artwork

Image above shows two artisan women from the San Mateo del Mar cooperative in Oaxaca, Mexico.

Most (but not all) of Mexico’s colonial cities are situated at elevations of at least 5,000 feet above sea level and if the place you choose is situated in these high lands you can expect cooler and more temperate climates year-round than you’ll experience in colonial cities which are situated at lower elevation or nearer to the coasts where temperatures soar, particularly during the late spring and through the summer months.

During late fall and throughout the winter, early mornings, evenings, and nights are cooler in colonial cities—even chilly in some higher places that may also require the warmth of a fireplace or other heating system. The spring and fall climates are close to ideal in most of Mexico’s highland colonial cities, featuring a temperate ambiance with occasional rainfalls between otherwise undisturbed sunlight, shining across crisp and deep azure-blue skies.

The late spring and summer months in Mexico’s highland colonial cities are warm and can get quite hot.  Most regions experience seasonal rains between June and October each year; these often take the form of torrential afternoon or evening downpours which cool the high summer temperatures and make the local flora radiate with color and fragrance.

Which colonial cities are people moving to?  The two big ‘expat enclaves’ of San Miguel de Allende and Ajijic/Chapala have been popular with foreign residents for decades, and their lure and appeal is still attractive to many who visit and call these places their home, full or part-time.

Foreigners researching places to live in Mexico will usually come across popular colonial locations like San Miguel de Allende, Ajijic, and Cuernavaca. Other places that are less well-known but which have have been rising in popularity in recent years include: Mérida, Puebla, Guanajuato, Querétaro, and Oaxaca. For places somewhat off-the-beaten-path, you might also consider researching San Cristobal de las Casas, and Morelia (with nearby Pátzcuaro).  If you’re seeking a colonial setting near the coast consider Mazatlán, Manzanillo, and Campeche.

With the exception of the most popular colonial towns, Mexico’s colonial settings offer (generally speaking) lower property purchase and rental prices than equivalent land and homes situated at popular Mexican beach-side towns and resorts. However, house prices in colonial cities have risen substantially in recent years and property prices across Mexico are no longer the bargain they once were.  It’s also worth keeping in mind that lesser-known colonial locations don’t tend to generate the same level of property sales turnover as the most popular locations do, so if you buy land or property away from a fashionable area, it might take longer to sell.  You can learn all about property purchase and ownership in Mexico here on Mexperience.

We recommend above all else that you take time to step back and consider your lifestyle needs and short-list locations in Mexico that serve those needs.

If you’re looking for a long-term investment and a foothold in Mexico that will provide you with a stable home, a good climate, decent access by road (some cities also have airports not far away); a lower cost of living than the US, Canada and Europe; and a place where you can be surrounded by culture and heritage, do some research here on Mexperience to learn about Mexico’s colonial cities and then go and experience a few of them in person.  You may be pleasantly surprised.

The value of any art work is, ultimately, in the eye of the beholder: how we perceive art, and how we respond in the presence of any art piece presented to us is a very personal matter.  Genuine art works you purchase in Mexico will carry a woven narrative that describes the elements which brought the work into being — for example, the materials employed, the artisan’s technique, the traditions, its history and symbolic meaning — and all these formed through the hands of an individual artist who acts as a conduit between the elements.  Art that means something to you personally is the kind of art you will never tire of enjoying.

When you’re purchasing art works in Mexico, it makes good sense to be forearmed with some knowledge about how to spot genuine Mexican art, so that you will take home something that embodies the elements of a true art piece and not a mass-produced reproduction masquerading as true Mexican art.

Ask questions that reveal provenance

When you’re in the market to purchase Mexican art works, ask questions about how the pieces you are offered came into being, and who the artist is. If the artist is not the seller, ask about how the seller is connected to the artist and listen carefully to the response you’re given. In some cases it could be a friend, fellow artisan, or family member.  True art has a narrative that leads back to the elements, described above, which made it so.  Imitations and mass-production faux art lacks this narrative.

Look for a signature

Check the piece for a signature, which is a form of branding in the Mexican art world. Note though, that the piece may not actually have been made by the person who signed it. Juana Gómez Ramírez, famous for her jaguars (pictured above), is the maestra in her family and even though she does not read or write she has her own signature. She may also sign the work of her brother, husband, and others in her family whose work meets her stringent requirements. This is a very common practice among families who work together, or in talleres (workshops) where there is a maestro teaching his techniques and designs to the apprentices.  The signature is only one part of the overall revision process and should not be taken in isolation, because, for example, there are unscrupulous artists out there who sign Juana’s name to their copies.

Buy from the source, if you can

If you purchase direct from the artist’s home, you can be pretty certain that the work will be genuinely theirs. If it’s not signed, ask them to sign it. If an artist will not sign the piece it could be because they don’t write or because they didn’t actually make it. When you purchase art works at Feria Maestros del Arte, you can be almost certain that the work being sold has been made by the artist represented. The Feria is very strict when selecting its artists and if an artisan is discovered not selling their own work, he or she is dropped from the program.

A note about pottery

When pottery is manufactured in bulk, a process known as slip-casting is used—to learn more about the tell-tale signs of slip-casting, read this article. The sought-after thin-walled pottery of Mata Ortiz is all hand-coiled; if a pot offered to you in her name has been slip-cast, it is not an original Mata Ortiz pot. Collectors of Mexican pottery might not purchase pots with colored pigment because those pigments are a fairly recent addition; earth tones were used centuries ago when the pottery was first made by the Paquimé Indians. Some artists stay true to the old way, some decide to add a contemporary feel with some additional color.

See Also: Buying Handicrafts in Mexico

A little less than 250 miles northwest of Mexico’s capital is Mexico’s second largest city, Guadalajara, situated in the state of Jalisco. With 5 million inhabitants, it’s less than a quarter of the size of Mexico City, but nevertheless, Guadalajara is an important city: colorful and vibrant, it’s also one of Mexico’s colonial treasures.

Guadalajara is often described as the “most Mexican of all Mexico’s cities”, partly because the culture here is traditionally Mexican in so many ways, and also because several products firmly associated with Mexico emanate from here.

Mariachis are the traditional Mexican musicians with their black velvet dress and unmistakable large Mariachi hats. Where their name derived from is a bit of mystery; various theories abound, but it was in Guadalajara that Mariachis first appeared. Mariachis play melodies and sing traditional Mexican folk songs, usually in plazas, at parties, restaurants, weddings, birthday celebrations, and the like. The original ‘orthodox’ Mariachis play only stringed instruments and sing only traditional folk music from the state of Jalisco. Today, many Mariachi groups also incorporate a trumpet in their music, (an English import, which actually sounds really great when properly combined with the strings) and sing a variety of Mexican folk songs from across the country’s regions.

Another great Mexican product—and one of Mexico’s most successful exports: Tequila—also began life in Guadalajara. Tequila is made from the Blue Maguey plant and, not surprisingly, Guadalajara is still one of the main Tequila producing areas in Mexico today. Connect to the Mexican Bar on Mexperience for more information about Tequila.

Guadalajara also gave Mexico its famous wide-rimmed hat (the famous Mexican Sombrero), introduced the Mexican Hat Dance and pioneered Charreadas—today more commonly known as the Rodeo. Many of the key images associated with Mexico were bequeathed to the nation by one city—Guadalajara.

Guadalajara, like many cities of its size, offers all of the benefits that come with being a large, cosmopolitan city, but without the nuisances and stresses that are often part and parcel of a huge megalopolis. The distinction between Mexico City and Guadalajara is a case in point.

Guadalajara has all the amenities you would want from a large city in Mexico: Colonial center, great art and culture, good shopping, great restaurants serving a huge variety and choice of delicious food, excellent choice of accommodation options, and a vibrant nightlife— without the pollution, severe traffic headaches and other associated side-effects of Mexico City. In fact, if you want big-city life, but don’t want to visit Mexico City, then Guadalajara can offer you a worthwhile alternative.

If you’re on the Pacific Coast, especially in Puerto Vallarta or Manzanillo,Guadalajara can make a convenient and very worthwhile visit which will enable you to experience inland Mexico and one of its great cities.

Just south of Guadalajara is Chapala, and its large lake, Lake Chapala, which is Mexico’s largest natural lake. This area has been adopted by expatriates who have come to Mexico to retire, mostly from the USA and Canada. They have come here looking for a slower pace of life, good facilities, nice people and excellent food. The area is pleasant and makes a nice side trip from Guadalajara, being just over 20 miles south of the city.

As one of Mexico’s major cities, Guadalajara has a lot to offer you when you make a visit here. If you’re on a tour of Colonial Cities, you should include Guadalajara, especially given that it is relatively close to other colonial attractions such as Morelia, Zacatecas and Aguascalientes.

As a city attraction, you’ll find that Guadalajara provides authentic and very worthwhile experiences of Mexico and Mexican culture; whether you chose to come for a day or two, or get to know the city and its surrounds better and stay for longer, you won’t be left disappointed.

Key Attractions

Colonial Center

Guadalajara’s colonial center has five main plazas, the main one in the middle of the city hosts the city’s amazing twin-tower cathedral, with the other four plazas surrounding it in all directions. There are several historical buildings that center around the five plazas, and Calzada Independencia, which is the main road that runs north-south through the city.

The two main plazas are the Plaza de las Armas (the most attractive) and Plaza Tapatía. The Palacio de Gobierno (Government Palace) is the seat of Government here, at times in Mexico’s history, like Queretaro, served as the nation’s capital when Mexico City was under siege.

North of the cathedral is one of Guadalajara’s big landmarks: Rotunda de los Hombres Ilustres (Monument to the Illustrious Men), which include a writer, a composer, a poet and an architect, among others.

On the north side of the Plaza de los Laureles (directly in front of the cathedral) is the Presidencia Municipal (City Hall).

Other attractions in Guadalajara’s Colonial Center include Palacio de la Justicia (Palace of Justice, or State Court House) and Instituto Cultural de la Cabañas, which is one of Guadalajara’s greatest colonial buildings. Plaza de los Mariachis offers you the opportunity to eat and drink while Mariachis play and serenade you (for a small fee per song).

Tlaquepaque

Just 4 miles (7 km) southeast of Guadalajara’s city center is Tlaquepaque, an old craft center and colonial village.  Discover Tlaquepaque with Mexperience for full details about this colonial enclave.

Churches

Guadalajara is home to some of Mexico’s most attractive colonial churches, in addition to the city’s cathedral. Some notable ones include Templo de la Merced, near the cathedral, which was built around 1650; Santuario de Nuestra Señora del Carmen, which includes gold decoration and some nice murals in its dome; Templo de Aranzazu, which was completed around 1752.

Parque Agua Azul

This is Guadalajara’s main park and offers green serenity and relaxation away from the hustle and bustle of Guadalajara’s city life. There’s a children’s play area here as well as a train ride. The park also features an aviary and nearby is the city’s Anthropology Museum. There is a small admission fee.

Plaza del Sol Area

This area of the city hosts all of the city’s fine restaurants, glossy shopping areas and malls, luxury hotels and is the main commercial area in downtown Guadalajara.

Learn Spanish in Guadalajara

As “the most Mexican of Mexico’s cities”, Guadalajara is an excellent venue for people who want to attend a Spanish School in Mexico. Take the opportunity to mix learning and pleasure when you visit this cosmopolitan city by attending one of the Spanish Schools here; there’s no better way to learn Spanish than by becoming immersed in it at a language school in Mexico.

Museums and Art in Guadalajara

Museo Regional de Guadalajara (Regional Museum of Guadalajara) – is hosted by the a former seminary of San José, built in the 17th century. The architecture alone makes it worth a visit. The museum itself hosts a collection of work depicting the history of western Mexico, from pre-Columbian times through to the Spanish invasion and conquest.

Museo de Arqueologia del Occidente de Mexico (Archaeology Museum of Western Mexico) – Houses a selection of pre-Hispanic pottery.

Museo de la Ciudad (City Museum) – Covers the city’s past, from its origins in Zacatecas (where Guadalajara was to be in the first place – but later moved… once again) to the invasion and conquest by the Spanish.

Museo de las Artes de la Universidad de Guadalajara (Guadalajara’s University Art Museum) – Has a permanent collection from the University and also hosts many major traveling exhibitions.

Lake Chapala, Ajijic, & Environs

Because of the stunning scenery, great climate and attractive ambiance at Lake Chapala and its picturesque lakeside towns of Ajijic, Jocotepec and (of course) Chapala, many foreigners, especially from the USA and Canada, decide to sell up and move to this great area for a complete change of lifestyle, to retire, or both.

When you visit here, it’s not hard to see why they do. The climate is absolutely great all year round; the lake is wonderful and flanked by majestic mountains in the background; the people here are friendly and inviting; and the whole place is just over 20 miles away from Guadalajara, making the area accessible and convenient for amenities when you need them.

Chapala is the main commercial center: You can change money, buy things and generally get in touch with the world from here. If you want to stay in the area, then nearby Ajijic is the best place to enjoy the lakeside, shop, relax and find comfortable accommodations. Ajijic has some good craft and curio shops in which to browse and buy.

Much of the area’s prosperity derives from the foreign residents living here; you’re likely to see quite a few of them, and they’re really friendly, so don’t be shy if you want to meet and chat with them about the area. English is spoken in most places, and many of the local signs in commercial areas are also in English.

Being so close to Guadalajara, Lake Chapala is an excellent opportunity to leave the hustle and swing of the city and experience some of Mexico’s most serene and attractive rural life.

Learn more: Guide to living and lifestyle in Lake Chapala

Golf in Guadalajara

The climate in Guadalajara ideal for golf, and the sport is a major pastime with the locals here; there are a number of fine golf courses in the city to choose from.

Getting There & Around

By Air – You can fly to Guadalajara from the US and other points in Mexico including Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta, and Monterrey. The airport is a 10 mile (16.5 km) drive south of Guadalajara, and it will take about 45 minutes for your taxi or ground transportation to get into the city center from there. For detailed information about flights and flying, see the Mexperience guide to Air Travel in Mexico.

By Bus – You can travel to Guadalajara on a luxury bus from Mexico City – the trip takes around 7-8 hours. Luxury buses drop people off at the new bus station in Guadalajara, which is near Tlaquepaque, about a 15 minute taxi ride away from the city center. For detailed information about bus transportation read the Mexperience guide to Bus Travel in Mexico.

By Car – Driving to Guadalajara is very fast and efficient using the many high-speed roads that connect the region. See additional information about Driving in Mexico and Mexico’s Toll Roads on Mexperience.

Car Rental – To explore Mexico independently, consider renting a car for your visit. Having your own car will give you more flexibility than using public transport options and, in some cases, offer you access to places which are otherwise difficult to visit without the use of a car. Read our guide to Car Rental in Mexico to learn what you need to know about car rental in Mexico and connect to the Mexperience Travel Center to reserve your Rental Car.

Taxis – Guadalajara’s taxis are officially metered, but taxis here have been known not to use them. Either insist that the meter be activated (or find another taxi) or agree your price before you get in. Taxi travel is very affordable in Mexico, in comparison to the USA, Canada and Europe, and so provides a viable means of public transportation in Mexico. Your hotel can arrange taxis for you; some post their rates on a board in the lobby; taxi hotel rates are usually higher than cabs you hail off the street. If you speak Spanish, you will have a distinct advantage in your negotiations with local taxi drivers. For detailed information, read the Mexperience guide to Taxi Travel in Mexico.

Buses – Bus trips to local areas (within about 50 miles of Guadalajara) depart from the old bus station, which is in the city center. You can take a local bus to nearby places including Lake Chapala (Chapala, Ajijic, Jacotepec). Long distance buses arrive and depart from the bus station near Tlaquepaque, about 15 minutes from the center of the city.

Guadalajara Essentials

Telephone: Connect to the guide about Communications in Mexico on Mexperience for detailed information about keeping in touch and the latest table of national dialing codes.

Exchanging Currency: Banks with ATM machines are found throughout the city center in Guadalajara. During business hours, they and the local Casas de Cambio will buy traveler’s checks and cash from you as well. For detailed information about exchanging and managing your money, read the Mexperience guide to Money in Mexico.

Travel Insurance: We recommend that you are adequately covered with travel medical insurance and/or travel assistance insurance when you are visiting Mexico. Read the Mexperience guide to Travel Insurance in Mexico for full details and links to specialist insurance suppliers.

Internet Access: Internet cafes can be easily found in towns and cities across Mexico and WiFi is increasingly commonplace–from cafes, shops, hotels, and some cities even offer free WiFi in some defined public spaces.

Your Dress Choice: Guadalajara, like Mexico City, is a ‘conservative dress’ city. Beach clothes, high-cut shorts and sandals are best kept for the beach.

What to Buy in Guadalajara

For arts and crafts, Tonala and Tlaquepaque are the two top destinations for serious arts and crafts lovers. Guadalajara itself has a selection of shopping centers, markets and craft centers in which to browse and buy. Two recommended shopping destinations are the Centro Historico and the maze-like Mercado Libertad, which has a bit of everything from everywhere, but prepare to jostle elbows with other hard-core shoppers and to bargain with hard-driving vendors.

Local Climate

Guadalajara’s climate is spring-like all year-round. The winter months become cooler in the mornings and evenings – so bring a sweater with you if you’re traveling at these times. The warmest times are April, May and June. The rainy season runs from June through to September. Rains tend to come in the afternoon, are relatively short and fierce and leave the evenings dry and cooled off.

Weather & Climates in Mexico

Learn more about the weather and climates through the seasons and regions by connecting to the Mexperience guide about Weather and Climates in Mexico