November is not all about the Day of the Dead The event calendar in Guadalajara and Lake Chapala Ribera for November is wide and varied to satisfy every craving — from wine festivals to book fairs To help you stay entertained in the run up to the holiday season we’ve selected the most exciting events in Guadalaja and Ajijic (and Tequila) to keep everyone in the family entertained The Autonomous University of Guadalajara (UAG) will celebrate Mexico’s Day of the Dead with a festival featuring music and sensory activities inspired by Mictlán the souls of the dead had to travel four years and overcome a series of obstacles before entering Mictlán where they were welcomed to the afterlife by the god and goddess of death Tickets? Free of charge Bosque Los Colomos, Guadalajara’s largest urban park will host four whimsical night tours for the whole family in celebration of the Day of the Dead Picture the wood’s pathways aglow with flickering candles the aromatic smell of copal incense and glowing cempasúchil flowers all around the Cardboard and Toy Fair brings together some 300 small businesses and artisans in a traditional tianguis (open-air market) setting you’ll find everything from cardboard figures to sugar skulls papel picado (engraved paper) clay figures and a wide variety of decorative items related to the Day of the Dead Grupo Frontera, Mexico’s musical group ensemble of the moment, will offer a concert in Guadalajara as part of its Jugando a Que No Pasa Nada (Let’s Pretend Nothing Is Happening) international tour. The band grew in popularity thanks to its cumbias norteñas, a subgenre of norteño music within the broader category of Mexican regional music genre Tickets? Here the town of Tequila (58 km west of Guadalajara) will host a Day of the Dead festival Dubbed Tequilero Hasta Los Huesos (Tequila Lover to the Bones) The event will also exhibit tequila brands that offer Day of the Dead editions so does Guadalajara’s traditional Fiestas de Octubre DJ Steve Aoki is set to perform at the Auditorio Benito Juárez The palenque is an intimate arena known for its lively concert ambiance It’s a staple of the festival and a must-visit attraction for anyone looking for an authentic concert experience in Mexico General admission to the Fiestas de Octubre includes free entry to the show from the stands Access may be limited if the auditorium reaches full capacity Tickets? Here the Art Masters Fair brings together artisans from across the country to exhibit and promote their work features classic to contemporary pieces that range from fine jewelry to wood visitors can also attend one of the many artists’ presentations More information: Here A post shared by VinArt Ajijic (@vinartajijic) Picture yourself surrounded by lush greenery sipping wine and savoring gourmet food as you gaze out over Lake Chapala That’s the setting at the Vinart Ajijic wine festival and an impressive array of wines from 40 prestigious wineries a complimentary drink and a ticket to the after party Nimue Marina Residence & Hotel Boutique Tickets? Here the world’s first theme park inspired by Day of the Dead With colorful and immersive attractions that mesmerize kids and adults alike live music and a wide variety of food stalls the park aims to educate visitors about the importance of the celebration Tickets? Here Most towns in Mexico have a patron saint or a virgin who is celebrated every year with an elaborate multi-day festival Ajijic hosts a nine-day-long festival filled with music and shows The fiesta patronal (patron’s party) features daily processions through Ajijic’s colorful streets Gabriela Solis is a Mexican lawyer turned full-time writer She was born and raised in Guadalajara and covers business lifestyle and travel for Mexico News Daily You can follow her lifestyle blog Dunas y Palmeras ADVERTISE WITH MND COMMUNITY GUIDELINES Subscription FAQ's Privacy Policy Mexico News Daily - Property of Tavana LLC The city of San Miguel Allende sucks all the air out of the room when the conversation turns to expatriate life in Mexico While San Miguel Allende has been garnering lots of awards for its quality of life and general wonderfulness the tiny town of Ajijic (pronounced Aah-hee-HEEK) is developing into another expat paradise for citizens from the U.S Ajijic is in the state of Jalisco on the shores of Lake Chapala which at 417 square miles is the largest lake in Mexico Ajijic is about a half-hour drive from Guadalajara’s international airport This positions the town close enough to the big city benefits of Guadalajara while still being tucked away from the urban sprawl in a unique natural setting Imagine a huge lake with fisherman out on the water in pangas (small boats) casting for carp At the shoreline are snowy egrets doing their own fishing Someone in Ajijic must have made a concerted effort to protect the town’s trees since the streets are lined with huge specimens including palm trees mixed in with pines and flowering jacarandas The compact town of Ajijic has narrow streets with rough cobblestones such as a Volkswagen Beetle festooned with stuck-on flowers or a distant sound system playing Creedence or the Stones Many of the walls of the town are decorated with colorful murals in a range of styles A note about the cobblestone streets and in some places cobblestone sidewalks: If you plan to do any amount of walking at all you’ll get a lot more mileage if you wear sturdy footwear and forgo the high heels The streets are lined with colorful houses and small boutiques and galleries Since expats make up about 50% of the population during the winter season visitors will find a greater variety of shops and restaurants than they would in a typical small Mexican town there’s the Simply Thai restaurant; Pasta Trenta; Ajijic Tango featuring Argentinian steaks; and Tabarka Restaurante Drop into Ajijic on a Wednesday to experience the weekly tianguis There’s also a mix of food vendors selling traditional Mexican food at rock-bottom prices My breakfast of two excellent carne asada tacos and a soft drink cost less than $2 I met a friendly Canadian walking his four dogs When his wife was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome several years ago they were advised to find a sunnier climate They first tried expatriate life in Panama They heard about Ajijic and fell in love with the town immediately and made the decision to move down permanently “It’s one sunny day after another When people ask me if it’s safe I tell them ‘I’ve been attacked by mosquitoes once or twice Ruthie and Charles Baker moved to Ajijic eight years ago “Most expats aren’t going to cook a whole tray of brownies for themselves,” said Ruthie Baker “But they love coming in here for a cupcake or some of our custom chocolates.” The Bakers donate the profits from their store to a local orphanage a desire to give back and help out the local Mexican community seems to be prevalent among the expats I’d recommend Ajijic as being a great day trip from Guadalajara Those who want to soak up the town’s unique ambiance and maybe even weigh settling down in Ajijic would be well served by a couple of overnights The choice of a hotel comes down to what kind of experience a visitor is seeking If they want to be right in town with easy access to shopping they should choose one of the boutique hotels If they want a break from the town at the end of the day the Hotel Real de Chapala is a good choice It’s located about a 10-minute walk from town in an upscale residential neighborhood on the shores of the lake the two-story Hotel Real de Chapala is the biggest and most modern hotel in town this drawback is offset by the hotel's beautiful landscaped grounds great variety of birds and excellent onsite restaurant Some moments during my stay I felt as though I’d stumbled into a retirement home for energetic seniors the malecon was busy with gray-haired gents and ladies either running or powerwalking the length of the strip it seemed like the Coffé Black & White restaurant was a pulse point for people to exchange hellos Living in a town like Ajijic could suit some seniors better than settling into a typical stateside retirement home In addition to a beautiful natural setting that encourages residents to get out and enjoy the day senior expats living in Ajijic will stay sharp rubbing up against the unfamiliar edges of Mexican culture ShareSaveBETAThis is a BETA experience. opt-out hereMoney RetirementWhat So Many Americans Find So Appealing About Retiring To Ajijic / Lake Chapala, MexicoByChuck Bolotin Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights Chuck Bolotin relates his experiences living in Mexico with his wife Jet Metier and Chuck Bolotin at Lake Chapala garden (Short interlude for the geographical and etymological purists among us: Ajijic-- pronounced “Ah-hee-heek”-- is a little town on the shores of Lake Chapala with lots of expat Americans and Canadians While there are several other towns around the lake where expats live for sake of simplicity and because Ajijic is the best known we’ll just refer to the whole area as Ajijic Virtually everything about Ajijic is moderate and pleasant Chuck Bolotin walking dogs on Ajijic malecon Ajijic has about the same latitude as Puerto Vallarta or the Western Sahara so if it were at sea level and all other factors being equal But Ajijic is not at sea level—it’s located in the Mexican Highlands at about a mile elevation (the same as Denver) Ajijic is on Lake Chapala (the largest lake in Mexico) which moderates the temperatures even further It’s virtually never too hot or too cold in the Ajijic area with average highs in the 70s and sometimes 80s and lows in the 50s which is why the hills get so green and the waterfalls form during this time of year almost always at night and virtually never for more than a few hours Average total yearly rainfall is about 36 inches Jet Metier at Chinese restaurant in Ajijic giving you lots of opportunities to interact with people from other cultures Lots (but not all) the people in Ajijic will speak English in some form or another The result: if you are still in the very early “Learning Spanish Phase,” you’ll get along just fine with just the right amount of pressure and incentive to learn and experience something new at a pace which is almost entirely within your control Neither of the two main characters in Green Acres would be completely satisfied with Ajijic If you’re like the Eva Gabor character and prefer to live in a big city like New York or Chicago if you prefer to live way out in the country like the Eddie Albert character if you were to add up all the towns along Lake Chapala in the Ajijic area from Chapala to Jocotepec you would probably find about 120,000 people with no one town having more than about 20,000 The Ajijic area has two small golf courses less than an hour away from Ajijic is Guadalajara you will find several high-end shopping centers complete with enough Gucci Louis Vuitton and other luxury shopping to invigorate Ms There’s also the Guadalajara international airport which is less than 45 minutes away from Ajijic you’ll also find Home Depot and Costco; all this not in Ajijic you’ll find huge stretches of agricultural land where little farms intersperse with huge corporate facilities from Dole and others amongst gently rolling In addition to these and other moderate characteristics Ajijic has a few that aren’t moderate at all Ajijic exists on a relatively narrow finger of land sandwiched between impressive mountains and a large lake Those fortunate enough to have a home with some elevation on the mountains are treated daily to spectacular views of the lake and of the volcano on the far shore The weather and geography in Ajijic combine in just the right proportions to give Ajijic a lush but without the oppressive heat that normally accompanies such places While in the dry season the hills are mostly brown glistening and with the aroma of fresh rain in the jungle You can hike all year round in the Ajijic area Unless you’ve lived in the Ajijic area and been able firsthand to do a rough “apples to apples” comparison to the US it’s a bit difficult to fully appreciate how inexpensive it is to live in Ajijic when compared with other areas in the real world beautiful places with a low cost of living Latest UpdatesCountries Why Join?IL Magazine Free Daily E-Letter Video Our Experts Testimonials FAQsTopics we stopped for lunch along the freeway in central Illinois at a place called Amish Buffet It tasted like what my grandmother used to make That’s how we feel now that we’ve moved to Ajijic Mexico: We’ve found the best that the buffet has to offer living in a variety of countries for six weeks to two months We had been reading International Living for several years and attended a 2016 event in New Orleans So we embarked on the journey with lots of good advice and tips from those who had already sampled the world’s buffet Mexico has everything we were looking for—great climate and proximity to family and friends in the U.S Now it feels like we’re finally home, in the Lake Chapala area south of Guadalajara Even in December high temperatures are in the low 70s F Overnight lows are in the low- to mid-50s F so I toss on a sweatshirt for my daily sunrise jog along Ajijic’s malecon (boardwalk) with its amazing lake and mountain views Grocery and discount store employees often don’t speak English but they usually understand a little of my basic Spanish and they work hard to help me find what I need We’ve already made many new friends and have become involved in a great English-speaking church that offers plenty of activities and does lots of community outreach The Lake Chapala Society is also an outstanding resource and they offer classes that help expats adjust to living here Today my wife and I went to the weekly street market—the tianguis—and brought home two big shopping bags full of veggies for about $14 At my favorite tortilleria I get a stack of 20 to 25 of the best corn tortillas I’ve ever tasted (still warm) for about 35 cents Prices are a little higher in grocery stores two-bathroom townhome one block off the lake for $1,400 a month and that includes a twice weekly housekeeping service While you can spend more for luxury homes with stunning views there are also smaller places that rent for less than $1,000 a month We can walk to the main plaza and to some excellent restaurants where we’ve paid a little over $10 on lunch for two and about $30 for dinner with wine We can get back fairly quickly if we need to and family and friends can come visit us without an expensive eight-hour plane ride A few of our friends have already asked if our guest room is ready “When are you coming back?” We expect to receive our Mexican permanent resident cards a few weeks from now and we think it’s the best place on the buffet The 5 Best Beaches in Mexico There are Many Reasons for Moving to Mexico Where is Mexico? MexicoOwner Ismat Jivani first visited Ajijic as a consultant; a visit that later inspired the first Black-owned restaurant in this Mexican city Mitti Hicks•Mar 11 Gossip’s Kitchen is the only Black-owned restaurant in Ajijic Owner Ismat Jivani has traveled the world working as a consultant to help people launch businesses. He has an extensive background in the hospitality industry His first visit to Ajijic was with his consulting firm to help a woman launch her restaurant he didn’t know the visit would inspire something more “I fell in love with Ajijic and decided to stay,” Jivani tells Travel Noire Jivani lived and worked in Toronto for 24 years but is originally from Nairobi. He says Ajijic reminded him of home “The weather was the first thing that caught me,” he says It’s about 5,000 feet above sea level here and pretty much the same in Nairobi Jivani loves Nairobi but doesn’t want to be far from his children He opened Gossip’s Kitchen in 2010 as an ode to Kenya and his travels Mexico is the 14th country he’s lived in or traveled to since leaving home The restaurant gets its name from the rumors circulating after he left his successful consulting company behind “I was going to originally call it Tamu Tamu which means delicious in my native tongue of Swahili,” he says The menu and overall ambiance inside reflect the warm and nostalgic feeling people experience in their most comforting spaces I often heard what people missed about home I asked four team members what food they missed from their home now that they live in Mexico.” Thanks to his friends and team members living in Ajijic “It’s a small restaurant close to the highway that’s great for people-watching,” says Jivani and what we offer you won’t find anywhere else in Mexico because of the African flavors we incorporate.” Ajijic is approximately 30 minutes away from Guadalajara Travelers will find Gossip’s Kitchen at Carr Jocotepec-Chapala 36 a free daily newsletter that features the best of travel and guides to the cities you love from a new point of view — yours you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy Queen Elizabeth Once Stepped In To Prevent Snoop Dogg From Being Banned From The UK United Airlines Flight Attendant's Armrest Announcement Sparks Social Media Frenzy ‘Basketball Wives’ Star Mehgan James Speaks Out About Popular Bahamas Island With Flesh-Eating Bacteria After Friend Loses Leg Chaos Erupts After Ethiopian Airlines Passenger Forced To Give Up Seat For Minister Yemen's Houthi rebels launched a missile attack on Ben Gurion International Airport causing temporary closure of Israel's main aviation hub In each location where Black dandyism took root and social conditions shaped its expression A Simi Valley plane crash involving a small aircraft resulted in the deaths of its two passengers Check out these filming sites that have added to this harrowing story of creative survival in two popular cities Paramount+'s 'MobLand' has rapidly garnered a wide audience thanks to its fascinating characters and gorgeous scenic backdrops Experienced travelers know that areas where expats resettle often have a unique vibe and tend to be especially interesting for visitors These places can be particularly fun for tourists who imagine themselves moving abroad one day but one that is often overlooked is the town of Ajijic (pronounced ah-hee-HEEK) which is located on the shores of Lake Chapala 30,000 expats live in the Lake Chapala area about a 45-minute drive from the city of Guadalajara where palm trees stand side by side with evergreens Lake Chapala is on the town’s southern border and the Sierra Madre mountain range provides a backdrop to the north The heart of Ajijic is its wonderful lakeside malecon (boardwalk) where residents tend to congregate to socialize Virtually everything in town is within walking distance The roads and even some sidewalks are cobblestone so sturdy walking shoes are highly recommended for visitors Stores range from those providing essentials to boutiques offering Mexico-centric goods including embroidered blouses and silver jewelry The expat community has influenced the town’s dining scene visitors will find restaurants serving Thai advise clients to drop into Ajijic on a Wednesday when the town has its weekly tianguis (open-air market) There’s a mix of booths selling fresh produce It’s also a good opportunity to sample local Mexican cuisine at bargain prices from the market’s food vendors Ajijic makes a nice daytrip from Guadalajara but some visitors might choose to stay a couple of nights There are lots of boutique hotels right in town including Estrellita’s B&B Hotel and Hotel Casa de Abuela Hotel Real de Chapala offers an option away from the main activity of the town although it is still within walking distance The 85-room property is probably the most modern in town although high-end travelers might find it a bit dated Hotel Real de Chapala’s strengths are its lovely setting on the shore of the lake and its first-rate restaurant Savvy agents would be wise to suggest a visit to Ajijic to their Mexico-loving customers Not only will clients be exposed to a new destination but they may even end up buying property there leading to multiple return trips — which could mean more business for the agent Access Lake Chapalawww.accesslakechapala.com Hotel Real de Chapalawww.realdechapala.com Copyright © 2025 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. 301 Route 17 N, Suite 1150, Rutherford, NJ 07070 USA | Telephone: (201) 902-2000 Skulls cover the walls of this Mexican primary school they memorialize the dead who once called the town home The towns on the shores of Chapala, Mexico's largest lake are home to a sizable population of mostly older North American expats a United States writer who popularized Ajijic north of the border in the 1940s they pursue their ideal of "the Mexican Dream," often forming community groups and grassroots organizations to maintain their lifestyle and the vibe of their new hometowns One of the clearest examples of the results of these efforts is Ajijic This small town is now recognized in the area for its bohemian arts-oriented atmosphere and is well-known for the many murals that adorn its walls a majority of which are made by artists from the region and throughout the country Perhaps the most notable and atypical of these artworks is El Muro de las Calaveras ("The Wall of Skulls") made by Ajijilteco artist Efrén González in 2016 Also responsible for many of the painted murals in town González was inspired by the pre-Columbian tzompantli to create this tiled collage of clay craniums Tzompantlis were walls or palisades where the skulls of people voluntarily sacrificed or captured in war would be displayed as part of the belief systems of many Mesoamerican cultures, from Aztecs to the Maya. Human sacrifice was so important to these cultures that the tzompantlis themselves were often carved into the rock of their temples for posterity, as in Tenochtitlán's Templo Mayor Commissioned by local authorities partly on the behest of expat organizations González's work on a wall of the Marcos Castellanos Primary School is inspired by the imagery but not necessarily the human sacrifice cosmogony of tzompantlis The thousand or so skulls that decorate this wall are each labeled with the name of an Ajijic resident who has died About half of the people memorialized in clay skull form have Spanish names the other represents the town's large expat population with names originating from all over the world showcasing the role of death as one of humanity's great unifiers The inside of each clay skull can hold a candle or light and these are only lit on and around the dates of Day of the Dead If you want to see this light show it is recommended to visit during nighttime at the end of October/start of November visitors can place mosaic tiles to help restore a medieval mural Skulls and skeletons are omnipresent in this church dedicated to souls trapped in purgatory This giant mural of Santa Muerte in downtown São Paulo reminds passersby of their own mortality A medieval fresco which reminds visitors that death will come for us all 5,000 skulls in memorial to those killed by the Khmer Rouge perhaps no piece is more representative than this brutal work featuring the town’s distinctive black clay pottery A posthumous honor at the iconic game show host's former high school Photographs of the faces of the town's dead cover the walls of this small Italian church So what exactly is a Pueblo Mágico (Magical Town) in Mexico nowadays the federal government began a wildly successful program to promote quaint historic towns as weekend getaways What started as a handful of them near Mexico City has grown to 132 in 20 years but does it deserve to be ranked with the likes of Pátzcuaro Two main issues exist with the designation: the first is that Ajijic is not a stereotypical Mexican town with centuries-old architecture dominating the center what stands out is its cosmopolitan atmosphere and a very visible foreign population that has transformed it considerably There are only three buildings in town with historic significance; the rest were demolished long ago as development filled Ajijic with 78 hotels 136 restaurants and bars serving contemporary Mexican and international cuisines All this obscures that the town was officially founded in 1531 and was a fishing village for far longer than that Ajijic is one of many small towns in the area with gorgeous views of Lake Chapala the lakeside pier and the colorful main square are its main attractions especially with weekenders from nearby Guadalajara Mostly American snowbirds and others have been attracted to move to the area’s near-perfect climate since the 1940s The Ministry of Tourism estimated before the pandemic that as many as 20,000 foreigners currently make the town their home at least part of the year They have also repaired and improved a number of public structures and spaces “People were saying that Ajijic would never become a Pueblo Mágico no matter how hard they tried and how good it might be — that as a ‘gringo village’ it has been way too transformed.” The second issue with the designation of Ajijic as a Pueblo Mágico is that transportation and other infrastructure are nowhere near adequate to handle the number of visitors the town receives now never mind whatever new influx the designation might bring in the future Ajijic sits on a small strip of land wedged between Chupinaya Mountain and Lake Chapala This fact causes bottlenecks in the town’s center; residents complain about traffic even during the low season with new lake-view homes being built ever higher This was a principal cause of recent flooding in the town proper — because vegetation had been stripped away for development with no updated planning documents since 2011 Despite the town having a wealthy population there are still residents who live without basic city services The naming of Ajijic as a Pueblo Mágico came as something of a surprise to residents as the effort was driven entirely by the outgoing mayoral administration with no input from the community These authorities succeeded because the requirements for designation have been changed over the years towns had to have qualities like architecture history and visible manifestations of historic culture along with specific requirements for tourist and other infrastructure founding president of the National Coordination of Pueblos Mágicos Committees those requirements were necessary at first to consolidate the brand The first changes to the requirements came after five years when infrastructure criteria were relaxed in order to allow more towns to get the designation including those related to architecture and other obvious attractions as the program became a “social development through tourism” program the formerly strict requirements favored towns that already had tourism and the resources to pave and widen roads bury electrical lines and do other improvements This left out more marginalized communities from consideration marginalized does not really describe most of Ajijic filled with second homes and retirees with the money and time to spend on community improvement projects it is this international community that is part of the official rationale for making Ajijic a Pueblo Mágico says Greg Custer of the Lake Chapala Society the oldest operating organization for expats in Mexico You would think that having a prominent foreign population would work against designation but Mendoza says that other communities with significant numbers of foreign residents opinions about Pueblo Mágico status are highly mixed: those highly in favor of the designation seem to be business owners although resident John Sillyards says that many of the local artists “are thrilled.” Resident Daniel Houck worries that several foreign residents are not aware of the potential ramifications Many residents and others worry that the inclusion of towns like Ajijic devalues the brand and means that the approval process is now all about politics what is important now is to decide how the community deals with the designation One immediate challenge is to get tourists to visit more than just the pier and the main square The town needs to diversify its attractions into more parts of town in order to ease traffic and get the benefits of Magical Town status to more areas Mendoza agrees that community involvement is the only way to make the Pueblo Mágico designation beneficial A citizens’ committee to address the coming challenges has been formed and only time will tell if Ajijic will become a “successful” Magical Town or not Leigh Thelmadatter arrived in Mexico 18 years ago and fell in love with the land and the culture in particular its handcrafts and art. She is the author of Mexican Cartonería: Paper, Paste and Fiesta (Schiffer 2019) Her culture column appears regularly on Mexico News Daily when coupled with a very affordable standard of living It’s a charming village offering art and cultural events and a warm and welcoming atmosphere between the Mexicans and expats At any time of the day or night you can hear the clop clop of horses traversing the cobblestone streets I have found that retiring is not the end of the line I have become both a teacher and a student I am busier now than when I was working a nine-to-five job The difference being that I love what I am doing Painting has become my passion along with teaching English as a second language to Mexican adults who want to advance in their chosen careers The Lake Chapala Society is primarily a meeting place for expats In a very congenial and inviting atmosphere newcomers to the area can have their questions answered with all kinds of helpful information There is an annual registration fee of $38 There are also art and chess classes for children My husband enjoys the bridge group that meets twice per week There are many charitable organizations that welcome volunteers The local population is so appreciative of any help that is offered I look forward to the Wednesday market where I buy fruit and vegetables that have just been picked and delivered from the surrounding farms I can’t remember ever before paying as little as 25 cents for an avocado or 50 cents for a pound of tomatoes There is another market every Tuesday that offers a great variety of cooked food that is both healthy and delicious There are many restaurants that cater to all tastes and are inexpensive by U.S La Sima del Copal sits at the top of a mountain peak and offers the most beautiful view of the lake at sunset there are less expensive restaurants that are also very good It is customary for Mexican families and expats to stroll along the malecon (boardwalk) on Sunday afternoon our family and friends back in the States are curious about how we live Our first group of visitors arrived last week I thought it would be fun to rent horses and take a leisurely ride up into the mountains which surround the village I asked the guide if it is an easy ride with wide paths our guide and horses arrived to pick us up for our little adventure Riding through the village on our way to the mountains was delightful As we started up the mountain trail things took quite a turn Narrow paths that were barely wide enough for a horse hairpin turns and steep precipices went on as far as the eye could see Riding through the mountains of Ajijic leads to some beautiful scenery Our next group of visitors is due to arrive in two weeks I think this time we will enjoy nature by sitting on our patio and looking at the spectacular flora and fauna all around us with the majestic mountains looming safely in the background Finding A Purposeful Retirement Along The Mexican Caribbean A Happy, Healthy Plant-Based Life In Ajijic, Mexico A Mexican Adventure From $1,500 A Month “It’s in the tropics somewhere between the Port of Indecision and Southwest of Disorder but no parallels of latitude or longitude mark the spot exactly You don’t have to be a navigator to get there embrace life at “a new latitude,” the promise of their spiritual guru a 76 year-old billionaire who continues to tour and inspire millions of baby boomers longing for life’s perfect sunset Buffett’s multiple businesses include a real estate collection of lifestyle communities for 55 and over Latitude Margaritaville International is set to open on the northwest shore of Lake Chapala This new Buffett venture will soon offer “Parrot Heads” (Buffet’s followers) a new roost in Jalisco state whose fame with foreigners dates to the 1940s A new twist on the overseas living experience is now upon us Are Lake Chapala and the rest of Mexico ready to welcome Margaritaville to the homeland of margaritas Lake Chapala’s one attempt at a United States-style senior care model (formerly marketed as “La Pueblita”) went into receivership in 2022 the victim of the pandemic and a marketing pitch that never caught on Latitude Margaritaville International and its partner Levy Holding will take over the ill-fated 200-unit facility of unfinished condos and casitas “With the success and demand for Margaritaville-branded residential communities in the U.S. we’re always looking for licensing opportunities and destinations that are compelling and dynamic Lake Chapala was exactly that,” according to Jim Wiseman president of development at Margaritaville the parent company of the Latitude Margaritaville real estate collection and with its diverse offerings and incredible climate the area brings together elements of both active and laid-back lifestyles and a dedication to community – all a major part of the way of life at Latitude Margaritaville International.” The project will open for sales this summer with move-ins happening in the spring of 2024 Pastel-hued renderings also give us some clues about how the company will recruit “Parrot Heads” to Lake Chapala An updated artist’s rendition of the existing pool area features giant macaws and Jimmy Buffett-inspired slogans and affirmations scrawled on walls and awnings Who wants another abandoned real estate eyesore But bringing the Margaritaville brand to Lake Chapala – the birthplace of overseas living in Mexico (a heritage we lakesiders proudly embrace) – has some of us wondering how this will all go down Buffet’s Margaritaville is the first corporate brand to parachute into the lakeside senior living landscape and it will certainly impact the surrounding area Will it further accelerate our community’s transformation from a lakeside village to something else It wouldn’t be fair to lay blame at Margaritaville’s door for Ajijic’s growing challenges: rickety roads That blame could be placed on local authorities for abandoning any attempt at urban planning or growth impact abatement Also responsible are foreign-born “invaders” who come here with U.S and attitudes that foster what are essentially two community circles the Mexicans and the outsiders; sometimes polarized Will the Margaritaville brand bring new residents with global views and attitudes congruent with making Mexico a better place to live Will Margaritaville’s “55 and better” communities start popping up across Mexico this time bringing a Floridian vibe to the more muted raises living standards for our Mexican neighbors and helps Mexico attract the inevitably growing share of Americans who can’t afford to retire up north I don’t personally know any “Parrot Heads” They could help make the places they live in more prosperous will Mexico’s quest to attract foreign capital create another island of exclusivity that’s disassociated from the community’s needs – especially in a town like Ajijic it’s a homecoming of sorts for the drink that inspires followers to embrace “life on the other side.” I’m keeping an eye out for my “lost shaker of salt.” And hoping for the best Writer Greg Custer (www.mexicoforliving.com) has worked in Mexico tourism for over 40 years He’s lived lakeside in Ajijic since 2015 and helps Americans explore Mexico for living opportunities Ajijic is widely noted as one of Mexico’s main art towns much of that today is because of the many foreign artists and collectors but I’ll argue that even more important are locals who have been nurtured in this direction since the mid-20th century Ajijic was a relatively unknown place when American Neill James arrived here in 1943 she had been on several continents during the interwar period Her foray into Mexico took a turn for the worse when she broke her leg on one volcano and got nearly buried by the ash from another Or as she put it: “I fell on Popocatépetl; Paracutin fell on me.” where she wrote her most famous book Dust on My Heart — which also signaled the end of her travel writing career Her decision to spend the rest of her life there was not just the great weather Entrepreneurial herself (necessary since she was not independently wealthy as some stories claim) she got involved in the community to help people help themselves first with a library and then a program to teach art to local children in 1954 The program was not just about creating art but selling it as well She partnered with local teacher Angelita Aldana who taught almost all of the first generations of alumni Promising students received scholarships to an art institute in San Miguel de Allende or to the University of Guadalajara James died in 1994 at nearly 100 years of age and her program is still going strong at the Lake Chapala Society (LCS) Alumni Jesús López Vega and Javier Zaragoza painted a mural honoring her and the children’s art program at the facility which has over the years trained many local children many of whom went on to have art careers both in Mexico and the United States Some went to have careers in the United States while others developed their careers in the Chapala area where their influence is prominent in many local galleries and murals Their art is no small part of the reason why many foreigners come to live “lakeside” and stay One of James’s first success stories was Javier Zaragoza a 1950s graduate who would go on to have a multi-decade commercial art career in the United States before returning to Ajijic to open a gallery the idea of being an artist was far beyond his dreams in a tiny town Brothers Antonio and Jesús López Vega are 1960s graduates both fixtures in the town’s mural and gallery scenes Both mix folkloric Mexican imagery with surrealism heavily influenced by their grandmother’s stories about the lake and the region having had shows in prestigious venues in Mexico City creating murals and teaching the next generations of Ajijic’s artists The Padilla family also has benefitted from the program starting with early student Florentino Padilla but seeing him paint one time inspired her attended the program and has worked in art on and off since the 1990s She is the only woman alumni of the program featured on the Lake Chapala Society’s mural Perhaps Ajijic’s most famous mural was done by 1978 graduate Efrén González Although he did the allegory on the primary school’s main facade the main attraction is the rows upon rows of red clay skulls with names Each of these are lit up on Day of the Dead runs several art businesses with his sons and this past summer opened the town’s first art museum One of the most recent success stories is Luis Enrique Martínez Hernández even though they were poor caretakers of a hacienda in San Juan Cosalá he was mentored by various alumni of the program and went on to exhibit with his work influenced by impressionism and surrealism Most of the living Mexican artists in the town are linked to the school James started the short-lived Young Painters of Ajijic which allowed alumni and others to exhibit their work on Sunday afternoons on the property It would be the forerunner of the current Asociación de Artistas de Ajijic/Ajijic Society of the Arts newcomers like Goretti Chavira and Orlando Solano Álvarez work to make their name some of which are second- and even third-generation participants The program is still running strong at the Lake Chapala Society with 90 registered and with at least 30 attending Saturday classes who has taught as a volunteer here for 20 years says that only a few stay on and show promise to be artists the program shows children that they have value and can do whatever they like if they want it enough Leigh Thelmadatter arrived in Mexico 18 years ago and fell in love with the land and the culture in particular its handcrafts and art. She is the author of Mexican Cartonería: Paper, Paste and Fiesta (Schiffer 2019) Put the two side-by-side and you might not believe they are related, never mind near-twins artistically: Antonio López Vega has a bohemian, almost-hippie look to him, while younger brother Jesús looks like an everyday local businessman But both have been instrumental in Ajijic’s artistic history the brothers grew up in a very different world They were two of eleven children born to a trumpeter and carpenter and his wife in what was a rural village both hustled to obtain resources for their family Boys at that time roamed the lakeshore and mountains to collect firewood and find work helping local fishermen Jesús and Antonio came to know the area like the back of their hands discovering petroglyphs and other pre-Hispanic artifacts This interest was bolstered by stories that their grandmothers and other elders told them of gods and legends of pre-Christian Chapala The most important legend related to the lake goddess Michicihualli and the culebra a rare phenomenon when a waterspout rises up from the lake then smashes into a mountainside Such stories remain an integral part of their lives such an environment is not exactly conducive to producing professional artists But Ajijic had one unusual advantage: the relatively few foreign writers and artists that found their way here felt a sense of responsibility to the local population American Neill James founded several educational programs for children in the mid-20th century but the most successful of them by far was a program of art classes Jesús and Antonio were among the early graduates in the 1970s and two of the reasons why Ajijic’s mural scene is still dominated by local painters were able to start careers with what they learned from her program received scholarships to study art at what is now called the Instituto Allende in San Miguel de Allende in Guanajuato which led to a position sketching archaeological work at Chichén Itzá in the early 1980s where he survived selling his work on the street An award from the Salón Nacional got the attention of galleries and museums as well as a stint teaching back in San Miguel de Allende The two brothers’ lifetimes are strongly marked by the massive changes that the Lake Chapala area has experienced Their memories include the construction of the main highway on the north shore as well as the massive influx of foreigners since They also remember the introduction of electricity which they remember met with some resistance as residents did not like being unable to see the night sky neither expressed animosity to foreigners directly to me and a fluent Jesús even offered to do the interview in English The aim of the brothers’ work is to preserve the essence of their childhood Chapala rather than landscapes or other realism (a la Diego Rivera) Their differences come in each brother’s execution often with a halo effect around his figures Antonio’s show various influences from his time in academia and other parts of Mexico but their most influential work is on canvas and murals in the Chapala area Jesús is behind one of Ajijic’s most impressive “Birth of Teo-Michin-Cihualli,” situated in the stairwell of the town’s cultural center It features the lake goddess in various aspects along with several figures from Mexico’s history Antonio’s “Mural Dedicated to Water” can be seen along a stretch of the north shore highway Both have works in collections all over the world thanks to Ajijic’s international population but Antonio’s work has more reach in Mexico They started with the stories from their childhood as Jesús notes that “… fewer local families are passing down oral tradition to their children.” They believe that the stories are also important to foreign residents so that “…they can appreciate the area in which they live as a unique and vibrant place,” Jesús says Jésus has been working for years on a project to document both the indigenous and Spanish foundations of Ajijic with an eye toward the town’s 500th anniversary in 2031 The brothers’ documentation efforts are a combination of academic text They are even producing their own artisanal books They have also collected artifacts in the region particularly concerned about the petroglyphs they discovered as children As land development takes over more of the mountains “… The rocks become ‘trapped’ on private property and become little more than ornamentation for owners instead of community heritage,” Antonio says One piece that has been rescued is Tepayotzin (“sacred turtle rock” in Nahuatl) now available to the public on Ajijic’s boardwalk Despite all their similarities, the two men work separately in different environments. Neither inherited their parents’ property. Jesús lives and works in his Galería de Arte Axixic on the west end of town. Antonio lives at the semi-communal La Cochera Cultural Center where he found refuge after coming back to Ajijic Both appreciate the opportunities that James’ program gave them and pay it forward focusing on children in neighborhoods in the mountains Although both are successful at a time when art is booming in Ajijic it is still difficult to make a living as more artists move in and compete for the attention and money of the same tourists and foreign residents The brothers’ work not only maintains the prestige of Ajijic art it also serves as a reminder of the community’s heritage as chaotic development establishes ever-more gated communities increasing the area’s cosmopolitan and international flair Leigh Thelmadatter arrived in Mexico 18 years ago and fell in love with the land and the culture in particular its handcrafts and art. She is the author of Mexican Cartonería: Paper, Paste and Fiesta (Schiffer 2019) Her culture column appears regularly on Mexico News Daily you likely have a passing interest in what it’s like to live in Mexico Foreign-born residents likely live in all 32 of Mexico’s states But some places come closer to satisfying the needs of aging baby boomers than others My happy place is in Jalisco state, home to many of Mexico’s emblematic destinations, attractions and cultural touchstones. It’s the place that gave the world tequila, mariachis, Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara. Jalisco also launched the Mexico-for-overseas-living movement and is home to the iconic Lake Chapala Chapala is both a town and the name of Mexico’s largest lake Tucked between shoreline and sierra (mountains) is a string of colorful colonial-era villages A ribbon of lake-facing settlements and gated real estate communities has been hosting foreign-born residents for nearly 100 years while also drawing throngs of weekend visitors from Mexico’s second-largest metropolitan area The folks living here (a culturally diverse bunch from over 30 countries) will immediately point to the splendid weather (comfortable year-round temperatures and very low humidity) proximity to an international airport and a bonanza of ways for active baby boomers to embrace the one question to seriously consider when moving to a foreign country: how will I spend my time The region is a fascinating laboratory of multiculturalism — home to thousands of foreign-born year-round residents who fall into one of two groups: the baby boomer “do-gooders,” who stay active by volunteering interfacing as best they can with their Mexican neighbors and frequenting spaces like the Lake Chapala Society’s downtown Ajijic “campus,” weekly markets Another group lives here primarily for the good weather (homes here do not generally need air conditioning nor heating) and affordability and the opportunity to casually connect with their Mexico surroundings The epicenter of staying busy is Ajijic This number doesn’t include the estimated 4,000 foreign-born year-round residents and thousands more seasonal visitors Founded in 1531 and wedged between steep mountains and the Lake Ajijic’s kilometer-long lakeside malecón (pier) is a delight at all hours mostly resulting from pressures upstream and the Rio Lerma watershed but rarely do humans disrupt its calm surface or explore its shallow depth Ajijic’s prosperous central plaza is dominated by a gazebo adorned with lake-inspired cement motifs Its murals are a legacy with ties to a children’s art program launched by American Neill James in the 1950s and still in operation today James arrived in Ajijic in 1943 and stayed for 50 years opening the first Spanish-language library sponsoring silkworm looms that employed village women and spearheading various philanthropic initiatives Calle Colón bisects the villages from north to south and connects the plaza with the lakefront Colón is lined with art galleries displaying works by Mexican and foreign-born artists real estate offices and clothing boutiques There are surprisingly few museums or colonial-era structures here reflecting the village’s historic isolation (the first roads connecting the village to the outside world came as late as the early 1950s) and fishing village heritage There are hiking trails crisscrossing the lake-facing mountains a 30-kilometer protected bike path and morning kayaking from the Ajijic waterfront Thermal swimming pools (balnearios) are just a short drive west of Ajijic Many of us living here enjoy the three live theater companies in addition to the numerous secular and religious cultural traditions you won’t find any sprawling resorts or large hotels here in Ajijic Visitors typically stay in Airbnb rentals or small inns sprinkled along central Ajijic’s crumbling cobblestone streets Gated communities and dozens of residential developments mix foreign buyers with affluent tapatíos (people from Jalisco) who generally occupy their homes on weekends and holidays The foreign “invasion” is not without impact Gentrification has brought changes in ways good and bad Rising prices for real estate and rentals weigh heavily across the entire northwest Lakeshore region Residential water wells are being tapped out; traffic congestion through Ajijic and into Chapala is worsening A partial positive counterweight is the economic impact of foreign spending that goes into the hands of residents and business owners animal rescues and educational efforts strive to mitigate some of these externalities offering residents volunteer opportunities that are having positive impacts Take in the world’s best weather and international intermingling in the town of Chapala and the villages of San Antonio Tlayacapan All this and more begins a short 30-minute drive from the Guadalajara International Airport Of all the “happy places” you may consider parachuting into I’ve found mine along the northwest shore of Mexico’s largest natural lake Greg Custer has lived lakeside since 2015, operates Ajijic Walking Tours and consults with folks exploring Mexico for overseas living He is a regular contributor reporting on the Lake Chapala/Ajijic region for Mexico News Daily Your request appears similar to malicious requests sent by robots Please make sure JavaScript is enabled and then try loading this page again. If you continue to be blocked, please send an email to secruxurity@sizetedistrict.cVmwom with: the structure is built out of rammed earth creating layers and pockets which provide the residents with both public and private spaces the dwelling is constructed from vernacular materials using traditional mexican methods resulting in a structure which strongly responds to its surrounding landscape the various translucencies of the overall building create a visual interplay between the materials these are strategically found on the south side protecting the north from the cold winds. north façade photo © iwan baan (also main image) dining room photo © iwan baan the living room and kitchen are separated by the floor material photo © iwan baan stairs and concrete walls photos © iwan baan corridor material photos © iwan baan entrance with exposed bulbs photo © iwan baan view at night photo © iwan baan AXOR presents three bathroom concepts that are not merely places of function but destinations in themselves — sanctuaries of style the daughter of Robert Williams and Martha Hoenshel Williams and the granddaughter of Walter E Walter Williams was longtime publisher of the Fairfield Ledger Rebecca won a scholarship to University of the Seven Seas and World Campus Afloat (Chapman University) This was a major influence in Rebecca’s life exposing her to diversity of cultures and creating a passion for international travel and adventure She received a BA from the University of Oklahoma and a MA from Oklahoma State University where she became a successful businesswoman and owner of Ford Real Estate Rebecca was active in the Mexican community of Ajijic speaking fluent Spanish and making many friends and participated at Sunday events in the Ajijic plaza She also performed at the prestigious Teatro Degollado in Guadalajara creating calendars and participating in collective and individual exhibitions locally and at the Ex-Convento del Carmen in Guadalajara Rebecca was a gardener and traveled internationally to botanical and private gardens enriching her home garden and identifying unusual species She also loved to cook and studied in Oaxaca Her motto was “Eat well and travel often.” Rebecca practiced yoga for more than 30 years Her yoga practice enabled her to enjoy a quality of life and travel during the three years after her diagnosis of pancreatic cancer Her final wish was to visit Paris with her spouse Shortly after return to her beloved Mexico Rebecca is survived by her spouse and partner of 14 years Robert Williams and sister-in-law Donna Wiseman Williams of Johnston A celebration of her life will be announced at a later date comfortable and enlightening place any Mexico-seeking expat could ever hope to find It’s also quite common (when you’re living in paradise) to get drawn into like-minded social spaces I try to steer clear of the comment sections But a recent conversation that erupted on an Ajijic chat site was just too juicy to swipe past it was about a seemingly humdrum matter: poop in the lake The protagonist was an innocent expat wanting to “do something” about Lake Chapala and the surrounding area’s rainy season raw sewer overflows This is a common yearly experience across Mexico (and parts of the United States) This topic became one of the forum’s most talked-about crises For an online community that traffics in selling toaster ovens and queries like “Can anyone help me fix my remote control?” the comments veered to unexpectedly extreme expressions of angst I took to distilling this vitriolic sewage–in-the-lake commentary hoping to find the fault line of when and where we expats turn complaints into activism While I found no evidence of anyone with a latent desire for more poop in the lake it’s clear that the expat community is nowhere near to being on common ground regarding what to do about the issue We seem to be caught in a swirl of doubt: being “sensitive” versus “don’t waste your time.” The result: with some exceptions expat residents sit self-sidelined on issue after issue As a resident of one of the longest-standing colonies of Americans living anywhere outside the U.S (American expats have been living here since the 1940s) Perhaps a presidente municipal (mayor) whose grandfather was from Wisconsin given the generations of lakeside living by Americans and snowbird Canadians we expats are still in another orbit from our Mexican neighbors As shown by this particular social media uproar we too often run for our respective ideological mother ships Most of us expats are here for the right reasons and will donate to causes in a generous fashion (giving both time and money) But too often we are susceptible to all this sunshine and the well-stocked shelves of the Super Lake market causing our ideologies to run amok It can take something like poop in the lake to reveal our true colors it’s an abandonment of the credo “think global act local.” In the doo-doo diatribe about Lake Chapala sewage this group once again shoots themselves in the proverbial huarache (sandal) Being “sensitive” (and choosing to do nothing) these folks plop (so to speak) right into the “it’s not our country however: that we all switch to compost toilets In the other corner (social conservatives?) are those who bring their First World problems and material hang-ups to their new Jalisco lakeside home Mexico is a mere coincidental backdrop for living behind a wall This group harps about Mexico’s corruption and how nothing is ever going to change “Why bother?” becomes their answer to addressing local issues In between are those who worry that any form of public expression about local issues is illegal (It’s not.) Others have come to realize that many Mexicans disdain confrontation It’s not that we invaders only want to save the world by rescuing one stray dog at a time or by opening yet another bazaar for dead people’s belongings spend an hour at Ajijic’s Open Circle get-together/lecture some Sunday morning: you’ll meet social crusaders esteemed diplomats and true global citizens starved (as is our lot) for information and insight We are a great 60-and-over generation of listeners and learners But how do the “why bother” and the “let’s be sensitive” viewpoints come together Do we “respect” Mexico and Mexicans when we withdraw to the do-nothing comfort zone Do we exacerbate the problem when writing off expat activism as futile in the face of bad government I propose it’s time for a communal coming of age for Mexico expats Maybe then we act arm-in-arm with our neighbors in resolving shared afflictions Mexicans would cheer our taking notice of public nuisances Even more would appreciate us working toward solutions Greg Custer has worked in Mexico tourism for over 40 years. He helps foreigners find their village in the sun at www.mexicoforretirement.com Best in Travel is here! Discover 2025’s destinations The 30 best countries, cities and regions to visit in 2025 Plan your trip with Elsewhere, by Lonely Planet See where a Lonely Planet Membership takes you Subscribe to our weekly newsletters to get the latest travel news, expert advice, and insider recommendations Explore the world with our detailed, insightful guidebooks Stay ahead of the curve with our guidebooks Uncover exciting new ways to explore iconic destinations Every month, we release new books into the wild Search Search Close search menu Explore Best in Travel 2024 Africa Close menu Countries Antarctica Antarctica Close menu Regions Asia Asia Close menu Countries Australia & the Pacific Australia & the Pacific Close menu Countries The Caribbean The Caribbean Close menu Countries Central America Central America Close menu Countries Europe Europe Close menu Countries Middle East Middle East Close menu Countries North America North America Close menu Countries South America South America Close menu Countries The artsy town of Ajijic rests on Lake Chapala's northern shore © Alberto Alvarez / Getty Images Guadalajara is a large, dynamic city. It's one of Mexico’s classic destinations with countless historic sights and things to do as well as daily traffic jams and an ever-growing sprawl A day trip out of the city provides a refreshing break from all that urbanity If you’re looking for a different side of Mexico, then you’re in luck: cobblestone villages, artsy lakeside towns, dense forests, ancient ruins and even colonial-era tequila distilleries are all within easy striking distance. Grab your day pack and head to the bus station to check out our top five Guadalajara day trips Why go: Deep dive into the history and making of tequila Tequila is a charming cobblestoned village surrounded by a sea of blue agave with views of its namesake volcano in the distance. It’s home to several distilleries, most hidden within colonial-era haciendas. Museo Nacional de Tequila is a good starting point for visitors covering the history of Mexico’s most famous drink A stone’s throw away sits two of Mexico’s leading distilleries: Mundo Cuervo, the oldest tequila distillery in the Americas founded in 1795, and Casa Sauza a comparative whippersnapper at just 150 years old Both distilleries offer in-depth tours of their estates sharing the step-by-step process of tequila making with tastings along the way consider staying overnight to explore the region further a breezy café on the church plaza with outdoor tables and an extensive menu of coffee drinks By car, Tequila is an hour northwest of Guadalajara on Hwy 15D. Or take the Tequila Express bus Why go: Explore a one-of-a-kind archaeological site Guachimontones ruins make a fascinating day trip for history buffs and those interested in off-the-beaten-path travel. A place of worship for the ancient Teuchitlán people, Guachimontones is one of the only ruins in the world whose structures were built in nearly perfect concentric circles you can’t help but marvel at the main temple a six-story-high curving pyramid covered in bright green moss overlooking the La Vega dam It’s surrounded by several smaller circular complexes many of which are still used as places of ritual Leave time for the excellent onsite museum where you can also take a guided tour stop at one of the modest waterfront restaurants to try the local specialty: ancas de rana (frog legs) How to get to Guachimontones from Guadalajara: take a second-class bus to the village of Teuchitlán (about a two-hour ride) and then it’s a 10-minute taxi ride – or 35-minute uphill walk – from there Why go: Recharge on the banks of Mexico’s largest lake Set on the northern shores of Mexico’s largest lake the namesake town of Chapala is a pleasant working-class community known for its glittering waterfront and bracing mountain views Take a break from Guadalajara’s big city energy – you won’t need more than a day here – to enjoy the scenery as you stroll along the malecón a pleasant boardwalk lined with palm trees and buzzing waterfront restaurants Beer Garden is a Chapala institution and the classic stop for a drink with live music on weekends. Or wander east to La Palapa de Don Juan, a soaring thatched-roof restaurant famous for its fresh fish platters. For a treat, take a boat ride on the lake to Isla de Mezcala; tickets are sold online and at the main pier about an hour drive south on Hwy 44 to Hwy 23 Second-class buses make the trip (one to 1½ hours) from the Central Vieja every half-hour an impressive rock formation seemingly custom-built for bouldering To make the most of your time, rent a mountain bike or book a guided trip with Colores de Tapalpa That’ll give you time to check out more trails and wander Tapalpa’s winding streets stopping to visit the 16th-century churches or linger over a mug of rompope (a drink similar to eggnog) at La Villa First and second-class buses travel here from the Nueva Central and Central Vieja (around 3½ hours) Ajijic is a charming village and a favorite of North American ex-pats Brightly painted homes are draped in vines of blooming bougainvillea and the town’s cobblestone lanes are dotted with murals It’s a picture-perfect place to spend a day (or two Start at the leafy main plaza with its mosaic-tile sidewalks, public art exhibits and vendors selling handcrafted goods along the edges. From there, a constellation of galleries fills the surrounding streets, most showcasing local talent – Calli Intermuros and PabLola Galería de Arte are musts. As you wander, look for El Muro de Los Muertos, a towering art installation of 1,000 clay skulls that is an impressive nod to pre-hispanic cultures. Before leaving, try some international flavors – Ajijic Tango, an upscale Argentinean spot, and Kamellos Food Truck, a middle eastern eatery, are longtime faves. Ajijic is off of Hwy 23, about a one-hour drive from Guadalajara. Second-class buses leave every 30 minutes from the Central Vieja (one to 1½ hours). which is representative of his minimalist style including the lanterns and the Mies van der Rohe-inspired chaise longues The "David Hockney blue" pool tile is one of his rare nods to color echoes the blue he saw in a Matisse painting Schaible lived in New York City for 40 years but grew up in a small town in Colorado "It's so bizarre that I came back to one," he says So there are no windows; they're all doors." Schaible designed the courtyard's bronze urn fountain Noguchi floor lamps flank the fireplace in the living area Japanese stack trays were his inspiration for the low table "There's a period of the year when it's very dusty I'll do the floor a dirt color." "It looks like an Ellsworth Kelly," he notes The terra-cotta pineapple pots are by local ceramist Bulmaro Alejos and no one really knows what's behind them." The Art Déco-style lounge chairs on the loggia "almost look like they're from India." "I saw them in a friend's garage," he says Text description provided by the architects. The intervention project of the existing auditorium and its expansion as a cultural center was requested by the Culture Ministry of the State of Jalisco, to meet the goals of the program known as Cardinal Culture. This program seeks to decentralize culture and spread it in different regions of the state through the construction of different cultural complexes. Our project is located on the shore of Lake Chapala, the largest lake in Mexico. Its coastline is the most important settlement of foreigners in the country, due to the benefits of its climate and peaceful lifestyle. It was very important for us that our project could communicate part of the cultural history of the site. © César BéjarRethinking preexistence. For the configuration of the new cultural center, the starting point of our intervention was the recovery of the preexisting on the site: an auditorium for 400 people and an office building. The auditorium already contained a portico with traditional brick vaults that we recognized as the most valuable preexisting element in architectural terms. © César BéjarAlthough none of these preexisting buildings had heritage value, we decided to recover them and integrate them into the new complex, to which we added three new elements: a library as the facade of the complex, a longitudinal service building with a music classroom, dance hall, and open-air amphitheater, and finally a central water mirror. and so that their presence transmitted the idea of enclosure the library building is clearly aligned with the avenue and the long service building You'll now receive updates based on what you follow Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors If you have done all of this and still can't find the email Our #1 AI Stock Pick is on a steep discount - 29.99$ instead of 99.99$! 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Visitors will also be delighted by the region’s forested mountains and the big city attractions of nearby Guadalajara The region is also a fascinating laboratory of multiculturalism — home to thousands of foreign-born year-round residents who fall into one of two groups: the baby boomer “do-gooders” who stay active volunteering interfacing as best they can with their Mexican neighbors and frequenting spaces like the Lake Chapala Society’s downtown Ajijic “campus.” Another group lives here primarily for the excellent weather (homes here do not generally need A/C nor heating) and affordability although challenged by the peso’s appreciation and inflation. Some call it an American “colony” or joke that it’s Mexico’s “Island of Misfit Toys,” but it still has the world’s best weather with an international intermingling across the town of Chapala and the villages of Ajijic (now a Pueblo Magico) the epicenter of multiculturalism is Ajijic Founded in 1531 and wedged between steep mountains and the lake its kilometer-long lakeside malecon is a delight at all hours The town’s main square is dominated by a gazebo adorned with lake-inspired cement motifs Murals are a legacy tied to a 1950s Children’s Art Program (still in operation) launched by the late American author Neill James She arrived in 1943 and stayed for 50 years opening the first town’s Spanish library and sponsoring philanthropic programs such as silkworm looms that employed village women. Calle Colón connects the plaza with the lakefront and is lined with art galleries displaying works by Mexican and foreign artists Surprisingly few museums or colonial-era structures are here reflecting the village’s historic isolation (the first roads connected the village to the outside world in the early 1950s) and fishing village heritage Some limited gentrifications have appeared in response to the hordes of weekend visitors from Guadalajara and foreign residents no sprawling resorts or large hotels exist here Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville is attempting a foothold for “55 and greater” residents at a 200-unit condo development west of Ajijic Visitors stay in Airbnb rentals or small inns sprinkled along central Ajijic’s crumbling cobblestoned streets. there are hiking trails crisscrossing the lake-facing mountains and morning kayakers plying the lake’s shallow waters from the Ajijic waterfront A protected ciclopista affords accessible biking east to west connecting the cities of Chapala and Jocotepec (a distance of 30 kilometers) over flat terrain (regular and electric bike rentals are found in Ajijic) Thermal water balnearios are a short drive west of Ajijic in the village of San Juan Cosala Thirty minutes from the Guadalajara Airport Jalisco’s scenic lakeside village in the sun welcomes foreigners to come Yucatán Magazine has the inside scoop on living here. Sign up to get our top headlines delivered to your inbox every week public murals in public don’t always get the respect they deserve To see a mural and its artist disrespected in a cultural capital such as Merida is shocking enough That it’s happened in a state-run art school is even more striking Yucatán Magazine‘s “Celebrations” issue launch party raised 100,000 pesos (almost $US6,000) after a generous and anonymous couple matched the event’s proceeds with their own donation a nonprofit that provides spay and neuter services throughout Yucatán “The donations and pure joy and enthusiasm around this event reflect the commitment… Yucatan — A Mexican tourist and his family faced down waiters refusing to budge from a restaurant’s beachfront palapa “Show me the piece of paper where it says I can’t be on the beach,” the unnamed tourist said in a confrontation captured on video ” The beach is free and it’s for… MEXICO CITY – President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum vowed to address unfinished aspects of the Tren Maya and the Interoceanic Train projects following a meeting with Morena governors from the south and southeast of Mexico She committed to an investment of 83 billion pesos to complete both initiatives within the next two years Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has called for Austria to repatriate the artifact known as “el Penacho de Moctezuma.” Yucatan health authorities said on Sunday as they announced 159 new coronavirus cases Over 1,000 new infections have been detected in the past seven days an exceptionally large increase for a single day Advertise With Us a short piece of historical fiction (in Spanish) based on D.H Lawrence’s 1923 stay on the ribera norte of Lake Chapala where Lawrence began work on his novel The Plumed Serpent Jorge Varela’s writing brings in references to the venerable old Restaurante La Posada in Ajijic and to “La Rusa,” the mysterious horsewoman who rode around dressed all in black while being swindled out of the proceeds of a gold mine just up the hillside above the town I ask Jorge if he would act as cicerone to my wife and me and give us a little introduction to the history of the area Varela agreed and first drove us into a residential area of Ajijic called Villa Nova which has streets with names like Calle de la Mina and Calle de los Mineros “The original Rancho del Oro is still here.” he took us to a stone wall on Calle del Manglar where we hoisted ourselves up just high enough to get a good peek at the well preserved buildings from which the mining operation had been run with an impressive arched aqueduct in the background “Somewhere in the hills just above us lies the gold mine itself,” said Jorge “but it’s now considered very dangerous to go inside They say several people who entered that mine ended up dead.” After having stirred up a bit of gold fever in us Jorge took us straight to the ruins of an old crushing mill in Ajijic and the family that now lives on the premises unhesitatingly gave us permission to wander both inside and outside the decrepit buildings sturdy earthen ramp where ore-laden wagons were pulled up to the crusher I would love to revisit this place with someone knowledgeable about mining Next we made a brief visit to the doorway of La Casa de la Rusa at 26 Independencia where the number plaque shows the silhouette of the Horsewoman in Black a ballerina and actress who eventually became a legend in Ajijic La Rusa means “The Russian,” and she went by the names Ayenara Zara Alexeyewa as well as Khyva St although it appears she was actually born in New York City as Elinore Saenger According to writer Judy King, she and her dance partner/foster brother bought the above-mentioned gold mine in the 1920s “hoping to fulfill their dreams to produce and present great Russian ballets here in Mexico.” In their blog local researchers Jim and Carole Cook say the mine was called La Misericordia and La Rusa was being swindled by her Mexican partners until mine manager Quilocho Retolaza came to her rescue Quilocho had been one of Pancho Villa’s most dashing officers and La Rusa herself (under the pen name Frances De Brundige) tells the story of how he saved her from swindlers and bandits in the book Quilocho and the Dancing Stars, which can still be found in a few discriminating used bookstores like La Perla Books in Guadalajara There are also lots of old photos and memorabilia about Zara Alexeyewa in the highly popular restaurant of La Nueva Posada Hotel which just happens to be named Restaurante La Rusa Our last stop in Ajijic was the site of “La Vieja Posada,” which was built in the 1500s and has had many reincarnations Today it is called Restaurante María Isabel Lawrence (and later many other famous artists) used to stop by for a tequila and sangrita The correct procedure for imbibing these two drinks Now for this ceremony the tequila must be blanco while the sangrita is red I immediately learned what’s not in it: alcohol After that I got a different version of the ingredients it does contain from each of my friends and from every source I checked I guess that means you’ll always be surprised when you drink it we drove eight kilometers east to the town of Chapala now known as Quinta Quetzalcoatl Boutique Hotel B&B “This is where Lawrence stayed while he lived in Chapala,” said our guide turned out to be one of the most gorgeous places to stay I had ever seen In the middle of the patio was a pool with a serpent motif Lawrence’s room was just as attractive On the wall was a picture of the writer and his wife Frieda along with the text of the telegram Lawrence sent her in 1923 Take evening train.” The train is long gone In Ajijic: the wall where you can hoist yourself up for a peek at the old mining ranch is on Calle del Manglar about halfway between De los Mineros and Del Arroyo The crushing mill is at the south end of Calle Flores Magón Google Maps will take you straight to La Nueva Posada Hotel In Chapala: Quinta Quetzalcoatl is number 307 Zaragoza Street Just ask Google Maps to take you to “Villa QQ Chapala.” The writer has lived near Guadalajara, Jalisco, for more than 30 years and is the author of A Guide to West Mexico’s Guachimontones and Surrounding Area and co-author of Outdoors in Western Mexico. More of his writing can be found on his website This unique community is designed to meet the highest standards of living for adults 55 and better looking for a relaxed and vibrant lifestyle in Mexico The design of Latitude Margaritaville International Lake Chapala is a testament to the fusion of modern and traditional charm each home embraces the spirit of Margaritaville while incorporating elements of local culture the traditional design elements and details seamlessly blend with Margaritaville to create a unique experience for future residents As the only residential community in the region with a rooftop bar residents can enjoy breathtaking 360° views of Lake Chapala and the surrounding mountains The community will also offer a variety of amenities Residents will be able to partake in various activities such as pool volleyball is a global lifestyle brand inspired by Jimmy Buffett whose songs evoke a passion for escape and relaxation Margaritaville features over 40 lodging locations and over 20 additional projects in the pipeline positioned across a variety of full-service and boutique hotel and resort brands all complemented by an extensive suite of food and beverage concepts and LandShark Bar & Grill. Ranked #1 in Guest Satisfaction among Upper Upscale Hotel Brands in the J.D Power 2023 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Study, Margaritaville's inspired hotel brands with high-quality partners include Margaritaville Hotels & Resorts part of the Island Reserve Inclusive Collection Margaritaville's branded real estate includes Latitude Margaritaville "55 and better" active adult brand; Latitude Margaritaville International; Margaritaville Cottages Villas and Residences; One Particular Harbour Margaritaville; and Margaritaville Vacation Club by Wyndham The newest brand additions to Margaritaville's properties includes the rapidly-growing Camp Margaritaville RV Resorts and Margaritaville at Sea which debuted in 2022 with its first ship, Margaritaville at Sea Paradise consumers can escape every day through a collection of lifestyle products including apparel About Levy Holding Levy Holding is an integral and autonomous business group focused on real estate development, seeking to innovate and offer great quality in all projects, always considering sustainability and the human factor behind them. For more information, please visit www.levyholding.com MargaritavilleFinn Partners, [email protected] Levy HoldingSantiago Saracho, [email protected]Brenda Ramirez, [email protected] Margaritaville Hotels & Resorts is celebrating back-to-back wins Real Estate Hotels and Resorts Travel Residential Real Estate Do not sell or share my personal information: Mexican real estate and investment firm Sun-Star Group led by real estate developer Omar ORourke Martinez and his partner Thomas Wahl celebrated the groundbreaking of the Radisson Blu Resort & Spa Ajijic a popular destination located within 50 kilometers of Guadalajara Lake Chapala is located within 25 minutes of Guadalajara’s international airport as well as El Salto an important industrial corridor and home to the Mexican and Latin American headquarters for many multi-national corporations Radisson Blu is an upper-upscale international chain of full service hotels and resorts brand with stunning design and truly innovative service features These flagship hotels are found in prime locations around the globe with more than 395 properties now open or in development in more than 110 countries Pictured from left to right: Delia O’Rourke Several officials attended the ceremony from the Municipality of Chapala including Mayor Javier Degollado who gave a history of Lake Chapala as a major tourist destination and thanked both the developer and Radisson Blu for making Ajijic the home of the first Radisson Blu in Mexico Thomas Wahl of the Sun-Star Group remarked on the popularity of Lake Chapala as a destination for both international and domestic visitors in particular from Guadalajara as its preferred staycation destination He also emphasized the need for additional tourism infrastructure projects in the area Mexico and The Caribbean for Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group said "We are excited to welcome our first Radisson Blu to Mexico The hotel's architectural and design combined with the brand's service will delight guests travelling to Ajijic We appreciate the commitment that the O’Rourke family has made in this hotel and the trust they have demonstrated in the Radisson brand" Omar O’Rourke Martinez detailed his family’s long history and connection to the area his family and his team members for their support in his vision to bring this project to the Lake Chapala area and continue the development of the region as a favored destination The resort is slated to open during the fourth quarter of 2019 and is estimated to create 200 construction and 80 full time jobs The Radisson Blu Resort & Spa Ajijic is the Sun-Star Group’s first property as part of its multi-unit agreement with Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group Español Eduardo Hernández Rodríguez +52-331-411-3109 Click here to join your colleagues and stay up to date on the latest hotel news and trends Copyright © Hotel News Resource & Nevistas | All rights reserved Mexico -- The Tea Party gathering in this expatriate colony of retired Americans and Canadians opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and singing of God Bless America It continued with an airing of conservative pundit Dinesh D'Souza's documentary during which audience members sipped bottles of Corona beer and tsk-tsked at some of the remarks made by Democrats in the film regardless of their political views," said organizer Karen Cage an ex-broadcasting manager from the Dallas area citizens reside in this collection of villages on Mexico's majestic Lake Chapala – where locals boast the perpetual spring-like climate is among the best in the world one finds a well-organized Democrats Abroad chapter including an episode of HBO's The Newsroom that described the Tea Party as "The American Taliban." Both sides are into the election as if they never left "the States." I don't know how not to be involved," Cage says It's uncertain which side has more support although Cage says the local chapter of Republicans Abroad has had organization issues – at least since George P stumped for votes here among expats in 2004 Some Democrats say former president George W Bush is the reason they live at the area known as Lakeside I'm out of here,' " says retired real estate agent Lois Schroff who sold her Virginia Beach home and moved to Mexico seven years ago.Members of both groups do remain civil to each other and try to avoid disputes by imposing "no-politics" rules when they get together "We've thrown people out of here for getting into arguments that were too partisan," says Maryan Ramos Texas."You really can't discuss politics with people down here," says Tea Party member Don Lott "People are pretty small-minded – on both sides." Both sides agree on their affection for Mexico where sunshine is plentiful and property tax bills run about $200 annually American amenities are also easily available – ranging from U.S satellite TV service to grocery runs at Costco in nearby Guadalajara "Where else could a bunch of old fools go and have so much to do?" says Billy Cooper a Tea Partier fond of the family-oriented local culture.He cites another important reason for liking Mexico: health care that costs him "one-tenth" the price he would pay back in Houston The formation of a Tea Party chapter in a region of Mexico known for its outward migration to the United States is somewhat improbable given the Republican Party's preference for maintaining strict immigration laws but Cooper sees no conflict."The Tea Party is all in favor of legal immigration," he says is discreet in public and few expats venture opinions on Mexican politics: The Mexican constitution forbids foreigners from meddling in such matters Canadians winter here as well in almost equal numbers to the Americans But they aren't as political-- possibly because many believe registering to vote will lead to problems with tax authorities back home says former Canadian politician and Ajijic resident Rob Parker "They believe they'll be found if they register to vote," he says Margaritaville and Levy Holding announced signing the license agreement for Latitude Margaritaville International Lake Chapala set to debut in phases starting in spring 2024 Latitude Margaritaville International Lake Chapala will be influenced by the surrounding area and living opportunities for those 55-and-better Lake Chapala is home to a significant concentration of expats and a great climate with daily temperatures around 75° F Chapala and neighboring Ajijic are nestled along the lake's shoreline The area features unique cultural offerings "With the success and demand for Margaritaville-branded residential communities in the U.S. we're always looking for licensing opportunities and destinations that are compelling and dynamic Lake Chapala was exactly that," said Jim Wiseman President of Development at Margaritaville and a dedication to community – all a major part of the way of life at Latitude Margaritaville International." Latitude Margaritaville International Lake Chapala will feature a total of 194 accommodations With resort-style amenities and an island-inspired feel residences will feature contemporary design elements with prices starting from the $233s as well as the impressive lake that invites reflection Chapala is the perfect destination that evokes Margaritaville's passion and relaxation – elements found in a dedicated community not simply a real estate development," said Agustin Levy "We know this will be the first step in encouraging more expats to visit and invest in Mexico." The first phase of the project will feature designated food & beverage locations Most English speakers from North America are quite familiar with patchwork quilts; it is one of the few native handcrafts we still have north of the border and it remains a part of Anglo-American identity when American and Canadians began retiring to Mexico in large numbers after World War II Avid Canadian quilter Wendy Wilton was pleasantly surprised to learn of active quilting “guilds,” or clubs in places like San Miguel de Allende and Ajijic these clubs provide quilters an outlet to socialize and get technical help donating quilts to organizations such as orphanages the Ajijic guild sent a batch of handmade quilts to Ukraine Quilting’s social-service side may best be reflected in the tireless work of Mazatlán-based Linda Hannawalt She had already been a force in the quilting world as the founder of the California non-profit San Francisco Sewing & Quilting Collaborative Thinking she was the first quilter in the country Linda quickly founded the San Francisco Quilt Shop in a building close to where cruise ship passengers arrive she recruited local sewers looking to learn a new craft that would appeal to a new and lucrative market and classes to foreign winter residents and tourists is sharing the success she has had with Mazatlán women After finding out that there are indeed other quilters in Mexico finding opportunities to support fledgling groups including one for deaf women in Zihuatanejo Linda helped Mexican quilt businesses stay afloat by helping them import needed supplies while Mexican nationals were barred from entering the U.S Her store’s income provides much of the support for this outreach But it is not just foreign women promoting quilting in Mexico Although the Ajijic guild is English-speaking and geared towards retirees it has attracted Mexican hobbyists from as far as Guadalajara Quilt business owners Silvia Barba Alhadro and Teresa Gurria of the Mexico City metropolitan area are two of over a dozen businesses that cater almost exclusively to Mexican women who By 2019, Mexico was hosting expos, guilds and more in areas such as Monterrey, Mérida, León and Veracruz. Expo Quilt México Internacional is the largest of these, founded and run by Silvia Barba Alhadro, proprietor of The Quilting Studio in the fashionable San Ángel neighborhood of Mexico City but they are important because of the networking opportunities among quilters and with the general public Not only do these events have booths featuring quilt shops they have exhibitions and competitions of some of the finest quilts being produced in Mexico Most expos and events took a hiatus during the pandemic but there is optimism that it is only a matter of time quilting by chance while working at an international school but when more and more friends and family wanted to learn she started a quilting “school” in her home she moved The Quilt Shop classes to its current location in the San Ángel neighborhood Quilting classes have been the introduction to the craft for many Mexican women not only because it provides a creative outlet it provides a social one for many upper-class Mexican stay-at-home moms and retirees Gathering regularly at the The Quilt Shop or any other of over a dozen quilt “schools” in the Mexico City area may be even more important than the quilting itself stays in quilting class,” says Teresa Gurria a former student of Barba Alhadro’s who runs her own quilt business in the northwestern Mexico City suburb of Atizapan Even if the quilt shop looks like one north-of-the-border the center of activity is always the classes 100% cotton fabrics made specifically for the hobby These fabrics can be pricey and while they mimic what was used to quilt a century ago there is one main difference: today’s quilts are rarely made with leftover scraps the way they were back then One exception to this may be the quilting that is developing in Morelia which had its first quilting expo last March at the city’s convention center called Amistad Creativa (meaning “creative friendship”) receiving support from city and state authorities which see the economic possibilities of quilting for poor women and other marginalized groups The expo also promoted “scrap” quilting as a way to recycle fabric The use of modern commercial fabrics can be tricky in quilted products but they are a resource that is more readily available in Mexico Wilton has “no doubt” that quilting has a bright and growing future in Mexico whether their purpose for quilting is purely therapeutic or they hope to find economic progress Though Mexican quilters are still working with traditional Anglo designs for the most part If you are interested in finding a quilting group Leigh Thelmadatter arrived in Mexico over 20 years ago and fell in love with the land and the culture in particular its handcrafts and art. She is the author of Mexican Cartonería: Paper, Paste and Fiesta (Schiffer 2019) IDN-InDepthNews At least one child dies from a residential home fire every day Another three hundred are injured as a result of fire there’s something smoldering before it bursts into flames The same is true with the economic sectors of nations we examine two dimensions of Mexico’s economy that are currently smoldering: Tourism and oil Mexico’s energy sector REDMOND, Oregon, USA (IDN) – According to the World Travel & Tourism Council’s report on Mexico for 2018 travel and tourism made direct contributions to Mexico’s GDP of US$82.2 billion or 7.1 percent in 2017 the total contribution to Mexico’s GDP by the T&T industry was US$185.4 billion or 16.0 percent of GDP in 2017 revenue from Mexican petroleum products provides less than a 4 percent contribution to national GDP T&T provides 16+ percent of total employment in Mexico International trade (exports plus imports) comprise 77 percent of Mexico’s GDP It is also interesting to note that the influx of foreign-born residents inhabiting Mexico doubled from 2000 to 2010 Those foreign-born residents are now estimated at one million Translation: More Americans have immigrated to Mexico over the past half-decade than Mexican citizens migrating to the U.S Tourists, travel and their direct and indirect economic contributions to Mexico remain strategically important factors for Mexico’s overall economic stability and sustainability. Recently, Mexico President López Obrador said tourism provided 41.4 visitors to Mexico who contributed US$22 billion to the economy in 2018 making tourism Mexico’s third largest source of foreign exchange behind the automotive industry and remittances sent by Mexicans working outside the country Enter Lake Chapala: Characterized as an expat retiree paradise the Lakeside communities of Chapala and Ajijic have been a traditional preference for retirees from Canada and the U.S there are an estimated 10-30,000 retirees from primarily the U.S and Canada who reside (full and part-time) in the Lake Chapala area Their numbers swell seasonally from November through April. As I have chronicled elsewhere, the growth in both the pace and number of U.S. Baby Boomer retirees seriously exploring retirement and relocation in Mexico is on the rise. I refer to this social phenomenon as the MEXODUS I have provided the basis for this cohort’s motivation in this and other articles the book content has been supplemented with additional Lake Chapala related articles Chapala and Ajijic are struggling to survive a wave of unimaginable violence The current reality in the Lake Chapala region is a reflection of the strategic struggles Mexico is currently burdened with It’s important to keep in mind that tourists travel and retirees relocate to experience pleasure Their unequivocal preference is to avoid risk and potential threats to personal safety – and those factors that may diminish the enjoyment of their overall experience prospective tourists have a built-in risk avoidance mechanism Countries and regions therein are acutely vulnerable to tourist perceptions of risk an investment in or by an individual or group is discretionary Tourists can and do choose to substitute a less risky destination McCormick 2017) the perception of risk by tourists has been characterized as a “major component of the decision-making process for evaluating destinations.” Nothing reduces the desire of tourists to visit an area like occurrences of violent crime the Chapala/Ajijic area has experienced over 8 murders According to the World Justice Project, their Rule of Law Index places Mexico ranks 99th out of 126 countries The Lake Chapala Reporter indicates that only 161 convictions were obtained in 2018 out of 2,413 homicides recorded in the State of Jalisco for the same year Homicides in 2018 increased 57 percent in Jalisco over 2017 2018 was the most violent in the history in Jalisco the figures for Jalisco translate to an impunity rate of well over 90 percent (Impunity refers to committing a crime and the associated probability of suffering the legally proscribed consequences) according to WJP “Mexico continues to rank among the worst countries in the world on an index that measures the rule of law based on the experiences and perceptions of the general public.” The State of Jalisco ranks last when compared to all the other states in Mexico when it comes to obtaining a conviction for a reported crime (0.67 percent or 6 convictions out of 70,000 crimes investigated in 2017) Reuters reports that homicides in Mexico increased 33 percent in 2018 breaking the national record for the second consecutive year (33,341 in 2018 vs A few residents in the Lake Chapala area have attempted to “nuance the narrative” of this reality by suggesting “this happens every six years when Mexico has a national election.” (This is the “This is normal – don’t worry – be happy – come on down” narrative Imagine how that goes over with the families and friends of victims) the Chief of Police in Lake Chapala stepped down (only to receive a comparable position with the inept State Police of Jalisco) 7 amphibious police officers in Chapala were arrested for selling dope and possession of illegal weapons Navy and State and federal police have been requested to be deployed to the area – and another woman was shot to death in Chapala on March 5 AMLO has attempted to nuance the narrative as well stating that “the war against the cartels is over.” Really How do you think this plays in the nostrils of prospective tourists and/or retirees is Lake Chapala paradise or a pair o’ dice The point is perception is everything and reality is a _ _ _ _ _. Alejandro Zozaya, CEO of Apple Leisure Group has declared that Mexico’s high-end tourism market has declined 20 percent in 2019 and will continue to decline throughout the year The National Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Services reported that in February 2019 Puerto Vallarta received between 10-13,000 reservation cancellations due to the ongoing lawlessness in Mexico; an economic loss of some 400 million pesos for the Puerto Vallarta area It is the reality that continues to disrupt the effective functioning of a cylinder in Mexico’s economic engine according to analysts who cover the company An estimated 1,145 truckloads of oil is stolen from Pemex in Mexico – per day. The financial impact of this theft is akin to $7.4 billion in lost revenue for Mexico since 2016. This reality has been characterized as “a significant hit for a country where 3.8 percent of GDP comes from oil exports.” Mexico’s economic growth forecast has been cut from 2.1 percent to 1.6 percent for 2019 The outlook on the long-term ratings for Mexico were downgraded to negative from stable by Standard & Poors on March 4 The tax burden for PEMEX is also distinctly higher than other state run oil companies; even higher than that at Venezuela’s Petróleos de Venezuela SA (PDVSA) whose solvency is at risk Over 60 percent of all power in Mexico is produced with gas. Slowdowns in economic growth, any further reductions in the credit risk ratings of Pemex or Mexico may cause tangible problems for the ability to cash flow and/or finance the requirements of the country. An estimated one-third of the Mexican government’s income depends upon oil The gas for the economic engine in the Lake Chapala area (and others in Mexico) is tourism The nation of Mexico requires routine replenishment from the same source corruption and inaction now flood the minds of prospective tourists who make the final choices regarding their international travel and retirement plans The uninterrupted flow of tourists and prospective residents to Mexico is in jeopardy Similar perceptions of risk and socio-economic instability are negatively impacting PEMEX If these realities continue to remain unaddressed by tangible strategic plans to deliver the essential solutions one would expect the performance of Mexico’s economic engine to continue to decline What Mexico cannot do with either tourism or Pemex is to fall prey to the shallow utterances that come from some expats in Lake Chapala area who choose to nuance the narrative: (“This is normal – don’t worry – be happy – come on down”) It’s time to deliver verifiable practical results Confidence is earned through delivering tangible positive results It is degraded through nuanced narratives that serve only to erode the disintegrating confidence of global onlookers as obvious expressions of half-baked lip-service fundamental challenges of Mexico require vastly more than that On March 13, AMLO over-ruled the comments from Deputy Finance Minister Arturo Herrera who stated the construction of the proposed new Dos Bocas refinery in Tabasco will be postponed – and the $2.5 billion designated for the new refinery will be used to boost exploration and production at PEMEX AMLO says bids for the Tabasco project will be opened up on March 18 The six existing PEMEX refineries currently operate at less than a third of their capacity – as maintenance and essential upgrades have not been made due to a lack of money PEMEX operations lose money as they attempt to increase production Pressuring PEMEX to increase production of unprofitable operations seems to be a curious strategy AMLO’s popularity in Mexico after his first 100 days in office is lofty – purportedly above 80 percent That represents the hopes of the Mexican people – a nation with a 45 percent poverty rate typically craves just that AMLO’s popularity is not shared by the global community where organizations that matter The cancellation of the Mexico City airport project will cost Mexico some USD $5 billion The real crime here is if AMLO continues to nuance a disingenuous narrative versus attending to the smoldering fires that are threatening the Mexican economy smoldering fires can morph rapidly into blazes that spread and are vastly more difficult to extinguish – and destroy adjacent segments of an integrated economy That’s not perception or a nuanced narrative; that’s reality I was recently advised by a reader in Mexico that I should watch AMLO’s press conference each morning I replied that the tangible progress Mexico must make are not the one’s President AMLO speaks toward at a morning press conference They are the one’s his administration legitimately resolves by the end of each day Perhaps AMLO should change the time of that daily morning press conference to the end of each work day *Bill Dahl is a U.S. based investigative journalist. He can be reached at https://www.BillDahl.net IDN is flagship agency of the International Press Syndicate facebook.com/IDN.GoingDeeper – twitter.com/InDepthNews Send your comment: comment@indepthnews.colo.ba.be Subscribe to IDN Newsletter: newsletter@indepthnews.colo.ba.be reports and viewpoints that impact the world and its peoples Its network spans countries around the world © 2009-2025 IDN-InDepthNews | Analysis That Matters Terms of Use | Imprint | Privacy Policy Begin typing your search term above and press enter to search This article was published more than 7 years ago Lindsay and Darlene Abbie's colleagues think they're crazy The public high-school teachers still enjoy their jobs Darlene is 51 and can't collect her pension until she's 55 "Many of our colleagues say we should keep working," he says "They say we would be giving up so much if we stopped working now and there's still so much of this world that we would like to see." The Abbies know how to stretch their money By spending part of each year in a low-cost country they can get their travel fix and spend less Mexico's Lake Chapala is on the couple's radar They're also considering various locations in Southeast Asia They first considered retiring three years ago They're now renting an apartment in the nearby town of Osoyoos "It's going to be cheaper for us to rent," Ms They say their home cost them about $3,210 a month The 960-square-foot apartment they will be renting in Kelowna will cost $1,950 a month Most financial experts would agree that the couple should be fine The net proceeds from the sale of their home were more than $300,000 Their money will go far in a place such as Lake Chapala The region's lakeside towns include Chapala Such towns are filled with retirees from Canada and the United States Most of them chuckle at conventional retirement wisdom The former elementary-school teacher retired when she was 57 They spend the other five months in San Antonio Tlayacapan They spend less than $1,900 a month in Mexico "I came down to Mexico for two months in my first year of retirement," Ms "I loved it so much I returned each year." That's where Diana Friedman lives full-time The former occupational therapist is from a small town near Victoria Jim Cook is one of the region's most knowledgeable expats "is that the Lake Chapala region [including all lakeside towns] picks up 7,000 to 10,000 more people during the winter due to snowbirds and other short-time renters." Most of the expatriate residents love the weather Larry Laframboise used to work in Southern Ontario as a software developer computer systems analyst and system administrator he and his wife have lived full-time in Mexico They installed a solar system to keep their electricity costs down "We own a car and live comfortably on $60,000 a year," Mr This affords them a much better lifestyle than what they would have had in Canada where they estimate it would cost them twice as much According to numbeo.com rental costs in Ajijic are 67 per cent lower than they are in Toronto Restaurant meals cost 62 per cent less and groceries are 56 per cent cheaper expat with a real estate office in Mexico's Puerto Vallarta Marina he has written a helpful newsletter for expats who want to retire at the Royal Pacific Yacht Club condominium development He surveys residents to determine average costs of living and couples report spending $18,940 a year There may be a way to retire with even less Former political activist Kelly Hayes-Raitt spends every winter in a huge home overlooking Lake Chapala she began to master the art of full-time house-sitting How to Become A Housesitter: Inside Tips From the Housesit Diva which explains how to find fabulous homes – whether you're looking for a short holiday abroad or seeking a new International Living magazine voted Mexico the world's top international retirement destination for 2017 But the Abbies know that other low-cost countries exist The International Living Guide to Retiring Overseas on a Budget checking out house-sitting sites and figuring out how to retire in style "while enjoying early retirement that costs a fraction of what a full-time retirement in Canada would cost." Associate portfolio manager James McCreath explains it can be risky to depend too much on a defined-benefit pension plan to provide retirement income and says additional retirement savings are advisable Report an editorial error Report a technical issue Editorial code of conduct Authors and topics you follow will be added to your personal news feed in Following Andrew Hallam is the author of the best-selling book Millionaire teacher: The nine rules of wealth you should have learned in school he now teaches personal finance at Singapore American School -- and built a million-dollar investment portfolio on a teacher’s salary Welcome to The Globe and Mail’s comment community. This is a space where subscribers can engage with each other and Globe staff. Non-subscribers can read and sort comments but will not be able to engage with them in any way. Click here to subscribe If you would like to write a letter to the editor, please forward it to letters@globeandmail.com. 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