Laguna de Chapala (around 35km wide and 120km long), just over 50km south of Guadalajara, is the largest lake in Mexico. Since the early years of the twentieth century dictator Porfirio Díaz regularly spent his holidays here. Expats from north of the border, have also been appreciative of the lake scenery and even year-round temperatures. It is said that there are now around 30,000 such people living in and around Guadalajara, a sizeable proportion of whom have settled on the lakeside particularly in Chapala and in the smaller village of Ajijic. Most of these snowbirds are retirees during the 1990s, Laguna de Chapala was spoken of locally as being in the “90s”, but some are writers or artists manqués, hoping for inspiration, like Ken Kesey, or D.H. Lawrence, who wrote the first draft of The Plumed Serpent here.

This mass expat presence has rendered the area in many respects somewhat sanitized and stratified you’ll see numerous real estate offices trying to sell lots in newly created gated communities, and as you’d imagine, English is spoken widely. There are even a couple of English-language magazines produced here: the Lake Chapala Review and the El Ojo del Lago. None of this, though, can detract from the allure of the deep-red sunsets over the lake. The lake averages only eight metres deep, and during the 1980s and 1990s the lake level dropped when the government used its feeder rivers as a freshwater supply for Guadalajara and Mexico City; the lake receded so far that shoreline property was 2km from the water’s edge. Levels have now improved thanks to heavier rainfall and the work of the 20,000-strong group Amigos del Lago de Chapala. The charales, the fish for which the lake is famed, are a good snack with a cold beer. The lake is popular, and on weekends and holidays day-trippers from the city help to create a party atmosphere. Panoramex runs a day trip to Chapala and Ajijic from Guadalajara. Peak season is November to April, which coincides with the arrival of seasonal snowbirds.

Lake Chapala is one of the most charming corners of the world to live a great retreat. A place where natural beauty, tranquility and beautiful weather throughout the year are just some of the attractions. This is the destination Jalisco largest water reserves throughout Mexico. Here a variety of cultures and nationalities congregate, resulting in an exotic mixture coexist in a typically Mexican atmosphere. Chapala is just an hour from Guadalajara, the second largest city in all of Mexico, with airports and modern roads at your disposal. From Chapala you can easily travel by car to San Miguel de Allende, Cuernavaca, Puerto Vallarta, Zacatecas, Patzcuaro, Manzanillo, Morelia and Mexico City. The generosity of the local food is a big advantage for foreigners living here as it is varied, plentiful and available all year. It is certainly a better option than buying imported food more expensive, though many supermarkets where everything can be found there too. Bird watchers and nature lovers will be delighted. Many migratory species such as the white pelican, overwinter on Lake Chapala. Also you find a fascinating native plants and marine life. There are two islands that you can visit: Scorpion Island and Mezcala Island, which is sometimes called Isla del Presidio. The Mezcala Island near the north shore of Lake Chapala. Rent a boat in the village of Mezcala Assumption to bring you here. The island is a national monument that became famous during the War of Independence, when a group of approximately 500 thousand Indians Coca created a fortress here, and maintained their independence from Spain from 1812 to 1816. After his surrender, he served as a prison until 1855. The Mezcala Island is picturesque and full of arquelológicas areas, including a strong complete with a drawbridge over a moat (now dry).

The properties on the shore of Chapala have not increased their price in years and, with the appropriate permissions, foreigners can buy property as needed. Currently, about 25,000 immigrants, Americans, Canadians and Europeans enjoy their retirement on the shores of Lake Chapala, Ajijic or in towns like San Juan Cosala, due to generous living standards offered by the area of the bank. There you can purchase a building of up to one thousand square meters paying property taxes by just US$90 a year. "I came to live in Chapala primarily by climate, and also the cost of living. I am single and very difficult for me to live withdrawn in the United States, I could have held my pension there at all. Here my money lasts longer. " Bridget Darby, a retired 63 years, FORTUNE Although the cost of living varies, depending on lifestyle, many retirees live in dignity with just your monthly retirement check. The most attractive is that for many foreigners living here are better for much less than they would in the US or Canada. For example, the mild climate enjoyed by the area (between 23 °C and 34 °C all year) makes expenses for heating in winter or air conditioning in summer, are virtually unnecessary unlike their countries of origin. Handicraft production and the abundance of material has led to beginners and artists started to unleash their imagination and begin workshops and art galleries where local and foreign artists exhibit. All arts have a place and there are also spaces dedicated to writing, music and more. There are also cultural centers, museums, cinemas and a few theater groups, and a philharmonic orchestra. For those who enjoy sports, there are in the area a couple of golf clubs, a yacht club, several spas, tennis, boating, horseback riding, hiking, fishing, water parks, boat tours and more. One of the additional attractions of living in Chapala is the warmth of its people and the facility to socialize because there is a friendly atmosphere where they can make new friends every day in clubs and organizations for retirees and care institutions for the elderly where they can communicate in English or Spanish.

The Chapala village on the northern shore of the lake, is a community with a quiet charm and relaxed pace, but it becomes positively festive on sunny weekends, when thousands come to eat, swim or take a boat ride out to one of the lake’s islands. Shoreline restaurants all offer the local speciality, pescado blanco, famous of flavour and lake-bottom origins, and street vendors sell cardboard plates of tiny fried fish from the lake, known as charales. Head to the left along the promenade, past streets of shuttered nineteenthcentury villas, and you’ll find a small crafts market. There’s even a flat ciclopista (cycle path) running along the lakeside between Chapala and Ajijic for easy cycling and walking, with nice views of the lake; on a hot day it beats taking the bus. If you’re in the mood for a longer walk, you might consider heading up to the cross on the top of the hill overlooking the town: there’s a path starting on López Cotilla between no. 316 and no. 318, across the street from Hotel Candilejas. There are several activities in Chapala like: Boat rides on Lake bound for the Isle of Mezcala and / or Island of the Scorpions. Horseback riding through the city, with the journey of Cristiania Park, Acapulquito (popular dining district), the Lighthouse, the Malecón, the San Francisco Church, etc. Either this exclusive surrounding population of Ajijic, where you will find specialty restaurants such as The 4, Tango, Los Telares, La Nueva Posada, Four di Mori, Hacienda Ajijic, and a traditional German restaurant located on Main Avenue La Floresta or traditional American-style donuts. We recommend that you make sure you try the traditional sweets Chapla in highlighting the flavor of tamarind, milk, Jamaica, and lemon myrtle (find them on sale at small tables stationed on either side of La Floresta or in the center Chapala) Another popular area of restaurants is located in La Piedra Barrenada in the town of San Juan Cosala, where mainly found in simple seafood restaurants that are lakeside.

With its narrow cobbled streets, Ajijic 7km west of Chapala, is smaller, quieter and more self-consciously arty. It may be a wonderful place to paint or retire, with a thriving expat social and cultural life, but as a visitor you’re likely to exhaust its charms in a couple of hours long enough to wander by the lake, visit the art galleries, have a meal and perhaps check out the Casa de Cultura, on the north side of the plaza, which hosts musical performances and art exhibitions. Ajijic is a magical town in the foothills of the Sierra Madre Coordillera. It is flanked by San Antonio Tlayacapan, east and San Juan Cosala to the west. It is located seven kilometers west of Chapala. Its average annual temperature is 19.9 degrees Celsius, "68 ° F". Ajijic is a true representative example of typical Mexican town with its narrow cobblestone streets and the central square, this 450 year old village is the most popular place for visitors and residents alike. The picturesque streets and colorful landscapes to the lake and plaza are home to a variety of shops where you will find jewelry, clothing, art galleries, corner stores, gift shops, many good restaurants offering a wide variety of kitchen in many parts of the world. Ajijic is a village of greenery and flowers. The main square is a pleasant oasis of shade on a hot day. Many streets are lined with trees, some as old have grown into giants. Bougainvillea cascades over garden walls shade the sidewalks. Also Ajijic has numerous active social groups in the area, such as Lake Chapala Society, with more than 3100 members of garden clubs, the American Legion, and the small Lakeside Theatre, to name some of the more than 40 active clubs and Charities. A variety of classes, including art, crafts, music and, of course, Spanish, are available as well as sports such as tennis, golf, hiking, boating and fishing! Concerts, art galleries and restaurants that will delight your senses.

San Juan Cosala five kilometres west of Ajijic along Carratera Chapala on the lakeshore, 1km east of the village, the climate is semi-dry and semi, it has an average annual temperature of 20 ° C, with average maximum of 26 ° C and average minimum of 13 ° C. Some of the attractions of the municipality of Jocotepec are The Lord of the Monte parish dating from the nineteenth century. The hull of the exhacienda of Huejotitán dating from the nineteenth century. The landscapes of Lake Chapala where you can go fishing or take a boat ride. You come upon a string of lakeside resorts around a spa belonging to the Hotel Balneario and pool, which offer visitors a chance to bask in natural thermal waters said to have healing properties. The Hotel Balneario, right beside the pool, is the cheapest and most popular. Perhaps the best value is the adjacent and very slightly pricier Villa Bordeaux, a more upmarket hacienda-style hotel featuring a thermal pool, sauna, steam room and rooms each with a terrace overlooking the pool to the lake. One of the main festivals is Easter; 25 years of Christ's Passion and Living Way of the Cross that takes place on Good Friday, starting at the parish church and culminating in one of the mountain hills of the town is commemorated. In June the main celebration of the town, the festivities are held from 15 to 24 of this month in honor of San Juan Bautista. The place is filled with music, fireworks and joy. In the framework of these it is held cultural festival "The Festival of Arts", where you find art exhibitions, historical lectures, book presentations, photo exhibitions, performances, music and more. September the independence celebrations next weekend takes place after 16 with the traditional Mexican civic parade and night you will have a good time. And to finish the year in December we start with the docenario in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe, following the traditional inns and walk pastors, where nine families invite pilgrims and give inn. The people in general give you a 'bolo' and thus passes from family to family until you reach the village church.