Mexico Travel: Ajijic on Lake Chapala - A Popular Retirement Destination

I am very passionate about language study travel, and I love to improve my Spanish while being immersed locally in a Spanish-speaking country. So in February of 2010 I spent 13 days in Mexico, with a home base in Guadalajara, Mexicos second largest city. I studied Spanish at the Guadalajara Language Centre and stayed with a local family in Tlaquepaque, a picturesque neighbourhood in the southern part of Guadalajara.

In addition to my 2 hours of language studies every day at the Guadalajara Language Centre, I did a number of excursions: I went to downtown Guadalajara and visited the impressive baroque church and the historic core of the city. My excursions in Tlaquepaque included a guided visit with a tourist policeman who took me up onto the bell tower of one of Tlaquepaques churches. I also got to see some samples of the artwork and handicrafts that are produced in Tlaquepaque, which is renowned for its galleries and arts stores. I visited the neighbouring arts & crafts market of Tonala, a huge outdoor market with hundreds of interesting vendors.

Longer excursions took me to Lake Chapala, a popular retirement destinations for Americans and Canadians trying to escape our cold winters. My local guide Jose Orozco took me to Mexcala Island, a prison island with buildings from the early 1800s, the pretty town of Chapala and the popular retirement town of Ajijic where so many gringos have settled down permanently. We also went on a tour to the magic village of Tequila which is host to numerous distilleries that make this Mexican national drink from the heart of the agave plant. I also went on a second tour to Lake Chapala to meet Greg Clarke, a Canadian retiree who told me about his cherished new lifestyle in Mexico.

In addition to Guadalajara I also went on two wonderful weekend excursions to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: to the historic silver mining town of Guanajuato, and the beautiful city of Morelia and nearby Lake Patzcuaro.

For all sorts of other travel articles from different locations please visit:

http://www.travelandtransitions.com/stories_photos.htm

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Travel
• Mexico
• Jalisco
• Guadalajara
• Lake Chapala
• Mexcala Island
• Chapala
• Ajijic
• retirement in Mexico

[kokimotousa]

Hello, I just wanted to ask you if you felt safe while traveling in that region of Mexico...The reason I am asking is because many people feel some sort of aprehension while traveling within Mexico because of the drug cartels operating over there...Also, I want to thank you so much for taking the time and effort to film these videos and for posting them, beautiful!

[travelandtransitions]

@kokimotousa: Hi, I did indeed feel safe, particularly around Lake Chapala. I went on one private tour and on another excursion by myself to this lake, taking public buses. In general I avoid travelling late at night and I talk to the locals to find out which areas are safe, what safety guidelines to follow etc. Please have a look at my Mexican article series on my website, under "My Stories and Photos" - "Mexico 2010". You will find lots of useful info there...

[ChevyBoyTilliDie]

i love when people come to my country and learn

[travelandtransitions]

@ChevyBoyTilliDie: Thank you, I really appreciate your comment. For me travel is a huge opportunity to learn, and by writing articles and publishing videos and photo collections, I can share what I have learned with other people that might not have a chance to travel. Mexico is a special place and I am glad I had a chance to go there last year...

[kokimotousa]

@travelandtransitions Thanks for the useful info. Best regards!

[MrManny7426]

i got family living in different regions of jalisco..chapala is beautiful and peaceful