Focus on Mexico has put together a unique and exciting program offering you the opportunity to investigate an alternative location that has fondly become known as:

Your 8-Day Focus on Mexico program provides you with the opportunity to get all the information and experience you need in one spot to make an informed decision as to whether Mexico is right for you, PLUS have a lot of fun doing it.

Certainly, you can visit Lake Chapala on your own but it would be near impossible to assemble all of the Experts you will meet during a Focus program. On a program you will attend a number of seminars given by our Expert Guest Speakers covering all topics that would be important for anyone considering making a move (or spending serious time) in a new country. You’ll receive a valuable resource manual for future reference. You’ll attend informal ‘University @ the Bar’ sessions where you learn from locals (people who have come before you) as to why they came, hear their experiences and ask them your questions. We’ll show you the villages and what it’s like to live here and all the things there are to do. You’ll dine at the best restaurants and participate in cultural events and activities.

Our programs offer the perfect balance to allow you to have a wonderful vacation and insightful experience; all the while learning everything you need to decide whether Mexico is the place you want to spend ‘the best years of your life’. You will have fun, have a fabulous and entertaining experience and meet a variety of interesting people; many who will become new friends.

Our programs offer exceptional value at an affordable price. There simply is no better way to experience Mexico and find out in one short period everything we offer on a Focus Program.

Our ‘Focus on Mexico’ programs are the culmination of over 10 years of research and experience. We have had the pleasure of bringing groups to the Lake Chapala area since 1996; introducing hundreds and hundreds of people to our little pocket of paradise. Over and over our clients tell us they could never have obtained all the information we presented, nor could they have experienced everything they did on a Focus program on their own.

Read “An Insider’s View” to experience our program through the eyes of Focus participants.
Read “Testimonials” to see what participants say about Focus.

Anyone who is considering living or spending time in Mexico (now or in the future) should attend this program. This is your opportunity to realize your dream, get a new lease on life and step into the next chapter of the adventure of a lifetime – YOURS!

If you are interested in Mexico, but uncertain, this program will give you all the information to help you decide.

Even if you are planning for a future retirement, this is your chance to see if Mexico could be the location where you want to spend "the best of your life".

Anyone who is seriously interested in Mexico,
now or in the future, should attend this program!

Meals - Full breakfast every day at the hotel, plus lunch and dinner at a variety of excellent restaurants; different each day. All our favorites. (Let us know any special needs you have.)

Transportation - From airport to hotel and return, as well as all activities during the program (air conditioned bus with Manual, our long-term bus driver).

Program Director(s) - Available throughout the program to look after your needs.

Entertainment and Outings - Includes cocktail party, live music at some dinners, special night at a favorite night spot. Numerous excursions, shopping and strolling through the villages and much more.

Focus Resource Manual - Plus additional handout materials.

Free Time - For optional activities throughout the program.

Focus is committed to making your stay memorable, educational and most of all, enjoyable!

. The Mexican Health Care System and how you can qualify.

. Should you put money in a Mexican bank.

. What to watch for when buying or renting (how to keep out of trouble).

. The various types of immigration visas and which one will will allow capital gains exemption.

. How to save $$ on insurance and what to do if you are in an accident.

. How to manage your finances from Mexico. How to set up and pay bills online, securely.

. How to handle your Wills (Do you need one in Mexico?).

. What about the taxes? Implications of American/Canadian Tax Treaties with Mexico?

. Americans - find out if you can buy your dream home in Mexico through your IRA. Learn whether write-offs on property you own are treated differently in Mexico.

. Canadians - find out about the 'non-residency tax system in Canada'. (Never pay Capital Gains Tax again. Reduce taxes on pensions down to 15%, possibly saving enough over time to actually pay for that dream home in the sunshine.)

. Q & A session to ask your personal questions. You'll get all the answers.

The seminars alone are more than worth the price of the trip.

University @ the Bar sessions where local residents tell you what it's like to live here. You'll learn about the culture, the history, activities and things to do, organizations to belong to and tons of other useful information about living in Mexico. All aspects of life in Lake Chapala will be covered so you will get the whole perspective.

You'll be able to talk informally with local residents and find out how they manage with the language, how easy (or hard) it was for them to make the move, what stuff did they leave behind or just have to bring with them. Find out how they handle a new culture, how welcome and safe they feel living and traveling in Mexico. Ask them your own questions and learn through their experience.

Focus Resource Manual. Chock full of important information for everything you need to know about living in Mexico and a valuable list of contacts for when you make the move. You'll find information covered in the Seminars as well as a wealth of other information and articles to make the transition seamless.

This will serve as a very valuable resource for years to come. {Important Note: The Focus Resource Manual and other resource material are not available in any bookstore, ONLY through attending a “Focus on Mexico” program}

B. Experience and Participation

Although you will gain a wealth of knowledge and valuable contacts on a Focus program, let us assure you that it is certainly not all work and no play. You'll Experience plenty of outings around the Lake Chapala area to give you the opportunity to see how people live.

You'll discover over 50 English-speaking organizations to belong to, numerous shops and boutiques to wander through, wonderful galleries and crafts, sculptures and paintings from talented local artists, both from the Mexican and foreign communities. Ajijic in particular, has long been known as a haven for artists, poets, artisans and musicians. Many say the Lake Chapala area is their inspiration.

Restaurants Galore. One of the really special treats in the Lake Chapala area is the incredible abundance of excellent restaurants offering a wide variety of cuisine from Argentinean, French, Italian, Peruvian, Greek, German, Chinese, Japanese (even Sushi), International, English Fish & Chips, good old fashioned home cooking and of course Mexican.

You'll have the pleasure of sampling some of the best during your stay on a Focus program. The only complaint we have ever received on our programs is we provide too much excellent food. We don't apologize. Come hungry! Many of our participants refer to the Focus program as a 'Cruise on Land'. Don't worry, we offer physical activities to work it off along the way.

Don’t be surprised if you meet Ron Baker, who played guitar for Charlie Pride for years, and has teamed up with the sweet voice of Carol Bedford - performing regularly at La Bodega. (This restaurant is a favorite on our program.)

Although Focus on Mexico is a business, for us, one of the greatest rewards of what we do is helping people get a new lease on life and introducing them to our pocket of paradise. When people come up to us, time and again, to thank us for introducing them to this area and telling us how much they enjoy living here, it is reinforced to us why we continue to do what we do. We have made a lot of lasting friendships with Focus participants.

One of the attractions of Mexican architecture is homes here are individual, each with their own style and personality, not so much mass produced where they all look the same. In fact, it is interesting to note that in Mexican Universities instructing in architecture, they are teaching architects to design homes around their client's personality and lifestyle and not just their needs.

The total program is designed to show you what it is like to live in Mexico. After all, isn’t that the experience you want?

Living long past the program date, our Alumni Support Program provides support to those people who decide to live here. The network of Focus contacts and other Alumni will help make the transition smooth and seamless and a pleasant experience.

We are developing a separate section of the website that will be accessible by Focus Alumni, which will be filled with practical information for everyday living. A central source where you can find the information and contacts you need. Things like: What are the labor laws? What benefits are your maid and gardener entitled too, like Christmas bonuses and holiday pay. Who can drive your vehicle and who can't? Recommendations from other Alumni: favorite restaurants, hangouts and side trips. Wonderful personal stories, recipes, etc. In general, the information you'd need if you are going to live here.

Focus makes the transition smooth and seamless.

There is no other program that offers such a fully comprehensive package. If Mexico is on your radar screen -Focus is the best way to get you there.

Click on the 'Book Now - Pay Later' link below and check out our Special Limited-Time Offer. Register now for your preferred program date with our Book Now - Pay Later plan, which allows you to lock in your special discounted price (an exceptional value) and secure your place on the program of your choice, with no up-front deposit. Sixty days before your program date we invoice you for a deposit of $150US per person and thirty-five days before we invoice you for the balance. It is as simple as that.