16 Tips to Maximize Your Visit to Lake Chapala

Coming to Lakeside on an Exploratory Visit?

Here are some tips to help you maximize your stay.

If you are looking at a possible move to the Lake Chapala area, we recommend two main steps.

First, plan an exploratory trip to “kick the tires” and see what everyone is talking about. Just why is Lakeside the number one lifestyle destination for people moving full time to Mexico?

The second step is to take our interactive online program – ideally before your visit. In this way you will know what you are looking to confirm and can make your visit more than just a pleasant vacation. There is a real difference between passively seeing what it is like vs. actively planning ahead of time what you want out of your experience during your exploratory visit. Thinking ahead how to maximize your time will help you;

• get your  personal questions answered,
• make definite contacts,
• learn what you need to, and
• know what your next steps will be to get you to your goal of moving to Mexico.

BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME

1. Get cash – It’s a good idea to have some pesos on hand when you arrive and one way to purchase pesos is through your local bank (provided it has a foreign currency department).  Depending on the amount you are exchanging many banks charge a small or even no commission.  See Money tips for Mexico.
2. Pack sturdy walking shoes/sandals – It’s said that when you walk on the cobblestones in Ajijic, you move every bone in your foot, which is actually healthy, but if you are planning on exploring on your own or possibly joining the local hiking group for a hike, be sure to bring appropriate shoes and save your dancing shoes for the many musical activities around Lakeside.
3. Sun hat and sun screen – At 5,000 feet altitude it’s important to pack and use a sun hat and sun screen.  The sun is more intense than you realize and altitude sickness has a tendency to sneak up on you so that by the time you start to feel dehydrated, you may need to stop and recover.
4. Formulate your questions – Write down your most important questions before you leave home and make sure they get answered while you are at the visiting – or email us ahead of time (info@focusonmexico.com).  If they’re not written down, it’s easy to forget questions you had in mind amidst the plethora of experiences you will have.
5. Medications – bring all of your medications in their original containers, thereby providing proof that your medications are legally prescribed by a physician.  Keep in mind that it is illegal to bring some common over the counter medications into Mexico including inhalers and medicines that contain pseudoephedrine (such as Acted, Sedated, and Vicks inhalers) or
   codeine.  Click here for a list of items prohibited when entering Mexico.

IN MEXICO

1. Visa – Be sure to complete the immigration card usually provided by the airlines.   Keep the portion of the immigration card that the official stamps and hands back to you.  You will need this to exit the country. (a new procedure of just stamping your passport may apply depending on where you enter).
2. Hydrate – Again, it is important to stay hydrated at altitude.  Our van always has drinking water on hand, but it is good to have your own supply.  The general rule of thumb is to drink more water than you would at home.   Electrolyte,  the local oral rehydration drink, is available at OXXO (Mexican convenience store), and most of the small liquor and abarrotes (general store).  A calorie free version, SueroX, is available at the local Walmart.  These products are much better than the well-known sports drinks because they contain fewer complex sugars for your body to absorb.
3. Monitor your alcohol consumption – A good rule of thumb is to drink a glass of water for each alcoholic drink consumed.  Hangovers at altitude are worse so better avoided all together.
4. Medications – If you are considering self-insuring in Mexico, visit a local pharmacy with your medications to ascertain their cost and availability locally.  Most of the larger pharmacies such as Farmacia Guadalajara have some English speaking personnel.
5. Explore – Local bus or taxi travel can take you around to explore the area. We can help you arrange tours and/or transfer to a Bed & Breakfast so that you can experience a different location.  See as many neighborhoods and different properties as possible.  Your dream neighborhood or home may turn out to be totally different than what you had in mind before arriving.  See Lake Chapala Neighborhoods Part I and Part II for more information about Lakeside neighborhoods.
6. Entertainment? – If you have some time to take in some musical or theatric entertainment, be sure to have a copy of the weekly Keep It Live at Lakeside guide. Typically over 20 pages of upcoming shows and events to give you a taste for Lakeside’s amazingly rich entertainment!
7. Where to Stay?  So many hotels, Bed & Breakfasts not to mention private homes via AirB&B etc. A good place to start is TripAdvisor – which has up to date reviews of dozens of possible places; THE 10 BEST Hotels in Ajijic, Mexico 2024 (from $43) – Tripadvisor

Taking the Move2Mexico RoadMap Program

1. Take notes and make your own to-do list – If for no other reason, taking notes helps you remember the key points of each of the main areas of the Move2Mexico Roadmap program.  Most information is forgotten within a few days, so take time in the moment to summarize your top take-aways from each talk, and what your action will be, i.e. ask about an immigration lawyer.
2. Ask questions – Be sure that the questions you formulated before leaving home get answered. We invite your individual questions by email as you go through the course. Once you are finished, we will schedule a one-on-one review call to go over your Move2Mexico Roadmap action plan.
3. Network – Make connections with the other program participants via the private Facebook Group. We also arrange group lunches and dinners once you have settled at Lakeside where you can network with participants and Focus on Mexico alumni who are now local residents.
4. Develop your personal Action Plan – Through the online course and your additional on-the-ground research, we can work together to create your personal written action plan. Having the online program experience is one thing – actually transforming the project of moving to Mexico from dream to reality is another. Your personal Action Plan will serve as a handy reference point once your are back home and planning your next steps.

Let’s Wrap this Up

Above all, enjoy everything this wonderful country has to offer and let your sense of humor, adaptability, and patience guide you through the experience of a lifetime.  Relax and have a good time.  We look forward to greeting you at Lakeside!

Sign up now for  the  Move2Mexico RoadMap – Focus On Mexico program and look at your calendar for dates to line up your visit to Lakeside!