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Focus On Mexico

Your Guide to Moving and Retiring to Mexico's Lake Chapala

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The Climate in Lake Chapala Mexico

The Climate in Lake Chapala Mexico

Beautiful Lake Chapala in the Rainy Season

by Karen McConnaughey

Bill and I had three main reasons for picking the Lake Chapala area as our retirement destination of choice. We wanted…
– A temperate climate
– A lower cost of living
– To leave the rat race

We had both worked since we were 16, and we were just tired of it. I thought Bill would want to retire to Florida (where he lived previously) or Phoenix (where his daughter lived). We were both tired of Kansas City winters and never wanted to shovel snow again. I knew if he chose either of those places, he would be saying ‘bye’ to me in his rear-view mirror. I just couldn’t take the heat or the humidity. And, I didn’t want to have to live the rest of my life inside in air conditioning. I could do that in Kansas City.

When he brought up the idea of Lake Chapala, I seized upon it and started doing extensive research. Anyone who has read any of my blogs or articles knows I’m an information junkie, and I love the Internet, so it was a no-brainer for me to look at what I was getting myself into!

So many web sites, so much time: First I read, “Lake Chapala is Rated by National Geographic as among the Best Climates in the World … The semi-tropical climate in Lake Chapala, Mexico is probably the first major attraction to the area. This pre-colonial village in Western Mexico’s Sierra Madre mountains makes for unparalleled living in a quaint Mexican village with all the services and amenities of lovely Guadalajara, Mexico’s second-largest city, only about 30 minutes away.”

So far, so good!

I found out that being nestled in the Sierra Madre mountains was a huge factor in the temperate weather. Lake Chapala is surrounded by protective mountains and the effect of the lake water moderates the temperature. The mountains are also the reason we have no fierce weather such as tornadoes, violent winds, ice storms, and definitely no snow! I had always said my whole life that I did not want to live any further north than Kansas City, Missouri. I had no idea what I was putting out to the universe! Thank you! Especially with the wild weather Kansas City has had the last two winters with two years in a row of at least 35 inches of snow.

Photo by Bill and Mary Lou Garcia

And do you know what Maui, Hawaii; Cozumel, Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, and Lake Chapala, Photo by Mary Lou and Bill Garcia Mexico all have in common? They all enjoy the same latitude. And, as Focus team mate, Kristina Morgan, pointed out in her series of articles comparing Lake Chapala with Hawaii, Puerto Vallarta and San Miguel Allende, “even though Lake Chapala is not located on the coast, it still boasts all the tropical trees and plants you’ll find in Puerto Vallarta and Hawaii. In fact, Lake Chapala is the only place in the world that boasts every variety of flora that Hawaii has.” All this without the possibilities of hurricanes. It doesn’t get much better than that!

The Chapala Lake basin has a year round average temperature of about 72°F / 22°C. The temperature ranges from a low of about 50°F / 10°C in the winter months, to a high of about 90°F / 32°C in summer.

Grill outside all year long
This area is over 5200 feet above sea level, about as high as Denver, but it is so far south that we can Grill outside all year long, never freezes here and the humidity is still relatively low. Even during the rainy season (June – October), it mostly rains at night. In fact, a rainy day is such a rarity, we often just sit out on the mirador and watch it rain while occasionally glancing at our book or magazine…what a life!

And have you ever dreamed of a place where you can have your doors and windows open all year long? Well, I’m not dreaming…we live in an area where very few (if any) homes or businesses have air conditioning, and heat is only needed about six weeks out of the year when we use our fireplaces during the early morning hours and in the evenings. It’s great sleeping weather! April and May are our hot and dry months with temperatures in the 30°’s Celsius (80 to 90° Fahrenheit) with nighttime lows around 60°. Fortunately, it is the sun, not the air that is hot. When you step into the shade you can feel at least a 10-15 degree difference, so, honestly, we are always comfortable, no matter the time of year.

Gorgeous gardens everywhere

Carl Franz, known for traveling in Mexico off the beaten-path and co-author of People’s Guide to Mexico, says, “Ajijic is nicely situated as a base for side trips around Mexico. Why not “settle down” for a while, we asked ourselves, and make it a temporary headquarters? He goes on, “Having said that, I have to admit that we’ve enjoyed our stay far more than we expected to and for several reasons. To begin with, as a native of the Pacific Northwest, I find that the climate here is even better than advertised. Seldom too hot, and rarely too cold; it comes as close to “perfect” as I’ve ever experienced. I’m a serious hiker, and it is a very, very rare day when it is too warm, too wet, or otherwise too unsettled to walk the lakeshore or explore the mountains behind the village.”

I am so happy we found Lake Chapala with its breath-taking beauty and charm, and, of course, there is the lower cost of living. But the best aspect of Lake Chapala is our community. We have so many stories to share with you about the love and affection we receive from our Mexican friends and families. Are there bad people in Mexico? Of course! There are bad people everywhere. I don’t know whether it’s the love we give, but we have only received love back. It is the one thing that keeps us here above all others. Because what good is a temperate climate or a lower cost of living if you’re not residing in an area you love? We are blessed by being drawn to this area, and we are not taking one instance of it for granted.

If you think you may want to be a part of it and see what living at Lake Chapala is like first-hand then I can’t think of a better way to get all the information in order to decide if this may be you or not than joining us on a Focus on Mexico 6 day educational program.

C’mon down. You’ll be glad you did.

Karen McConnaughey: Writer, Presentor and Facebook Poster for Focus On Mexico.

Focus On Mexico offers 6-Day Educational Programs to Ajijic and Lake Chapala, Mexico (Best Climate in the World!). Join us on a Focus program and learn why thousands of Americans and Canadians chose to retire in Lake Chapala.

Our programs offer the perfect balance; a wonderful vacation and an insightful, educational experience. Our expert speakers cover all topics: Health Care, Real Estate, Legal System, Immigration, Bringing Pets, Cost of Living, US Taxes for Americans, Non-Residency for Canadians, Living on the Lakeside, Investing in Mexico, Mexican Economy and much more…

You’ll get everything you need to help you decide if Lake Chapala, Mexico is the place for you, plus have a lot of fun doing it. Retiring in Mexico couldn’t be better.

[Feature Image of Lake Chapala courtesy of Bernd Peter Sawatzki]

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Comments

  1. Elizabeth says

    September 18, 2017 at 6:03 PM

    I’m so glad to have found your website. After much research about Ecuador, Columbia, Panama and Mexico ~ I’ve decided Lake Chapala is the place for me! Unfortunately, I’m having tremendous difficulty connecting with a real estate agent in the area. I’ve emailed and left messages for several and no one returns my emails or calls. My plan is to purchase a home in the Lake Chapala area and then sell my home here in Kansas City, MO. I took an early retirement (social security) and my youngest Son wants to move with me. He’s an artist and I think he would love it there. If there’s anyone you could recommend who could help me in finding a home, that would be wonderful!
    Looking forward to this new beginning!

    Reply
    • michael nuschke says

      September 22, 2017 at 3:42 PM

      Hi Elizabeth,

      Thanks for your comments about the website. I think you will love it here.
      I’ve asked a reputable real estate expert to get in touch with you re your trouble connecting. Not sure why you are having trouble!
      May I recommend that you first take an exploration trip to Lakeside – as being here is different from reading about it. I do think you will love it but would always recommend you spend some time in the area first. Taking the Focus On Mexico 6-Day program is a great way to get the information you need so you can make the right informed decisions on key areas re making the move. Just check out the Program on our website.

      Reply
      • Spike edwards says

        December 2, 2017 at 10:26 AM

        I need info on going to Mexico in the winter.

        Reply
        • michael nuschke says

          December 4, 2017 at 5:24 PM

          Hi Spike,
          Can you be a little more specific?
          What are you thinking of?
          Michael

          Reply
  2. Carol Cobb says

    February 24, 2018 at 10:06 AM

    Hello,
    I am a 55 yr old canadian woman single and have been going to mexico for the last 15 yrs but just for one week vacation every second year.I live in west canada and have a secure job but not the job i would like to do for the next 10 yrs before retirement.The snow has finally got the best of me as i commute to to work each day over bridges.I have been looking on line for the last year on how to move to mexico, my desire is there but still wondering about even working or chosing the safe areas.I was reading about the seminar but find if i did that i would have to schedule next year as part of my vacation so thought i would drop a line and see if you would chat a bit with me how easy it is and safe.

    Reply
    • michael nuschke says

      February 25, 2018 at 3:07 PM

      Hi Carol,
      Kristina will contact you directly via email to set up a call.
      Cheers!

      Reply
  3. Lowell Merritt says

    February 26, 2023 at 12:57 PM

    What about health medicine.. as. I take pills for high blood pressure

    Reply
    • michael nuschke says

      April 17, 2023 at 5:05 PM

      You would need to confirm that your medications (or suitable replacements) are available in Mexico.
      That is simple to do when you visit the area, or you can google medical clinics in Mexico and ask online.

      Reply
  4. J. Logan Nicholson says

    October 27, 2024 at 4:18 PM

    We are an older same sex married couple. Looking to explore and perhaps rent in one of the small towns around Lake Chapala. Not interested in bars or nightlife. Like the looks of the place, the temps, have questions about health care. Lots of things….Will be ready to make some move under 5-6 months. Thanks for any help.

    Reply
    • michael nuschke says

      October 28, 2024 at 8:25 AM

      Happy to help.
      I’ve sent you a private email – and suggestion for a phone call.
      Cheers,
      Michael

      Reply

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