Focus On Mexico

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

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Mexico Climate Highs and Lows

Mexico Climate Highs and Lows

A Mexico Climate Overview   Topography of Mexico The Climate in Mexico varies according to its topography. Along the coast (on both sides of the country) it is hot and humid, unbearably so in the summer. Inland communities at higher elevations such as Guadalajara (5200 ft above sea level) and in particular close-by Lake Chapala, are much dryer and more temperate. Mexico City (Ciudad de Mexico), with its much higher elevation of 7545 ft (2300 meters) above sea level, can reach freezing temperatures in the winter. You'll be surprised to find snow-capped volcanoes. San Miguel … [Read more...]

When is the Best Time to Visit Lake Chapala?

When is the Best Time to Visit Lake Chapala?

Now that we've established that one or more personal visits are in order to determine whether Lake Chapala might meet your retirement needs, what is the best time of year to visit?  Well, it depends... Our six-day learning seminars give you a good view of Lakeside living, but there are also local activities which you can enjoy while you're here.  Each of the currently scheduled Focus on Mexico week-long seminars will give you a slightly different view of the climate, surroundings, and activities available Lakeside: August  - Bring your umbrella because you will get the opportunity to … [Read more...]

Noisy, Dirty and Dangerous Lakeside

Noisy, Dirty and Dangerous Lakeside

This is a must read post if you're concerned about the potential downsides of Lakeside living. Recently some Lakeside expats who decided to return to their home country shared their grievances about the Lake Chapala area with us.  After living here a few months their analysis was that Mexico is lawless, chaotic, messy, noisy, dirty and dangerous. To their credit, they realized that this is not the life for them and made the decision to go home. One of them, showing a good sense of self-awareness commented, “I guess I’m not as flexible as I thought I was.” It’s certainly true that Mexico is … [Read more...]

A Visit to Guadalajara with Focus on Mexico

A Visit to Guadalajara with Focus on Mexico

Don't visit Lakeside without taking time to visit the historic city of Guadalajara, birthplace of tequila and mariachi music. The Focus on Mexico 6-Day Learning Seminar offers an à la carte tour of Guadalajara on Sunday before the formal seminar begins that includes a visit to the Hospice Cabañas, a Unesco World Heritage Site, and home of the unforgettable murals of José Clemente Orozco, often called the Diego Rivera of Jalisco. The photo on the left depicts "the clowns of war arguing in hell", and the murals as a whole take you through the distinctive and difficult moments of Mexican … [Read more...]

In Case of Emergency Will You Make It In Time?

In Case of Emergency Will You Make It In Time?

The bad news is that despite the excellent medical care available Lakeside, in case of a sudden life-threatening medical emergency or trauma, transportation from the Lake Chapala area to one of the private hospitals in Guadalajara can take anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour or more depending on traffic, wasting precious time during the 'golden hour' when there is the highest likelihood that prompt medical treatment will prevent death. The good news is that on March 17, 2018 ground was broken for the new Ribera Medical Center scheduled to open in late 2019, that will offer private services … [Read more...]