Focus On Mexico

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

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...]

Lake Chapala: State of the Lake 2019

This week (March 18) we've updated our free State of the Lake ebook with the latest facts and figures on the health of Lake Chapala. We've also posted the 2019 Focus on Mexico course schedule so you can begin to plan now to join us and explore your new Lakeside life. We can't wait to meet you and show you around! NOTE: The New 2019 Edition is out! … [Read more...]

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...]

30 Great Reads on Mexican Migration and Culture

Are you considering moving to Lakeside for the next stage of your life? Would you like to read up on the history of Mexican migration and Mexican culture on both sides of the border? You're in luck because Judy King, a longtime Lakeside resident who regularly teaches classes locally on various topics relating to Mexico and its culture, has agreed to share her list of best reads on Mexican migration and culture with us. There is something on this list for every reader, from serious hard core reporting (The Devil's Highway) to memoir (Kissing the Virgin's Mouth), to light hearted fun … [Read more...]