Guadalajara and Lake Chapala

[brimar66]

We are a Canadian couple, who want to go somewhere for the winters besides Florida, Texas, and Arizona. We have travelled bus tours to Mexico as well as visited border towns. We love the Mexican people and their music. Have stayed up half the night listening to their parties across the street, in parks, etc.

Our budget is 2200.00 a month. Right now we go to Texas and pay 425.00USD a month at an RV Resort. We have arthritis and really would like a heated pool to swim in during the winter. Although we are in our early 60's, our physical health is such we cannot walk 2-3 miles to shop.

How does one find places to rent from $400-$600 a month, We have visited some sites, but most everything is more costly. We do have friends who stayed in Ajijic last winter and are going back, but their lifestyle is higher end then ours.

Also do you need a maid. I see someone paid out $2400.00 a year for a maid. If you are on a budget, why would you have a maid? We are unfortunate enough not to have survived a divorce each financially and live the only way we can. HAPPY and economically. We do without the finer things of life and still enjoy life. We love to travel and love music.

We were planning to go to Veracruz area in Mexico on Gulf Coast, but after reading the forum and listening to our friends, may decide to go to the Lake Chapala area, this winter. Can we drive there safely from Brownsville, Texas.
We would like to bring our trailer this year and see how we like the area, maybe find a place for the next winter.

Personally we would not want to change the nature of a place, if we wanted the same things we have at home, why not just stay home. Even the Rio Grand Valley is changing, used to be slower paced, a lovely place to stay, now it is getting like the rest of America, fast and furious. Canada is starting to look like USA, of which we also love to visit and have many American friends. Our little place in Canada is still country, and we love it. If we want city, we drive to a city. Give us peace and contentment anytime.

Any info on how to look up places, would be greatly appreciated. Tried to find B&B's but no luck. Do you fly into GDL and what airlines is the best price from Toronto area, or even out of Detroit?

THANKS:

[RVGRINGO]

Welcome to the forum. I'm sure you will find most of what you are looking for, with the probably exception of a heated pool warm enough in the winter time. For that, we all go to the hot springs once in a while. There are such springs at San Juan Cosala, just west of Chapala/Ajijic and it is on the local bus route. Comfortable rentals can be found in your price range, but probably not advertised heavily by agencies online. In fact, we have one but it is taken until April first. In order to find such rentals, you should plan a year in advance and be prepared to commit early. We, and others, do require that you use existing maid service for a couple of reasons; it is easier for everyone and the maid gets to keep her regular job. After all, it may only be once a week and doesn't amount to much. Many times, it is included along with utilities, etc.

[HolyMole]

Originally Posted by brimar66

.....We are a Canadian couple, who want to go somewhere for the winters.....How does one find places to rent from $400-$600 a month.....may decide to go to the Lake Chapala area, this winter. Can we drive there safely from Brownsville, Texas. We would like to bring our trailer this year....
and see how we like the area, maybe find a place for the next winter...Any info on how to look up places, would be greatly appreciated. Tried to find B&B's but no luck. Do you fly into GDL and what airlines is the best price from Toronto area, or even out of Detroit?
THANKS:

The Internet isn't a great place to find lower-cost accomodations in Mexico, as you apparently already realize. 98% of what's advertised seems to be aimed at the well-heeled crowd. Although it's a scary prospect for a lot of folks, we've found the best idea is just to show up where you'd like to spend the winter, plan on staying a week or so in a cheap hotel and look around for a reasonable place to stay.

You don't say how big your trailer is. Although thousands of gringos haul their trailers down to Mexico every winter, it's not something I would relish doing. Driving a car down there is challenge enough for me. Mexico is definitely not RV-friendly and the further south you get, the more primitive the parks. A short trailer or 5th wheel or a camper top, maybe.

[brimar66]

Found a park called Roca Alzul, looks great, in Jocotepec. Our trailer is an 18ft, just a small one. I understand it is only 3 day drive from Progresso. Hope to find out what the driving terrain is like, mountains, etc.

By the way, this forum is a goldmine!!!!
Thanks

[RVGRINGO]

You will enjoy Roca Azul, Jocotopec and the entire Lake Chapala area. As for driving, the only cautions are:

Topes (speed bumps) without warning, which will completely rearrange the contents of your trailer and possibly damage your suspension, if you don't see them in time to slow to a craw.

Somewhat narrower roads with drivers who pass where they shouldn't, including on the right.

Dangerous drop-offs instead of shoulders; keep your right wheels on the pavement.

Potholes of impressive size during the rainy season. They're smaller in the dry season; sometimes.

Other than that, watch for overhead clearances and tilting in the right lane with trees and poles at the curb.

That said, the luxury bus drivers are using wide body rigs up to 45 feet and seem to manage on the highways. In cities, they perform magic.

[brimar66]

I understood the hwy from Progresso was a 4 lane and a toll??? Is it better to go to Tampico and then across? Want to stay off as many hills as possible...maybe there is no chance of that!

[RVGRINGO]

There is a 'cuota' from just south of Nuevo Progresso part way to Reynosa, but it dumps you onto Rt. 2 (libre) anyway and you get the full toll without the benefit. Rt. 2 is a divided four lane highway which skirts Rio Bravo and enters Reynosa. As you enter, you will find your way onto Rt. 97 (also free) southbound and it was upgraded to four lanes several years ago. It connects to 101 which is all four lanes and also free. Therefore, you can go all the way beyond San Luis Potosi without having to pay expensive tolls for a tow vehicle and trailer.
There are no hills in the border areas and none until you depart Ciudad Victoria, where the new bypass is also four lanes and easily manageable. It takes you around old 101, which does go over Sierra Gorda on steep, winding two lane roads (with fantastic scenery).
You need not go to Tampico, for two reasons: A long boring two lane trip and then mountain roads to reach higher altitudes by the time you get to SLP. Definitely not recommended to tow through that steep coffee country where burros have to be left at roadside while the workers climb and pick the bushes.
On the route I suggested, you won't be bothered by any serious mountain sections.
Enjoy.

[cstalberg]

the best place to meet working class (not yet retired) gringos in the ajijic area? not the lake chapala society or am I wrong? thanks!

[RVGRINGO]

Welcome. Tell us more about yourself, your schedule and your interests so that better suggestions may be offered. By the way, having spent a lot of time in NC, may I suggest that you go to your control panel and use the shift key to edit your place of origin. Some North Carolinians, like my wife, might be offended at the lack of capitals.
What do you mean by, "working class," other than "not retired," and why just Ajijic? There are some hints in that question.

[cstalberg]

mid-fifties still a working stiff. looking in the broad area around lake chapala for a fixer upper. need high speed internet for telecommuting however.

Originally Posted by RVGRINGO

Welcome. Tell us more about yourself, your schedule and your interests so that better suggestions may be offered. By the way, having spent a lot of time in NC, may I suggest that you go to your control panel and use the shift key to edit your place of origin. Some North Carolinians, like my wife, might be offended at the lack of capitals.
What do you mean by, "working class," other than "not retired," and why just Ajijic? There are some hints in that question.