Impressions of Mexico: interview with a couple from Calgary Karen Blue

This month, I'm interviewing a couple from Alberta, Canada who've come for a six-week vacation. This is the end of their third week. I actually met Julia and Marc over the Internet as a result of this ... read more

exploring-tourism Chapala Ajijic, Jalisco

What's the down side of living in Mexico? Karen Blue

My editor asked me to share with you some of the down sides of living in Mexico. He said, "no one will believe it's all wonderful." He's right of course, but for me, the good far outweighs the bad -- u... read more

lifestyles Chapala Ajijic, Jalisco

The geology and geography of Lake Chapala and western Mexico Jack Leyden

The following is a story concerning an ancient lake that covered a large area of the State of Jalisco and spread into Michoacan and Aguascalientes. This map is a visual portrayal of the lake superimpos... read more

geography geology Jalisco Michoacán Aguascalientes

Monarch butterflies in Mexico Tony Burton

Early in 1980, exploring various off the beaten track areas of Mexico looking for potential geography fieldwork sites, one fateful Saturday morning found me standing in the main plaza of the small Mich... read more

exploring-tourism fauna Michoacán

Chapala and Ajijic, Mexico: drinking, dining and dancing Karen Blue

The most often asked questions by visitors when they get here is "Can I drink the water?" followed closely by, "Is this okay to eat?" Okay, I admit I asked those same questions when I first got down h... read more

lifestyles retiring Chapala Ajijic, Jalisco

Day of the Dead: things to do around Guadalajara Dale Hoyt Palfrey

In response to all the positive feedback on my Day of the Dead article, here are a few related activities you might pursue in the Guadalajara - Lake Chapala area during late October - early November. I... read more

day-of-the-dead exploring-tourism Guadalajara, Jalisco Jalisco

Celebrating the Days of the Dead: The Heart Speaks Clearly in Michoacán Cat Gonzales

The Days of the Dead, celebrated throughout Mexico, coincide with the Christian All Souls and All Saints days, November 1 and 2nd. People who have died in the past year are remembered, their pictures p... read more

culture-customs day-of-the-dead Michoacán

Mexico: a typical day in paradise Karen Blue

One of my readers asked me to describe a typical day here in the Lake Chapala area of Mexico. Others have asked, "What do you do all day?" So, I am inviting you to spend this day with me in the charmin... read more

lifestyles perspectives retiring Chapala Ajijic, Jalisco

Mexico: weather, utilities and prejudice Karen Blue

Utilities Q. Since I've had several questions on utilities, I'm going to just answer them all in one section here. A. It's important to find out before you rent o... read more

lifestyles Chapala Ajijic, Jalisco

Mexico: sex, schools and automobiles Karen Blue

Dear Blue: "Is there a Spanish Language school in Ajijic?" LK There are no Spanish Language Schools in Chapala or Ajijic. There are several in Guadalajara and in other major Mexican cities... read more

question retiring Chapala Ajijic, Jalisco

Patzcuaro: the soul of Michoacan's Meseta Purepecha jennifer j. rose

Texas has the Alamo, New York has its Empire State Building, but only Michoacan has Patzcuaro. Every travel poster extolling Michoacan has a shot of fisherman wielding the famous butterfly net. Look closely, and you'll spy a tiny cone-shaped island, topped by a statue of Jose Maria Morelos, hand reaching to the sky. That's Patzcuaro's jewel: Janitzio. read more

exploring-tourism Patzcuaro, Michoacán

Building costs in the Chapala area Discussion Thread Forum

My wife and I have just returned from Ajijic. While there we toured real estate with a very competent man. We are currently negotiating for a property which is a walled lot with all utilities installed, a basic foundation, cistern, etc. for a small home. What we are trying to determine now is what the cost per square foot will be for average construction. We realize that costs can very greatly due to luxury ammenities. That's why I indicated average or middle of the road construction costs. Any help you can offer will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

A new life in Mexico Ken "Doc" Morrow

Last year, I arrived in Mexico from the States. I decided to spend the first few years of my retirement on the inland Mexican Riviera. There are several towns - really just large villages - along the s... read more

perspectives Jalisco

Bus travel: Puerto Vallarta to Guadalajara Mexico Data On-Line

Mexico Connect Forum Discussion Threads Posted by Ann Bice on June 29, 1997 We are planning to check out the Guad-Lake area for potential retirement-it sounds too good to be true. Anyway, we can g... read more

exploring-tourism transportation Guadalajara, Jalisco

Boating on Lake Chapala Discussion Thread Forum

We've thoroughly enjoyed reading this site recently and now have another question. With a lake the size of Lake Chapala there must be pleasure boating but haven't found much info. We're thinking about bringing a boat or buying there. Does anyone know about marinas, boats for sale, boating activities, living aboard, etc.? Any help is appreciated...

Wandering through Nayarit Camille Collins

Nayarit is still one of Mexico's best kept secrets. Here you will find rich traditions, beautiful beaches, and "secret places" to discover for yourself. If you are planning a trip to explore Nayarit, y... read more

exploring-tourism Nayarit

Off the beaten path: beaches on Mexico's Pacific Coast Geri Anderson

Squatting on the rocky cliff high above the bay, two young boys watched the man below who, knee deep in water, held his net ready. Suddenly, the boys yelled and pointed to a school of fish swimming beh... read more

beaches exploring-tourism Jalisco

The cuisine of Nayarit Camille Collins

The following is a quick guide to the cuisine of Nayarit. This guide was discovered by Conner and adapted from the original Spanish version by Camille. There are several foods listed for which there ar... read more

exploring-tourism food-drink Nayarit

Lake Chapala: Can Mexico's largest lake be saved? Tony Burton

Lake Chapala, Mexico's largest natural lake, is dying. The lake right now plays a vital role in a gigantic ecosystem, the River Lerma-Lake Chapala drainage basin, which includes more than 8 million peo... read more

ecology fauna social-issues Chapala Ajijic, Jalisco

Mexico Highway Maps, Driving from Nogales to Uruapan Discussion Thread Forum

Hi, my family and I are traveling to Mexico in a few weeks. We are entering through Nogales and traveling to Uruapan, Michoacan. read more

driving-routes exploring-tourism Nogales, Sonora Uruapan, Michoacán

Huichol artwork: celestial things Robert Otey

The eclipse has special meaning for the Huichol, because it represents the eclipse of July 11 1991 at 10:21 A.M. Pacific Coast time. This is the sixth sun according to the ancient Meso-American Calenda... read more

culture-customs huichol indigenous-groups Central Pacific

The Huichol of Jalisco and Nayarit Robert Otey

The Huichols are a hearty and enduring people numbering about 18,000, most of which live in the Jalisco and Nayarit, two rugged and mountainous states in North Central Mexico. They are descendents of ... read more