VISITING OR RELOCATING HERE

Whether you are thinking about moving to the Lake Chapala area, or just vacationing, it is advisable to visit here first to get acquainted with the area and the ambiance. Several agencies, some affiliated with realtors, will assist you in planning a visit here.

A large selection of hotels, motels, B & B’s, bungalows, casitas (guest houses), and short- and long-term rental houses assure lodging for every taste and every budget.

Before you come, make sure you have a current passport, and check some of the web sites for the area regarding other questions and concerns you may have. You will also need a visa, obtainable at the border or at the airport. If you are coming from a country other than those designated “unrestricted” (such as the U.S., Canada, Australia, Japan, and many European countries), you will have to obtain your visa through a Mexican consulate in your country of origin. Also check with the Mexican consulate nearest you regarding what you may and may not bring into the country, as it changes from time to time.

If you decide to stay, various types of residency permits are available, depending on your needs, purpose, and length of stay. Many people come for 6 months each year for the “high season”, maintaining homes both here and in their home country. It’s best to procure the services of attorneys here who specialize in immigration. Tackling Mexican bureaucracy, like any other, can be a daunting task, especially if you are not fluent in Spanish.

Because of the high influx of English-speakers, as well as many Mexicans who have returned here after working and/or studying in the U.S., most of the people you will encounter speak enough English to communicate, and understand even more. If you take the time to learn at least  a little Spanish, though, either before you come or after you arrive, it will smooth the way for you.

Either way, you will find the Lake Chapala area unlike any other part of Mexico. It is truly a blend of ancient and modern, European and Mexican and North American, lively yet serene, traditional yet progressive. It must be experienced to be appreciated.