Lazy Daze Owners' Group

Chapala Mexico

December 01, 2014, 03:50:17 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 149779

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Do we have any seasoned Mexico travelers who can share their blog address or other links to solid info on traveling in Mexico? Met an ex-pat who is visiting family in MN who lives in Chapala. Her description of the area has gotten my attention, however, concerns about crime and corruption keep me from seriously considering a trip to Mexico. (She is not an RVer) She describes Chapala as a place with year round temps that range from 65-80. And no bugs. And great access to fresh produce and good food in general.
State Dept has numerous travel advisories on Mexico.
My sense is that one wrong turn could be a death sentence. Are concerns overblown?

Todd

Re: Chapala Mexico

Reply #2 – December 01, 2014, 09:21:32 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 149782

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I have heard this same information about the delightful year-round weather in Chapala.  Some friends also heard it, and bought a house down there.  I didn't have access to all of the information about their "adventures", but after a honeymoon period, it became an albatross, and they sold at a substantial loss.

I Googled   chapala, Mexico  blog and got a bazillion hits.  Most seem to also incorporate Ajijic, which is another popular ex-pat venue.  This should give you plenty of reading material.

I formerly read a number of blogs from Americans who had moved to a few of the popular cities in Mexico, but finally stopped reading because I kept saying to myself "Why are they putting themselves through this unmitigated misery?" as they chronicled all of the aggravation that they were going through.  Not the least of the problems was having to continually replace items that seemed to disappear with some regularity.

Some other friends have moved quite successfully to Cuenca, Ecuador, although, having continued to read their blog, I have no idea why they did this.  They seem happy, but it doesn't strike me as something I would want to do.  There are way too many precautions that must be taken, and too many restrictions.

Here is their blog, if you are interested.  Donna is a fantastic writer and will take you through their deliberations step by step.  I knew her before she had a motorhome of any kind (about twenty years ago), and am not surprised at her enthusiasm.  Still, I feel no urge to join her.

http://www.retiredincuenca.com

PS:  I live only about 40 miles from the Mexican border, but have no desire to go there.  I went once about 15 years ago, and skittered back across the border almost immediately.  But then I am not that adventurous when it comes to that sort of thing.

For every person who doesn't care for living in Mexico, there may be hundreds who think it is the greatest things since sopa fideos!

Virtual hugs,

Judie http://dorrieanne.wordpress.com

Re: Chapala Mexico

Reply #4 – December 02, 2014, 09:06:07 am

Yahoo Message Number: 149788

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I have traveled in Mexico almost every winter for 30 years.  I've driven my car, a camper van, now my motor home.  In fact, I'm going again next week.  I'm not fond of caravaning, so travel alone as a solo female towing a car.  No worries.

I've also spent eight months sailing down the Baja and mainland coasts, then  back up through the Sea of Cortez.  American fears are greatly overblown, but Canadians don't seem to have gotten the message because there are thousands going down every year, in every size motor home.

As with travel in any foreign country, of course there are complications.  No matter how modest our budget, we are always richer than the local folks.  But the cultural experience is wonderful, and the people are generally kind and helpful.

Kristin from Alaska, more if you want by email.

Re: Chapala Mexico

Reply #6 – December 02, 2014, 11:16:07 am

Yahoo Message Number: 149790

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These resources might be helpful:

http://www.your-rv-lifestyle.com/mexico-rv.html

http://www.ontheroadin.com/

http://www.mexicomike.com/driving/RV.htm

http://www.keelhauler.org/mexico/

http://www.rversonline.org/RV4Mex.html

http://thepeoplesguidetomexico.com/

The first link is to Mike and Terri Church's book on Mexico travel; the second link is the reader input update page. The Church book was published in 2009 (which indicates that the information was current in 2008), and while most listings and advice may still be in effect, information in the updates page is important.

http://tinyurl.com/owfv3wt

http://www.rollinghomes.com/madds3.htm

If you're planning an RV trip, I suggest that you thoroughly investigate all aspects of travel in Mexico and check for the most current information available; circumstances can and do change frequently.

Joan

Re: Chapala Mexico- I completly agree with Kristin on travel to Mexi

Reply #8 – December 02, 2014, 03:18:26 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 149796

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From:mailto:lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2014 11:29 AM To:lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [LD] Re: Chapala Mexico- I completly agree with Kristin  on travel to Mexico! I have done so at least once every year for the past ten  and go alone taking extended trips throughout the region. Never had a problem  with the locals but have with americans who disrespected the "locals" . In my  experience with American tourists traveling outside the United States what is  defined as "safe"  by them  needs clarification . In my experience it  is often directly connected to  a compatability to ones own  culture, lifestyle, level of "comfort", values, ideology, economic status, and  political beliefs.  Many American tourists  that I have experienced in  travels elsewhere seem to travel with and "hang out" with other Americans and  "uneasy"  with "locals" . Asking them about this has often led to their  stating "I did not feel safe"!  Cheers! Jim Herrick

From:mailto:lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2014 7:06 AM To:lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com Subject: [LD] Re: Chapala Mexico

I have traveled in Mexico almost every winter for 30 years.  I've driven  my car, a camper van, now my motor home.  In fact, I'm going again next  week.  I'm not fond of caravaning, so travel alone as a solo female towing  a car.  No worries.
 I've also spent eight months sailing down the Baja and mainland coasts,  then  back up through the Sea of Cortez.  American fears are greatly  overblown, but Canadians don't seem to have gotten the message because there are  thousands going down every year, in every size motor home.
 As with travel in any foreign country, of course there are  complications.  No matter how modest our budget, we are always richer than  the local folks.  But the cultural experience is wonderful, and the people  are generally kind and helpful.

Kristin from Alaska, more if you want by email.

Re: Chapala Mexico

Reply #10 – December 02, 2014, 07:11:12 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 149800

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Hi again Todd:

I had to laugh....I am in the same profession!!  I've been in public accounting for over 15 years and each tax season gets harder and harder which is why I'm working on the "exit plan"

I'm glad those links worked for you and I hope maybe you will consider getting in touch with them.  I can recall them doing a post about hooking up with anyone interested in traveling to Mexico for the first time so maybe you could do that.  I would definitely feel better going with someone like them if I was new to traveling down there.

Best Wishes!! Barbara