Punta Banda and Bajamar are well-known areas for expats. Playa Contramar is yet another beach area, but is much smaller. While this has its benefits, it may pose a dilemma when seeking that perfect place to live. 4 hours from Guadalajara, Mexico (or Doing so will allow you to compare and make a decent final decision as to where you would like to place your sombrero permanently in this paradise. Of course, there is the beach, too, which is one of the best beaches in all of Mexico. From Mayan cities turned Spanish colonial monastic towns like Izamal to boho chic surf paradises like Sayulita, and mystical mountain escapes like San Cristobal de las Casas, Mexico is peppered with hundreds of stunning storybook small towns. It also has a high concentration of historic buildings, showing off arcades of arched porticoes, regal columns, and ornate detail. You're going to want to cue the Coldplay when you stumble at the doorstep of the town of Izamalbecause it really is all yellow. Many expats live in the state of Nayarit, north of the Ameca River. 92 reviews. The sleepy village sits on a lake of the same name, Laguna de Bacalar. Therefore, there is a community of Americans and Canadians who have decided to reside in the place. Nomading here is tough because there are no reasonable Airbnbs and finding a short-term apt is difficult. You can still manage to score a room at a surf bungalow or two, but accommodations these days do come at a premium. Puerto hosts world-renowned surfing competitions and attracts people from all over the world. Read more. Favorite city so far. Mazatlns most prominent features include cliffs, historical buildings, and world-class hotels. Local food specialities include grilled red snapper marinated with roast peppers, garlic, and spices (Huachinango Sarandeado). You can get a bus from the Central Vieja, as there are regular departures throughout the day. She is planning to relocate back to a tropical location in Latin America again as an expat very soon. Tours run throughout the year, led by guides who can teach you about the local flora and fauna. Easily reachable on the road that first takes you through Tepatilan, San Juan de los Lagos is a hotbed of religious sites, containing some of the most impressive Roman Catholic structures in Jalisco. Todos Santos (all saints) is a designated Pueblo Magico (magic town) where Mexican culture, architecture, tranquillity, and traditions are being purposefully preserved. "I always stay at Hacienda del Sol, while in Tonal. Expats tend to live in the historical Centro or Colonia Independencia neighborhood where they can mix with the locals. Shop handmade artisan goods in Todos Santos, or learn the perfect tree pose overlooking the ocean in Mazunte. Back at Lake Chapala, there are lots of local community clubs and events ranging from theatre to Spanish language classes. The town is known for its Spanish architecture and colonial charm, which highlights the areas comparatively recent heritage. Widely known for its unbelievably agreeable weather almost every day of the year, its attracted many foreigners to settle down on the shores of the nearby lake that shares its name. Todos Santos, Baja California Sur Los Cerritos beach, Todos Santos Todos Santos is one of those storied beach towns south of the border that seems to spring from literature. S. Visualization on a map - Nearby cities and towns in the area around Guadalajara. Ensenada is known for its Baja Med Cuisine, a mixture of oriental flavours and seafood. Most visitors are coming to Tulum for its stunning beaches and A-list boutique hotel scene. * Values derived from national statistics, might differ from the city itself. The nearest cities to Guadalajara are Guadalajara, Aguascalientes, Puerto Vallarta and Sayulita. Plenty of good transportation in those areas - subway, buses or Uber. Its known for its scenic walkway (Andador Escenico) and wealth of smaller beaches like la Punta and Carrizalilo beach, which can only be accessed by a series of 157 steps! Over to the western side of the state, Mazamitla has the odd but completely legitimate title of being the Switzerland of Mexico. Known locally as Puerto, it was originally a port in the 1930s for shipping coffee from the mountains of Oaxaca. The name Santa Cruz was given by the Franciscans who were in contact with the natives living on the lakeside. You will be dedicated to the enjoyment of quality time with loved ones living this trip together. Towns near to Zapopan Mexico Jalisco between 0 and 50 miles. It's not even safe to walk a short distance at night (locals told me to just take Uber). It was $250 per hour.. (yes Per Hour no typos here). In the late 1940s, the famous American writer Tennessee Williams lived in Chapala to work on his play called The Poker Night, which later became A Streetcar Named Desire. As Williams explained in The Catastrophe of Success, Chapala offered him an ideal environment to be creative. There is also the world-famous, eponymous archaeological site. The jewel-toned lake is the top selling point for the destination and a visit here is one of the top things to do in Mexico. Campestre set in the rolling foothills of the Sierra de la Laguna mountains with views of the Sea of Cortez with its own golf course has a variety of condominium options to suit all tastes and budgets. There are also large shopping malls dotted around different parts of Playa. Eat a 'torta ahogada', but be careful with the hot sauce. There are some exclusive expat communities here such as Pedregal, a hilly area with views of the Pacific Ocean, seafood eateries and local farmers markets. I have lived in Sweden, Gibraltar, Mauritius, Dubai, Australia, Spain, Panama, Costa Rica, Serbia, Montenegro and the US and now recently moved to Mexico and love this city more than Mexico City and Monterrey which i also tried before Guadalajara. The place is also renowned for the open golf-cart taxis known as pulmonias which are a usual form of transport. Todos Santos is one of those storied beach towns south of the border that seems to spring from literature. It is important to note that some parts of Cabo San Lucas are hilly which may not be suitable for retiring expats. However, the surrounding region is also rich in heritage and culture, some of it wildly different than that of the big city. Ensenada, Baja California - a pearl of the Pacific 7. The impressive cathedral and astonishingly good street food make it a great place to wander around before heading on to San Juan de los Lagos and Lagos de Moreno. Glad to know you enjoyed it! Popular areas for expats are the Las Brisas area which faces the ocean with a real Colonia feel and the Santiago peninsula which includes the well-known La Punta and Las Hadas residential areas. Closer to downtown is Playa la Madera, which is lined with beach restaurants and is where many of the locals come to relax for the day. The local real estate market stretches from Mismaloya, south of Puerto Vallarta, to Punta Mita on the northwest shore. In Jalisco state, you will find Mexicos largest freshwater lake and the old-world, charming town of Chapala. It is backdropped by gorgeous forested mountains and is large enough to contain various islands. Located at the foot of the hill of Bufa, a red-roofed white houses and cobbled streets, surrounded by forests. It is like a watered-down version of mexican culture. People sometimes choose to come here instead of the busier coastal destinations. The protected area is also patrolled by forest rangers, who ensure the natural reserves conservation. Once the domain of backpackers, Tulm today attracts fashionistas and other trendsetters who come to get away from it all. This is one of the best places for those who want some quiet compared to the jam-packed beaches along the Pacific Coast. It's not far from Cabo, but it seems another world away. In this tourist destination in Jalisco, the colonial architecture of an authentic Mexican town, and the modernity and quality of its tourist services come together. There's more beautiful and cleaner cities like Seville where you can find a reasonably priced Airbnb. Almost everyone I met has horror stories about being robbed at gunpoint, robbed by the police, and in one case even drugged and robbed by a taxi driver. Ajijic is full of color thanks to its murals and cobblestone streets, restaurants, galleries, textile stores, inns, cafes and bars. The Realities Of Living In The Yucatn Peninsula, Mexico, Living In Puerto Escondido, Mexico: Essential Expat Guide, What Its Like Living In Puerto Vallarta, Mexico As An Expat, Living In Mexico: Essential Expat Guide 2023, Living In Baja California Sur & La Paz: Expat Guide, The 11 Best Places To Live In Mexico For Expats, How To Avoid Pitfalls Renting Or Buying Property In Mexico, 9 Must-Knows For Living In Mazatln, Mexico, As An Expat, Healthcare & Health Insurance For Expats In Mexico, Living In San Miguel De Allende As An Expat, 1. Lake Chapala Area and the quaint town of Chapala. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 - Expatra Ltd. UK Company Number 09686420. Tucked at the very southern end of the state of Quintana Roonot far from the border with Belizethis lake village has been luring visitors of all varieties for centuries. PV is affordable and modern. I agree with most of the reviews posted here. Nice weather all year around and good food. Culture vultures roam the streets popping into artisan workshops, or snacking on organic cuisine underneath flowering bougainvillea trees. It's officially a UNESCO World Heritage town, and not much has changed since the early 19th century. Troncones sits on ejido or farming land and the population has grown due to tourism and the influx of North Americans making their homes here. It is also less commercialised which is often a welcomed fact if you are looking for a somewhat calmer location. But, just two hours away, travelers can transport themselves to an entirely different, entirely more tranquil slice of lake paradise. Walked, bussed and Uber when necessary. Three miles of clean uncrowded beaches and clear waters all at your disposal. Copyright 2023 PlanetWare Inc. All rights reserved. PV is considered a very safe environment for expats where one never lacks entertainment. To enjoy small-town (but upscale) beach life on this coast, head to Tulm. The riverside Tlacotalpan is a gorgeous colonial town in the Gulf state of Veracruz. Nevertheless this shook me a little bit and, along with the Nov 18 security advisory for Guadalajara and the recent cartel activity in Cancun, had me decide to cut my losses and leave. The center of each city listed is within 22 km of Guadalajara, Mexico. Imagine beatniks and bohemians fleeing conventional life for a simpler, more tranquil life by the sea. Read on to find out which are our 15 best day trips from Guadalajara. cities close to Guadalajara, Mexico. However you should bring some money as everything is tailored towards American tourists. I stayed in one of the traditional villas with a balcony overlooking the entire town. Valle de Bravo, one of Mexico's Magic Towns, is a lake town perched on Lake Avandaro and a top pick for day trips from Mexico city. 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