Retreat to Ajijic (Day Trip)

During my month-long stay in the historic centre of Guadalajara, I decided to give my nervous system a little break from all the hustle and bustle of the noisy city. Initially, I planned for a one-night stay in Ajijic - about an hour away by bus. After one day in this charming lakeside town, I decided to extend my stay for total of five nights.

Ajijic is a beautiful small town with cobble stone streets situated on the north shore of Lake Chapala. With a local population of only about 12,000, many retired Canadians and Americans live in this town full-time or part-time and make up a significant proportion of the population (I read estimates that range from 20 to 50 percent).

The relaxed and chilled-out small town vibes were exactly what my nervous system needed after a couple weeks in Guadalajara. The town also has a very active expat social scene. I met some very nice Canadians, Americans and Australians who all knew each other and welcomed visitors and newcomers with open arms.

Before I visited Ajijic, I thought I was not going to like it very much because I was not that interested in spending a lot of time in a place with a lot of retired expats. I was more interested in exploring places with stronger Mexican culture and history, and where I would be forced to use my Spanish to improve my speaking skills (perhaps one of the reasons why my nervous system needed a rest from Guadalajara).

Well, I was very wrong and I now understand why this little magic town is so popular, not only for retired expats, but for everyone else too. I loved my lakeside strolls and wandering around the cobble stone streets, admiring all the colourful outdoor murals, and stopping for coffee or a drink in one of the charming little cafes, restaurants or bars.

I highly recommend a visit to Ajijic, particularly if you are craving a slower pace, with a friendly mix of expats and Mexicans, and where English is widely spoken.