Carol S. Says:
My husband and I are thinking of going to Mexico in October 2023 but can’t decide where to try. Neither of us wants a big city, and I like the idea of San Miguel but think it might be too touristy. My husband is thinking Ajijic/Lake Chapala, but we want someplace with a bit of history and no need for a car.
Any suggestions?
IL Mexico Correspondent Wendy Justice Says:
Hi Carol,
While it’s certainly true that San Miguel de Allende gets a lot of tourists, it’s because it is such a lovely town, so it still might be worth considering. The downtown is full of awe-inspiring churches, ancient buildings, art galleries, and a wide assortment of Mexican and international restaurants. You would be moving to a well-established expat community, with plenty of opportunities to meet other like-minded souls.
If you lived right in the Centro Histórico, you would be able to get around well by foot. Most streets and many sidewalks are cobblestoned, so wear sturdy shoes and leave the high heels at home. Once you get away from the center, you’ll find that much of the town is built on steep hills. Fortunately, you can always take a taxi to these areas if you don’t want to have a strenuous walk.
The Lake Chapala area has fewer tourists, and it also has a large expat community; at least 20% of the total population of Ajijic are foreign, and that number swells during the winter months as snowbirds come to enjoy the comfortably dry and temperate climate. You’ll see murals throughout the town, as well as colorful houses, galleries, and boutiques. Though it’s a small town, Ajijic is only about an hour’s drive from Guadalajara, Mexico’s second largest city, which makes it convenient for all the big city amenities, as well as for having an international airport with direct flights to the U.S. and Canada.
Another option that you may want to consider is Patzcuaro, in the state of Michoacán, which has roughly the same population as San Miguel. Patzcuaro is very walkable, with a pretty historic center, and a smaller expat community than either Ajijic or San Miguel de Allende. Patzcuaro expats all know each other and they sponsor frequent potlucks and get-togethers, so it’s an easy place to make friends. Aside from the famous Day of the Dead festival, which is celebrated in a big way in Patzcuaro, it tends not to get too many tourists. Living here would be laidback and easy. Patzcuaro is one of my favorite towns in Mexico, for exactly those reasons.
Since you’re planning a scouting trip, you should be able to try at least one or two of these places for yourself. Before you travel, it might be useful to check out my article, Nine Common Misconceptions about Mexico, in your IL archive here .
All the best, Wendy
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