Expert: Ron - 10/20/2004

Question
I wish to fly to Puerto Vallarta and take a bus to the Lake Chapala area and rent a place for a few months to see if it is a possible retirement option.Please forward information on how to catch a bus from the airport in P.V. and get to an area in Lake Chapala to rent a unit.Thank you...Ron

Answer
Hola Ron, in PV go to the Central Bus Terminal and buy a ticket to Guadalajara. There are hourly departures to Guad and several national bus lines, we prefer ETN. They serve a snack, drink and play movies for the trip.

The trip, PV to Guad, takes about 5 1/2 hours. Plan to arrive in Guad before night fall. From the Centro bus terminal in Guadalajara, take a taxi to the Lakeside. Haggle for the fare, usually 300-400 pesos. 40 minute trip.

When are you coming to Lakeside? Rentals are getting scarce, there is tremendous growth in this area. There
are ads on the bulletin boards from $350 to $1,500/month. Check the boards at the Lake Chapala Society and outside El Toridos and Super Lake. There are also rental agencies, which of course charge a fee. Usually by January there is nothing available that you would want to rent. Chapala rentals are usually less expensive than Ajijic.

I suggest you rent for a couple on nights upon arrival at a B&B. I recommend

Villa Eucaliptos, Ajijic-email mrram@laguna.com.mx  Wonderful rooms, garden and pool. Close to centre of village.

Swan Inn, Ajijic -email  swaninnajijic@hotmail.com
       -website  www.mexconnect.com/amex/swab
Wonderful rooms,quiet restful gardens,pool. Next door to Lake Chapala Society.Close to centre of Ajijic.

El Sueno Guest Suites, San Antonio Tlayacapan (short 10 min walk to Ajijic)-email connie@laguna.com.mx
website www.elsueno.ca  Finished suites, rv parking.

Quinta Quetzalcoatl (Inn of the Plumed Serpent), Chapala. No email. Phone 011-52-376-765-3653, probably need some Spanish to book. Incredible gardens, themed suites. D.H. Lawrence wrote here in the 1920s. Older but in great condition, small pool. We have friends that own one of the units.

Also Los Artistas, Ajijic owned by former Sec'y of Treasury for Alaska. email artistas@laguna.com.mx

There are many others too.

Upon arrival you will find an over abundance of real estate sales persons offering Home Tours. Many do it as a hobby, and there are only a few I would recommend or use myself. If you would like a referral, please ask at All Experts again.

Hope that helps.

Ron