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Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many people are on each Focus program?
   • It depends on the time of year. In the summer months you could expect 12 to 15 participants and in the winter months (Oct to April) approximately 20 to 30 participants.
2. Is it mostly couples that sign up for a Focus program? Will I feel out of place as a single?
   • No, actually we have a lot of single people who book on our programs and you definitely will not feel out of place. You’ll be happy to know there is a large single community here on the lakeside.
3. Are we going to be stuck sitting in a classroom for most of the week?
   • Definitely not. We have some mornings when we do the seminars and then we go out in the afternoons on a number of excursions so you can see and get a feel for the area. We have been offering these programs for ten years and they have evolved with a great balance between education and fun.
4. Do we need to speak Spanish to move to Lake Chapala?
   • No, many of the locals do speak English so when you first move here you can get by without learning the language. However, it is greatly appreciated by the locals when you try speaking Spanish and it can be a lot of fun. Don’t be intimidated, they are very gracious when you make a mistake.
5. What is included in the cost of the program?
   • Essentially, everything except airfare. It is pretty much all inclusive: hotel, all the restaurants, all the seminars and handout materials, the excursions we take around the lakeside, including the Monte Coxala Spa and Pyramids as well as the trip to Guadalajara and Tlaquepaque. Not included are alcoholic drinks (although there are a couple cocktail socials) and tipping. Plus you’ll want to bring any money for shopping.
6. Do I need to get any special Visa to come into Mexico by plane?
   • Actually, when you fly into Mexico the flight attendant will give you a small form to fill out. This becomes your Tourist Visa – simple as that. You will need to save it and turn it back in on departure. (When you drive in, you get it at the border.)
7. Do I need a Passport to come to Mexico?
   • Actually you do not need a Passport to get into Mexico. However if you are returning to the States or traveling through the States, you will need a valid Passport to get back in.
8. On the Focus program, is it safe to drink the water and eat the fruits and vegetables?
   • Yes, every place we take you serves purified water and ice and takes great care in the food preparation. We take you to our favorite restaurants...places we go to all the time.
9. Do most people move to Mexico full time or are there foreigners living there part time?
   • About half of the foreign population live here full time and the other half part time.
10. Is it safe to drive back and forth to Mexico each year if we are living there part time?
    • The majority of the foreign population that live here part time, drive back and forth every year with no problems.
11. Are there ATM machines in Lake Chapala and can I use my bank card to take money out or should I bring spending money with me for the Focus program?
    • Yes, we have a lot of ATM machines and, yes, you can use your bank card to withdraw money. However, it is always advisable to have some cash with you or another option to access money just in case you lose your ATM card or heaven forbid, the machine eats it. This doesn’t happen often but best to be prepared.
12. Is it safe to use my credit card in the Lake Chapala area while we are on the program?
    • Yes, it is safe to use your credit card, however, not many places take credit cards, other than the hotel or larger stores. For the most part Mexico is a cash society.
13. Does the hotel where the Focus groups stay have high-speed internet?
    • Yes. If you are bringing a laptop, you can access high speed internet, but only in the lobby, not in the rooms.
14. If, after we come on the Focus program, we decide to live there, can we bring our pets?
    • Yes, it is very easy to bring cats and dogs into Mexico; even horses. You will learn everything you need to know about bringing your pets on the program.