Lake Chapala VS Hawaii: Paradise without the high price tag
By Kristina Morgan
Hawaii. What could be better than Hawaii with its beautiful scenery, waterfalls, ocean views and native culture? It may be surprising to most people to hear that Lake Chapala is very much like Hawaii but with a couple of compelling differences. I finally interviewed two people who lived in Hawaii and each spontaneously shared how much Lake Chapala reminded them of their time on the islands.
Lake Chapala is still relatively unknown to most people, unless they’ve been researching the best places in the world to retire. Lake Chapala is the largest lake in Mexico, boasting low humidity and near-perfect weather and is a mile high like Denver. But Lake Chapala is far more similar to Hawaii than Denver.
Lake Chapala has the second-best climate in the world, according to National Geographic, after Nairobi, Kenya. And Lake Chapala is on the same latitude as Hawaii which blesses the area with every plant species Hawaii has. The flowers, trees and plants, along with waterfalls, mountains and thermal springs are redolent of Hawaii’s appeal.
David Reitz, a Focus Alumni who joined us on a program November 21-28, 2009, said, “When I was in the Lake Chapala region, I was reminded of living in Hawaii. The weather is quite similar to Hawaiian weather–with sunshine and warmth all year; the flora is pretty-much identical to Hawaii, with all the same tropical plants growing; and the topography reminds one of the terrain of Hawaii.”
Marti Heismann agrees saying, “My first drive into Ajijic I almost cried, because I felt as if I was driving up country to Makawao, Maui...one of my old homes. The Jacaranda and Tulip trees lining the roads, and other similar flora and fauna reminded me of being there again.”
Another similarity is the uncanny sense that Lake Chapala is “home.” Many people who come here have experienced an unexplainable connection with this area that draws them back time and again. Neill James, the benefactress of Ajijic from 1942 to 1994 may have said it best: “Once the dust of Mexico settles on your heart you will always be back.”
This draw seems very strong in the Lake Chapala/Ajijic region and is very familiar to those who have fallen in love with Lake Chapala and now call it home.
My family and I felt this way upon arriving here in 1995 and we have since fully embraced this area and call Lake Chapala our home.
Marian Wellman, from Colorado now living at Lake Chapala said, “This place has a magic about it. I was just one of the many people who came here for a week and instinctively know that this is where they should be for life.”
Heismann adds, “As in Hawaii the minute I got off the plane in Guadalajara, I said to myself, ‘I'm home.’ The energy of both places is so dynamic...coming through the clouds and spotting and feeling the power of the mountains just resonates through your body with a deep anticipation of what's to come.”
The topography differences and similarities between Lake Chapala and Hawaii:
Mexico is a surprising country. I thought it consisted of desert and coast before I moved here but thankfully I was amazed to find mountains, forests, jungle, canyons and more. Mexico has it all.
And Lake Chapala is among the best it has to offer. It feels like stepping back 100 years in time when you see the horse-drawn carts on cobbled roads with bougainvillea draped like shameless fuchsia and purple petticoats over the walls and the mountains sheltering the enormous lake that even boasts therapeutic thermal waters.
“We have the same topography here as in Hawaii,” says Heismann. “There are mountains, streams, deserts, beaches, great breezes, and strong, healthy doses of sun. Mexico is very expansive.”
David Reitz says, “There are also more opportunities to travel both within the Lakeside area and outside to other regions of Mexico, which is not doable in Hawaii, given it’s a collection of small islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.”
David is right; within a couple of hours drive in any given direction from Lake Chapala you will find pine forests in the mountains, round pyramids, high desert, jungles and coastline and Guadalajara, Mexico’s second largest city is a mere 45 minutes away…though once you are at Lake Chapala Guadalajara feels worlds away.
Lake Chapala is also within 25 minutes of the Guadalajara International airport and can bring you back to the US within a couple of hours. The accessibility for people who want or need to get back to Canada or the U.S. is a strong draw. And the ability to travel all over the world fairly inexpensively from Guadalajara has to be credited with some appeal, as well.
Even though Lake Chapala is not on the ocean, that is yet another benefit as Lake Chapala is spared hurricanes and tropical storms and it has mild, breezy temperature, like Hawaii, but is free from the heat and humidity that can sweep most coastal areas, for at least part of the year.
Heismann says, “No, Lake Chapala isn’t quite the water feature of Waikiki, but the water energy is present.”
Every time I crest the mountains and come down and catch my first glimpse of the lake it takes my breath away. Maybe it’s not the ocean but it is a very close second. And the ocean is just a few hours away if you need it. To give an idea of the scope of the lake, when the Spaniards first saw Lake Chapala they thought that it was a bay on the ocean.
Cultural similarities:
Clearly, Hawaii and Lake Chapala in the Sierra Madre mountains of Jalisco in Mexico share the same laid-back spirit. There is a “mañana” philosophy in both places that resists being hurried or pushed into a tropical facsimile of life in the mainland United States or Canada. Family and spirit takes precedence over time or money in Hawaii and Lake Chapala and is intrinsic to preserving ancient traditions and culture, which are both tied closely into local fiestas and beliefs.
“There is a great interest in natural healing; the recognition of having a spiritual life is important, and many religious beliefs are practiced in both places. Shamans and Kaunas join hands to heal the earth and the broken hearted of the world. We both have our traditions, great and varied foods, music, dancing from many cultures, art work and celebrations depict past to present. Both cultures are family-oriented, elderly are respected, revered both places.... and you are welcomed into celebrations to add more energy to the event. You are definitely judged and accepted by the quality of your heart and soul rather than your net worth.
“There are lots of smiles, and people are relaxed and helpful...both are "polite societies"....Although I do not speak Spanish or other indigenous languages, neither did I speak Hawaiian, Chinese, or Filipinos while living in Hawaii, but you still feel comfortable because of the lovely people,” says Heismann.
Differences:
While it is fun to talk about the similarities between Lake Chapala and Hawaii it is perhaps more compelling to discuss the differences.
Millions of people travel each year to Hawaii and find its beauty and weather enticing but let’s face it, even before 401Ks became 201Ks, following the financial crisis in 2009, most people who are retiring find Hawaii prohibitively expensive.
David Reitz says, “I was pleasantly surprised at the lower cost of living as compared with Hawaii and the towns along the lake are far more picturesque and quaint than anything Hawaii has to offer. Hawaii is unaffordable; Lakeside is easily affordable -- especially living in retirement.”
…Or before retirement, as my family has found. And Lake Chapala isn’t a tourist destination as much as a place where people come to live. To me, this makes a big difference in the quality of people we have here.
Lake Chapala is breath-taking in its beauty and charming in its simplicity and of course, there is a lower cost of living. But the best aspect of Lake Chapala is our community. If you think you may want to be a part of it and see what living at Lake Chapala is like first-hand then I can’t think of a better way to get all the information in order to decide if this may be you or not than joining us on a Focus on Mexico 8 day educational program .
Kristina Morgan: Director of Public Relations for FocusOnMexico.
Focus On Mexico offers 8-Day Educational Programs to Ajijic and Lake Chapala, Mexico (2nd Best Climate in the World). Join us on a Focus program and learn why thousands of Americans and Canadians chose to retire in Lake Chapala.
Our programs offer the perfect balance; a wonderful vacation and an insightful, educational experience. Our expert speakers cover all topics: Health Care, Real Estate, Legal System, Immigration, Bringing Pets, Cost of Living, US Taxes for Americans, Non-Residency for Canadians, Living on the Lakeside, Investing in Mexico, Mexican Economy and much more...
You’ll get everything you need to help you decide if Lake Chapala, Mexico is the place for you, plus have a lot of fun doing it. Retiring in Mexico couldn't be better.