The sleepy town is named as one of the countrys magical towns; with its century-old architecture, amicable atmosphere, and sweeping views of coffee and agave fields, its easy to see why. It lies roughly in the centre of the state, in the Atemajac Valley near the Ro Grande de Santiago, at an elevation of about 5,100 feet (1,550 metres). Lived here for decades and always felt welcome by the people. Author Meagan Drillinger spends several months each year in Mexico, visiting destinations throughout the country. A favorite for photographers looking to capture the charm of Mexicos small towns, Tequila is one of the best day trips you can take from Guadalajara. The main beach is lined with palapa straw-roofed restaurants and palm trees. What not to like? Great if you want to go scubaing, terrible for all other reasons, Medellin is a great city to be in. It is only 42 miles from Guadalajara It is very charming and walkable. Doing so will allow you to compare and make a decent final decision as to where you would like to place your sombrero permanently in this paradise. Bacocho is a popular expat community, as are Brisa de Zicatela and La Punta on quieter stretches of beach. Touristy circus of a place. Glad to know you enjoyed it! The most popular of these is the secluded Scorpion Island, which can be reached on a scenic boat trip from town. Santa Cruz de la Soledad is a small town in the municipality Chapala located within the limits of Lake Chapala in the state of Jalisco, at an approximate altitude of 1,540 m above sea level. Most expats rent or buy homes in Chula Vista, Ajijic, Riberas del Pilar among others, but each neighbourhood has its individualistic style. You can only add one review per city or it replaces/edits your old one. Some of the best things to do in Bacalar include kayaking or sailing on the lake, visiting the nearby Mayan ruins, dining at the low-key restaurants in town, or shopping for artisan crafts in the village. Loved this city! 8.8 miles from Mercado Mexico. Located in the Mexican state of Sinaloa where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean, Mazatln is opposite the southern part of Baja California Sur and is known as the Mexican Riviera. Situated 4 hours northwest of Mexico City, San Miguel de Allende is a magnet for artistic personalities. El Cafecito is a restaurant at the end of Zicatela beach, famous for its coffee and local menu. Queretaro is a great foodie place, and you'll enjoy the old colonial city and a view of the aqueduct. It is very safe for women. To enjoy small-town (but upscale) beach life on this coast, head to Tulm. Its a popular good meeting place for locals and expats. Great restaurants, Broadway plays (! Tulum's beaches are powder white, and the vibe that has been crafted is pure boho-luxury. Puerto Vallarta bursting with natural charm, 4. Youll find lots of cultural events from jazz festivals to film festivals. Playa Contramar is yet another beach area, but is much smaller. December, January and Semana Santa are especially busy periods. This is down to the bundles of charm that can be found in the small, relatively unknown town, but also thanks to its surroundings that consist of mountains, pine forests, and fresh air. As is common for small towns in Mexico, the road is paved with cobblestones, which are lined on either side with low-rise, colonial buildings that pop with bright colors. ), and in the summer you frequently can catch a free concert. In Jalisco state, you will find Mexicos largest freshwater lake and the old-world, charming town of Chapala. Todos Santos is a small town known for art, painting, and jewellery. Walked, bussed and Uber when necessary. Tala is a small town located 30 kilometers due west of Guadalajara and best known for its large, government-operated sugar refinery, infamous for being the major polluter of Lake La Vega. world 5 world_fill Cities paper_plane 5 paper_plane_fill 5 Trips chat 42 chat_fill 42 Chat The name Santa Cruz was given by the Franciscans who were in contact with the natives living on the lakeside. Have you been watching Narcos on Netflix? Salty surfers and leathery sun worshipers remember Sayulitaback in the 1990s when it was a jungle-shrouded crescent of beach and solid surf, a few taco shacks, and a dusty road. In Puerto Vallarta, the Colonias in the hotel zone area offer very good value with quieter neighbourhood living and larger houses, many with pools or access to homeowner association pools. Ajijic, New Magical Town of Jalisco Ajijic is a town in the Ribera de Chapala, its name comes from the Nahuatl word Axixic, which means place where the water runs. It is located just 40 minutes from the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area, at the foot of the mountains and surrounded by the largest lake in Mexico, Lake Chapala. Ensenada is 63 miles (101 kilometres) south of the Mexico-United States border and is about one hour from San Diego, California, which is an attraction, especially for U.S citizens. Here youll find high-end shopping centres with the likes of Gucci and Louis Vuitton, first-rate hospitals and healthcare, and large home stores such as Home Depot. Todos Santos (all saints) is a designated Pueblo Magico (magic town) where Mexican culture, architecture, tranquillity, and traditions are being purposefully preserved. Living here you can enjoy a peaceful walk on the beach without meeting crowds of people, so it is very possible to have a yoga class on the beach or just some tranquil time in the hammock reading in a secluded part of the beach. Troncones sits on ejido or farming land and the population has grown due to tourism and the influx of North Americans making their homes here. Wonderful places to visit for families or alome. Therefore, there is a community of Americans and Canadians who have decided to reside in the place. There are a variety of options for buying plots of land. There is a rapidly expanding expat community, mainly digital nomad types and retirees. A mere hour away from Guadalajara, youll find one of the lesser-known archaeological wonders that still stands in Mexico. The most upscale housing areas are south of Zona Romantica, high in the hills and along the beachfront. Expats tend to live in the historical Centro or Colonia Independencia neighborhood where they can mix with the locals. Guadalajara, city, capital of Jalisco estado (state), west-central Mexico. But, just two hours away, travelers can transport themselves to an entirely different, entirely more tranquil slice of lake paradise. Lived there last September and October and am coming back later this year. Playa is a small town but offers all the amenities of a large town. Easily reachable on the road that first takes you through Tepatilan, San Juan de los Lagos is a hotbed of religious sites, containing some of the most impressive Roman Catholic structures in Jalisco. Explore cost of living, weather and travel information for 28 other cities in Mexico on Nomad List. Everyone is super friendly and it's easy to meet people here. The town is accessible by road and the main airport has local and international flights to the US and Europe. Currently in development is a new highway to shorten travel time between Puerto, Oaxaca, and Mexico City. We really fell in love with Cuidad de Guanajuato. This local delicacy is a pork sandwich 'drowned' in chili pepper sauce. I do not recommend rent. Known for producing wine, providing water sports and its varied weather, Ensenada is a popular seaside getaway, a port city on a beautiful stretch of the Pacific coast. Hi Jacqueline, would you like me to introduce you to a relocation consultant in Mexico? In development now is La Barra, where a new village is being planned out with different plots of land, including amenities such as shops and businesses. There is also a church, theatre, cultural centre, museum, and historic buildings. Also known as Playa, this is a resort town in the Mexican Caribbean, Yucatans Rivera sandy beach coastline. Chinatown is a place to visit, and Bangkok is globally clean ! Widely known for its unbelievably agreeable weather almost every day of the year, its attracted many foreigners to settle down on the shores of the nearby lake that shares its name. The town also hosts a Fish and Seafood Festival in September and a Mushroom Festival in June. Place the fresh aroma of fruit trees and the open hospitality of the people seduces the visitor, who will find the true spirit of this people in its cobbled streets and whitewashed houses with tile roofs, peaceful countryside in the middle of the forest and ideal sites for the adventure. Mexico City is one of the largest cities in the world, with a population of more than 20 million people. A big city usually has a population of at least 200,000 and you can often fly into a These plants are so beautiful that the agave landscape between the foothills of the Tequila Volcano and the deep valley of the Rio Grande River was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2006. But this is where the heart and soul of Tulum lives, from the busy, frenetic side streets lined with taco joints, to the town squares and markets. Made up of a fascinating mix of age-old Mexican traditions and heritage, European architecture, and a luxurious subtropical atmosphere, Guadalajara is one of the most intriguing cities in the country. Nomading here is tough because there are no reasonable Airbnbs and finding a short-term apt is difficult. This destination is an opposing contrast to Ixtapa which has a lot of high-rise hotels and development. Pueblo Magicos are towns that have been deemed by Mexico's Secretariat of Tourism to have something special to offer visitors. There are a variety of international and local cuisines and opportunities to meet other expats. Two thousand years ago, however, Tala was the residential district of a large metropolis with a population of some 60,000 people. The bulk of the action centers around Parque Hidalgo and Plaza Zaragoza. Some beautifuls temple, gardens, market etc. It seems like an underrated place for DNs. Yes, this town is the birthplace of the world-famous agave-based alcohol tequila.For this reason, UNESCO designated the Tequila Valleys region a "World Heritage" for its production of agave plants. Todos Santos is one of those storied beach towns south of the border that seems to spring from literature. There's plenty to do in NYC. It is much friendlier than it used to be. On day 3 of my stay I was mugged at knife point on Av Miguel five blocks from Av Chapultepec, thankfully they only stole my phone and I was left unharmed. The weather is great and the people are very friendly. Roads and walkways are narrow and horrible. Its famous for its extensive surf spots and resort towns where youll find kayaking at Estero beach and surfing at San Miguel beach. Accommodation: Where to Stay in San Cristbal De Las Casas. software engineer). The nightlife and specially jazz clubs are amazing! Troncones - a tropical retreat The most popular areas with expats are the Caribbean, Pacific, Gulf of Mexico, and inner mountainous towns. Internet is crazy fast (I got 500mb on my airbnb) there are tons to do and see and I did not encounter the super rude Parisians people talk so much about, mostly everyone spoke English and were very polite. Want to know more? Look forward to hearing back on your adventures! Ajijic is full of color thanks to its murals and cobblestone streets, restaurants, galleries, textile stores, inns, cafes and bars. Markets hum with activity, and the faint scent of incense seems to hang in the air. 3 hours or More pets, fewer vets bring strain on veterinary profession. With a history quite literally steeped in the world-famous Mexican spirit, Tequila began producing so much of it because of the acres of surrounding agave fields that grow in the region. A well-known suburb of Guadalajara, the significantly smaller city of Tlaquepaque is a guaranteed way to escape the metropolitan hustle and bustle and lose yourself in its quaint charm. Local markets and organic farming stalls are plentiful, but large-scale supermarket shopping would involve a trip to Cabo San Lucas, where American-style supermarkets and outlets are in abundance as well as Mexican ones. #7 Best Value of 966 places to stay in Guadalajara. Theres also an excellent highway the Transpeninsular Highway which runs from Tijuana, the first border town in Mexico, all the way through Baja California. The sunsets are always spectacular here thanks to its high vantage point, so remember to bring your camera. Before you go, look up the neighbourhood as some places aren't safe. Good seafood and scenery. Why Kavanaugh, Barrett may be key to student loan cases at Supreme Court, Student loan debt: Families move or rent out rooms to afford tuition, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. New Age hippies have left their mark, as well, with art galleries and gourmet restaurants and cafs. In fact, it has a research center right in town. There are lots of local community activities to get involved in: environmental weekly beach clean-ups, poker-playing groups and retired meetups ideal for making new friends and finding inside community insight. Its climate is dry and mild except for the rainy season, which extends from July to mid-September. A well-known suburb of Guadalajara, the significantly smaller city of Tlaquepaque is a guaranteed way to escape the metropolitan hustle and bustle and lose yourself in its quaint charm. Remnants of the Mayan past can still be found, even though the Spanish made every attempt to overwhelm the centuries-old Mayan heritage. Is a great spot to hang out for a couple of days, enjoy some parties and nice food. The jewel-toned lake is the top selling point for the destination and a visit here is one of the top things to do in Mexico. Agricultural lands abound with fruit-producing trees such as papaya and mangoes with unspoilt beaches to match. In neighbouring Ajijic, there are some gated communities also. Map of Mexico - Best Small Towns for Tourists 1. Contact us to visit safely any of this towns, we recommend to bring a licensed tour guide with you ! Playa del Carmen is around 30 minutes away from the main airport of Cancun. There are a few good spots to co-work and the internet has been fine (not the best but more than usable for remote work i.e. The town does have several colonial churches worth a visit. I feel very safe in Guadalajara. From the Maya to the Spanish explorers and pirates, and later from backpacking bohemians to wealthy second-homers from Mexico City, Bacalar has a little bit of something for everyone. I have done about 2.5 months total in PV (two separate trips). The state of Chiapas itself is packed with Mexico's sightseeing gems, from the ruins at Palenque to the Sumidero Canyon. Narrow streets, is shown smiling and enigmatic, its whitewashed houses and red roofs make the perfect combination with the green of the lush vegetation. Plenty of good transportation in those areas - subway, buses or Uber. Many expats live in the state of Nayarit, north of the Ameca River. Closer to downtown is Playa la Madera, which is lined with beach restaurants and is where many of the locals come to relax for the day. An authentic place divided into two principal areas a resort bay on the Santiago peninsula and the commercial downtown area. However, it is heavily mixed with European, U.S, and Canadian tourists who stay in the all-inclusive resorts in Playa del Carmen, or day-trip to Tulum or from their Cancun resort. PV was originally a quiet fishing village in the 1960s but has expanded rapidly over time. The riverside Tlacotalpan is a gorgeous colonial town in the Gulf state of Veracruz. Nomad List members liked going here a lot, Many Nomad List members here all year round, If you'd like to filter destinations based on their climate, try Nomad List's Climate Finder. If you're writing about data being wrong, please don't do it here as it'll be removed but leave feedback in the bottom right of the frontpage. If you need to book a flight, search for the It is approximately 77 miles from Guadalajara in the Southeast region of the state. They all have varied climates and a host of amenities and leisure activities. And then there are the beachesthree, to be exact. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Zihuatanejo. As the capital of Jalisco - the state which gifted mariachi, tortas ahogadas and tequila to the world, lest we forget - Guadalajara boasts a big-city feel and small-town charm, and is chock full of unique sights and sounds that more than justify paying it a visit. The nearest recorded water source (Lake, River or Coastline) with a "designated shoreline" to Guadalajara is 124.02 mi away. Because of its flora and fauna. You're going to want to cue the Coldplay when you stumble at the doorstep of the town of Izamalbecause it really is all yellow. Check out PV or anywhere west coast instead. It also has a high concentration of historic buildings, showing off arcades of arched porticoes, regal columns, and ornate detail. During the coldest months (January and February) it can drop below freezing. But my experience living in this part of town has been pretty amazing overall. Almost everyone I met has horror stories about being robbed at gunpoint, robbed by the police, and in one case even drugged and robbed by a taxi driver. Popular areas for expats are the Las Brisas area which faces the ocean with a real Colonia feel and the Santiago peninsula which includes the well-known La Punta and Las Hadas residential areas. It's a fantastic little town - there are lots of tourists but there are many local joints and great spots with less people if you're willing to get out of the town square. It's a haven for haute hippies, whose turn on words include "organic," "yoga," and "artisanal." The archeological site is nestled within the deep jungle, down. However, recently the town has received extra funds from the government to improve roads and infrastructure and build a new highway to connect Todos Santos to La Paz and Cabo San Lucas, so realtors are looking into developing the area to attract expat and local buyers. It has a vibrant yet peaceful environment that is the perfect balance between activity and relaxation. Wander the mountain roads in Taxco while looking for centuries-old silver, or sip a fresh fruit smoothie on the powder-soft beaches of Tulum. Tlaquepaque is a shopper's and art-lover's paradise, splashed in color, packed with galleries and boutiques, and restaurants. 14.04 nm. The nearest cities to Guadalajara are Guadalajara, Aguascalientes, Puerto Vallarta and Sayulita. Read on to find out which are our 15 best day trips from Guadalajara. San Miguel de Allende a hub for expat artists, 5. This beautiful mountain town, wrapped in a huge blanket of forests and streams with a fresh annual temperature of around 21 C, and has all the amenities to make your visit an experience to remember. In the world, with a population of some 60,000 people archaeological that. Bulk of the Mayan past can still be found, even though the Spanish made every attempt to the! 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