| Lake Chapala, Mexico, increasingly is becoming a | | | | Hotels are typically in the more noisy parts of |
| popular destination for Canadian and American | | | | town. When you are residing in a residential area |
| retirees. A great way to 'test the waters' for | | | | you will meet your neighbors and get the sense |
| retirement is to stay in one of Ajijic vacation | | | | of Ajijic community if this is an area you are |
| rentals. | | | | considering for retirement in Mexico. |
| 1. Try it, see if you like it! Staying in vacation | | | | 6. Staying at an Ajijic hotel it is almost impossible |
| home rentals are a great alternative to Ajijic | | | | to sleep late in the morning. The maids are noisy |
| Hotels. When you rent a vacation home you'll get | | | | as they clean the rooms and you always hear the |
| much more space, a relaxed environment and for | | | | other guest talking or laughing as they walk down |
| sure more privacy. You can do things on your | | | | the hall. At a vacation rental home in Ajijic you |
| time frame, not the hotel's schedule. | | | | can sleep as late as you want, have a leisurely |
| 2. Get the inside scoop from the local folks. | | | | breakfast on the terrace and enjoy living on |
| Vacation rental home owners want their guests | | | | Mexican time. |
| to enjoy their Mexico vacation and then come | | | | 7. Travel in today's world requires packing very |
| back again and again. Many owners want to give | | | | light or paying for the extra luggage. Some |
| a more personal touch by providing advice on | | | | Mexican rental vacation homes even have laundry |
| places to go, and not go. Ajijic Restaurants to try, | | | | facilities. Pack light and wash a few loads of |
| even specific Mexican dishes to order and the | | | | clothes while relaxing with a margarita and reading |
| best way to get around the village. You'll learn | | | | a good book. |
| about the best Lake Chapala shopping and | | | | 8. Safety is another factor when considering an |
| Guadalajara sight seeing. Hotel personal pitch the | | | | Ajijic rental. Hotels have lots of staff and most |
| places they get a kickback (uh, commission) from | | | | have access to your room. That can make you |
| when hotel guests sign up for the tour services. | | | | more vulnerable to theft. In a vacation rental |
| And you get brochures about things to do and | | | | home the maid and the gardener might have a |
| places to go rather than the personal | | | | key to the property. But typically, they have |
| recommendation of a property owner. | | | | been working for the owners for some time and |
| 3. When traveling with friends or relatives you can | | | | the owners have total trust in them. |
| save a lot of money by renting a vacation rental. | | | | 9. The amenities of a rental home far exceed the |
| If you rented hotel rooms for everyone in your | | | | cramped space and the basics that typical hotel |
| party, the costs add up quickly. Plus, the added | | | | rooms offer. You won't have to share a small |
| advantage of hanging out together in the living | | | | hotel bathroom, many rental homes have at least |
| room, kitchen or family room and private outdoor | | | | 2 baths with lots of room. Plus you have the |
| area. | | | | outdoors right there. Gardens, terraces and |
| 4. The ability to cook some of your own meals in | | | | maybe an outdoor grill, to cook some fresh fish |
| a fully equipped kitchen can help a lot with the | | | | or a big steak. |
| budget by saving on Lake Chapala restaurant bills, | | | | 10. Lets face it when you stay at a hotel in Ajijic |
| although admittedly the restaurants are quite | | | | there are a lot of rooms with a lot of guests for |
| affordable. Eating only some of your meals out | | | | one manager to deal with. Plus that manager also |
| also helps when traveling with folks who have | | | | needs to manage a large staff to maintain the |
| picky appetites or may be on special diets. You | | | | hotel property. When staying at a vacation rental |
| can prepare your food the way you like it and | | | | home by owner you are the only guests for that |
| enjoy dining in the garden or terrace of your | | | | owner so you can be assured you will have his or |
| home. | | | | her undivided attention. Don't hesitate to try out a |
| 5. Often vacation homes are located in residential | | | | vacation rental home. Vacation home stays in |
| areas, which can provide a more tranquil setting. | | | | Mexico are becoming more popular way to travel. |