Are you dreaming of retiring in a picturesque and vibrant destination that offers an affordable cost of living, pleasant weather year-round, and a welcoming community? Look no further than Ajijic, Mexico. Nestled alongside the stunning Lake Chapala, this charming town has become a haven for retirees seeking a peaceful yet enriching retirement experience. With its tranquil cobblestone streets, colourful colonial architecture, and diverse expat community, Ajijic offers an idyllic setting to enjoy your golden years. In this article, Ajijic Mexico for retirees, we will explore why Ajijic is increasingly becoming the go-to destination for retirees looking to live out their retirement dreams in paradise. Could Ajijic Mexico be the best place for retirees to live?
After spending some time there housesitting for ex-pats, and understanding why it was so popular we would say it is up there as one of the best retirement destinations in Mexico.
Another popular destination that we have loved in our travels is Puerto Escondido for retirees. If you are a lover of the Pacific Coast of Mexico and looking for real estate Puerto Escondido has land and property available to suit all budgets.
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If you are considering Ajijic on Lake Chapala Moving to Mexico’s Lake Chapala gives you all the practical advice you need to make an informed decision.

Where is Ajijic, Mexico
Ajijic (pronounced ah-hee-heek) sits on the northern shore of Mexico’s largest lake – Lake Chapala surrounded by the Sierra Madre Mountains. 4.8km away is the town of Chapala, and to the west the smaller town of San Juan Cosala, both popular with expat retirees.
Guadalajara, the capital of the state of Jalisco and the largest city in the state, is located 55km from Ajijic.
Ajijic Mexico Map

Why is Ajijic so popular with retirees
Slow Pace of Life

Life takes on a slow path in Ajijic. Why hurry when you have no stress in your life? You will see horses and their riders up and down the cobblestoned roads of Ajijic – it is a normal sight in this laid-back Mexican town. There is a steady stream of day-trippers who arrive in Ajijic to enjoy the lake, wander through the galleries and boutiques and enjoy the local Mexican cuisine.
Ajijic Weather
National Geographic has stated that Ajijic has the 2nd best climate in the world. The coolest months are December and January and the hottest is in May. On average, the temperature sits around 22 degrees, but we felt the chilly mornings in January, during the day, it was very pleasant.
The rainy season is from mid-June to mid-October.
It is one of those destinations where you can organize an outdoor BBQ or party and can guarantee that you will have good weather.
Ajijic Mexico Cost of Living
Cost of Renting an Apartment in Ajijic
According to Numbeo (a resourceful website on the cost of living in cities around the world) to rent a 1 bedroom apartment in the city centre would cost around MXN$14416 per month. Ajijic real estate is affordable for the ex-pat.
A 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre would cost around MXN$28222. A 2-bedroom apartment was not listed.
Ajijic house rental prices drop if you consider outside of the city centre:
MXN11715 for one bedroom apartment
MXN20,540 for 3 bedroom apartment
Cost of Buying an Apartment in Ajijic
The price for an apartment in the city centre will set you back around MXN$32418 per square meter
An apartment outside the city centre will cost you around MXN23,733 per square meter
Monthly Cost of Utilities in Ajijic for 85m2 Apartment
- Electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage MXN1284
- Internet (60 Mbps or more unlimited data, cable/ADSL) MXN488
- Mobile phone monthly plans with calls and 10GB data MXN301
Ajijic Restaurants – Where to eat in Ajijic
We enjoyed some great coffee and excellent cuisine at the various restaurants in Ajijic. Retiring in Lake Chapala has many benefits, including the great restaurants and cuisines available.
Cafe Black & White, Plaza Principal Open Monday to Sunday between 0830 and 2230
It’s Sunday; it Must Be Taco and Beer Time in Ajijic

Just beside Cafe Black and White on a Sunday lunchtime, a local stall sells freshly made Tacos and ice-cold beer – what more would a person want?
Pien Thai Restaurant (Now called Basil) – Calle Hidalgo 17. The food was very good, and the menu was varied. They cater well for vegetarians. Pien Thai is popular with locals and visitors. It’s such a great setting as well.
Chile Verde – Colon 25
This is a great local Mexican restaurant near Plaza Principal and a popular venue for locals.
For the top ten restaurants in Ajijic click the link below:
Things to do in Ajijic

Wednesday Market Ajijic– a great place to shop for fruit and vegetables and household goods as well as usual market goods
There are a few markets around Ajijic -click here for the latest reviews by travellers and locals of which are the best markets to visit in Ajijic.
Shopping in Ajijic
Ajijic has many art galleries and boutiques in the cobblestoned streets, a great way to spend a few hours.
For reviews of shopping in Ajijic click here.
Architecture To Enjoy As You Wander the Back Streets of Ajijic

The charm of Ajijic is the many colourful colonial buildings in Ajijic scattered around the cobblestoned streets. You could spend a few hours just wandering around and up and down the streets and enjoying the old-world charm.

The Malecon on Lake Chapala in Ajijic is great for enjoying picture-perfect sunrises or sunsets. The best time for a walk is before the day’s heat sets in. Weekends are family time, and you will see families setting up areas around the Malecon for parties and get-togethers.

Hiking in Ajijic
There are many hiking trails in the mountains that surround Ajijic. There are four major trails and many lesser trails. Ajijic has a Hiking Club that meets weekly. Click here for more details on hiking in and around Ajijic.
Lake Chapala Society
Set in a beautiful garden area, the Lake Chapala Society offers many activities to its over 3,000 members. There is a library, a cafe, organised bus tours, and assistance for expats who have settled in Ajijic.
Where to stay in Ajijic
Do you need accommodation whilst checking out Ajijic?
Casa de la Abuela, Galeana, 75, Ajijic, Mexico.
There are 10 available rooms in this Bed & Breakfast in Ajijic that include an outdoor pool, and some rooms have a partial view of Lake Chapala, which is a 15-minute walk away. Breakfast is included.
Guest review: The room was excellent and very comfortable. A/C was a bonus! The grounds are charming, and there is a very, very tiny lake view. Breakfast was excellent and cooked to order. Note that Ajillic streets are very long so the number of blocks is deceptive. Try doubling them to get a truer, correspondingly normal walking distance. I would stay here again
La Riberena: Calle del Lago 42, Colonia la Canacinta, Ajijic, Mexico.
This 9-roo,m 3-star hotel on Lake Chapala offers an outdoor pool, sun terrace, sundeck, bar and restaurant.
Guest review: The place is nice and calm, lakefront, and the staff was beyond friendly and helpful
Hotel del Pescador: Carretera Chapala Jocotepec # 1008 Col. Centro Ajijic Jal., Ajijic, Mexico. A 26 room hotel that offers a jacuzzi and pool for guests.
Guest review: Quiet, nice pool, breakfast was good
For more Ajijic hotel options:
How to get to Ajijic
The nearest airport is Guadalajara, 38 km away.
Check out the latest transfers from Guadalajara Airport below (NB) there are a variety of transfers from private to shared
For more information click here
Flight Deals
Find the cheapest flights with Skyscanner – our ‘go-to’ when researching and booking flights.
Bus Travel
Bus travel is excellent in Mexico. We travelled all over Mexico using the ADO and Primera Plus bus services.
For bus schedules and ticket prices, click here.
Need a hotel close to Guadalajara Airport
We recommend staying at the La Villa del Ensueno Boutique hotel located close to the airport. You can read our review here.
Do You Need an E-Sim?
Using an eSIM from e-Simatic when you travel offers convenience, flexibility, and cost savings. With no physical SIM card required, you can easily activate a local or international data plan before or during your trip. e-Simatic’s eSIMs provide reliable mobile coverage in multiple countries, eliminating the hassle of swapping SIM cards or dealing with expensive roaming charges. Stay connected for navigation, communication, and sharing your adventures without interruption, making your travel experience smoother and more enjoyable.
Do You Need a Visa for Mexico?
Travel Insurance
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Tour from Guadalajara to Lake Chapala and Ajijic
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Having just visited for a few days, I can completely understand why this place is so popular with retirees. We loved it. So tranquil, relaxing, beautiful and easy place to live. (And what a great location fir a house sit!) We’re in our mid-30’s but I already want to retire in Ajijic! This is great info – now I understand just how affordable it may be. ?
Hi John
We would definitely go back again and there are a lot of house sits available throughout the year there.
Glad you enjoyed the article.