by LCR 
Incredible climate and natural beauty
One of my reasons for moving to Lake Chapala was to get away from the hot Oaxacan summers and cold winters. The high utility costs that go along with the extreme temperatures. Now, I live in San Nicolas de Ibarra, Lake Chapala. The temperature is around 75-80 degrees during the day and around 65-70 degrees at night. I don’t even have or need an air conditioner or heater in my house. This is how I was able to go from $150 – $200 USD monthly electric bills in Oaxaca to $25 USD monthly electric bills in Lake Chapala. It’s a big savings, but even more importantly, it’s simply a BEST way to live! The amazing weather and natural beauty just add to all the good things.
If I feel like a warmer climate, in about 4 hours I can be on a Pacific beach, either in Manzanillo or Puerto Vallarta.
Natural Beauty
One of the things that make Lake Chapala so special and sought after as a retirement retreat is its natural beauty and incredible climate. Some people have dreamed all their lives of living near the ocean. And some people dream of never shoveling snow again. Lake Chapala communities (Chapala, San Antonio Tlayacapan, Ajijic, Jocotepec…) can accommodate both!
But Lake Chapala is located between the Mountains on the shore of Lake Chapala. As a result it is far from the hurricane belt and therefore its residents do not have to worry about hurricanes or tropical storms.
The weather in Lake Chapala
The weather in Lake Chapala, Ajijic, San Antonio Tlayacapan, and the surrounding communities is pleasant and warm throughout the year. It never snows and the temperature rarely exceeds 32°C for long periods of time. Located only 2,257.64 km from the equator, Lake Chapala has almost 12 hours of sunshine and darkness in winter. November – April with a variation of a few hours between the months of April – November where it is longest in the sun. The sun is a natural antidepressant, and 12 hours of it every day can often be a cure for those seasonal blues. Near the ocean, in places like Manzanilla, Puerto Vallarta and Bucerías, the weather tends to be hotter and more humid. In the mountain towns, such as Mazamitla and Tapalpa, the weather is cooler and spring-like.
One of my reasons for moving to Lake Chapala was to get away from the hot Oaxacan summers and cold winters.
You can enjoy the perfect climate at Lake Chapala, as the area has temperate climates. So, if you dream of never having to use the air conditioning in your house again, but still want daily sunny days, you can find that at Lake Chapala.
Lake Chapala has a truly amazing landscape, with lush vegetation, miles of shoreline, many small nearby communities, rugged mountains, dense thickets and a seemingly endless variety of plants and animals. Lake Chapala is 11 km wide at its narrowest point and 80 km at its longest stretch. From the mountaintop above San Pedro Itzican, on a clear day, you can see both Jalisco and Michoacán at the same point.
Wildlife in Lake Chapala
Lake Chapala is home to over 100″ s of bird species, all of different sizes and beautiful colors. Including a dozen species of Hummingbirds, Orioles and Pigeons.
Although sightings of these are rare in residential areas, there are reports of many different types of snakes and lots of insects. Most people will see a scorpion or two a year in their homes and very rarely get stung by one because they are usually found once dead. See below for the wonderful creatures that abound in our area. https://www.inaturalist.org/check_lists/39671-Chapala-Check-List
