Paying your Property Tax “Predial” in Mexico January in Mexico is more than pleasant weather. It is the time to pay property taxes to receive a discount. Mexican property taxes are known as predial, and like most places these taxes are used to operate local governments.  As north of the US-Mexican border, there is a discount for paying the entire tax early; here we pay by the end of February to be...

Year Round Events, Activities and Entertainment  in Ajijic & Chapala One of the favorite big events in recent years, at least for women, is a spring fashion show sponsored by Cruz Roja (Red Cross Mexico). Several hundred women and a few husbands show up for lunch and a view of very attractive women, most seniors, in popular and creative designs. They take the runway with the flair of celebrities....

Roads in Mexico – Toll Roads, Libres (Free Roads), Checkpoints Having made it successfully through Customs at Nuevo Laredo, we headed south and found the traffic slowed for a check point. Young men in uniform, with guns, looking completely serious, checked us over lightly, as well as the contents of our vehicle, asking where we were headed. “Lake Chapala,” we answered. The head man, who looked about...

Getting Car Insurance for US, Canadian and Mexican plated cars First, you must have Mexican car insurance if you are bringing your car into the country whether for a visit using an FMM entry visa or to live in Mexico with an FM2 or FM3. If you are driving in, you can use Mexican insurance you purchase on the northern side of the border but that will serve you for only the limited time you specified. You...

Recently, I took a bus trip to the beach town of San Blas. When I told my friends in Ajijic that I was going to San Blas, most of them did not know of the place. When I was in San Blas and told people I was from Ajijic, most of them had never heard of it. It only takes about five hours to drive to San Blas and seven hours by bus. It is an easy bus ride. Man Walking on Borrego Beach The way I did it...

How do I arrange my last Will and Testament in Mexico Is my Last Will & Testament from the US or Canada valid in Mexico? Good question. So take your Will to a Mexican lawyer and discuss it. Be sure that the Spanish version created matches your wishes. Keep both the original Will and the Mexican Will for your executor or executrix. And how does the executor handle things in Mexico? Be sure the lawyer...

How do we apply for needed visas to stay FMM, Temporal or Permanente In early November, 2012, Immigration (INM) in Mexico made some of the most significant changes in years to the entire immigration system. Here is a breakdown of the new visa’s, how to obtain them, and how to renew them. There are now 3 significant visas that will fit 99% of most foreigners visiting or living in Mexico, and those are...

Legal & Immigration in Lake Chapala and Ajijic We know it can become confusing when trying to find out about certain legal and immigration maters before moving to a foreign country. This is why we have made it a little easier for you to understand certain basic legal and immigration procedures that you will undergo once you come to Mexico for a visit or even if you are planning retirement in the Lake...

How to get a driver’s license in Mexico There are so many details we have to adjust to when we make a move to another country, starting with language and law. But most of it is pretty familiar once we begin. For instance, Lakeside we have many signs and residents who are bilingual. We have specialists who help us with things we do not understand. Let’s address the issue of Drivers Licenses as an...

Sundays on the Ajijic Plaza are always fun. Many times there are various art and craft shows and events on the plaza. It is a great place to meet up with friends. There is always music, entertainment and lots of fun to be had. Canadian Couple Enjoying Ice Cream on the Ajijic Plaza The Ajijic Society of Arts and Crafts had a show this past Sunday. I love to see all the beautiful things and paintings...