Our Seminar
Discover, Learn & Live what it's like to Retire in Lake Chapala with our 6 day/7 night seminar.
We guide you every step of the way and show you what day to day life is like!
Note: This is not a group seminar but rather one on one! Your week is personalized to your needs.
Day 1 Sunday
*Our driver will collect you at the airport and deliver you to your private, Luxury Studio Apartment for your stay at Buena Fortuna.
Depending on your arrival time this is a flex day.
After our meet and greet, you will have time to freshen up before we head to Casa Linda. This dinner is complimentary. This is a great opportunity to unwind and for all of us to get to know each other better.
Then relax and enjoy a refreshing night's sleep in your king sized bed.
Day 2 Monday
Your day starts with fresh pastries from the authentic French Patisserie while listening to the birdies and sipping gourmet coffee in our Tree of Life Garden.
Energized, we'll head out on a 3 hour discovery tour of the local communities covering West Ajijic to east of Chapala.
During this trip we'll pause for lunch and afterwards we will stroll the Chapala Malecon.
We'll meet with an insurance agent to learn about Health, auto, and home insurances.
Then we'll sit down and speak with a representative of S&S Auto and learn all about owning a vehicle.
After a late afternoon siesta we'll be charged and ready for dinner & dancing at Adalita's Restaurant in San Antonio
Day 3 Tuesday
Breakfast at Casa Linda, then to the Tuesday organic market where you can buy freshly prepared foods for dinner and enjoy the many organic products available.
Afterward we'll set out to explore areas West of Ajijic to Jocotepec. Lunch will be in a delightful Mexican eatery in the center of Jocotepec.
Visit with a Rental Agent/Property Manager and view a few rentals. Learn about rental contracts and property management services.
Returning late afternoon you'll have some free time to relax before dining on the prepared meals you purchased at the Tuesday market.
Day 4 Wednesday
Today we start with breakfast at Cafe Negro followed by the Ajijic Farmers Market. The biggest and best market in Ajijic!
We'll attend a SkyMed Seminar to learn about the possibly of purchasing evacuation insurance.
Tour Ajijic and stroll on the Ajijic Malecon and central streets where you will have a chance to do some shopping and have lunch.
Visit with a Moving company representative and learn about moving costs, logistics, visa requirements, and manaje de casa
Explore real estate purchasing options in preparation for your property tour on Friday afternoon
Dinner with your hosts (or without) is optional at the Brew Pub.
Day 5 Thursday
Enjoy the scrumptious breakfast delivered to your room.
Visit with an Immigration Lawyer to discuss Residency Visas
Visit with an insurance representative of San Antonio Hospital and find out what coverage you have with Medicare Advantage.
Lunch at LCS Cafeteria. Explore the Lake Chapala Society Grounds and programs.
Visit with with a local doctor trained in the U.S for a 1.5 hour consultation about medical care options, expenses, plus availability of drugs and costs in Mexico.
Dinner is on your own. Transportation provided if needed.
Day 6 Friday
We start your day off right with a hearty breakfast at Casa del Waffle.
We'll discuss day to day living activities: shopping on line, paying utilities and bills, banking, local services, employees, and much more.
This is your afternoon to view homes for sale in the Lakeside areas that appeal to you most.
Dinner is at the delightful Mexican Restaurant Teocintle in Ajijic at 7:00
Day 7 Saturday
Your final full day is YOURS to plan as you please OR to complete your training with questions & answers on any topics that come to mind. All questions will be addressed so that you leave feeling confident that you can make your move successfully to Lake Chapala. We are here to help in any way possible from the beginning to the end of your transition!
Airport transportation will be provided for your return flight on Sunday or as required.
*Please note that this is a sample itinerary. This seminar is about YOU and YOUR NEEDS and will be tailored appropriately.
You may also wish to meet with other professionals, spend a day viewing assisted care facilities, relax in the evenings instead of going dancing, attend special events, parades, concerts, etc.
Lake Chapala Personal Retirement Seminar
As part of our seminar you personally speak to an immigration lawyer, banker, moving company, insurance agent, rental agent, and real estate agent. These professionals will provide you with accurate information pertinent to you. If you would like to connect with other professionals such as dentists, cardiologists, tax accountants, etc, please let us know ahead of time.
Immigration topics
Visas, costs and how to obtain. Legal issues such as Mexican wills. Temporary Import Permits for your car.
Banking topics
A representative of Intercam Bank will help you explore money transfers, opening a bank account, and ways to handle your money in Mexico as well as address your individual financial questions.
Moving options
A representative from a local moving company will meet with you and discuss how to move your belongings to Mexico. This will include what you can and cannot bring, visa requirements, getting your belongings through customs and moving costs.
Medical Care
You'll speak with a doctor about your own personal health issues, available health care, hospitals and services, including costs. We can also arrange for you to see a dentist (please provide advance notice).
Insurance needs
Discuss with a broker from Bellon Insurance all of your personal needs for car, household and medical insurance.
Medical Evacuation
You'll attend a SkyMed Seminar and learn all about the possibilities of a medical evacuation membership.
Car Ownership and Purchasing
You'll discuss what visa you require to drive and purchase a car in Mexico, costs of vehicles and how to purchase.
Rental possibilities
A knowledgeable rental agent will provide information on rental properties, lease agreements on short & long term rentals, tenant & landlord rights, etc. Time can be made for you to view some rental properties with the agent.
Real Estate Agent
You will spend part of a day looking at real estate for sale and discuss the pros and cons of buying versus renting.
International Medical Insurance Specialist
You will speak with an agent representing a our largest local hospital and learn how you can use your medical insurance from your home country and under what circumstances.
This is the seminar where you get all of your top of mind questions answered! We provide information on: cost of living, crime, water quality, activities, hobbies, clubs, volunteer organizations, Lake Chapala Society, Telecommunications, entertainment, and so much more.
By the end you will be fully informed on how to make your move to Lake Chapala with confidence and have an understanding of where to look for and find anything you need.
As a special bonus you will become part of our Lakeside Family Network. We will be available to help you in any way possible to make your transition to Lake Chapala as easy and as successful as possible.
Testimonials
I can't imagine how long it would have taken to compile the information that was provided during this seminar and then make the appointments with the best professionals in the area --- maybe months!! Beyond helpful -- Invaluable! Not only did we get all our questions answered but we established relationships to help us move and live here full time.
Classy, professional, knowledgeable, and FUN! Ricardo & Michaela went the extra mile and exceeded all of our expectations, and we highly, highly recommend!
If I had to do this on my own it would have taken months of research and I would never have been sure that what I culled together from everyone else's was correct. So...this was invaluable.
You and Michaela's hospitality, the seminar, and finding our new home were incredible, as were the friends, the wonderful restaurants, and the excursions around Lakeside. It was a great experience and we're looking forward to our next trip.
Michaela and Ricardo have made my transition to Ajijic so warm and inviting, and I hope our friendship will last forever. You guys are the best!
I am so happy to have found this little village and the kindest of people.
Ricardo has been invaluable in leading us through the vagaries of preparing for the expat life in Lake Chapala.
We still have a lot of “homework” when we return to the U.S., but we have a clear path forward and a place to land when we return. Take, his seminar! You can’t do this on your own.