CalamariKid Posted September 25, 2019 Report Share Posted September 25, 2019 My wife and I will be visiting the region for about a week in November. This will be our first time to vist the area. For reference,we’ve rented a spot at a home near the Lake Chapala Society. I’m planning on not renting a car, but taking at taxi from Guadalajara and, if need be, hiring a local taxi to get around, though we plan on doing a lot of walking around. I’m looking for advice on the practicality of relying on taxis as opposed to renting a car - are taxis widely available in the area? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daisy2013 Posted September 25, 2019 Report Share Posted September 25, 2019 First time we came here to visit we did rent a car. Best thing we did as we could go anywhere at any time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pappysmarket Posted September 25, 2019 Report Share Posted September 25, 2019 1 hour ago, CalamariKid said: are taxis widely available in the area? Thanks! Only when you don't really need one...when you do, say after they roll up the sidewalks at 8:00...nada! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sue Posted September 25, 2019 Report Share Posted September 25, 2019 If you are really interested in seeing the area rent a car. Ajijic is fun to walk around but it is hilly and with the cobblestones exhausting to walk far when you are not used to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Posted September 25, 2019 Report Share Posted September 25, 2019 Rent a car. Unless you are coming from an equivalent altitude, your one week stay is unlikely enough time to acclimatize. You'll be tired quickly between negotiating that and the cobblestones. Please drive defensively and enjoy your stay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickS Posted September 25, 2019 Report Share Posted September 25, 2019 Who is the local "rent a wreck" guy.... Mark Turford? P.S. No disrespect meant using the phrase rent-a-wreck.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyjillin Posted September 25, 2019 Report Share Posted September 25, 2019 We were only interested in Chapala or Jocotepec because the central parts are flat with sidewalks wider than 2 feet. walked all over Chapala for the 2 weeks we were here and stopped for the afternoon at the Superior Grill and Cafe Paris where we met a lot of people that gave us good info. Spent 2 days with RE agents who drove us around including Ajijic and Jocotepec. Seeing Ajijic with them confirmed my previsit research, which included but not limited to talking on the phone with people that were in this area, that we didn't want to live there. Now many years in Chapala in the same house in a primarily Mexican barrio. Feet on the ground beats driving or cabbing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RVGRINGO Posted September 25, 2019 Report Share Posted September 25, 2019 We were slow learners, spending 2001-2004 in Ajijic, before selling and moving to Chapala, where we bought, and stayed for a decade, 2004-2014. We were much happier in Chapala. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utilitus Posted September 25, 2019 Report Share Posted September 25, 2019 Just out of curiosity, based on reasonably recent experience, how much does a minimal vehicle rental run per week Lakeside, all in? Very rough calculation seems to indicate that due mainly to insurance requirements and rates, an airport rental might cost US$50/day. Seems high... Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yo1 Posted September 25, 2019 Report Share Posted September 25, 2019 Use drivers. Do you want to have to try to find a place when addresses makes no sense in Mexico. Or be concerned about traffic and one way streets with no arrows. Driving in Mexico is NOTHING like driving up north. A driver will take you anywhere, any time you want to go. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pappysmarket Posted September 25, 2019 Report Share Posted September 25, 2019 1 hour ago, Yo1 said: Or be concerned about traffic and one way streets with no arrows. What would be the concern? One way signs are only suggestions, watch how the Mexicans obey them and as long as you're only going one way... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yo1 Posted September 26, 2019 Report Share Posted September 26, 2019 I learned a long time ago that as long as nobody gets hurt, who cares. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Islander Posted September 26, 2019 Report Share Posted September 26, 2019 To OP: Coming for a week and staying in central Ajijic without a vehicle is fine. There is not enough time to do long distance exploration trips. Hop on the bus and go to Chapala, walk on their malecon and the main street up and down. That will give you basic idea what the town is about. Talk to a real estate person to show you few areas around Ajijic where foreigners like to live.. ( You might be a customer in the future.) There are lots of real estate offices around. You might need a taxi to get your supplies home from the stores. (Walmart, Superlake tianguis etc) But other than that enjoy your few days in Ajijic. You might need few days to walk around to get acquainted. On your following trip (if you decide to come again) you will be much wiser and know if you need to rent a car or not. That is what I would do on my first short trip. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalamariKid Posted September 27, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 27, 2019 Thank you all so much for the advice - I’m looking forward to our trip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azmaggie Posted September 27, 2019 Report Share Posted September 27, 2019 I have very nice relatively new and low mileage vehicles for rent in the village. Very reasonable prices. Call Margaret 331-177-6330. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ComputerGuy Posted September 27, 2019 Report Share Posted September 27, 2019 azmaggie, I would be hesitant to call a one-time poster about renting anything this important, without a little more public information. eg: are you a business. Do you do this full time. Where. What kind of cars. Insurance. Website. References. etc. etc etc. Always looking for reasonable rental vehicles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafterbr Posted September 27, 2019 Report Share Posted September 27, 2019 Since you don't know the area driving a car will be very confusing to you. Ride the buses and get a feel for the area, walk the streets in Ajijic, San Antonio and Chapala. From where you are the plaza is a short distance and there is a taxi stand there where you can get a taxi. Ask here for taxi driver recommendations. A good driver will take you anywhere you want to go with a simple phone call. Usually if they are busy and can't come they will send someone else. Using taxis will be a lot cheaper than renting a car and they will have a world of useful information for you. Once you have a taxi driver they will pick you up at the airport and take you back. Taxi drivers from the airport sometimes do not know Ajijic and have trouble finding the address where you are staying. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Honorandfaith Posted September 28, 2019 Report Share Posted September 28, 2019 There is also Uber. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Honorandfaith Posted September 28, 2019 Report Share Posted September 28, 2019 I have rented AzMaggies cars several times. They are clean, well-serviced, and INSURED FOR THE RENTER TO DRIVE. Everything is in order. You can feel secure. She is a long-time Ajijic resident, and well known in the community. No concerns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cincy Posted September 29, 2019 Report Share Posted September 29, 2019 On all our pre-retirement visits (4) to Ajijic my wife and I rented a car at the airport and drove all over the place from Guadalajara centro to Manzanillo on the coast and back. Looking back I would do the same again. Also, we walked many miles around the streets of Ajijic, San Antonio, Rancho del Oro and even up into the mountains. Driving is a little different here and can be somewhat stressful at times. If you feel confident driving in unfamiliar surroundings do consider renting a small car... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lakeside7 Posted September 29, 2019 Report Share Posted September 29, 2019 On 9/25/2019 at 6:36 AM, CalamariKid said: My wife and I will be visiting the region for about a week in November. This will be our first time to vist the area. For reference,we’ve rented a spot at a home near the Lake Chapala Society. I’m planning on not renting a car, but taking at taxi from Guadalajara and, if need be, hiring a local taxi to get around, though we plan on doing a lot of walking around. I’m looking for advice on the practicality of relying on taxis as opposed to renting a car - are taxis widely available in the area? Thanks! Do you have a secure place to park a rental car...I would use a cab or bus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pappysmarket Posted September 29, 2019 Report Share Posted September 29, 2019 8 minutes ago, Cincy said: Driving is a little different here and can be somewhat stressful at times. Just remember that the largest vehicle has the right of way and you will be fine. You probably think I'm pulling your leg...but I'm not. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slainte39 Posted September 29, 2019 Report Share Posted September 29, 2019 1 hour ago, pappysmarket said: Just remember that the largest vehicle has the right of way and you will be fine. You probably think I'm pulling your leg...but I'm not. Kind of works that way with human bodies as well, unless they are a NRA member 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mainecoons Posted September 30, 2019 Report Share Posted September 30, 2019 It really all depends on how far afield you want to travel on this first trip. Everything from Ajijic east to Chapala is very walkable and the buses are frequent and cheap to travel between the towns. First time here we didn''t have a car, second time rented at the airport and paid too much. Third time we had our own. Driving in Mexico is very different from driving in the U.S. starting with the bad roads and unpredictable drivers. After you are here a while you realize the Mexicans are really quite skilled for the most part if having a bit of a Nascar mentality. If you want to take longer trips, say for example to the mountain towns of Mazamitla or Tapalpa you'll definitely want to have a car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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