Settling into San Antonio, Lake Chapala: Our First Month of New Routines, Sunsets & Connections
Joe and I have officially wrapped up our first month living in San Antonio Tlayacapan, right in the heart of the Lake Chapala region of Mexico. This area has already begun to feel like home as we adjust to new rhythms, soak in the local culture, and enjoy the slower pace of life by the lake.
New Routines in a New Place
This past month has been all about settling into fresh routines- walking to most places, picking up fresh fruit and vegetables at the market, going to my local yoga studio, swimming in the pool on hot afternoons, Spanish practice, and biking around town. I’m learning to bike along the cobblestone streets—challenging, but a good way to get quickly to nearby towns.
One of the most simple yet rewarding parts of our days is making time for sunsets on the malecón. From our house, it’s only a five-minute walk, and on evenings when we don’t have plans, it feels silly not to go. The views of the lake and mountains are simply breathtaking, and the malecón is always great for dog watching.
Music Around Every Corner
One evening, as we walked down for the malecon sunset, we stumbled upon a band setting up with the lake as their backdrop. It was a magical moment. From live music to mariachi bands we hear in he distance from our patio, the streets here are alive with rhythm.
Trivia, Connection, and Friendships
Another night, we joined new friends at a local cocktail bar for trivia night. While waiting at the bar, I struck up a conversation with a woman who has lived here for four years. As we swapped stories about what drew us to the area, she teared up describing the magic and energy of this place. We hugged, and just like that, I made another connection. That’s the beauty of this community—people are open, curious, and eager to connect in ways I rarely experienced back in the States.
Day Trips & Everyday Life
Driving into Guadalajara is its own adventure, especially for official errands like obtaining RFC cards or visiting doctors. The traffic is intense, and the pace of the city feels worlds away from Lake Chapala. On one trip, our driver—who had been deported from the U.S. after living in North Carolina since age 16—shared his story. It was heartbreaking and another reminder of the complicated realities of life between borders.
Another big adjustment has been living in a cash-based economy. Unlike back home where I almost never carried cash, here it’s essential and small bills are gold. At first it felt inconvenient, but there’s also a certain charm. Life here feels more personal, more connected to neighbors, and in some ways like stepping back in time.
Community, Parties & Celebration
This past weekend was filled with social moments and cultural experiences. We attended our first birthday party in Mexico, held in a hillside development in Ajijic with a pool, live mariachi band, and plenty of dancing. The crowd was a lively mix of Mexicans and expats, and the celebration flowed naturally from house party to bar to late-night club with a DJ.
On Sunday, we celebrated another new friend’s birthday with a delicious meal at the inn where we first stayed during our scouting trip to Ajijic. I don’t usually eat filet mignon back in the States, but here it’s affordable and abundant—a little luxury I’m happy to indulge in.
Later, we joined a local environmental festival raising awareness for Lake Chapala. The vibe was youthful and vibrant, with people bringing their own drinks, dancing in the rain, and enjoying two very different bands—one that had everyone dancing in circles and another that launched the crowd into a wild ska mosh pit. It felt like a throwback to my college days in the ’90s, full of energy, joy, and freedom.
Already Feeling Like Home
What stands out most to me after this first month is how easy it is to feel connected here. Whether on the malecón, at the market, or during a night out, conversations spark effortlessly, friendships form quickly, and the sense of community is strong. People greet each other on the streets, music is always within earshot, and life flows with a kind of openness and joy that I find deeply refreshing.
As Joe and I move into our second month in San Antonio, I’m excited to keep building routines, improving my Spanish, and saying “yes” to the many opportunities for connection and celebration that seem to find us every single day.
