Jubilacion

Now, to continue riding this horse.... 🏇 I just went onto the Visa Debit Card Agreement (USA) and here's exactly what it says, and after reading it I'm once again thinking that the OP may have a point and the question about which local banks offer the best conversion may have some validity or am I missing something below? (As many have said how you calculate your conversion rate is not being done the same for everyone, though it should be). Page 4 of the VISA DEBIT AGREEMENT. 5.) ATM's OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES "If you use your Card to withdraw foreign currency from an ATM, or to pay for a purchase with foreign currency, we charge your account for the U.S. dollar equivalent of the transaction. Depending on the spe- cific arrangements that are in place, the exchange rate and calculation of the U.S. dollar equivalent will be done by the bank at which you conduct the trans- action, the network to which the ATM belongs, or Visa®. The bank or network may also charge a fee. The currency conversion rate used on the processing date may differ from the rate in effect on the pur- chase date or statement posting date. If the exchange is done by Visa®, the exchange rate between the transaction currency and the billing currency used for processing international transactions is as follows: a rate selected by Visa®from the range of rates available in wholesale currency markets for the appli- cable central processing date, which rate may vary from the rate Visa® itself receives, or the government- mandated rate in effect for the applicable central processing date, in each instance, plus or minus any adjustment determined by us

Hola Airchamby, Starlink 🚀 is only worth it if ACTUAL LIVE stats like this will please you at home.... 128 Mbps download; 7.6 Mbps upload, 45 ms Latency and no downtime greater than 3 secs in the past 12 hrs and that's on 7 devices. We live east of Vista del Lago and we had no options other than TelMex and Telcel which failed ☹️ horribly. Buena suerte!

I really have learned some things from all the comments so far, thanks to all! 1. Bellon and Parker are the most used Auto Insurance Brokers which isn't a big surprise (S&S sprinkled in there too). In an accident/claim who you get on the other end of the line - at either Brokerage - unfortunately seems to be a factor in how the claim goes. Persistence and more questions at the time is key to getting help if you're not satisfied. 2. Qualitas seems like a very good insurer with many positive comments and a couple HDI positives too. 3. Who is ANA? A couple of positive comments about them also, but I can't tell if they are a Broker or an Insurer? Anyone proveide more details? Muchas Gracias! 😎

We're purchasing a used (new to us) MX plated car. I know this site as Insuance sponsors but I'd prefer actual user recommendations from the Chapala Board. 1.) Who do you recommend as a top Lakeside Insurance Agency? 2.) Which Insurer can you recommend... HDI, Qualitas, Chubb, etc.. Muchas gracias!

Agua deliciosa! 🚰 We live east of Vista Del Lago and our well pump just had some work done on it. While I was assured all is well (pun intended!) I'd like to have it tested for basics like bacteria, algae, etc. The last thread I could find here was from 2016 & 2017 and was vague. Anyone heard of any local Lakeside service or lab? Saludos!

We have had our Starlink since early August 2022, and Starlink is RARELY down, even with heavy rain and storms. It only drops now if the power goes out. We live east of Vista del Lago (NO Totalplay, NO fiber optic, NO reliable TelMex or Telcel) and we're very glad for this option and HIGHLY RECOMMEND 😁 for strong (averages 100+ mbps down) and reliable service.

Where is the Recycling Center located? 📚

Just had some friends/neighbors drive down from Alberta a couple months back, with no issues. Used our suggestion of the Laredo Solidarity International Bridge (about 20 mins northwest of the main Laredo crossing) which is much less crowded and easy to get your vehicle TIP. They also stayed at the Midway Las Palmas hotel in Matehuala, San Luis Potosi as we did which is about a 6 hour drive from the border, with bathroom stops. You can book that hotel online in hotels.com or booking.com. It felt safe to us with a nice restaurant and pool. Bring pesos for the tolls (cuotas), no CC or USD, need your vehicle title for your TIP, and Mexican Auto Insurance policy.

A friend of mine let me take a look at a book on health she is reading from Tony Robbins, called "Life Force" (yep, the former motivational guru guy). It looked pretty interesting but I'm not willing to pay the big bucks on Amazon to get it down here. Has anyone a copy they aren't reading or seen one around Lakeside in a thrift? Muchas gracias! 🤓

They are out of California but that is not relevant to purchasing coverage. I chose a liability only policy with Qualitas that covers all of Mexico. I find their prices are very good and it is all done through online purchase and printing of documents. We are Temporal Residente for another couple years so I need this coverage each year.

Glad things worked out and thanks for taking the time to update your trip from the border! Many people will benefit from an updated, detailed review like yours! Bienvenido a casa al Lago Chapala & 🥳 Feliz Año Nuevo

I will second Colibri Garden! Excellent pies and most if not all are Gluten Free. Don't let that worry you, our friends who are not GF love these pies too. They are very near Letra CH restaurant and Doug's Auto in Chapala.

My wife and I recently viewed a 9-part Series on Natural Herbs 🌻 and Remdies that got us interested in a few of their suggestions and ideas. Can anyone recommend a good Herbalsit or Apothecary Lakeside or in Guadalajara? Muchas gracias!

Thanks for being specific on your expereince. The OP's info to me reads as a third-person expereince which is another word for rumor. Your expereince matched ours when we traveled to SFO in June on AeroMexico (FMM needed departing and returning); and late July departure to DFW on AA and early August returnon. FMM was NOT needed coming or going, As many of us say, "TIM!" This is Mexico!

Just to ride this "Starlink" horse 🏇 a little bit more here's an update.... Muchas gracias! As I've shared, living east of Vista del Lago we have struggled with internet the past two years. We are streamers Netflix, Prime, etc. TelMex was too slow with frequent buffering and outages (1.5 Mbps download, no lie); Telcel decent speed 10 Mbps but throttled usage which hurt us bad; then Starlink entered the picture and sealed the deal when they lowered prices. I ordered the system on 8/27. Starlink arrived 8/30 at iShop. I installed it 9/1 on the roof and were off to the races with speed and reliability. It installed easy as some of you have shared. The downtime and interruptions are non-existent and so far latency is very good. We couldn't be more pleased 2-weeks into service. Highly recommend and thank you to all who participated in this forum discussion!! 🇲🇽

Going out of business, maybe but doubtful. More likely as in the case of Starlink Mexico they weren't selling as many as they anticipated to support their service. When I first heard the price of Starlink Mexico identical to prices in the States, it was a head scratcher.... they would only attract wealthy Meicans and well-off expats. Now, I think they can reach more of the up and coming Mexican middle-class, and more expats who can fit the new prices into their budgets. Monthly service is $1,100 MX ($55 USD/ $72 CAD ) and equipment cost $8,300 MX ($420 USD/ CAD $540). Living east of Chapala in Tlachichilco (past Vista del Lago Country Club) it's a real option and we'll own the equipment and most of our forum users here who have Starlink seem very pleased with their decision. We may be next! 👾 🚀 💯

Nope, the form is NOT needed. We just flew to DFW a week or so on AA. Even though we had been to the INM kiosk, AA did not collect our bottom half. And, upon return clearing customs in GDL (we had kept and filled out the top half) INM did not want it and politely tossed it to the side. Seems, we were told later, this is a new pilot program first in GDL. The idea is to place the responsibility upon the airlines to properly check documents.

Thanks happyjillin! Don't have any teeth 🦷 issues now so seems it would be a good time to set-up a cleaning and relationship. Muchas gracias!

May I follow-up with a question too for happyjillin.... What is the name of the Dentist you have been using in Chapala. I remeber months ago you said she was near the bus station, is that correct? Is she still a Dentista you'd recommend? Gracias!

Excellent point and MUY IMPORTANTE! You can exchange currency in the town of Laredo. My recollection is it cost about $125 USD which today’s conversion is about $2,500 MX pesos. Plan for $3,000 MX

We crossed a year ago just north of Laredo at the Columbia International Bridge. Don’t worry about your FMM or auto TIP (Temporary Import Permit) in advance, you have to stop anyway. BUT, do get your Mexican Tourist Insurance and start it a few days before you arrive at the border just so you know it’s in force. My wife and I like the Las Palmas Midway Inn, Matehuala, San Luis Pitosi. It felt safe, nice restaurant, good rates (hotels.com or booking. com) and it broke the 12 hour drive from the border - ALL ON TOLL ROADS - in half. We had overnighted in Laredo, TX the night before crossing in the morning. FYI…. we had very good luck using the traffic and navigation app Waze.com instead of messing around with a navigation system. Worked great on our phone and continues to work well living in Mexico. Buena suerte!

SuzyQQ, I still participate in another forum called Expat Exchange. On our Mexico Forum a participant just posted the following requests for TR (Residente Temporal). Here is what the Consulate in Los Angeles is requiring for a temporary residency: If you are retired and aged 60, then $2,600 in Social Security benefits (per person for a couple). You can also use your 401k or IRA for income. If you are not retired then either (i) bank statements with an ending balance of $US42,500 for each of the last 12 months, or (ii) if you are using a trust (presumably a revocable, inter vivos trust), then a valuation of $MX6,914,800 ($US345,740 at 20 pesos to the dollar). The trust valuation is not so harsh since presumably the trust includes your personal residence. Buena suerte!

MexSeekin that is correct. We did take the TR path to drive our vehicle here. The rules is 1 yr TR then a quick renewal prepaid for 3 years. At the end of that time, 4 years total, we can become (Permanente) PR. Glad we did it this way.

I’ll take a look, just heard about Radisson Blue, didn’t know the guys last name but sure seems a coincidence. Thanks

Hola all. I am NOT trying to start or spread a rumor but wonder what this is about? Friday late afternoon I received a text from a mexican phone number, with the following message below. It was too late to reach anyone at O'Rourke by the time I saw the text. I tried a couple of google news searches but came up empty. I didn't call the number on the text in case it's some kind of scam, though I can't figure what the angle would be. Did anyone else receive this message or know anything that is real news? Muchas gracias! Text Message received June 1 @ 15:57: "If you have investments in O'Rourke, we are told to get it out because the guys who run it just got arrested by the federales."