Danielle and Joe
Retire and Roam

Día de Muertos in Chapala, Ajijic, and San Antonio Tlayacapan: Local Traditions and Colorful Celebrations Our Día de Muertos celebrations continued close to home this year, as we explored the local festivities in Chapala, Ajijic, and San Antonio Tlayacapan. Each town offered something uniquely beautiful, honoring the ancestors in color, music, and tradition. In Chapala, we watched a vibrant Ballet Folklórico performance that brought the spirit of Día de Muertos to life through dance. The streets were bursting with color — bright orange cempasúchil flowers, paper decorations, and elegant Catrinas and Catrines strolling through the crowds. The whole town radiated energy and pride in its cultural heritage.   https://youtube.com/shorts/z9CP6LeWxNg?feature=share Ajijic came alive at sunset along the malecón. Locals and expats celebrated side by side — faces painted, dressed in colorful outfits, and sharing smiles. The Street of Altars was especially moving, lined with beautifully designed ofrendas honoring loved ones. It was a stunning mix of creativity, respect, and community spirit. In San Antonio Tlayacapan, the celebration was more intimate and deeply personal. The plaza displayed photos of residents who had passed away, alongside a table dedicated to ancestors from generations past. It was a heartfelt tribute that connected the living with those who came before them — a reminder of the true meaning of Día de Muertos. Overall, our first Día de Muertos in Mexico was unforgettable. From Tlaquepaque and Ixtlahuacán to Chapala, Ajijic, and San Antonio, we witnessed how each town brings its own flavor to the celebration. We can’t wait to experience it all again next year.

Día de Muertos Adventures: From Tlaquepaque’s Parade to Ixtlahuacán’s Spectacle October 25 officially kicked off our Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) festivities — something I’ve been looking forward to since we decided to move to Mexico. Last year, we arrived just after the celebrations ended, catching glimpses of the vibrant decorations that lingered in the streets. This year, I was ready to take it all in. Tlaquepaque’s Día de Muertos Parade Our first stop was Tlaquepaque, a charming town just outside Guadalajara known for its art, music, and cultural traditions. The whole town came alive with color — brilliant cempasúchil (marigold) flowers, painted skulls, and dazzling altars. Restaurants went all out, creating elaborate ofrendas (altars) filled with candles, papel picado, and photographs of loved ones. The Día de Muertos parade was incredible — a feast for the senses with Catrinas and Catrines, mariachi bands, and even hearses and coffins rolling by in creative displays. The atmosphere was pure joy mixed with reverence, a perfect reflection of the Mexican way of honoring life and death. https://youtube.com/shorts/2zdDNsHfMPc?si=FpXzV4OX4S1MolRy Celebrating in Ixtlahuacán de los Membrillos On Friday, October 31, we ventured to Ixtlahuacán de los Membrillos, a nearby town in Jalisco that takes Día de Muertos celebrations to the next level. Locals told us this is the place to experience the most elaborate displays and competitions — and they were right! Each year, the town awards prizes for the best tapetes (sand or sawdust art), Purgatory Brides, Catrinas, altars, and wreaths. The creativity and detail were breathtaking. The main plaza was transformed into a massive skull-shaped cemetery, with each grave honoring a departed loved one — beautifully illuminated at night. We watched another unforgettable parade, a sea of colorfully dressed “dead” returning to celebrate with the living. Later, the church façade became a canvas for a stunning projection show filled with glowing skulls and dancing lights, followed by fireworks bursting through the church towers — truly spectacular! The crowd was festive and welcoming. We chatted with new friends in the bleachers who danced along with the music, and even handed out Halloween candy to children in costume. Many Mexican families now celebrate both Halloween and Día de Muertos, seeing them as complementary — one for fun and imagination, the other for remembrance and reflection. The night ended with a performance by the band Dinamo, who rocked the plaza with energy, flames, and pyrotechnics. It was a perfect example of how Mexicans love to celebrate life, and how lucky we are to be part of it. https://youtube.com/shorts/jvRjps3sP7E?feature=share A Peaceful Stay and a Beautiful Morning We stayed overnight at a lovely hotel, Hotel El Dorado, just ten minutes from the plaza, a true oasis with lush gardens and three serene pools. The next morning, we watched families and artists constructing their altars and tapetes, carefully arranging marigolds, candles, and offerings. Seeing the creative process firsthand made me appreciate the tradition even more — it’s an act of love and memory that brings the community together. We wandered through the town, admiring the wreaths and tributes crafted for the competitions. It’s clear that every design carried deep personal meaning. As we left, we both agreed — this visit would become a new annual tradition for us. 🌼 Reflections Día de Muertos in Jalisco is so much more than a holiday — it’s a living expression of love, remembrance, and joy. From Tlaquepaque’s parade to Ixtlahuacán’s incredible displays, the celebration captures the essence of Mexican culture: honoring the past while celebrating the present.

Welcoming Our First Visitor and the No Kings Parade in Ajijic When Joe’s brother, Jeff, came to visit, it felt like a milestone — our first visitor since moving to Chapala, Mexico. While we were thrilled to see him, I’ll admit I was a bit nervous. Joe and I have grown to love this charming little lakeside town and all its eccentricities, but would someone seeing it for the first time feel the same way? The people here are warm and welcoming, the Lake Chapala views are stunning, and the food is always delicious. But this area isn’t for everyone — uneven cobblestone streets, roaming dogs, and the lively mix of sounds and smells can be a bit of a sensory adventure. Still, I hoped Jeff would see what we see: a community full of heart, history, and vibrancy. Exploring Chapala and Beyond As it turned out, Jeff fit right in. We introduced him to some of our closest friends, and he immediately connected with them. One of the highlights of his trip was a boat tour to Isla de Mezcala, a fascinating island rich with history — from its indigenous roots and Spanish battles to its time as a Mexican prison, often compared to Alcatraz. Our guide, Cesar, shared captivating stories that brought the island’s past to life. We nearly had the entire place to ourselves, making it a truly special experience. Food and Local Favorites Of course, no visit to Ajijic would be complete without diving into the local food scene. We took Jeff to La Paceña, our favorite upscale seafood spot, and then to two of our favorite casual gems — the blue shed tacos in the plaza and El Chef de la Nena,tucked in a backyard, where the food is made with love and guests are treated like family. Dancing in the Street: The Camaleón Tradition Jeff also got to experience a birthday celebration for our friend Mark, where he quickly learned one of our favorite local traditions — dancing on the manhole cover outside Camaleón Bar. What started as a fun quirk has become a local ritual for our group, and Jeff jumped right in. Watching him laugh, dance, and soak in the spirit of Ajijic made me realize how much this place has become home. https://youtube.com/shorts/TF7t9CjSz6w?si=cBk3J3voCXHhd1nk The No Kings Protest and Parade The day after Jeff left, we joined the No Kings Protest in the Ajijic Plaza.  It was both powerful and emotional to see a reminder that this beautiful town is not just a place of color and culture, but of conscience and compassion. Reflections Hosting Jeff reminded us how much there is to love about Ajijic — its mix of history, community, and joy. Seeing it through his eyes reaffirmed why we’ve grown so attached to this lakeside village. Between boat rides, street tacos, and dancing in the plaza, it was the perfect reminder that life here, for all its quirks, is full of connection and meaning.