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Lake Chapala, 25 miles (40 kilometers) south of Guadalajara, is Mexico’s largest lake (50 by 12 miles/80 by 20 kms). Because of the lake and the altitude (5000 feet/1.5 kms), the climate is temperate (60 to 85 degrees F) -- never too hot, never too cold.

Along the northern shore is a string of picturesque towns known as the Chapala Riviera of which the most famous abroad is probably Ajijic. The waters of the lake, which has recently gone through its cyclical shallow period, now lap again at the piers.

La Floresta is a mature garden suburb adjacent to ancient Ajijic. It is a gated community of some 700 houses owned mostly by Guadalajarans and expatriots.  It is self-governing to a large extent and it has its own efficient garbage collection and policing, for example.

Lower La Floresta is the part nearest the lake.

The area is home to some 5,000 Americans, Canadians, and Europeans.

The international airport of Guadalajara, Mexico’s second largest city, is only 30 minutes from La Floresta.