Discovering the Heart of Mexico: Why I Chose the Interior Highlands Over Coastal Living

Michaela & Ricardo
Jun 15
4 min read

Sunset over Lake Chapala taken from a local restaurant

I've been all around Mexico in my younger years—but only just around the edges. Like so many travelers, my introduction to this beautiful country came through its shimmering coastlines. Over the years, I visited vibrant ocean cities and postcard-perfect beaches, from the Pacific to the Caribbean: Mazatlán, Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo, Puerto Escondido, Cancún, Isla Mujeres, and Playa del Carmen. These destinations offered sunshine, sand, and surf in abundance. They were the ideal vacation getaways, filled with tropical cocktails, hammocks swaying in the breeze, and warm ocean waves.

But they never felt quite like home.

It wasn’t until I visited Lake Chapala—particularly the charming town of Ajijic—that I discovered a very different side of Mexico. Tucked into the interior highlands, far from the crashing waves and tourist-packed beaches, lies a collection of colonial towns and cool mountain valleys that spoke to me in a way the coast never could. This journey of rediscovery changed everything I thought I knew about Mexico.

Perfect Climate, Year-Round

One of the first things that struck me about the highlands was the climate. Set at elevations above 5,000 feet, towns like San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Morelia, and Oaxaca enjoy what many expats—and locals—call the “eternal spring.” Cool, crisp mornings give way to pleasantly warm afternoons. Ceiling fans are often all that’s needed to stay comfortable in the summer months. Air conditioning? Rarely necessary. And in winter, a small space heater or the occasional fire in the hearth is usually more than enough.

The rainy season, typically running from June to October, is another delightful surprise. Unlike the coast, where storms can drench entire days and hurricanes threaten each summer, rains in the highlands are usually gentle and brief—falling mostly overnight and leaving the mornings fresh and green. And yes, when a hurricane spins far off the coast, we may get a bit more precipitation, but never the full brunt of the storm.

This mild climate not only makes everyday life more pleasant, but also lowers living costs. You’re not running AC units day and night, and you’re not constantly battling the effects of salt and humidity on your home and car.

Cost of Living and Property Ownership

Speaking of costs: let’s talk real estate. Beachfront property may look like paradise, but it comes at a steep price—both financially and practically.

Not only are land and housing prices significantly higher along the coast, but maintenance costs add up quickly. Salt air corrodes everything. Paint peels faster, metal rusts more quickly, and electronics suffer shorter lifespans. Regular upkeep becomes a never-ending chore. In contrast, homes in the highlands are spared much of this punishment. The dry mountain air is kinder to both your home and your wallet.

Then there’s the legal side of property ownership. Foreigners cannot own land outright within 50 km of the coastline or 100 km from international borders. Instead, they must hold property through a bank trust—called a fideicomiso—which comes with annual fees and legal complexity. In the highlands, however, foreigners can own property outright with a proper deed in their name. That means no trust, no extra fees, and the peace of mind of knowing you can pass your home down to your children without complication.

A Richer, More Peaceful Lifestyle

Beyond the climate and affordability, there’s something more profound that drew me to Mexico’s interior: the soul of its culture. The coastal towns may have the beaches, but the highlands have the corazón.

Cities like Guanajuato, Oaxaca, Puebla, San Cristóbal de las Casas, and Patzcuaro are bursting with history, colonial architecture, and a deep sense of tradition. These are places where ancient cobblestone streets wind through plazas lined with centuries-old churches, where the scent of roasting corn mingles with the sounds of live music drifting from a cafe, and where life moves at a slower, more deliberate pace.

There’s less of the party scene here—less noise, less hustle, less transient tourism. Instead, you find thriving artistic communities, vibrant local markets, and festivals that go back generations. In Ajijic, I can attend a gallery opening one night and a mariachi concert the next. I can walk to the plaza and see neighbors I know by name. There’s a calm, grounded feeling to life here—something that’s hard to find in the beach towns increasingly dominated by high-rise condos and cruise ship crowds.

The Best of Both Worlds

Ajijic, where I chose to settle, strikes the perfect balance for me. It’s nestled beside the picturesque Lake Chapala, offering stunning lake views and mountain air, and yet it's just three hours from the Pacific Ocean should I crave a weekend beach escape during the winter. Even better, it’s only 30 minutes from Guadalajara’s International Airport, giving me quick and easy access for travel back to Canada or the U.S.

This accessibility makes Ajijic not only convenient, but ideal for expats who still have ties back home. Whether you travel frequently or just want the option to do so easily, being near a major airport is a major plus—something not always available in more remote beach towns.

A Personal Transformation

In many ways, moving to the highlands wasn’t just a relocation—it was a transformation. I came looking for a new place to live and found a new way of living. A slower, simpler, more connected life. A life where the seasons are gentle, the neighbors are kind, and the rhythms of daily living feel just right.

The coast may be beautiful—and I’ll always have fond memories of those seaside adventures—but the highlands are where I found my peace.

If you’re considering a move to Mexico, I encourage you to look beyond the beaches. Explore the colonial heart of the country. You might just find, as I did, that the real treasure of Mexico lies not along its edges, but in its soulful, sun-drenched interior.

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