On Mexico’s central highland plateau (altiplano), surrounded by some of Mexico’s most famous attractions, sits one of the country’s best RV parks.  Next to the Pueblo Magico of Cuitzeo and overlooking Mexico’s 2^nd largest fresh water lake, Arturo Barrera (Art) chose to build his ideal RV resort and eco-friendly community: San Juan del Lago RV Resort and Eco Community.

Arturo's ("Art") RV park sits on a hill overlooking Lake Cuitzeo: our Casita trailer is on the left.  (Click pictures to increase size)
 

Situated high on a hill, almost every spacious and private RV site or bungalow in the park provides breathtaking views of Lake Cuitzeo.  An easy 5-minute drive brings you to the magical town of Cuitzeo del Porvenir or into the small town at the bottom of the hill with its many small grocery stores (“abarrotes”) and mineral hot springs.  Fresh, organic food costs a fraction of what one would pay in the US or Canada.  The park is within driving distance to allow for day trips to the magical towns of Morelia, Patzcuaro, San Miguel de Allende or Guanajuato; to the national park of Los Azufres or to the monarch butterfly sanctuaries.  The park is easily reachable as it is located near the intersection of major highways heading to Guadalajara, Mexico City, San Miguel de Allende and Morelia.  Art even arranges to pick you up at the border with your RV if desired!

Tip: If you are interested in visiting and staying in Art’s RV resort, you use the following code to get a 10% discount: “MONARCH”.
 

Located in Mexico's central highlands (Altiplano)	One of the wild horses visits our campsite

Arturo arrived in Cuitzeo 10 years ago, bought his dream property and set out to build a resort community where people can spend anything from a few days to multiple years.  He actively promotes a holistic and sustainable lifestyle in his RV resort: trash is recycled, the resort has an established cactus orchard (you are welcome to help yourself to fresh cactus leaves and fruit for your lunch!) and the resort grows its own fruits and vegetables (you are welcome to help out in the garden and enjoy the harvest).  The resort takes care of (at the time of writing) approximately 10 rescued dogs, chickens as well as wild horses that graze on the property.
 

Drone footage of the RV park and the spacious sites


Our Casita travel trailer and Clam Quick Set Escape tent on the spacious site
 

The RV resort welcomes overnight travelers as well as full-timers.  Full hook-ups are provided (including stable electricity) as are a communal kitchen, laundry, bathrooms with hot showers and of course WiFi.  Boondocking and tent camping are also allowed.  Hiking trails are available just outside the gate: some take you into the town at the bottom of the hill while others provide quite a work-out by heading up the hill behind the campground with great panoramic views for reward.  Art can even arrange for yoga classes, cooking classes or spa services!  Check out the park's website for details: San Juan del Lago RV Resort 

Cactus garden in between some of the sites

Hiking up the hill behind the RV park

If you’re looking for a place to retire or to spend the winter months full-timing in an ideal climate, definitely take a good look at Art’s park in Cuitzeo.  The much lower cost of living in Mexico plus the amazing climate of Mexico’s highland plateau (dry, low humidity and sunny, warm days with cool nights) are hard to beat.  The quality of life in Cuitzeo is comparable to some of Mexico’s top destinations but comes at a fraction of the cost of destinations like San Miguel de Allende, Lake Chapala, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas or the Yucatan, which are all well-known and priced at US or Canadian levels!

The view from the top of the hill behind the RV park.  The campground is in the middle on the right.
 

An easy stroll from the RV resort is Lake Cuitzeo (Lago de Cuitzeo).  With a surface area of 150 square miles (400 square kilometers), it is Mexico’s 2^nd largest fresh water lake.  The lake is located in a basin that does not drain to the sea so the water level fluctuates throughout the year, especially with the arrival of the summer rains.  The lake contains fish such as carp, silversides and catfish and is suitable for fishing.  It is especially famous for its “clam shrimps.”  In winter, many birds such as ducks and swallows spend the season here, migrating from Canada and the US.

The nearby “magical town” of Cuitzeo was founded in 1550 and sits at the lake shore.  With a population of only 9,000 residents, it is a small, cozy and safe town.  Life centers on the main plaza which contains several churches and the monastery of Santa Magdalena, built in 1550.  The monastery is open for visitation: a walking tour brings you into the monastery grounds past the old cells, 16^th century frescos and 17^th century murals.  Other sights in town include an 18^th century former Franciscan hospital and several churches that display sculptures and paintings dating back to the 16^th century. 

In town, vendors sell the locally produced handcraft: baskets and other items such as hats and floor mats made using reeds from the lake.  The bi-weekly produce market (Thursday and Sunday) is a great and inexpensive place to shop for fresh, organic fruits, vegetables and meats.  Tasty and inexpensive food is available from the many restaurant and market vendors.  Traditional local dishes include corundas, tamales and many dishes prepared with lake fish.

When you spend the winter months here, you’ll witness major festivals such as the feast of the Virgin of the Conception in February and the Cerrito Temple in November.

A local cow herd was walked to the lake for a drink
 

To conclude: if you’re looking for a relaxing place with a warm, dry climate in an inexpensive location surrounded by many top attractions and friendly, welcoming locals, consider Cuitzeo! 

And if you do, use code “MONARCH” to get a discount!
 

At the local market in Cuitzeo

At the local market in Cuitzeo

Fresh fish at the local market in Cuitzeo


Did you want fresh chicken?  It doesn't get fresher than this ...