FAQ-About the Personal Residency

How do I apply for a Personal Residency at 360 Xochi Quetzal?

Reservations are on a first-come first-serve basis and the Villa QQ Hotel is usually booking several months in advance. Choose a room on the website and at the bottom of the description you can check availability and begin the reservation process: https://360xochiquetzal.com/qq-and-xq-joining-forces/ Plan a year ahead if you want to come in the winter!

What are the actual costs of the 360 Xochi Quetzal Residency?

There is no fee for attending the residency except for paying the rent on your room (varies between $950 – 1450 usd/month) and your other personal expenses. You are responsible for your travel to and from Mexico. It is easy and safe to take an airport taxi which costs $440 pesos to Chapala. Download driving directions from our Facebook Page: 360 Xochi Quetzal (join us too!). You will also need to pay for your local transportation (taxis usually $5 USD), entertainment, gifts and dining. Food is inexpensive in Mexico, typically costing about $30/week USD. Eating out is quite affordable with meals costing $4 – 10 USD. International calls can be made by getting an international cell plan from ATT or Sprint or downloading WhatsApp before you arrive.

There may be additional costs for special events like studio visits and workshops. Resident artists will be contacted about events taking place during their residency.

What do you supply at your live/work spaces?

Each space at the Villa QQ Hotel has a private entrance, sitting area, bedroom and full bathroom. Your residency also includes free wi-fi, all utilities, weekly maid service, (weekly laundry pickup is available for an additional charge) and a 22-page Residency Handbook. All rooms have patios where you can also work and relax. See pictures and descriptions on our website: http://360xochiquetzal.com/personal-residency-overview/.

Is a deposit required?

Payment in full is required if making your reservation less than 60 days in advance. If booking more than 60 days in advance a 50% deposit is required in order to reserve your space. The balance of your reservation will be due 30 days prior to your arrival date.

What if I need to cancel?

If you cancel 30 days prior to your reservation date, your deposit will be refunded. If you cancel 15 days prior to arrival date, you will receive your deposit less 20% administration fee. Less than 15 days, your deposit will not be refunded unless there is proof of Covid related restrictions. In that case you will received your deposit refund less 20% administration fee.

What do I need to know about travel in Mexico?

First of all, Mexico is considered a developing country, not a third world country. The electric outlets are exactly the same as in the US, so you can bring your favorite electrical device. You do NOT need any special immunizations. However, for reasons we do not understand you CANNOT bring Sudafed into the country. But you can buy something similar here without a prescription.

I am a single woman. Is it safe for me in Chapala?

Thousands of older single women have moved to the Lake because it is so affordable to live here, especially on a small Social Security check. We find it very safe, more so than in the US because there is a ban on handguns here. There is very low crime here in Chapala and the residency spaces are just a couple of blocks from the police station. The violence in Mexico is mostly drug-related gang violence at the border like in LA and Chicago and doesn’t involve the ex-pats ( we are located 17 hours south of the border). Families are often out late on the streets having their dinner (la cena) and it is a lively, safe environment.

I am nervous about taking a taxi from the airport.

No need to be nervous! When you finish with customs and immigration and enter the terminal, there is a taxi kiosk near the exit. They speak English in the kiosk and you pay for the trip there with pesos or credit card. They will give you a slip and then you exit the terminal to the taxi stand. Most of the drivers speak only a little English but we will be sending you directions to Chapala, which are very easy to follow (only 25 minutes) and you can guide your driver by just indicating left or right once you get into Chapala Center. You can also use Uber if you have that App on your phone. You can change some money at the airport at a Cambio. However, we suggest just changing a small amount, like $50 because the exchange rates are much better in Chapala.

Do you rent to couples?

The Mirador Suite and Carriage House at the Villa QQ Hotel can accommodate couples or collaborative groups. Take a close look at the room descriptions to see if your choice room will work for two people: https://360xochiquetzal.com/qq-and-xq-joining-forces/

How will I get my key?

The Villa QQ Hotel is staffed 24/7. Regardless of when you arrive, someone will answer the bell and let you in and then give you a key to your room. The grounds are locked and secure.

What should I do about phone service?

There are several options. You can check to see if your current phone service has a temporary international plan that includes calls from US, Canada and Mexico (ATT and Sprint work well here). Most of our residents find that using WhatsApp is the easiest phone option (and free). We advise downloading it before you arrive in Mexico and testing it by sending a text to one of our cell phones (Sandra Hernandez = +52 331.699.4851)

Can I bring my pet?

No pets are permitted at the in the live/work spaces at the Villa QQ Hotel.

Service pets and companion pets are permitted at 360 Xochi Quetzal live/work spaces upon specific permission from the director.

What is the Covid situation in Mexico?

Thanks to good leadership, we didn’t have that many Covid cases here in Chapala. Most businesses require masks, temperature, shoe baths and gel in order to enter. For maximum protection we encourage mask-wearing whenever you are out of your space, even on the Villa QQ Hotel grounds. In order to leave Mexico, you will need to get a negative antigen test. Some countries will not let residents go to Mexico, so please check with your Consulate.

What is the meaning of Xochi Quetzal and how do you pronounce it?

In both Aztec and Maya culture, Xochiquetzal was the goddess associated with fertility, creativity and crafts, especially weaving and embroidery. The name is a compound of the Nahuatl words for flower (xochitl) and for tail feather of the strikingly colored quetzal bird (quetzalli).

Pronounce it like this: So-chi Ket-zal

Testimonials

I will always remember my writing residency in Chapala, where I spent a month making great headway on a collection of poetry I’d just begun focused on borders and walls—literal and metaphorical. Like so many Mexican towns, Chapala is simultaneously peaceful, bustling, and vibrant. The Xochi Quetzal casitas are located within walking distance to everything you need, and some are right across the street from the beautiful lake and lively boardwalk, where I went every evening to soak in this supremely alegre slice of Mexican life. The Upper Casita, with a view of the lake and surrounding mountains, was perfect for me, and the open terrace proved to be the ideal space for having other residents, who quickly became good friends, over for dinner or a glass of wine after a day’s work. Cobra and Christian are warm and welcoming, so from the beginning I felt at ease and at home. I highly recommend Xochi Quetzal if you are looking to immerse yourself in a creative project while balancing your work life with the stimulating and interesting exploration of a Mexican town. I hope to return again and again!

I spent two months in the Fall of 2019 at the 360 Xochi Quetzal Residency in Chapala and had a really productive time, as a painter and also exploring the local area and Guadalajara/Jalisco. The Lopez Cotilla apartment was perfect for one person, using the second bedroom as a studio. Everything was within walking distance with lots of nearby food tiendas if you like to cook. Lake Chapala is spectacular and calm enough to get a lot of work done without too many distractions. Guadalajara, less than an hour away, is an incredibly rich cultural city with a great food scene. Highly recommended!

After a beautiful and adventurous journey from Europe, we found ourselves in a taxi descending the hills of Sierra de San Juan Cosala with the full moon reflected in the lake. The word “magia and maravilla” crossed my mind and I got goose bumps. Chapala is indeed a magical place, colourful, charming and very safe with friendly people everywhere. We were blown away by the bird life, vegetation, architecture, which are so different from ours in Hungary. Our casita was a for us: comfortable, well-equipped and authentically Mexican. The Residency Handbook answered all our questions before we even asked them. Cobra and Christian are very attentive and kind, and their hospitality was unmatchable.

Thank you all for making my stay in Chapala an Amazing Experience. Your Handbook was a major player in helping me feel at home. I loved the artist dinners where I met the other residents. One artist gave me exactly the feedback for my writing that I’ve been waiting for years! Chapala itself was astounding – I couldn’t believe all the birds, and having a space where I could see the sunrise AND the sunset. Chapala is also a great place to walk around and think. So gracias! for giving me a wonderful adventure, and time to re-work a part of a book that has stymied me for many moons.

My time in Chapala was pivotal for me as a writer. You can't understand the effect Chapala has until you arrive. Its splashes of color, rhythms and scenic beauty will inspire you. Scribbling away at Café Paris, locals ambling by, a cool glass of beer sweating on the table... I felt like Hemingway. This residency gave all that to me and more. It is a gift I continue to cherish; a feeling I look back on when in need of encouragement, inspiration, and motivation.

Everyone comes to the residency for different reasons. For me it was a time to reflect upon this whirlwind past year. I lead a hectic life and often feel like I run from exhibition to exhibition without time for contemplation. I really needed to slow down and think about the next direction for my work. I got that and a lot more! I finished two small projects and reveled in the beautiful environment. I was able see the Monarch butterfly migration and experience an indigenous fiesta with my fellow artists. I left the residency refreshed, with new friends and purpose!

The residency was truly wonderful. The uninterrupted time and spaciousness to create was truly a gift. The 360 Xochi Quetzal team were very warm and helpful. Our apartment was lovely and well set up for writing. We particularly loved breakfasts and star gazing on the outdoor patio area. Lake Chapala is a delightful town - gorgeous lake, lovely people, great food, slow pace of life - perfect for place to get away and create!

I spent a month at 360 Xochi Quetzal to finish work on a novel. I couldn’t have picked a more charming and inspiring place to work. The accommodations are lovely, the town is lively and accessible, the food is amazing, the weather spectacular, and the people of Chapala are very friendly. Everywhere there is color, from the flowers and trees to the facades of buildings and the legendary sunset over Lake Chapala. But all of this would have been for naught if it weren’t for the hospitality of Deborah and Christian who made me feel immediately welcome and at home as family. I will surely return again.

My husband and I truly enjoyed our residency in Chapala, a place of beauty, extraordinary color, kind people - and inspiration! I was able to step back, concentrate, start working with new materials, relearn and incorporate new colors into my paintings on silk. Our casita was well placed and comfortable. Our host was welcoming and facilitated connections with other participating artists. Walking on the Malecon, discovering the town, attending cultural events, interacting with other residents from around the world - and watching in awe the extraordinary sunsets, this residency was a time of learning, relaxation and progress. I plan to return.

We have one word to describe the our experience here at 360 Xochi Quetzal, and that is MAGIC! The casita is very spacious, allowing for lots of room to create. It is very comfortable and clean, and has everything you could possibly need for your personal residency. We especially enjoy spending time on the relaxing balcony. Cobra and Chris are available and very helpful. The Residency Handbook in the casita addresses all of our questions in detail and offers suggestions for things to try around the area. You will often hear live music in the early evening from the Malecon. It feels very safe here, and even more secure having the Red Cross right across the street. It has been a wonderful experience, and Orion and I would like to return each year.

We were new to Mexico and had no idea what to expect from the Residency or Chapala. Both were delightful! I was able to work successfully on two projects that have been germinating for some time, and also enjoy the friendly, lovely and accessible town with its many colors and flavors. Our casita was comfortable, spacious and nicely furnished. It included a studio, patio and a private balcony perfect for an end-of-day cocktail. Deborah, Christian and colleagues were the perfect hosts who fostered a very satisfying creative experience in an environment that was at once stimulating and restful. Muchisimas gracias!

"Applying for the free Winter residency of Xochi Quetzal was the start of many positive transformations. The silence I found for myself during the residency, allowed me not only to write the best last chapter I can write at this stage of my evolution, it also granted me a most sought-after introspection moment during which I read my dreams and studied ancient Eastern writings. The serenity of the lake and presence of other artists inspired me to get mentally ready and organized for my future as a novelist. I am particularly fond of spending the holidays abroad with ‘strangers’. It always infuses me with these wild insights and whims. Our group was just lovely, the artists one by one very interesting. Cobra and Christian are warm and graceful hosts who made life easy. All in all, Xochi Quetzal was a weighty meditation, a poetic experience that carried me through the rest of Mexico in newness and will resonate long after."

Our residency at 360 Xochi Quetzal was more than we had hoped for! The time and space to work, think, and explore--without deadlines or requirements--opened up our practice in a way we had not imagined. The town is lovely, easy to navigate, with everything within walking distance. The locals were so welcoming; we felt at home right away. Our accommodations in Lopez Cotilla were clean, comfortable and allowed both of us to have our own studio space. We really enjoyed quiet evenings on the patio watching the sun set over beautiful Chapala and meet ups with the other residents. Muchisimas gracias!

As painting and writing residents during 2017, we both would like to thank you for the opportunity to be able to focus and collaborate on a project, entitled Immigrants. We had been thinking about it, had discussed it, but never quite got around to doing it until this residency. The atmosphere, encouragement, feedback and like-mindedness of all involved in Chapala gave us both the inspiration to move forward. It was a productive and great experience for us both and we thank you.

I visited the 360 Xochi Quetzal Artist Residency in Chapala, Mexico for the entire month of April 2017. It was a perfect retreat for me. I loved watching the cowboys ride in on their horses. My work flourished, inspired by the other visiting artists and the tranquil nature of the town. I went to Ajijic and attended figure drawing and portrait sessions up to three times per week. I made new friends and felt encouraged in my writing and art making. I am so glad I had a chance to participate in this program. Chapala is a perfect place to get your work done with little distraction.

360 Xochi Quetzal was my first residency and I loved every bit of it. The opportunity to get away and single-task toward my writing instead of routinely multitasking was priceless. My studio was cute, clean, and well-equipped. Deborah and Sandra were very approachable, helpful, and I loved connecting with fellow-residents from different disciplines too. Most of all, the location of our residence across from the Malecón buzzing with artisans, vendors and restaurants offered to me just the right balance of isolation toward focused work and a community around. I hope to return soon.

I had no expectations when I headed to Mexico for a personal residency, and the entire experience was a wonderful surprise. I loved Chapala: its realness, its people, the lake, the restaurants, and especially my casita where I could work outside on the patio. I met wonderful people that made my trip even more enjoyable. I had no agenda as I worked, but I was pondering an exhibition for the following December. I didn’t realize until I returned home and began working on the show in earnest how beneficial the weeks in Chapala were. I will certainly return. http://loribgoodman.com/

My personal residency at 360 Xochi Quetzal was wonderfully productive and I would highly recommend it to anyone who has a creative project that requires some quiet, focused time. The casita was lovely - spacious, fully furnished, very clean and stocked. The residency hosts, Cobra and Christian, are welcoming, fun and engaging. My casita was steps away from the Malecón and within walking or bike riding to Ajijic. The locals are friendly and engaging-quick to suggest a favorite taco stand or even invite you to join them for a hike. I will definitely be back!

The 360 Xochi Quetzel Personal Residency Program was a perfect place for me to focus on my children’s book. I wanted an authentic Mexico experience where I would be submersed in the culture and language. Chapala was easy to get around and affordable. The Lopez Cotilla casita was cool, breezy and comfortable. It had everything I needed. I woke up in the morning to hummingbirds buzzing around a tree outside my window. Sunsets were beautiful from the outdoor terrace and an occasional dramatic thunderstorm just to let you know who is really in charge around here. Muchas Gracias!!

"I was partly inspired to apply for the Xochi Quetzal residency by The Retro Cocktail Hour — a popular Saturday night radio show on Kansas Public Radio 91.5 that features exotica music (a form of tropical jazz). My hope was for the palm trees, lakeside sunrises, and culture of Chapala & Mexico at large to inform my creative process. These elements did precisely that, and the generous hospitality of Cobra & her partner Christian provided me with a cozy composing environment.” (Note from Staff: Listen to the music created during Andrew’s residency -Winter 2016 Voyage to Scorpion Island)

Chapala is a safe, spiritually charged, beautiful place. Wild horses run through town. It’s a place where you greet strangers on the street. I walked along the lake in meditation a great deal. I hiked the looming cerro overlooking town. I biked all over the countryside. I wrote, documented, created composed soundscapes utilizing field recordings, and built small maquette light sculptures based on my experiences. I attended traditional temazcals, and sat alone in cathedrals. It was pivotal for me in a spiritual sense more than a career advancing experience. I’m very grateful for it, and Deborah Kruger is a wonderful advocate to keep in contact with. I truly recommend the residency.

My residency at 360 Xochi Quetzal in summer 2015 was both restorative and productive. I was inspired by the beautiful studio and the surrounding Chapala / Jalisco region. The setting worked well for me in terms of inspiring and completing new work, and learning the history and customs of the area. The flexible residency requirements allowed an easy engagement with other residents, and encouraged me to participate in Chapala and Guadalajara communities. There are many contemporary art venues in Guadalajara, which are an easy bus ride from Chapala.

Not only was this residency situated in one of the most beautifully mystical, culturally resonant, and stimulating settings imaginable, it also managed to be both peaceful and galvanizing: the perfect combination for immersing oneself in a creative project without hesitation or distraction. Deborah and Christian’s home was an oasis. One of my fellow residents remarked to me that “this place has amazing energy for getting work done,” and I wholeheartedly agree: the atmosphere seemed to hum with a low-key, generative productivity, one that helped me get closer than I’d been in many months to actually fully realizing and finishing a long story. I wish I was still there among the bougainvillea, the jade vines, the dogs and the pelicans.

Chapala has become my home away from home. The Xochi Quetztal residency is run efficiently. Cobra and her team are friendly, accessible, and professional. My stay in Chapala is enhanced by the personal relationships I have developed with several of the team members. The casita I stay in is very well maintained and fully equipped. The studio area is large and ready for me to engage in art as soon as I arrive. The weather is always fantastic. The lake, the town(s), the life, the restaurants, the view, the very friendly local people all call me back again and again. I love it!

“This was the most work I’ve ever done in a single month in my life. I will never forget what an incredible experience this was and I thank you for honoring me with a residency at 360 Xochi Quetzal. The reference material I gathered throughout the trip to Chapala, Mexico is going to fuel my work for years to come. Thank you for everything! You run an incredible residency program!!!”