FAQ’s

Reservations are on a first-come first-serve basis and the Garden of Dreams 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:  ACCOMODATIONS Plan a year ahead if you want to come in the winter!

Each room at the Garden of Dreams Hotel has a sitting area, bedroom and full bathroom. Your accommodations also include free wifi, a fan for your comfort, a flat screen/smart tv, all utilities, maid service 3x a week, (laundry service is an additional $200p), and access to our 24/7 sunroom with snacks and coffee. Continental breakfast is served every morning from 9am – 10am in our garden. We offer fresh fruit, yogurt, homemade granola and a sweet or savory pastry with Oaxacan coffee, tea and juice. For your convenience, we have placed a refrigerator, toaster oven and coffee pot with plates and silverware in every room. Our swimming pool is solar-heated and available for your use from early morning until 10pm at night. Pool towels are are always stacked and ready for you. 

You will receive a very thorough Residency Handbook that should answer most of your questions. We have the ability to place an easel, writing desk, project lamp or floor covering in your room to assist you in your work. Please let us know if there is something else you require and we will do our best to procure it for you. 

A 50% deposit will be taken upon booking your reservation. The remainder 50% will be processed one week prior to your arrival. 

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.  

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. Refer to your Residency Handbook. If you have additional questions, we are happy to provide assistance.

Thousands of  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 Ajijic. 

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 Ajijic, which are very easy to follow (only 25 minutes) and you can guide your driver by just indicating left (izquierda) or right (derecha)  once you have reached the carretera (the main avenue) at Walmart.  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 Ajijic

All of the rooms at the Garden of Dreams accommodate two people. Our Diamond Suite has a KING bed and two TWINS, so it can accommodate three or four adults. Garden of Dreams is a no-child zone, however we will accept children over the age of 13.  Take a close look at the room descriptions to see if your choice room will work for two people: Room Descriptions

The Garden of Dreams is staffed every day and a Resident Manager is onsite to assist you with any questions, help you make reservations and handle any issues that may arise. We will be in touch with you prior to your arrival. We usually ask that you call/text as you are leaving the airport so we can be sure we are at the gate to greet you in Ajijic. Upon arrival you will be given a gate key, your room key and we will walk you through the property and answer any questions you may have. The hotel is located behind a large wall with a locked gate. It is very secure. If you are traveling with a vehicle, we have off-street parking which is also very secure. 

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 (Bethany Anne Putnam: +52.331.157.2300)

No pets owned by guests are permitted at the Garden of Dreams. Except of course for official service pets. If you fear you may miss the companionship of your pet, there are several dogs owned by employees of the hotel that provide entertainment and comfort to our guests.

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

Ajijic is located 1,538 meters (5,046 ft) above sea level in Mexico’s Volcanic Axis also known as the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. As our elevation is quite high, you will want to be sure to stay hydrated and drink lots of water while you are here. 

You will find most shops and restaurants will accept credit cards, but mostly VISA and MASTERCARD, hardly ever AMERICAN EXPRESS. You should be sure to alert your bank that you will be traveling in Mexico to avoid your card being declined. Smaller vendors will only take cash. Bank ATM’s are located throughout town and they distribute pesos. It is a good idea to ask your bank which Mexican banks they are affiliated with to determine the best fees for withdrawals while you are here. Locally we have Intercam, BBVA, Bancomer, HSBC, Actinver and ScotiaBank.