We returned to Casa Tonatiuh , this time for 3 weeks in November. Once again we found the casa to be clean and well-appointed while positioning us perfectly to enjoy the Dia de los Muertos festivities and the lake-side Aztec celebration that took place later in the month. As always, Tom and Ricardo were very attentive to our needs.

We loved our stay in a beautifully furnished traditional Mexican home in the village of Ajijic. The location was close to EVERY shop, art gallery, restaurant, and the lake with its Malecon. In our three week stay, there was no need for a car. It is a perfect walking village, yet sophisticated in the food, art, and shopping venues. The top floor terrace was sunny and filled with furnishings, plants and lovely blooming trees. The beds are comfortable. Perfect for 2-4 people. We will return for longer next spring!

Nestled amongst the quaint, colorful Spanish colonial buildings and murals in the heart of the Village of Ajijic, is lovely Casa Tomatiuh. From mid-January to mid-April of 2018, my husband and I were delighted by every aspect ofour home-away-from-home and our stay in Ajijic, where we gained a great appreciation for the values and customs of Mexican families and communities. We were enamored with this home’s architectural design, fine wood and tile work, amazing art, antiques and spectacular furnishings and its many modern amenities. From the parade of flowers blooming on the roof top terrace and window boxes to the many beautiful examples of Mexican artisan tilework to the views from the terrace to the boveda ceilings to the Mexican treasures displayed perfectly on countless shelves, walls and furniture throughout this uniquely designed home, our days were filled with enticing“Eye Candy”. . we completely enjoyed our casa’s central location. By residing in the old village, everything was right there, accessible by foot, no need for a car…the lovely, lakeside park and malicon, the town’s main square, dozens of diverse restaurants and boutiques, Ajijic’s local residential neighborhoods. As we walked along the narrow, cobble stone streets to and from markets, the health club, restaurants and frequent cultural events, on a daily basis we experienced the kindness, strong work ethic and appreciation for time with family inherent to Mexican tradition. Being close enough to the park to: hear the omnipresent Mexican music; observe children and families playing; glimpse lovers strolling the malicon; andpick up a dessert from an evening vender provided constant, pleasant reminders of being in Mexico as opposed to being in a cookie-cutter North American retirement community. We found this home’s owners, Tom and Ricardo to be attentive to our needs, which were few and far between as Casa Tomatiuh isa high-end property in excellent condition with everything one would need to be comfortable. We made it our home for 3 months and felt completely safe in this home and neighborhood. Very much looking forward to returning and highly recommend Casa Tomatiuh…Bring sturdy walking shoes and leave your cute sandals and heels at home!

We spent two weeks at Casa Tonatiuh in Ajijic and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The location of the house was perfect, centrally located in the village and half a block from the lake. You could walk everywhere from this location. We booked through VRBO and there were no surprises.....the house was exactly as advertised. The owners of the property were close by and available to answer any questions that we had. The best part of our day was sitting in the sunshine up on the 3rd floor mirador at the end of each day. The views are fantastic!! We would totally recommend Casa Tonatiuh if you are looking for a short term/long term stay in Ajijic.

Being so close to the malecon was much fun, near the activities and walkable to so many good restaurants. The lodging itself was beautiful, with a most enjoyable mirador, well furnished with comfortable seating. And a very comfortable bed. Top notch art work and appliances. Two weeks went by way too quickly!

Ajijic is a wonderful little Mexican village nestled alongside a beautiful lake: perfect weather, art and sculpture at every turn, friendly locals who keep their traditions alive (including lots of fiestas, fireworks, and cohetes) and just enough expat influence to also make the stay convenient with widespread English spoken and a plethora of restaurants, shops, and bars in keeping with the local feel. Casa Tonatiuh keeps that feel .. totally convenient location in the heart of an old Mexican town with all the quirks amid tasteful, warm, old world decor and architecture yet with all the amenities one would need ... including all the necessary light switches and outlets in all the right places! The rooftop was my favorite space ... both mountain and lake views, great sunsets, and again, a well-designed space with lots of greenery and areas of both sun and shade, grill, wet bar, refrigerator, Sirius radio and tv .. perfect for relaxing and eating meals. Thomas and Ricardo are extremely attentive, readily accessible, and responsive to any needs or questions that arise .. making it a totally enjoyable stay! ( we stayed for 3 months, but due to the final two weeks previously being booked they personally moved us next door to one of their other properties ... totally different and totally wonderful also! )

What a special Casa, spacious, bright, lovely Mirador on the top floor with a veggie Garden! planted just for us. Also, a refrigerator and lounge chairs with table which is a great place to entertain and watch the sunset. Tom and Ricardo are over - at a moment notice - to answer any questions. The Casa has a surprising selection of antique Mexican Art with Paintings, ceramics from Tonala, Michoacán , Oaxaca , hand carved chests, stain glass, weaving, carpets!! As a artist, I was thrilled to live with all these beautiful and important works of Art. Great galley kitchen with everything you need to prepare a great supper, luscious comply linens, spacious baths and a porch off the master bedroom - I would sit out and read at night and be serenaded by the distant mariachi music. Oh, and a fountain running to lull you to sleep -we loved this! Wonderful Casa - we will return!

This review is long overdue. My husband and I spent the Thanksgiving holiday at Casa Tonatiuh and absolutely loved the home (which truly feels like a home away from home) and Ricardo and Tom are such gracious hosts. The home is immaculate and fully stocked with everything you need for your stay. Ricardo and Tom have also prepared a wonderful manual that includes all the details on the home plus fabulous recommendations for local restaurants, shops and markets! I agree with others that pictures do not do the place justice although it would be hard to capture the beauty both inside and out in pictures. Ajijic / Lake Chapala is such a beautiful and quaint getaway with so much to see and do however my husband and I felt so comfortable and happy in Casa Tonatiuh that we spent many a morning, afternoon and evening relaxing in the house and mostly on the rooftop deck - they have a wine fridge, wet bar / sink, a coffee percolater, and a radio set up with XM radio on the rooftop terrace so you can spend several hours enjoying the beautiful surroundings and relaxing. We are already thinking about our next trip to Ajijic and will plan to stay in Casa Tonatiuh if available! Thank you Ricardo and Tom!! Kat and Marc

This property is pricier than many others but you will absolutely get good value for your money. A new build with a Mexican feel. Traditional ceilings and tastefully chosen antiques and artwork. Comfortable beds. Modern conveniences such as huge fridge with icemaker, top quality washer and dryer, fast Wifi, four TVs (if you need that many with so many other things to do in town) and reliable hot water in the shower. The pictures of the rooftop patio sold us on this house for our first trip to this remarkable town and we were not disappointed. With its view, flowers, herb garden, dining facilities, an awning by day and lights by night it was the place where we spent most of our six week stay when at home - feeling that we had gotten our money's worth! The owners were very helpful and easy to contact either at their nearby store or by email. The short distance to the lakefront promenade (Malecon) was a huge bonus and we enjoyed twice daily walks there observing the pelicans, the parade of dog walkers and various town celebrations. The park beside the lake attracts many local families and on weekends especially you can hear their music from the roof but we found it quite atmospheric rather than annoying. The main touristic shopping street is a block away and the main square about three blocks. Many excellent places to eat are within walking distance. We were two women often out at night on foot and never felt nervous. The cobblestone streets and often uneven sidewalks are really the most dangerous thing about this town until you learn to look down frequently when moving and then stand still to admire the colourful homes, flowers and birds. A great place to stay right in the heart of a lovely village.

We recently completed one month in this elegant and superbly located home in the heart of Ajijic. The owners, Tom and Ricardo went out of their way from the airport pick-up to being always readily available for information from the TV to the best local restaurants and everything in between. The house is immaculate, very well equipped and professionally decorated with a blend of high end art and antiques. Beds and linens are top of the line. The house location enables one to walk everywhere and a car is not required. There is a ready supply of taxis for the weekly grocery shopping at less than $5.00 Canadian anywhere in Ajijic, but most days we walked. The roof garden is a wonderful place to relax and enjoy the superb views. Anyone considering renting this home should do so without any hesitation . It is comfortable, well located and no safety concerns whatsoever. We had a wonderful time as this was our first trip to Ajijic, and look forward to returning. A solid 10 out of10!!

The scenery, mountains, walk along the malecon everyday was best thing. Need good walking shoes for the cobblestone streets.We were there during a ten day festival which was noisywith firecrackers, lots of them. Plenty of lovely restaurants to go to. For fabulous view, go to the restaurant at the racquet club....you'll need a cab. Your hosts Tom and Ricardo will help with anything, even brought in electric heaters for chilly evenings.

We recently had the pleasure of staying in this lovely home. We travel often and trust VRBO but every now and again one can be disappointed. This was certainly not the case with this listing, actually the photos don't do justice to the home. Everything was perfect from arrival to departure . Tom and Ricardo answered every question we had from our first inquiry until the day we departed. Tom was waiting for us upon our arrival and that was an unexpected treat. It was great to have everthing explained from TV channels to where to shop for anything we needed. We knew every good restaurant and market immediately. The furnishings are wonderful and everything you will need to stay a week or months is furnished. The third floor terrace is fantastic and complete with a fridge, coffee maker, sink and TV. The views are spectacular and it is a comfortable and inviting retreat for a little alone time or a gathering. The baths are modern, the beds are top notch, linens are super, furniture comfortable and kitchen well equipped . The location is the best with the lake less than a block away. We walked everywhere in town all times of day and night and felt so very safe. Do yourself a large favor and stay here when you are fortunate to come to lovely Ajijic. 😀

I recently stayed in the above referenced rental. The listing and photos were spot on, if anything the property was superior to the photos. Furnished with a wonderful blend of antiques and art. Spotlessly clean and well supplied. The owners were helpful in answering any questions that I had and in helping me to find anything that I needed. The central location was a definite plus, I would recommend it to anyone.

We had a wonderful stay at Casa Tonatiuh although our time there was cut much too short by a medical emergency. Our first day, Ricardo picked us up at the airport and was so charming and helpful, getting us acclimated to the house, the village, and shops, and the restaurants nearby. The casa is a stunning home, beautifully renovated, comfortable, fully equipped and beautifully decorated, with handmade furniture and original art. Even the bathroom had hotel-like amenities. The rooftop deck is a wonderful feature. The casa is steps away from Lake Chapala and everything you might need or desire in the village. Ricardo and Tom's generosity and resourcefulness as hosts was called into play when one of us had a medical emergency that required returning to the United Staes within 36 hours of arriving in Ajijic. They found us a doctor, unplugged their internet phone and gave it to us to make calls to the states at the casa, and had an employee pick us up very early in the morning on a Sunday to take us to the airport in Guadalajara. We are indebted to Ricardo and Tom for helping us to find our way to medical care and because of their help, were able to have surgery the day after returning with a good outcome. We were so sorry to miss out on our time at Casa Tonatiuh but our hosts also generously offered us a credit to return for the days we had missed. We would unconditionally recommend any travelers to be their guests.

We just spent a week here and wish we'd booked longer. Casa Tonatiuh is pure perfection. The house location is perfect --- on a quiet street yet just a short stroll to the waterfront malecon, shops and restaurants. The design and furmishings are perfect. The rooftop terrace (with wet bar and huge barbecue) is perfect. Most importantly, all the beds and luxurious beddings felt perfect. This entire house has been carefully planned and meticulously put together by owners who have anticipated the needs and wants of various guests. Absolutely nothing has been overlooked. We definitely plan a return visit soon. On a scale from one to ten, we rate Casa Tonatiuh an eleven!

Dick & I stayed at this property for 3 months Jan 1/2014 to Mar 31/2014 and we loved it. It was walking distance to Colon (the Yonge St. of Ajijic) the town square and the Malecon. Although there were many curios and art works which were beautiful, the place was so comfortable. The beds were great, the linens superb and the bathroom was a real treat with a walk in shower and beautiful tiles. My favorite place was on the mirador it was gorgeous, with many lovely plants and a yellow flowering tree, we spent many great nights up there. And our guests loved it too. We had many a dinner party up there and it was great. I also loved the balcony off the master bedroom, which does not get the sun until after 3 pm, so if you love Dr. Phil (like I do) then you just simply go upstairs to the balcony and read for a couple of hours. The owners were not in your face but very helpful if a problem arose. (Not that there were many) The cleaning lady was wonderful as was the gardener. All in all we had a wonderful time and would certainly recommend this property to friends or family.