Snowbirds: Uncovering Melaque, Mexico’s Sunny Paradise Charming Canadians This Winter

Are you ready to trade in the classic snowbird spots for something a little more vibrant, a little more off the beaten path… a little more Mexican? That’s exactly what Louise and Gilles, a couple from Québec City, both 64, decided to do. They're soNomad ambassadors and the stars of the VRN’GO YouTube channel, and they’ve changed course.

After years spent exploring U.S. national parks in their van, these adventure-loving early retirees dropped anchor in Melaque, a picturesque fishing village on Mexico’s Pacific coast. They loved it so much, they actually bought a campsite lot there.

Find out what made them fall for Melaque, what life really costs there, and their best advice if you're dreaming of following in their footsteps someday.

Why Did You Choose Melaque, a Non-traditional Snowbird Destination, for Your Winter Escape?

“After four winters in Florida visiting national parks in our van, we noticed the weather was getting worse: more rain, colder temperatures... Plus, the U.S. exchange rate wasn’t in our favour anymore, and everything was expensive. We wanted a change of scenery and a place with more stable weather.

Louise already knew a bit about Mexico. I’d only been on all-inclusive trips, never long-term. We’d heard of the QuéMex campground in Melaque, run by a couple from Québec.

We figured we’d try it out for a month to see how it went… and we totally fell in love with the place. We ended up buying a campsite lot! We were really charmed by the village of Melaque. There are no big hotels, it’s super affordable and safe, and the locals are unbelievably friendly. That’s what we love.”

How Did You First Discover Melaque in Mexico?

“We found out about Melaque by watching videos on the YouTube channel Prêts pour la route. They often mentioned the QuéMex campground, so it caught our attention.”

Before Travelling to Melaque, How Did You Do Your Research and Prepare?

“Louise did all the research before we left. We watched tons of YouTube videos to learn about the campgrounds, the roads and border procedures… everything we needed to know to get ready.

Once we made the trip ourselves, we realized that a lot of specific details were missing, like the exact name of the border crossing to use, where to stop for the visa and stamp, how to get the temporary vehicle import permit… So we decided to make our own video explaining everything clearly and step by step.”

Where Did You Stay In Melaque, and Was It Easy to Find Places to Park Your RV?

“We stayed at the QuéMex campground, which has 38 sites. It’s a small community made up mostly of people from the province of Québec, who come back year after year. It’s comfy, lively, and just steps from the beach.

Our site has a palapa with an outdoor kitchen, so our van just serves as our bedroom.

There are at least five other campgrounds nearby. Outside of the Christmas holidays and Easter week, it’s pretty easy to find a spot without booking too far in advance.”

What’s the Weather Like in Melaque During the Winter? Is the Water Warm Enough for Swimming?

“The weather is nice pretty much every day. The water’s warm for swimming, but it’s not the turquoise Caribbean. It’s the Pacific here with golden sand and sometimes strong waves. There are calm spots for swimming and others better for surfing.

That said, we learned it’s not the best place for biking. We brought our e-bikes the first year, but didn’t bring them back. The roads are bumpy with big round stones, so not ideal for a relaxing bike ride.

Just one thing to watch for: mosquitoes. Last year, there was a dengue outbreak, and we both caught it. We recovered, but now we’re super cautious: mosquito nets, repellent… we take no chances.”

How’s the Food in Melaque? Any Local Dishes or Flavours That Stood Out to You?

“We cook a lot under the palapa, but we also eat out a couple of times a week. There are 26 restaurants just in Melaque! Our favourites are a taco place, a Japanese restaurant that’s always packed, and a great wood-fired pizza place… you won’t get bored.

And don’t miss out on shrimps: Melaque shrimps are wild and absolutely delicious. We love them! We also eat a lot of fish and enchiladas. And food safety-wise, we’ve never gotten sick.

For groceries, there are two main stores nearby. We often go to Hawaii, which has lots of products you’d find in Québec. It's more of a grocery store for tourists, not many Mexicans go there, but it's very convenient for us. We can find pretty much everything we're looking for."

If You Don’t Speak Spanish, Is It Possible to Travel There?

“Louise speaks Spanish. I’m learning with Duolingo. Thankfully, she was there for the border crossing, because it’s not easy communicating with customs officers.

‍Once you're there, people are super helpful. The locals won’t hesitate to pull out a phone or a calculator to show prices. But if someone wants to settle in Mexico long-term, it definitely helps to speak at least a bit of Spanish.”

What Did You Enjoy Most About Melaque?

“The people. Everyone in the village is smiling, welcoming, and always in a good mood. Everyone says hello. We’ve never felt unsafe, even at night. And nobody’s in a rush. Time just flows differently.

And of course, the sunshine!”

What Are Some Things That Shook Up Your Routine During the Trip?

“The fiestas go on day and night. The music never stops, and nobody seems to worry about the neighbours! It’s a bit of a cultural shock, but you eventually get used to it.

There are dogs everywhere. Luckily, they’re calm and well-behaved. But if someone’s afraid of dogs, this might not be the best destination.

Oh, and the driving! People pass in the centre lane, so you have to drive on the shoulder. Cars have priority, not pedestrians. You have to adapt.”

Is the Cost of Living More Expensive in Melaque or Less Than in Canada?

“Living costs are lower than in Québec… if you buy local. For example, at the local market, Parizani, or from the fruit and vegetable vendors who come by in their pick-ups 3-4 times a week, it's super affordable. However, at the Hawaii grocery store, prices are pretty much the same as back home.

Restaurants are way cheaper: a beer is $2.50 and a good meal for two is around $30.

Gas is expensive, so we bought a quad to get around. Otherwise, everything is walkable. The campground is close to everything.

There's always the option of a taxi or bus. It's easy to get around. For example, to go to Barra de Navidad (20 minutes from Melaque), it costs about $8 by taxi.

Accommodation depends on whether you have a palapa or not at your campsite. Without one, it’s about $950 a month. With a palapa and outdoor kitchen, it’s $1,150 a month. Electricity isn’t included, but water (non-drinkable) is hooked up. We pay 20 pesos ($1.50 CAD) to fill our jug with drinking water. There’s a washing machine on-site that’s free, and Wi-Fi is fast and included everywhere.”

Did You Find Any Tricks to Save Money During Your Stay in Melaque?

“Yes! Don’t do one big grocery haul. It’s better to shop daily to avoid waste.”

What Day Trips Do You Recommend Around Melaque?

“Barra de Navidad is 20 minutes from Melaque. You can take a boat tour in the lagoon, it's super enjoyable and costs about 600 pesos (about $43 CAD) for two.

We also went to Pueste Pometa, 15 minutes away, where you can rent a boat for snorkelling.”

How Did You Stay in Touch With Family and Friends During Your Extended Stay in Melaque?

“We started out with a local SIM card (Telcel), but it was complicated: we had to reload often, we lost our Canadian number, which meant we were hard to reach.

Now, we have a Bell plan for $55/month each, with 200 GB we can use in Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. At the campground, there's also excellent fibre-optic Wi-Fi, so we stay easily connected."

Did You Have Travel Insurance for This Long Trip to Melaque? Did You Ever Need to Use It?

“Yes, we’ve had our Snowbird travel insurance with soNomad for the past four years. Last year, when we both got dengue, the service was excellent. We feel really well covered."

Finally, What Would You Say to Someone Who’s Thinking About Becoming a Snowbird but Still Hesitating?

“Try it at least once. A lot of people try it… and never look back!

But to be happy while travelling, especially camping, you need to be well prepared and well equipped. It’s important to take a few shorter trips first before jumping into a long stay, like in Mexico. And most of all, don’t forget solid travel insurance. It’s essential.”

Discover Mexico, One Kilometre at a Time with VRN'GO

Louise and Gilles are kicking off this new blog series dedicated to off-the-beaten-path snowbird destinations, especially those that go far beyond the classic southern U.S. spots.

To keep following their journey and see how this inseparable duo explores Mexico’s hidden gems, Québec’s dreamy campgrounds, and Florida’s sunny beaches, subscribe to their YouTube channel, VRN’GO.

And don't forget to get your travel insurance with a quick quote from soNomad well before your departure, to tick that off your preparation list!