Archaeology: You can hire a driver or use your car to go to the Guachimontones archeological site. It is the best-restored site of the round pyramids of the “Teuchitlan tradition” of West-Central Mexico. It is 1 1/2 hours west of us. Very nice interpretive centre. Good lunches on the lake at the edge of town. Three haciendas are nearby, turned into boutique hotels. Ask your host.
Arts and Culture: See the permanent Mexican folk-art display inside the Efren Gonsalez gallery at Marco Castellanos #7. And the Ajijic Museo de Arte on Flores Magon #3.
There are many private art galleries. Ask around.
There is the wonderful newly renovated red brick Centro Cultural de Riberas de Chapala, in La Floresta, about a 25 minute walk east of us. They have many performances, not often well publicized, go see them in person to check out upcoming events.
There is also the Centro Cultural in the Ajijic Plaza, with rotating fine art displays, and occasional stage dance or music performances, usually free.
Banking: There are several banks with ATMs within a 4 minute walk. Try different ATMs to find out which offers better fees for your own foreign card. Always turn down their offers to calculate the exchange rate for you; your own bank rate is almost certainly better.
Birdwatching: Chapala birders often report 150 species spotted per month, www.chapalabirders.org. Good places are at the beach at the bottom of Marcos Castellanos, and the median strip (where the horses are) on Camino Real in La Floresta.
Bird in our primavera tree, photo taken by Gail Heinz-Miller
Car Rentals: Linea Professional Rent a Car, just a block east of your vacation rental on the Carretera. http://lprentacar.com. Antonio Regalado is well-respected for purchase assistance and for car rentals. antonio-reg@hotmail.com, 33-1804-8070, or via FaceBook.
Cactus Vivero (Nursery): A beautiful display of exotic-looking cactus. For a few pesos, stroll around the manicured garden and go home with a small cactus. On La Canacinta road, just around the corner from our Casa Colorado.
Coffee Shops: Grano Café https://www.facebook.com/Cafegranocafeoficial/ south on Marcos Castellanos near Ajijic Plaza. Also Black and White Coffee in the Ajijic Plaza. The best coffee in Ajijic is said to be the Veracruz high-altitude coffee at Ross’s gluten-free bakery uphill from us on Galeana. We get cappuccinos and buy bags of beans there.
Civic Events (Everyone loves a parade): Go to www.AjijicNews.com.
Cycling: There is an excellent bike path along the Carretera in both directions, east to Chapala and west to Jocotepec. But biking on the cobblestones in town is unpleasant. Maybe big fat tires are better. There are two bike shops just east and west of us on the Carretera to rent a bicycle or electric bicycle.
Dolphinarium. Swim with dolphins at the Delfinario Mayakai in El Chante. The “tour” includes 45 minutes swimming with the dolphins. They say the dolphins were born in captivity and must not be released into the wild. https://www.aventurateporjalisco.com/nado-con-delfines/. A friend has been there but we have not. Great fun for kids. It is on the mountain side of the highway to Jocotepec, look for a small sign just before the Hospital Communitario de Jocotepec, 15 km, 22 min from here. If you pass Las Fuentes gated community, you have gone 1.2 km too far. Contact them first to check their open hours.
Drive in the Countryside: Here is a pic of the unfortunately polluted and smelly ‘Niagara Falls of Mexico’, at the bridge from El Salto to Juanacatlán, near the airport.
Ex-Haciendas: There are maybe 25 ex-haciendas within a 2-hour drive from Ajijic. Agricultural haciendas were very large land grants issued by the King to Spaniards and later to criollos from the 1500s to the War of Independence about 1810. It is the Casa Grande (plantation house) that we are interested in. Most lost their farmland in government re-distribution schemes. Some are crumbling ruins, some are occupied by families, some are boutique hotels, some are town halls, a very few kept their acreage and still run a farm, some are owned but empty and poorly maintained. All are evocative of Mexican history. Speak to Ramon, he has been to most of them and may agree to take you on an exploration for more. These pics are of La Calera, El Molino, and El Carmen.
Goat Farm: Galo de Allende goat farm near Mezcala http://goat-farm-tour.galodeallende.com/ tel 331-147-9903 offers nice tours complete with yoghurt and cheese, usually weekly. Good for the whole family.
Golf: Close to us in San Antonio is the small hilly 9-hole Chula Vista Golf Club. There is also the 9-hole Country Club de Chapala http://ccchapala.com east of Chapala. Atlas Country Club https://country.atlas.com.mx/, El Cielo Country Club http://elcielogolf.com/en/ and others around Guadalajara are excellent.
Golf Simulator: There is the new Birdie’s Lakeside Golf Lounge. Above Pancho’s Deli in West Ajijic. Play famous courses from around the world. WhatsApp +52-446-114-7445.
Guadalajara Historic Centro: Want to go on your own to downtown Guadalajara? Very easy. Take the “Directo” bus from the Ajijic bus station (just 3 minutes walk away) to Guadalajara. You will arrive at the “Antigua Central Camionera” (old bus station downtown). Last we checked, every hour on the half hour or so, for 55 pesos. Then take a very short taxi ride or walk north 21 minutes via this Google map to reach the historic central district. Be careful in your eating choices, some guests have picked up intestinal infections from buffets or street stalls. To come back, take the same bus or take a taxi the whole way. Or read “Tours” and Luis listed below.
Hiking: Lots of trails in the hills north of town just behind your vacation rental. https://www.ajijichikinggroup.com/ Bring this Cruz Roja rescue telephone number with you: (376) 765-2308.
Horseback Riding: On the Camino Real in La Floresta, a 15 min walk. You can ride along the water’s edge, through town, or on the mountain trails.
Kayaking: Your vacation rental hosts can introduce you to Mario of Kayak Chapala, and there is an active Kayak Club in Ajijic.
Lake Chapala Society: Open from 10 am to 5 pm (office only until 2 pm), Mon to Sat except holidays, 16 de Septiembre at corner of Ramón Corona (the southern extension of Marcos Castellanos). Even if you are here only for a month, buy an inexpensive short membership. http://lakechapalasociety.com
Live Music: Many performances at the Auditorio De La Ribera, www.facebook.com/auditoriodelaribera.ajijic.5.
There is an excellent annual chamber music festival in February www.festivaldefebrero.com/. Their event in August is mainly a training school for high-level students, but has some public performances too. Your hosts often billet faculty members.
Live Theatre in English: Lakeside Little Theatre www.lakesidelittletheatre.com. Bravo Theatre and Bare Stage (reading only) may have Facebook announcements.
Markets: Your fellow vacation rental guests like the Wednesday “tianguis” outdoor market on Calle Revolución formally 10 am to 2 pm about 6 streets to the east. Click here for background story. It is fun; good for produce, fish and shrimp, flowers, crafts, fresh hot sit-down food including not-bad pizza. Ask us about the small Monday market in San Antonio and the Tuesday organic market in La Huerta event centre. Both of them have good prepared foods.
Mezcala Island: Mezcala town is a 50 minute drive east from here. The island just offshore in Lake Chapala has a fascinating history from the War of Independence from Spain 1810-1820, and was subsequently used as a prison. Here is the history. By the way, it explains the reason for our nearby street to be called Calle Marcos Castellanos. https://www.chapala.com/lakechapala/the-battle-of-mezcala-island/. Just go to their modest museum and lovely malecon and ask around for a boat driver/tour guide.
Pueblo Mágico: Ajijic was recenty given the status of a “Pueblo Magico”. Each pueblo magico has its own distinct heritage to celebrate. For Ajijic, it is murals and (arguably) the cobblestone streets. See pic.
Restaurant deliveries: Get the Traitte app on your smart phone. It works well. But going out is even better!
Restaurants – Mexican: Teocintle www.facebook.com/teocintle.maiz.1 is fine-Mexican dining, with chef Gloria and her husband Ricardo on Calle Constitución near us. Restaurant Jardín Plaza is open long hours, nice atmosphere on the Ajijic Plaza. Chile Verde has authentic traditional food, on the Ajijic Plaza. Viva México is excellent, under “portales” with a lovely garden at Porfirio Diaz 92 in San Juan Cosalá. Go to Mario’s second restaurant inside Hotel Yollatzin (yoyatZIN) oh Hidalgo near the Plaza. Or just walk along the Carretera and explore obscure little places upstairs or downstairs.
Restaurants – International: GO Bistro www.gobistro.net/, Canadian-Mexican Chef Pedro Palmer, offers music several nights per week, is just one minute walk from your Ajijic vacation rental. Pasta Trenta is popular. Alex’s Pasta Bar is a good Italian restaurant (except for their Risotto), about 5-6 minutes walk east.
Roast Chicken: From your vacation rental, you can walk to five chicken grill-or-rotisserie places for take-outs within 4 minutes. Be aware they usually run out of chicken about 4:30 pm. Each has its own advantages. Ask your host. Here is a pic of the closest one. This building was the home for one of your hosts many years ago
San Antonio de Tlayacapan: Walk to the San Antonio Plaza. While there, visit the Community Museum on the Plaza, open 11:00 am to 3:00pm Mon-Sat. Walk on to the underutilized San Antonio Malecon on the Lake.
Shopping: El Torito is a supermarket 10 minute walk east. Further east, Walmart and Superlake have groceries. The Lopez family has fruits and vegetables on Carretera in the same block as us. The best fruit and vegetable store is just West of us on Carretera mountain side. Touristy shops are on Calle Colon, one block west, turn downhill.
Spanish Lessons: Several teachers and schools. Olé México, on-line, www.olemexico.mx/. Teacher Nadia Chavez (ask us for her card), and many others. Before you travel here, you can start by watching the 52 episodes of Destinos, www.learner.org/series/destinos/
Swimming Pools: For serious swimmers, there is one in Riberas del Pilar, and one at Hotel Monte Carlo www.hoteles.udg.mx/montecarlo/ in Chapala.
TAXI stand in Ajijic plaza, 376-766-0674. Another taxi stand on Carretera near Pemex, 376-688-3309. Note that taxis close up early. If you arrange for a ride including a pickup to come back in the evening, you must not pay until the return trip is made.
Tennis and Pickleball: Go to www.realdechapala.com/ in La Floresta in the morning and chat with other players. Or go to Parque Cristiania in Chapala on Mon, Wed, Fri, 11am to 1pm, 6 or 8 courts. There are also courts and players at the Racquet Club gated community uphill in San Juan Cosalá, but you will need a car. Ask around to see if the above is still correct.
Tequila Tours from Guadalajara: The Tequila Herradura Express www.herradura.com/visit-us/train-options is a very nice Saturday train trip to Amatitán. The Jose Cuervo Express www.mundocuervo.com/eng/jose-cuervo-express/ is another train trip to Tequila town. For the best experience, buy the highest-class ticket. There are also daily bus tours.
Thermal Spa: There are several nice thermal spas in San Juan Cosalá. Your vacation rental hosts like the Termal Cosalá, www.termalcosala.com. Adults only, nice restaurant and bar service around pools, but is expensive. Take the bus, get off at the beginning of the town at sign for the Hotel Balneario, walk downhill. The Hotel Balneario is next door, it is great for kids, there may be up to 10,000 other kids there already.
Restaurants and menus: Join https://www.facebook.com/groups/lakechapalamenus.
Tours and Travel Agency: Rosi and Carlos offer frequent group day trips to the round pyramids, Mazamitla, Tequila, Guadalajara Centro, Tonalá & Tlaquepaque, haciendas, around the lake, and longer trips around Mexico. Your vacation rental hosts have been on several of them. www.CharterClubTours.com. Tel 376-766-1777. Chris Collier (accessible via Facebook) may still be leading tours short and long.
Luis Miramontes has conducted personal tours in English, and with a history background. Ask us to contact you with him.
Travel to Nearby Colonial Cities: A half-day drive will take you to Guanajuato, Zacatecas, Querétaro, Morelia. They are old cities with architecture from the colonial period (1521 to 1820s), with museums, universities, and Mexican color and life. The first three are also state capitals. Or you can use the very good Mexican long distance bus system.
Travel to Pacific beach destinations: It is a 3 1/2 to 6 1/2 hour drive to Manzanillo, Puerto Vallarta, or Mazatlan. Your hosts prefer the many smaller beach towns near the first two of those.
Waterpark: For kids, there is the Tobolandia waterpark, with giant slides, just a 25-minute walk east of here, just before Walmart.
Winery: You can drive 50 minutes to a winery on south side of Lake Chapala, just east of San Luis Soyatlán. Look at their website www.fincalaestramancia.com.mx. Contact them in advance to find out about tours, wine tastings, food. On Google Maps, look for its other name, Finca La Tenta. They make wine from malbec and tempranillo grapes, and they also grow syrah and granache for future production.
Walking in Ajijic: Public spaces are very important in Mexican culture. From your vacation rental, walk 4 minutes to the Ajijic Plaza, or 10 minutes to the malecon (waterfront promenade). See above for the San Antonio plaza.
Yoga: There has been yoga at Lake Chapala Society (free to members), the Cultural Centre in the Ajijic Plaza, at Villa del Angel, and at some other private centres.
Thinking of moving here?
You might also like to check out many YouTube videos about the expat community and house sales examples around your vacation rental in Ajijic.
Questions to ask yourself during your visit:
- Do I want to live In Jocotepec, San Juan Cosalá, Ajijic, San Antonio, Chapala, another town a bit further out, or rural?
- Do I want a gated community or a Mexican neighbourhood? (Your vacation rental Casa Del Angel Feliz is in a Mexican neighborhood. Our Casa Colorado is more suburban.)
- Do I want to rent or buy? (It is usually advised to rent for a year before deciding on where you want to live and whether you want to buy.)
- What shall I do about health insurance? (No insurance, enhanced Medicare for Americans, go home for 6 months/year for Canadians, Mexican INSABI/Bienestar/IMSS, Mexican private insurance policy, expat catastrophic insurance, expat comprehensive insurance? Your choice may depend on your pre-existing conditions and on your budget.)
- Be sure to chat with your vacation rental host Ramón about these questions.
Other information sites:
Facebook groups, of course.
Ajijic Real Estate has some good information pages, https:/www./ajijic.com/.
Access Lake Chapala is a real estate brokerage with several good videos, www.accesslakechapala.com/video/.
Info about Mexico at www.Mexconnect.com.
And more information at www.LakeChapalaguide.com.
And more information at www.LakesideGuide.mx.
HOW TO MAKE TELEPHONE CALLS FROM YOUR VACATION RENTALS IN AJIJIC MEXICO
All Mexican telephones have 10 digits. Mexican country code is +52
All calls between Mexico telephones (land or mobile): Just dial 10 digits
From Mexican telephone to Canada or US: 00-country code: 00-1 xxx-xxx-xxxx
From any smart phone to US or Canada: Use the plus sign: +1 xxx-xxx-xxxx
From your foreign smart phone to a Mexican phone: Use the plus sign: +52 xxx-xxx-xxxx
From the US or Canada land lines into Mexico: 011-52 xxx-xxx-xxxx
EMERGENCIES:
Cruz Roja (Red Cross) Ambulance, 065
Police emergency – English speaking (but do not count on this) mobile, 332-161-5903 or 331-360-8600
Police emergency – Spanish speaking land line, 376-766-1760
Any emergency – but goes to Mexico City call centre, 911
Ajijic Hospital is a half-block east of us on the Carretera. You can walk in, nominally 24 hours. There is also San Antonio Hospital, more fully staffed. And there is the Riberas Medical Centre, but we hear mixed reviews. Medical care is always less expensive in Guadalajara, but you may prefer or need the location here and the English language usage here in Lakeside.