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: Visit the artist Efrain Gonsalez’s gallery at Marco Castellanos #7. There are some other private artists’ galleries. Ask around.
And the Ajijic Museo de Arte on Flores Magon #3 west of the plaza..
Breakfast restaurants: Cafe Cargo on Carretera very close to Casa Del Angel Feliz. Dona’s Donuts on Carretera not far from casa Del Angel Feliz. Don De Charlie next door to Casa Colorado.
The new Coleccion de Recuerdos will open in March 2026, devoted to indigenous Mexican ceramics. Located just down hill on Marcos Castellanos #10, near Efrain’s studio.
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, go see them in person to check out upcoming events.
Visit the Centro Cultural de Gonsalez Gallo, aka “The Old Train Station” in Chapala. Nice 1920’s building, it is true to its nickname, small gallery, and they often have free music concerts at 12:30 pm on Sundays. Concerts are free but leave a tip. Follow them on Facebook.
There is also the Centro Cultural in the Ajijic Plaza, with rotating fine art displays, and occasional stage dance or music performances, usually free.
Bakery – Los Tachihuales: Providing the famous and unique artisanal “pan tachihual” since 1969. Choice of regular (white flour) or integral (whole wheat), both a bit sweet. Ajijitecans living in Southern California always bring a few loaves up north with them to distribute to friends and family. Calle Emiliano Zapata 15 to 17, lakeside near Marco Castellanos, 1 1/2 blocks from your favorite vacation rental. Just walk through the dark to the big brick wood-fired oven. It feels like entering the Middle Ages. The bread seems to be available from about 3:30 pm until about 9:30 pm.
Banking: There are several Automatic Teller Machines. 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 much better. If other ATMs let you down, there are 3 or 4 different ATMs in the Walmart.
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
Boat tours from the Ajijic Pier along the lake shore or across the lake. See the lady in the booth. She can also arrange a tour of the winery across the lake (see below).
Car Rentals: We recommend Diego Beltran, 33-1328-0443. there is Linea Professional Rent a Car, just a block east of your vacation rental on the Carretera, 376-766-2555 from 9-5. 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.
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. You can buy good Veracruz beans from Francisco with the red truck, or from RFG Gluten-Free Coffee shop uphill from us on Galeana.
Events Calendars (everyone loves a parade): Go to AjijicNews (free).
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 west of us on the Carretera. The closest one will 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. It used to be quite grand. Much wider than shown below.
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.
Fishing: We are told that the Ajijic Fishing Club meets for dinner once per month. +52-331-042-2027
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. There is a golf simulator business upstairs at Pancho’s West Deli grocery store.
Disk Golf: There is an International Disk Golf course in Parque de Cristiania, at the other end of Chapala, on the Lake.
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: There is an active Kayak Club in Ajijic. Your vacation rental hosts can introduce you to them.
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 temporary membership. http://lakechapalasociety.com
Library: There is a very good English-language library at Lake Chapala Society.
Live Music: Many performances at the Centro para la Cultura y las Artes de la Ribera de Chapala Or on Facebook. They are not good at marketing, you may wish to walk by.
See also the Centro Cultural de Gonsalez Gallo listed in Arts and Cultural above
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 in the August event.
Live Theatre in English: Lakeside Little Theatre, well established, in San Antonio. The Bravo Theatre (100-seats) and Bare Stage Theatre Mexico (reading only, 40 seats) may have Facebook announcements.
Massages and Facials: Guests have recommended Lucy, very close on Calle Javier Mina, mountainside, +52-333-413-7303. Pedicures often by Louisa on our terrace on Saturdays. Ask us in advance.
Markets: Your fellow vacation rental guests like the Wednesday “tianguis” outdoor market on Calle Revolución 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 1826-1855. Here is the history. By the way, it explains the reason for our nearby streets to be name after Marcos Castellanos and Encarnacion Rosas. https://www.chapala.com/lakechapala/the-battle-of-mezcala-island/. Just go to their modest museum and lovely malecon in the town 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 (this pic is out of date). Casa Lule on Ocampo is the other “best” Mexican restaurants. 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) on Hidalgo near the Plaza.
Restaurants – International: GO Bistro www.gobistro.net/, Canadian-Mexican Chef Pedro Palmer, offers gentle string music a few nights per week, is just one minute walk from your Ajijic vacation rental. Pasta Trenta is popular. Alex’s Pasta Bar is an Italian restaurant about a 5-6 minutes walk east. Chatterleys’s is in the centre of Chapala – very good food in lovely large quiet gardens, DH Lawrence stayed here while pondering The Plumed Serpent.
Other Restaurants and Menus: Join https://www.facebook.com/groups/lakechapalamenus. Or see Breakfast Restaurants above.
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 (out of date) 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. Just tell them your address. 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: Walk to Hotel Real de Chapala in La Floresta in the morning and chat with other players – several pickleball courts. Mel’s Social on Zaragoza is close and popular – just one court. Take a bus or taxi and go to one of the following: Hotel Monte Carlo in Chapala. Or go to Parque Cristiania in Chapala. There are also courts and players at the Racquet Club gated community uphill in San Juan Cosalá. Ask around to see if the above is still correct.
Tequila Tastings in Ajijic West: By the expert Gabriela Canedo, Universo Tequila Tasting Room, 332-343-7766.
Tequila Tours: Charter Club on Carretera in Ajijic has day trips to Tequila. The Jose Cuervo Express www.mundocuervo.com/eng/jose-cuervo-express/ is a very nice Saturday train trip to Tequila town. In the past, the Tequila Herradura Express www.herradura.com/visit-us/train-options has also been a very nice Saturday train trip to Amatitán – not sure whether still in operation. For the best experience, buy the highest-class ticket.
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.
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. They 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.
Walking in Ajijic: Public spaces are very important in Mexican culture. From your vacation rental, walk 4 minutes to the Ajijic Plaza (more if the traffic light is red), or 10 minutes to the malecon (waterfront promenade). See above for the San Antonio plaza.
Winery: You can drive one hour to a winery on south side of Lake Chapala, just east of San Luis Soyatlán. Look at their website laestramancia.com laestramancia@gmail.com, 33-1546-4631. Ask for English-speaking guide, Ivan. Contact them in advance to book. They make wine from malbec and tempranillo grapes, and they also grow syrah and granache for future production. Please update me on what you find. Even better, get a few friends and take a quick boat trip direct to the winery. You may have to separately book your boat trip at the booth at the Ajijic pier.
Yoga: There is yoga at Lake Chapala Society (free to members), the Cultural Centre in the Ajijic Plaza, and other places. A private centre is Yoga Asanate, very close to us at Guadalupe Victoria 56, Call teacher Latika at 315-107-0836.
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 commonly 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 Bienestar/IMSS/Salud Jalisco, 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 xxx-xxx-xxxx. 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 the Riberas Medical Centre. Medical care is always less expensive in Guadalajara, but you may prefer or need the location here and the English language usage available in Lakeside.
