Ajijic
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◈ The Lake Chapala shoreline adds to the town’s bohemian, cosmopolitan charm and seduces whoever lays eyes upon for the first time. It inspires love affairs for artists who let the sunsets, the gorgeous lakeviews, and the vibrant energy found in the lively smiles of the town’s inhabitants win them over.
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◆ Walking around the town streets and checking out the mural paintings on the walls
◆ Enjoying Lake Chapala
◆ Exploring Cerro del Tépalo
◆ Enjoying traditional dishes
Go for a boat ride on the lake.
❖ Plaza Principal
The heart of Ajijic. Here, you can watch people come and go, both those born here and the foreigners who have made it their home. It’s also the setting of the small Capilla del Rosario, where the town’s patron saint day celebrations converge. Nearby, the Parroquia de San Andrés is notably austere.
Taking a seat under the canopy of trees means cherishing the serenity that moves this lakeside town. It has everything its people could want: food, music, and homemade goodness.
❖ Murales
In the street, you can feel Ajijic’s artistic vibe: house and storefronts were used as canvases by artists such as Javier Zaragoza, Antonio López Vega, Daniel Palma, and others who have painted history’s legacy onto the town itself. Spend some time walking around and checking out the muralist art, which has enjoyed a huge resurgence.
❖ Templo de
San Andrés Ajijic
This church is the most prized architectural gem for those who reside in this Magical Town. It started out as a church devoted to St. Francis of Assisi, when Fray Martín de Jesús established the second oldest monastery in the west of New Spain.
After a few years, the name was changed to San Andrés de Ajijic, and St. Andrew became the town’s patron saint, with celebrations held November 30th each year. There are few other churches in Mexico where you’ll also be able to hear a mass given in English.
❖ Explore Lake Chapala
Rent a boat at the dock and discover this big lake to get an idea of Ajijic’s physiognomy. If you like, you can head to Isla Mezcala or Isla de los Alacranes. For excitement lovers, the water ski will satisfy that need to zip through the waves. Horseback and bike rides offer another way to see the lake.
There are preset kayak routes to see the aquatic setting, with stops at the nesting sites of migratory and permanent birds. When the American white pelicans are passing through you can check them out on special tours to their arrival sites.
❖ Sports fishing at Lake Chapala
Almost year round there’s fishing going on—but with a conservationist method: photographs are taken with the specimens before returning them to the water. The La Floresta Nautical Club is in charge of this experience, turning it into something different that’s oriented toward reflection. Fishermen from around the world attend.
❖ Try the delicious food and drink
A cosmopolitan town like Ajijic inspires flavors on par with many cuisines. Here, Spain, France, Africa, Thailand, the U.S., and Mexico represent the bulk of culinary tendencies. Cocinart, Hacienda del Lago, El Jardín de Ninette, Alex’s Pasta Bar, Bar Camaleón, and Ritchie 88 are all obligatory stops on a culinary tour here.
