Welcome to Ajijic and Lake Chapala Retirement Area
We want to congratulate you for looking into Mexico's largest
North American retirement community.
As pioneers in real estate (1st one lakeside) and the publishing business, we have introduced many to our local idyllic scene. We feel this is what we do best, showing you what graceful and carefree retirement is all about.
Let us share with you our excitement and knowledge on the Lake Chapala area. Be among the many that have already begun a new and enjoyable life.
Lake Chapala, the Area Known as “Lakeside”
Lake Chapala is the largest freshwater lake in Mexico, with 1112 km².
This area is known as “Lakeside” to residents from the U.S., Canada, Great Britain and Europe, among other places, and “la ribera” to Mexicans. Due partly to the eclectic mixture, it has developed a continental Old World charm which blends smoothly with a distinctly Mexican ambiance.
Cobblestone streets, tile-roofed homes, riotously colorful gardens blooming year around, and incredible open-air markets and restaurants are common sights, backdropped by lush green mountains surrounding the lake. The hills are laced with flowering trees and plants, and accented by waterfalls, caves, petroglyphs, indigenous sacred sites, and a variety of hiking trails and places to explore.
Over 10,000 retirees call lakeside their home, call us, we can show you around!
Guadalajara, Mexico’s second largest city, and its international airport are less than an hour away, so Lake Chapala area residents can have anything at their disposal. If for some reason it can’t be found in Chapala or Ajijic, it can be found in Guadalajara. With the airport so close, it is easy to travel to the United States or anywhere in the world.
Climate And Weather in the Lake Chapala Area
Other prime retirement locations cannot come close to matching the climate in the Lake Chapala area. High humidity, searing summer heat, hurricane and tornado threats and miserable winters are all foreign to the Lake Chapala area. Temperatures are consistent year round. The sun shines all day almost every day. Consistently low humidity adds to the comfort level. The wind is very gentle or non-existent. Sunrises and sunsets vary only about an hour from winter to summer.
A combination of tropical location, high altitude and a large body of water produce a climate in the Chapala area that is second to none in the world. Although National Geographic magazine has done the full analysis and declared Lake Chapala to have the second best climate, those who live here are quite content to be that close to the ideal.
Continue Reading more about climate and weather…
Cost Of Living
Other than excellent climate, the reason many North Americans have for moving to Mexico is the cost of living. Most prices are lower compared to those “back home”. It is hard to understand why so many people on small pensions or Social Security will struggle with miserable climates, high utility and medical bills, and other services, when they could live better in Mexico.
Where is Chapala?
Chapala is located in the central area of the state of Jalisco, Mexico, at the north shore of Lake Chapala, 26 km. (16 mi.) east of the Lake’s western end, and 42 km. (25 mi.) south of Guadalajara, Jalisco. Chapala is the largest city on the shores of Lake Chapala, it is a traditional Mexican city, where you can take walks along the shore of the lake and contemplate the beautiful boardwalk. The climate in the Chapala area is temperate, with rains in summer. The rains occur between the months of June and October. The coldest periods are from December to February. Its average temperature is 72°F / 22°C. The temperature ranges from a low of about 50°F / 10°C in the winter months, to a high of about 90°F / 32°C in summer.
15 Activities to Enjoy in Lake Chapala
Retirees find that keeping occupied is not a problem; the only dilemma is finding the time to do all the available activities. With over 200 existing organizations in the area, there is a variable of “things to do” year round. There are hundreds (maybe thousands) of activities in the towns of La Ribera de Chapala to keep you entertained and participating in this beautiful community.
This is a brief list of some of the activities, places and organizations, which are not numbered in any particular order. Hope this is of great help for you.
Let’s start and have some fun! Read more…
Enjoy this video of Lake Chapala area
Home of the Week
“Town Home”
This property has wide rooms distributed in two stories, downstairs there are one bedroom, a complete bathroom, living room, dining room and kitchen. Lake and mountain view from the terrace of the second floor, 3 bedrooms and one complete bathroom. Big back yard, parking gated for one car.
Home For Sale In Chapala
Let us help you find the house of your dreams!
MORE ABOUT LAKE CHAPALA
Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico: A Vibrant Destination with a Rich Culture and Scenic Beauty
Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico is a small but vibrant town located on the shores of the largest lake in Mexico. It...
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More About Lake Chapala
More About Lake Chapala Lake Chapala is the largest freshwater lake in Mexico. For more than 10,000 expats, mostly Canadians...
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Moving to Mexico
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Nurseries (Viveros) in Lake Chapala
Here is a list of Nurseries in Lake Chapala. I hope this list guides you to your flora destinations.
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20 Reasons Not to Retire to Lake Chapala
For a variety of reasons more and more Americans and Canadians are contemplating moving abroad for retirement. For many, Mexico...
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A Woman in Ajijic
An extraordinary story that tells the daily life of a woman in the old Ajijic of the 40s
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Chapala Railway Station to Become Museum
By Ilse Hoffmann(Published in El Ojo del Lago, November 2000) “I want to put a stop to the rumor that has...
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The Battle Of Mezcala Island
By Robert M. Burnet Mezcala Island, a rocky and chayote-covered outcrop near the north shore of Lake Chapala, today bears...
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Flora and Fauna in Lake Chapala
The term ecosystem was coined in 1930 to denote the physical and biological components of an environment considered in relation...
Read MoreLake Chapala Towns
For more than 10,000 expatriates, mostly Canadian and American, attracted by a climate described as “eternal spring,” the shores of Lake Chapala, Mexico’s largest lake, have become a permanent home.
Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico
This charming town of Chapala is located on the north shore of Lake Chapala, the largest lake in Mexico, 26 km. (16 mi.) east of the western end of the lake, and 42 km. (25 miles) southeast of Guadalajara, the second largest city in Mexico. It is the oldest town, the most populated, and is part of a series of towns on the shores of Lake Chapala: Chapala, San Antonio Tlayacapan, Ajijic, San Juan Cosalá, and Jocopetec, known locally as Lakeside.
Chapala is one of the most fascinating and beautiful places in the country. Its privileged location on the shores of the largest lake in Mexico makes it a unique natural destination.
Founded in 1538, the town probably took its name from Chapalac, one of its earliest Indian chiefs. Or perhaps it came from the Mexican “Chapatla,” the “place where pots abound,” referring to the primitive Indian practice of appeasing the gods by throwing pots, spotted with blood from earlobes, into Lake Chapala. “Grasshoppers Over the Water” – Nahuatl “Very Wet Place” – Coca “Place Where the Pots Abound”- Nahuatl
Chapala is a center of art and culture, with a rich history and traditions that are celebrated in local festivities.
If you are looking for a place to explore the natural and cultural beauty of Mexico, don’t miss the opportunity to visit Chapala and experience all it has to offer.
Read more: Location, Meaning, History, Flora, Fauna, Art, Festivities….
CHAPALA REAL ESTATE: Homes for sale and rent in Chapala
Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico
Ajijic is located on the shores of Lake Chapala and offers an unforgettable experience for visitors, with its impressive flora and fauna, rich history and culture, and unique festivities and traditions.
“In pre-conquest times, Ajijic (Ah-ee-heec) was spelled Axixique or Axixic (pronounced “Ah-she-sheek.”) The final “c” was pronounced by Spanish rules, but whenever anyone pronounces it, people in these parts know he is a stranger. Ajijic means “The Place Where the Water Springs Forth” in Nahuatl.”
One of Ajijic’s main attractions is its location and its climate (some say the best climate in the world). Situated on the shores of Lake Chapala, the town offers breathtaking views and exciting outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, and fishing. There are also companies that offer boat tours on the lake to explore the natural beauty around Ajijic.
In addition to its natural beauty, Ajijic has a rich history and culture that can be experienced in its unique festivals and traditions. From November 21 to 30, the town celebrates its own Fiesta Patronal, in honor of San Andrés, with nine days of fireworks, processions, games, music, dancing, food and drink. Carnival, which is celebrated just before Lent, is another important festivity in which parades are held with the participation of sayacas (they are masked characters dressed as women “somewhat exaggerated in their attributes”).
Food is also a major draw in Ajijic. Visitors can enjoy a variety of options, from traditional Mexican food restaurants to cafeterias and international food restaurants.
Since Tuesday, December 1, 2020, the town of Ajijic, located on Lake Chapala, has been declared the ninth Magic Town of Jalisco (Pueblo Magico), delivered by the federal tourism government.
Ajijic is a vibrant and exciting tourist destination in Jalisco, Mexico. With its privileged location on Lake Chapala, its rich history and culture, its impressive flora and fauna, and its unique festivities and traditions, Ajijic offers an unforgettable experience for all visitors. Whether you are looking to relax in a natural setting, explore the culture and history of Mexico, or enjoy exciting outdoor activities, Ajijic is the perfect place for you. Don’t wait any longer to plan your trip to this beautiful town in Mexico!
Read more: Location, Meaning, History, Flora, Fauna, Art, Festivities….
AJIJIC REAL ESTATE: Homes for sale and rent in Ajijic
More Lake Chapala Towns
Living in Lake Chapala
The Lake Chapala Society – Open Circle
June 11: Andre Trevino Luna
“Sexual Diversity: A Human Right”
During this month of Pride, Open Circle is pleased to have with us the Director of Sexual Diversity for the state of Jalisco. His presentation will provide an update on the progress that has been made in Jalisco on human rights relating to the LGBTTTIQ+ community.
Andre is making his mark as a human rights defender from Guadalajara, focused on the promotion of public policies of inclusion, equality and non-discrimination of the LGBTTTIQ+ population.
MORE ARTICLES
The Toad Kiss
By Sergio Casas
Fashion shows in Ajijic
By Ilsa Picazo
A Liberated Space
By Ron DiMichele
Read more articles – El Ojo del Lago – June 2023
Lake Chapala Videos
Activities to enjoy in Chapala
Take a look to this virtual tour of San Antonio Tlayacapan, a beautiful town at Lakeside….
On June 24, San Juan Cosalá celebrates its Fiesta Patronal, honoring Saint John the Baptist….
Take a tour of the beautiful boardwalk of Ajijic…
Enjoy the beauty of the lake with the first rays of the sun on the boardwalk of Chapala….
Lets uncover the best places to eat, drink, and shop in Lake Chapala.
Magnificent Mexico
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Pre-Columbian Deities
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