Ajijic

Ajijic is the little magical town known to most non-Mexican people as Chapala. Part of the greater Lake Chapala area, the town is said to be home to more foreign born nationals than anywhere else in the country. The town name comes from the Nahuatl Axixic meaning simply where the water spills. Said to be one of the oldest settlements in the country, Ajijic has been occupied since long before the Spanish arrived in the 16th century.

The town is but one in a string that line the coast of Lake Chapala, the biggest lake in Mexico. Today, after years of conservation and preservation efforts, the lake is one of the cleanest in the country. People come for the boardwalk, the quaint town, the terrific food and just to take in the air. There are events and commemorations going on practically year round. Ajijic is also a terrific food town, with specialties that show up from across the state of Jalisco. 

The cultural scene is rich and varied with artisan markets springing up to accompany the other tianguis where people buy their fruits and vegetables. But for the lake and the boats, one could easily get the idea that the town lives entirely outdoor. The landscape is magnificent and seems to go on forever. 

People generally arrive to Ajijic and the other lake shore communities via Guadalajara. The Chapala Plus bus service runs regular routes from the Nueva Central de Autobuses and from Central Vieja, both in Guadalajara. There are also some buses from the Guadalajara airport. Depending on where you plan to go, the trip is usually about an hour.