Ajijicis the little magical town known to most non-Mexican people as Chapala. It's part of the greater Lake Chapala area that is still said to be home to more foreign born nationals than anywhere else in the country. The town name comes from the NahuatlAxixic which meaning simplywhere the water spills.It's also said to be one of the oldest settlements in the country as it's 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, it's also thought to be one of the cleanest lakes. 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. It's 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 it's entirely an outdoor town. The landscape is magnificent and goes 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're getting on and off, the trip is usually about an hour.