Guidebook for Ajijic
Sightseeing
Wonderful boardwalk lined with benches along Lake Chapala. Great place to do daily exercise on flat surface and to see the sunsets in the evening. Small park with tables to picnic and bathroom facilities
It is 40 miles from Ajijic. Second biggest major city in Mexico.
Lots of culture and History
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Guadalajara
It is 40 miles from Ajijic. Second biggest major city in Mexico.
Lots of culture and History
Great place to "people watch" day or night. Especially fun and very active on weekends when "Tapatios" (people from Guadalajara) are in town with their families.
Lots of times, there are live music events to celebrate local events. For Ex.On Sunday evening about 6:00 p.m. "Danzon" lessons given by a Guadalajara, well-know dance instructor, to anybody who shows up.
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Hauptplatz von Ajijic
4 Guadalupe VictoriaGreat place to "people watch" day or night. Especially fun and very active on weekends when "Tapatios" (people from Guadalajara) are in town with their families.
Lots of times, there are live music events to celebrate local events. For Ex.On Sunday evening about 6:00 p.m. "Danzon" lessons given by a Guadalajara, well-know dance instructor, to anybody who shows up.
Shopping
Tonalá
Talavera pottery. Iron works.
Sightseeing
Chapala is the next big town east of Ajijic. There is a lovely male con with lots of kiosks selling souvenirs. Lots of restaurants. A beautiful church and town hall. You can take a boat from Chapala and go out to the two islands: Mescala and Scorpion. Nice boat ride. Great way to see the shoreline from the Lake.
Chapala is the main center of Lake Chapala. It has a long boardwalk (malecon) with many kiosks that offer a variety of souvenirs for the tourists. It also has a beautiful Church and City Hall worth visiting. It offers a variety of restaurants that look out onto the Lake. Nice place to catch the wonderful sunsets of Lake Chapala. These restaurants offer special drinks and seafood dishes.
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Chapala
Chapala is the main center of Lake Chapala. It has a long boardwalk (malecon) with many kiosks that offer a variety of souvenirs for the tourists. It also has a beautiful Church and City Hall worth visiting. It offers a variety of restaurants that look out onto the Lake. Nice place to catch the wonderful sunsets of Lake Chapala. These restaurants offer special drinks and seafood dishes.
Guadalajara has lots of culture and history. GDL is a thriving city of almost 6 million people and there is something for every taste and culture. Getting around in taxi is the easiest and quickest way. The people are friendly and always willing to recommend different places to eat and things to see. I would recommend GDL to anyone who is wanting to learn more about Mexico. Downtown is where all the buzz is and it is pedestrian friendly. Great historical buildings and monuments to see: Teatro Degollado, Las Cabanas w/Orozco murals, the Cathedral to name a few.
The Mercado Libertad is amazing, and GDL has very fancy malls. Guachimontones, the closest pyramid, outside city limits
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Centro de guadalajara
Guadalajara has lots of culture and history. GDL is a thriving city of almost 6 million people and there is something for every taste and culture. Getting around in taxi is the easiest and quickest way. The people are friendly and always willing to recommend different places to eat and things to see. I would recommend GDL to anyone who is wanting to learn more about Mexico. Downtown is where all the buzz is and it is pedestrian friendly. Great historical buildings and monuments to see: Teatro Degollado, Las Cabanas w/Orozco murals, the Cathedral to name a few.
The Mercado Libertad is amazing, and GDL has very fancy malls. Guachimontones, the closest pyramid, outside city limits
An unusual place up in the Sierra Mountains. Hiring a driver to take you there is a good idea. Spending the day walking around, having lunch, and returning to Ajijic is a unique experience. Mazamitla, the Switzerland pueblo of Mexico.
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Mazamitla
An unusual place up in the Sierra Mountains. Hiring a driver to take you there is a good idea. Spending the day walking around, having lunch, and returning to Ajijic is a unique experience. Mazamitla, the Switzerland pueblo of Mexico.
Mezcala Island
Isla del PresidióFun boat trip
Guachimontones (a colloquial word from the region to refer to 'pyramid' or 'structure of importance.' It is the name of an old pre-Hispanic archaeological site located in the city and municipality of Teuchitlan, about an hour west of Guadalajara (the second biggest city in Mexico) in the state of Jalisco.
Going with a guide is preferable as the ancient ruins are unmarked and need context.
There are two colonial haciendas which have been transformed in a boutique hotel where you can relax and have a drink. You can book a tour with any travel agency which will include a professional guide, bottled water, and a snack. For example, the cost with Trip Advisor is about MX$2, 250.00 ~ with pick up and drop off in Guadalajara.
Or you can hire my driver, Javier, who will combine the Tequila trip and the Guachimontones Pyramids trip in a day!!! You leave Ajijic @ 8:30 a.m. for Tequila, do the tour, have a wonderful lunch in the town of Tequila (beautiful town) and then go to Guachimontones in the afternoon. Return to Ajijic about 6:00 p.m. Javier's price is about $5,500 pesos (including tolls, entry fees at both locations.) Lunch is excluded. Be extra careful if you are booking tours with agencies as they usually have pick ups and drop offs in Guadalajara and not in Ajijic which is about 40 miles away.
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Guachimontones
Guachimontones (a colloquial word from the region to refer to 'pyramid' or 'structure of importance.' It is the name of an old pre-Hispanic archaeological site located in the city and municipality of Teuchitlan, about an hour west of Guadalajara (the second biggest city in Mexico) in the state of Jalisco.
Going with a guide is preferable as the ancient ruins are unmarked and need context.
There are two colonial haciendas which have been transformed in a boutique hotel where you can relax and have a drink. You can book a tour with any travel agency which will include a professional guide, bottled water, and a snack. For example, the cost with Trip Advisor is about MX$2, 250.00 ~ with pick up and drop off in Guadalajara.
Or you can hire my driver, Javier, who will combine the Tequila trip and the Guachimontones Pyramids trip in a day!!! You leave Ajijic @ 8:30 a.m. for Tequila, do the tour, have a wonderful lunch in the town of Tequila (beautiful town) and then go to Guachimontones in the afternoon. Return to Ajijic about 6:00 p.m. Javier's price is about $5,500 pesos (including tolls, entry fees at both locations.) Lunch is excluded. Be extra careful if you are booking tours with agencies as they usually have pick ups and drop offs in Guadalajara and not in Ajijic which is about 40 miles away.
Guachimontones
Tlaquepaque
Arts & Culture
It is called the 'little Switzerland" of Mexico.
Not only is it an art gallery, there are many local performances and events scheduled in the building and right outside the building at any time during the year.
Centro Cultural
5 Guadalupe VictoriaNot only is it an art gallery, there are many local performances and events scheduled in the building and right outside the building at any time during the year.
Musical, Dancing, Singing performances and other various entertainment events are continually happening at the Auditorium in Ajijic.
Auditorio De La Ribera
110 Boulvard De Jin XIMusical, Dancing, Singing performances and other various entertainment events are continually happening at the Auditorium in Ajijic.
Food Scene
They make their own pasta. And the variety of pasta sauces will take care of everyone in your party's needs. A small and quaint place around the corner from Casa Rosa.
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Pasta Trenta
52b Carretera Ote.They make their own pasta. And the variety of pasta sauces will take care of everyone in your party's needs. A small and quaint place around the corner from Casa Rosa.
The food is great especially the short ribs...so good and popular that they made Tuesdays' special ribs' night. The good service. The live entertainment on Monday evenings and dancing. Very popular with the expats and Mexicans. The owner is Canadian and his wife is Mexican.
Good house wine selection. Reservation recommended.
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Adelitas Cafe
The food is great especially the short ribs...so good and popular that they made Tuesdays' special ribs' night. The good service. The live entertainment on Monday evenings and dancing. Very popular with the expats and Mexicans. The owner is Canadian and his wife is Mexican.
Good house wine selection. Reservation recommended.
The food is Mexican Gourmet - Gloria is a delightful chef. Her co-partner, Ricardo, is friendly, speaks English, and attends to guests well. Food is good, service is good, location is good, what's not to like! And to boot....Gloria makes all her own desserts! Delicioso....
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Teocintle
52 ConstituciónThe food is Mexican Gourmet - Gloria is a delightful chef. Her co-partner, Ricardo, is friendly, speaks English, and attends to guests well. Food is good, service is good, location is good, what's not to like! And to boot....Gloria makes all her own desserts! Delicioso....
Cocinart restaurant
4D 16 de SeptiembreFood is consistently good!
Essentials
Pancho, about 3 blocks from the house, variety and specialty items: bakery goods, wine, other items
Super lake is a great place to get specialty items. Walmart for other essentials. The local "abarrotes" (small convenient stores) can provide individual items such as bread, milk, eggs, candy, etc. There is one of these on every street in Ajijic. My local abarrote is called "Mis 3 amores" around the corner from Casa Rosa on Constitution street.
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Super Lake
Super lake is a great place to get specialty items. Walmart for other essentials. The local "abarrotes" (small convenient stores) can provide individual items such as bread, milk, eggs, candy, etc. There is one of these on every street in Ajijic. My local abarrote is called "Mis 3 amores" around the corner from Casa Rosa on Constitution street.
Local butcher and other full market food and household necessities - nearby 5 blocks (small and large blocks
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El Torito
56 Carretera Ote.Local butcher and other full market food and household necessities - nearby 5 blocks (small and large blocks
Drinks, Entertainment, Dancing, Nightlife
The Spotlight
Specials (20% OFF) on BBQ ribs on Tuesdays.
Live Music, Dancing, and Eating on Mondays
Every other day is great also!
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Adelita Bar & Grill
124 A IndependenciaSpecials (20% OFF) on BBQ ribs on Tuesdays.
Live Music, Dancing, and Eating on Mondays
Every other day is great also!
Go hear "The Crooners" on Thursdays. Very popular with the music and dancing crowd!
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La Bodega de Ajijic, Restaurante Bar
124 16 de SeptiembreGo hear "The Crooners" on Thursdays. Very popular with the music and dancing crowd!