Whether it is the first time you go or the tenth, we tell you the most iconic places to not miss on your next visit.
Lake Chapala was formed 12,000,00 years ago thanks to a seismic upheaval, in fact at that time it was 7 times larger than what we know today. Originally it was called “Lake of Jalisco”, years later it was given the name of Chapala, taken from the Nahuatl ‘Chapalal’, which represents the sound that water makes when it invests itself on a sandy shore.
This famous lake is considered the largest in Mexico, being located just 60 minutes away from the city of roses and mariachi, Guadalajara, so moving from the city to the lake becomes very easy and relatively quick to get there. Whether you are driving in a private car, by bus or on a scheduled tour.
Chapala has an average temperature of 21°C, making it a perfect place to visit at any time of the year. Now we’ll let you know the basic things and places you can do and visit on your next trip to this great tourist destination:
1. Walk on the malecón of Chapala
One of the best places to start sightseeing in the wonderful town of Chapala is on the malecón, which is the path that follows the edge of the sea, or as it is in this case the LAKE. It is perfect to take incredible photos and thus admire the fabulous landscape that nature has to offer.
Also if you follow the path of the malecón you can find different handicrafts made by the locals of the site, delicious food and drinks to cool off during the walk.
2. Make a stop at the “Rinconcito de Amor”
Continuing along the malecón you will find this incredible space in the middle of the lake that has been named “Rinconcito de amor”, this place is so popular that it has become an unmissable jewel of the town to enjoy the breeze.
This “rinconcito” is a space frequented by many tourists, but no visit has been as famous as the encounter that María Félix, the Mexican gold movie star, once had.
3. Observe the flyers of Papantla
Seeing the Papantla flyers performing their typical dance is one of the activities that you can not miss if it is the first time you go and well, it is actually a cultural beauty that will delight your eyes in each visit you make.
This typical mystical ritual takes place right on the malecón of Chapala, next to the craft market. This dance is an ancient Mesoamerican tradition whose main objective is to connect with the gods. This ritual has been preserved year after year, becoming a traditional Mexican ceremony.
In case this is something new for you, we give you a bit of context about what this dance is about. During the ritual you will be able to observe five dancers performing a dance around a 9.8 ft. high pole, then the same dancers proceed to climb it to the top and then throw themselves tied with ropes around one leg, descending from the same pole but head first. While this is happening, one of the dancers stays at the top of the pole playing the flute and drum while doing his iconic dance.
It’s a show that gives you goosebumps!
4. Take a photo at the giant Chapala sign
In Mexico it has become very popular to see these giant colored signs with the name of the town or city, why not start collecting photos of this style?
The Chapala sign is located in front of the San Francisco Parish, right where the malecón begins, so you can add it to your list of things to do on the lake.
5. Visit the Parish of San Francisco
And taking advantage of the fact that you will be walking by the giant sign of Chapala, you can take a tour of the Parish of San Francisco so you can get to know the beautiful religious architecture of this municipality.
Its construction dates back to the 18th century and has a neoclassical style that dazzles any fan of ancient architecture. Also inside the church you will find the remains of Fray Miguel de Bolonia, who was an evangelist during the colonization times.
6. Visit the Pueblo Mágico Ajijic
The next stop that you must schedule in your itinerary is: Ajijic. A colorful Magical Town located less than 3.1 miles west of Chapala.
Ajijic is popular for its outstanding colors, its impressive views and the festivals and cultural events that take place every month. Ajijic is considered a very artistic town full of traditional and popular art galleries, as well as handicrafts and clothing made by the locals.
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7. Visit the municipality of Jocotepec
Finish your agenda with a beautiful sunset in Jocotepec. Whose name has been slightly modified over the years. Its first settlers gave it the name ‘Xuxutepeque’, which was later changed to ‘Xilotepec’. Finally, in 1529, the name of the town became Jocotepec, which means “Cerro de las Guayabas”.
Right here in the town you can visit the square, the Parroquia del Señor del Monte and of course… you can’t miss your photo on the giant colored sign with the name of the town. Our recommendation is that you go to this site at the end of the day so that you can enjoy an incredible sunset from its malecón.
What do you think? Chapala is a perfect place for a relaxing vacation, it is also the ideal place for many foreigners.
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