A Mexican Town for Everyone

Mexico has many beautiful towns; cobblestone streets, towns built on hills, historical, next to the sea, multiethnic, traditional, cultural, there is a town for everyone, but no other town can be compared with the Chapala Rivera. Built along the coast of Mexico’s biggest lake, Chapala and Ajijic are just two of the dozens of towns built along Lake Chapala’s coast, yet the beauty of these two settlements stand out in the eyes of tourists and locals.

Lake Chapala is a miniscule body of water when compared to North America’s Great Lakes; its surface area is just 1,100 Km² (420 sq. miles) with a maximum depth of only 10.5 meters (34 ft.) But it is this size what gives the temperature very little variation year round; during January, daytime highs average 24˚C (75˚F) while the month of July averages temperatures of 27˚C (80˚F) to 32˚C (90˚F). Because of its beautiful weather, Lake Chapala, especially the town of Ajijic, has become a safe haven for American and Canadian retirees.

Although summer and winter differ very little in temperature, rain gives these two seasons a marked distinction; during summer the tropical nature of this region asserts itself in the 36” of rain during the months of June through September. At this time, the mountains of Chapala are covered in green and the lake tends to increase its level by around two meters. During the winter, the lack of rain transforms the lush landscape to dry and dessert like.

Lake Chapala is located just 25 minutes away from Guadalajara’s International Airport. As I mentioned before many towns surround the Lake, but some of the most prominent ones, aside from the two previously mentioned are Mezcala, San Antonio, La Floresta, San Juan Cosalá, Jocotopec, and Tizapán el Alto. Within the lake there are two islands worth seeing as well: La Isla de los Alacranes and La Isla del Presidio.

Because Chapala is my hometown and I know it like the back of my hand, I will be spending the next couple of blogs describing the beauties of Lake Chapala, where to eat, where to stay, what to do, and I will dedicate one blog as well for those who are on the verge of retiring and need a little help in choosing the perfect place.