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Town in Jalisco, Mexico
Photo: SimonVelazquez, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Ajijic is on the lake Chapala in the state of Jalisco. Ajijic is a town of 11,400 people (2020) and is a popular weekend destination for urbanites in the Guadalajara area. It is a charming small town with narrow cobblestone streets and twisty alleys with colorful stucco walls and a brilliant rainbow of colorful flowers cascading off balconies and over garden walls. The town is a popular residence for American retirees and ex-pats and a number of businesses cater to an English-speaking clientele. The town is a designated Pueblo Magico.
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Prime promenade for enjoying Lake Chapala that also has murals, carvings, and food vendors. Watch out for water hyacinth detracting from the pretty lake views.
Ajijic's central square/hangout zone with a pavilion and various art; sometimes the site of various functions.
Local museum with some art and pottery exhibits, among other things.
The obligatory town parish.
Art Museum
Small museum displaying artworks by and about the local Ajijic community. Attractive, pleasant gallery with excellent views from the outdoor terrace. Limited accessibility for handicapped.
An interesting waterfall and vantage point from the Sierra de San Juan Cosalas that you can reach via hiking trail. If you really want to see Lake Chapala from above, try this. The trail is well cleared, wide and easy to follow (look for the white stones) with some steep, rocky areas.
Argentinian steakhouse with an inviting spacious palapa-style dining area. Steaks are king, but pasta, chicken, and fish are available. Creative cocktails, friendly service.
Charming small restaurant serving an eclectic menu of Italian and Mexican classic dishes. Italian dishes include several pasta offerings and the Mexican dishes focus mostly on seafood and grilled meats. Open air dining room with outdoor garden dining available. Generous portions.
Pleasant restaurant with outdoor garden seating. Menu is German cuisine, including wurst, schnitzel, rotkraut and sauerkraut. A variety of imported German beers are available.
American-style pancake and waffle house serving fat waffles and stacks of pancakes with too much chocolate syrup and whipped cream.
Upscale restaurant with an international menu and a polished colonial style dining room. Full bar. Attentive service and large portions.
Small artesanal craft brewery that makes both ales and lagers and offers a good variety of different styles on tap, including a schwarzbier, a porter, and smooth festbier (marzen). Good, hearty food includes homemade pizzas and impossibly thick onion rings as well as ceviche and other dishes. Like it says on the wall...."beer is where the heart is".
Small family-run artesanal brewery that also houses a guest house for overnight visits and a restaurant. There is no truth to the rumor that guest rooms have taps with pale and dark running beer. Available beer styles include a robust porter, a rye IPA, and even a mead.
Impressive enclosed garden setting around pool, complimentary deluxe breakfast with eggs and french toast, comfortable rooms. Can hike to waterfall from here.
A bed and breakfast with nice pool setting with great views of lake. Breakfast can be made to order. Sometimes some hot water issues with shower.
A cozy inn with Mexican architecture and attractive masonry inside that has an attached restaurant and a grotto-like pool. Close to lake with nice views.
Homestay type of place with a decent breakfast and some exercise equipment and Wi-Fi
Local vendors selling meat, bakery items, tamales, crafts, even vegan stuff.
By bus
The Chapala bus line provides frequent service to Ajijic with buses that depart Guadalajara's Central Vieja (old bus station) hourly.
There is bus service along the carraterra (main road that runs thru Ajijic). The cost is M$7 per person within Ajijic, M$9 if traveling to Chapala to the east or Jocotepec to the west.
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Guadalajara · International · GDL
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