Renowned for its idyllic climate and hospitable people, the Ribera de Chapala rates as a convenient and delightful get-away destination for athletes and visitors attending the 2011 Pan American Games.

The string of small towns situated along the north shore of Mexico’s largest lake offer perfect spots to break away from the hectic state capital and enjoy a relaxing day of outdoor activity, dining and shopping.  Chapala plays host to the Pan American water ski competition at Boca Laguna, a privately owned man-made laguna located just four kilometers east of town on the Chapala-Mezcala highway.

Visitors to the Ribera will discover more than 100 establishments for dining out, with a huge array of options in national, international and ethnic menus to satisfy any appetite and budget. Excellent coffee shops, independent of international chains, draw clients in every locality.  Ajijic stands out for the best selection of gourmet and speciality restaurants, including Mexican, Italian, French, German, Asian and all-American fare.

Lake Chapala – the largest body of fresh water in Mexico – stretches about 50 miles east to west and 20 miles wide. This vast “inland sea” mirrors majestic mountain ranges that hug its sun-drenched shores. Throw in lush vegetation, azure skies, a typical sunrise, sunset or moonlight reflected in its waters, and the natural landscape is absolutely stunning.  The lake and its surroundings provide habitat to hundreds of endemic plant and animal species, and a winter sanctuary for migrating birds from north of the border.  Lake Chapala is also one of the sacred sites important to the Wixarika native tribe.

Alluring Chapala

Visitors to Chapala gravitate to the Malecon (pedestrian promenade) stretching along the shoreline at the south end of the town’s broad central thoroughfare, Avenida Madero. It’s the prime place to stroll, take in sweeping panoramas of lake and mountains, sun on the narrow beach, catch a boat ride or settle down for a meal and refreshments. Many vendors hawk an array of clothing, souvenir trinkets, snacks and miscellanea. A self-directed walking tour of the downtown area reveals remnants of Chapala’s early 20th-century glory days seen in what remains of stately vacation mansions of the era. Points of interest include the Palacio Municipal (city hall building), once the town’s best hotel; the 18th-century San Francisco parish church; the Victorian-style Casa Braniff (now the Cazadores Restauarant) and a one-room history museum at the Archivo Municipal. A number of other period homes border the west leg of the Malecon and Paseo Ramon Corona.

Enchanting Ajijic

Ajijic. the quaint fishing village turned international retirement haven located seven kilometers west of Chapala, is the best place to explore for boutique shopping and art gallery hopping. Unwind at the town’s placid central plaza, check out art exhibits and happenings at the adjacent Centro Cultural, or nose around the pedestrian strip for bargains on native crafts. Head down Calle Colon toward the colorful Corazon de Ajijic shopping and dining district and beyond to the lakefront promenade and lovely town park. Wander the lush gardens of the nearby Lake Chapala Society, the information and activity hub for the village’s large expatriate community.

Seductive Jocotepec

Jocotepec at the west end of the lake maintains the authentic aura of Mexican village life, centered at its sprawling plaza. A few local craftsmen maintain the dying arts of producing handsome hand-loomed shawls and sturdy leather sandals. Spanning the waterfront near the eastern entrance of the town is the lake’s largest Malecon, complete with a charming fish sculpture fountain, extensive recreational areas and a row of refreshment stalls.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

DIVERSIONS A-PLENTY: With its eternal spring-like weather, the Ribera de Chapala was made for recreation in the great outdoors, boasting two golf courses, at the Chula Vista Country Club and Vista del Lago’s Country Club de Chapala (daily green fees and club hire available). There are various public places for playing tennis, volleyball and basketball. Rustic hiking trails dot the north shore mountain range. Rental strings for horseback riding are available at the Camino Real in Ajijic’s La Floresta residential area and at the far end of Chapala’s tourist zone.  San Juan Cosalá and El Chante, located between Chapala and Jocotepec, are noted for the relaxing natural thermal waters captured at several spa and hotel complexes. The slides and wading pools at Tobolandia water park, near Ajijic, draw family crowds.

BOAT RIDES: Visitors have various options for setting off on boating excursions in the lake. Chapala’s traditional small capacity tourists launches board passengers near the town pier for rides to nearby Isla de los Alacranes (Scorpion Island) – so named for its shape, not the stinging beasts. Several religious shrines, including a Wixarika offering place, may be seen interspersed with the island’s al fresco restaurants.  The large multi-deck tour vessel Batur, docked at the east end of the Malecon, features a party atmosphere with bar service, snack bar, sound system and a dance floor.  Passengers can expect similar fun in tighter quarters aboard Barco Fiesta Lago Chapala, a pontoon boat docked at the Jocotepec Malecon.  Guided tours to Isla de Mezcala depart from the Malecon of in the town of Mezcala de la Asunción, lying about 15 kilometers east of Chapala. The island was the refuge of a brave band of native insurgents who held off Royalists troops for four years during Mexico’s Independence

struggle. It was later converted into a prison fortress. Visitors learn about Mezcala’s background from pre-Hispanic times to the present while trekking through the ruined fortifications.

GETTING THERE

The city of Chapala, the main portal to the inland Riviera, is less than an hour’s drive from the Guadalajara metropolitan area via the multilane highway that passes by the Miguel Hidalgo International Airport. One-way taxi service from the city costs around 400 pesos, varying upwards depending upon the point of departure and time of day. Bus service via Transportes Guadalajara-Chapala departs every 30 minutes, 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, from the downtown Guadalajara terminal (Antigua Central Camionera), with return trips on the same schedule. First class one-way fare is 45 pesos.