Understand
[edit]Chapala is located in the central zone of the state. Chapala is also the name of the biggest lake of the country. Chapala means "place of Vases"(Nahuatl); "really wet place" (Coca); or "place of grasshoppers over the water" (Nahuatl).
History
[edit]Originally Chapala or Chapallan was a pre-Hispanic settlement whose earliest antiquity is found in the twelfth century AD, when migration of Nahuatl tribes from the northwest, reached this latitude, finding the north shore of the lake highly populated as referred by Fray Antonio Tello, Franciscan friar and chronicler.
Climate
[edit]It is temperate, thanks to Lake Chapala, which provides freshness, and does not reach the levels of heat or cold that is in the towns to their surroundings.
Get in
[edit]
By bus
[edit]Clean, comfortable buses operated by the Chapala bus line operate hourly between Guadalajara and Chapala (and also serve other towns on Lake Chapala). The 'directo' bus leaves every full hour from the old bus station (Central Vieja) in Guadalajara. It has A/C and costs M$58 (Dec 2021). It takes around 1 hour. You will be dropped off in the 1 Central Camionera Chapala.
By car
[edit]From Guadalajara, follow the signs to the Airport, then continue onward to "Chapala". It is about a 1-hour drive from Guadalajara to Chapala.
Get around
[edit]The town is small enough to walk or bicycle around though streets are narrow and paved with cobblestones. When you come out of the bus station, turn left and follow the main road to reach the lake and the main church.
See
[edit]
- 1 Malecon (Malecon de los Pelicanos), Paseo Ramón Corona 24. Nicely designed lakeshore promenade with well maintained landscaping, playgrounds, food stalls, restaurants and markets stalls selling bits and bob. There are voladores who climb a tall pole and then spiral downwards to the steady beat of a native drum. Voladores are an indigenous practice often associated with the El Tajin archaeological site.
- 2 Parroquia San Francisco (Parish of St. Francis of Assisi), Av. Francisco Madero 403. Beautiful neoclassical style church of pink quarry stone with two bell towers flanking a long central nave. The interior features intricate tilework and an elaborate altar with multiple iconic statues of various saints.
- 3 Antigua Estacion De Ferrocarril Chapala (Old Train Station), Gonzalez Gallo 1500, ☏ +52 333 727 8507. Tu-Sa 11:00 - 17:00, Su 11:00 - 14:00, closed M. Historic train station re-purposed as a regional cultural arts center with a few historical artifacts and frequent shows or performances, such as mariachi groups or traditional dances. Free.
- 4 Capilla de Nuestra Señora de Lourdes (Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes), Terraza de Lourdes 25. Historic colonial era chapel at the top of a hill. Serene chapel for quiet reflection. Beautiful gardens and a small grotto with a statue of the Virgen.
Do
[edit]- Take a boat out to Isla de los Alacranes (island) on the lake.
Buy
[edit]- Markets beside the lake (along the Malecon) where they sell traditional and not-so-traditional things from Mexico. There are also vendors here selling snacks, cold beers and other drinks.
- Browse the weekly tianguis market (every Monday from about 9AM-2PM) winding all the way up Calle Alvaro Obregon just to the left off the main highway (Francisco Madero) going toward Guadalajara.
Eat
[edit]There are nice restaurants by the shore of the lake. Many of them have live mariachi music.
- 1 La Palapa del Guayabo, Ramon Corona 24, ☏ +52 376 765 4606. Su-F 10:00 - 19:00, Sa 10:00 - 20:00. Lakefront seafood restaurant with large upper level dining room with lake views. Food is traditional Mexican seafood (ceviche, shrimp, filetes) with some regional flares. Full bar serves a variety of large cocktails. Try the molcajete, a large volcanic stone bowl served sizzling hot and filled with a variety of seafood including octopus, shellfish, and shrimp, topped with avocado slices. M$300.
- 2 La Palapa de Don Juan, Ramon Corona 32. Daily 08:00 - 14:00. Small lakeside restaurant with a varied breakfast menu that includes Mexican favorites like chilaquiles as well as dishes more familiar to Americans, like hot cakes or eggs Benedict. Robust coffee and fresh squeezed natural orange juice. M$200.
- 3 Restaurant Isla Cozumel, Ramon Corona 22, ☏ +52 376 765 4606. Daily 11:00 - 19:30. Clean, bright sidewalk cafe serving fresh seafood dishes with tables outside on the Malecon. M$200.
- 4 La Casa Di Romeo & Julieta, Ramon Corona 12, ☏ +52 376 688 2911. Tu-Sa 12:00 - 20:30, closed Su-M. Charming small restaurant with authentic Italian cuisine. Pastas are fresh and made in-house. M$200.
- 5 Chatterly's, Zaragoza 307, ☏ +52 333 228 4656. W-M 11:00 - 20:00, closed Tu. Relaxing contemporary international restaurant with light fare that features salads and soups (try the cucumber mint gazpacho. The restaurant has an indoor dining area but the most enjoyable areas are outdoors in the garden and around the pool. This location was a hotel where British author D.H. Lawrence lived while writing The Plumed Serpent. M$200.
- 6 La Perla, Lourdes. W-M 11:00 - 19:00, closed Tu. Small seafood restaurant with hit-or-miss service and a funky rundown feel. Recommended dishes are the coco loco shrimp and the zarandeado. M$200.
- 7 Il Giardino, Av. Francisco Madero 430, ☏ + 52 376 1080 350. Daily 12:00 - 22:00. Italian restaurant serving pizza, pasta and a variety of soups and chicken entrees. Beautiful outdoor dining area with a playscape for kids. M$200.
- 8 Beer Garden, Av. Francisco I. Madero #200, ☏ +52 376 765 3656. Daily 08:30 - 21:00. Fun patio restaurant with outstanding seafood dishes (the Corvina Zarandeado is especially recommended) and huge drinks with a house special that gives you a double-size drink served in a clay pot (which you can take home as a souvenir). Excellent lake views. M$250.
Drink
[edit]Apart from the restaurants you will find lots of drink stalls along the new lakeshore walk selling
- Micheladas
- Vampiros
- Piña Coladas
- Just plain cold Mexican beer
- Aguas frescas
- Tehuino
Sleep
[edit]- 1 Hotel Villa Montecarlo, Hidalgo 296, ☏ +52 333 777 5350. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Moderate hotel with spacious rooms. Beautiful ground on the shore of Lake Chapala include outdoor swimming pool and pickleball courts. On-site restaurant.
- 2 Lake Chapala Inn, Paseo Ramón Corona 23, Centro, ☏ +52 376 765 4786. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:30. A very nice B and B right on the Malecon overlooking Lake Chapala. Wonderful breakfast and they even have a pool.
- 3 Villa San Francisco, Paseo Ramón Corona 16, Centro, ☏ +52 376 765 2128. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Beautifully maintained 19th century bed and breakfast hotel with upscale amenities and service. Ten clean, spacious rooms include TV, air conditioning, and balconies (some overlooking the Malecon). Outdoor swimming pool available. On-site restaurant and bar. Dog friendly. M$1800.
- 4 Posada San Angel, Morelos 127, Centro, ☏ +52 376 108 2299. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. Bright cheery traditional Mexican hotel with clean, spacious rooms decorated with Mexican artesanias, rustic furniture, plants, and artwork. Tranquil central courtyard. WiFi available. Off-street parking available. M$1100.
Connect
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