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For More Information Contact |
Lucy Robles phone 916 247-2208 |
Activities & ORGANIZATIONS
Area Attractions -
Events - Schools
For many expatriates arriving in a foreign country, the
available civic clubs, organizations and their associated activities are an
important social link with other English-speakers. The Lake Chapala area offers
many social and civic groups, along with organizations such as Ajijic Society of
the Arts,
American Legion (the largest in Mexico with over 400 members), Bridge
Clubs, Genealogy Club, Chess Club, Computer Club, two country clubs, Culinary
Arts Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, Garden Guild, Humane
Society, Kiwanis Club,
Lakeside Little Theater, Music Appreciation Society, Needle Pushers, the
Red Hat Mamas, Rotary International Writer's Guild. In addition, with
golf, tennis, horseback riding, boating, fishing, hiking, martial arts and
yoga, you can be as active as you choose to be.
One of the largest organizations is the Lake Chapala Society, where over 2,700
members from the U.S., Canada and 28 other countries meet and enjoy a video and
book library, lovely gardens (1½ acres), membership directory and a children's
library.
Nightspots and dance clubs come and go, but you can always find some sort of
entertainment at local restaurants and bars. Some feature live bands, a dance
area, and theme nights. Also, just 45 minutes away in Guadalajara one can find a
wealth of places to dance and party the night away.
Hiking paths that from the north shore town to mountain forests, waterfalls and
hot springs are also marked on area maps. Back
Area Attractions
Balnearios (thermal springs) are one of the Lakeside's most relaxing and
therapeutic natural attractions. Underground thermal springs are numerous, and
can be found in remote mountain areas, and occasionally in private homes. The
largest and best-known public Balnearios is in San Juan Cosala, between the
towns of Ajijic and Jocotepec, which features natural thermal water in various
swimming pools, three hotels, and a restaurant. For visitors who want something
livelier, there is Tobolandia, a (non-thermal) water park in Ajijic offering
water slides and other diversions.
There are also two golf courses in the Lake Chapala area, several health spas,
tennis courts, video arcades, etc. Not to be missed are the many presentations
by the Lakeside Little Theatre, the Circle Theater and other groups.
For exploration of other attractions, there are several
tour guide businesses, which utilize vans or
buses at reasonable prices. Popular destinations include historic Guadalajara, a
tequila factory, Ballet Folklorico in the famous Teatro Degollado, and even
"shop-till-you-drop" jaunts to the Tonala artisan's district, Wal-Mart and Price
Club.
From the Chapala pier, a number of excursions are possible, from a one-hour ride
along the lakeshore to extended lake and island tours. These could include a
two-hour visit to Scorpion Island (Isla Alacranes), with its regional food
restaurants and bird watching; or four hours round-trip to Mezcala Island (Isla
Presidio), a national monument with the remains of a fort around which the
historical Battle of Mezcala took place. Back
Events
A number of special events highlight life at Lake Chapala. Among them are: the
annual Carnaval (Mardi Gras) held at Chapala's huge Cristiania Park; an annual
arts exhibition called Expo Redes, the annual Chili Cook-Off, a 3-day festival
held each February to benefit a variety of local charities; the annual
celebrations for the Mexican, American and Canadian Independence days held in
the gardens of the Lake Chapala Society; and annual fiestas held in each town
plaza in honor of the local patron saints.
The Carnaval, usually held in February, attracts thousands and begins with the
traditional "burial of Bad Humor", the beautiful floats, costumed and masked
groups, followed by "serenades" to the Carnival Queen and the crowning of "The
Ugly King" in the Main Plaza.
Each patron saint fiesta runs for two weeks, and provides nightly live bands, a
wide assortment of food and free-flowing alcoholic drinks, fireworks, carnival
rides, and a multitude of booths, gift & novelty stands, and games of chance.
The Mexicans have a love of loud noises, and it is common during fiesta time to
hear cuhuetes (pyrotechnic rockets) and firecrackers going off at all hours.
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Schools
In addition to the Spanish-language public schools the Lake Chapala area offers
several private bilingual schools for ages pre-school and kindergarten through
12th grade. A vocational school recently opened on the bypass linking Chapala
and Ajijic. Although there is a small satellite campus in Chapala, the closest
university is in Guadalajara.
For those wishing to learn Spanish, there are several language instructors who
offer classes, in addition to the Lake Chapala Society. There are also some
excellent language schools in neighboring Guadalajara. Back