|
For More Information Contact |
Lucy Robles phone 916 247-2208 |
LAKE
CHAPALA & VICINITY
Nestled in the Sierra Madre mountains of southwestern Mexico
is Lake Chapala, the country's
largest natural lake. It is located in a valley at an elevation of around 5,000
feet. The protective mountains and lake offer a natural ameliorating effect on
the climate, which is rated one of the best in the world.
Lake Chapala's shores are dotted with charming and peaceful towns. Approximately
20,000 North Americans (some estimates go as high as 30,000) reside on the
lake's north shore. Although the lake measures 55 by 15 miles wide, most of the
expatriates live within 20 miles of one another in the North shore towns of
Chapala, Ajijic and Jocotepec (and numerous smaller towns in between). With its
near-perfect climate, cobblestone streets, flowering trees, lush mountains,
tranquil lifestyle and low cost-of-living, Lake
Chapala
has become a popular destination for foreign visitors and retirees.
The north shore of Lake Chapala, sometimes called the Chapala Riviera, is
situated about 45 minutes south of Guadalajara, Mexico's second largest city,
and about 35 minutes south of the Guadalajara international airport. Offering
easy highway access to such popular destinations as Puerto Vallarta, the Costa
Alegre (Manzanillo, Barra de Navidad, Melaque), Morelia, Zacatecas, Patzcuaro
and San Miguel de Allende, Lake Chapala is indeed ideally located. Almost
everything you could want can be found either at Lakeside or nearby Guadalajara.
A wealth of information is available through the web sites of the
local newspapers.
CLIMATE
Probably the principal attraction to Lake Chapala is its semitropical climate,
rated among the best in the world. With an average temperature of 75°
Fahrenheit, the sun shines almost every day. Even when the cooling rains come
(June to September), it almost always rains during the late-night or pre-dawn
hours, with the sunshine returning during the day, leaving the humidity just
high enough to keep the brightly colored flowers blooming and turn the
surrounding mountains a lush tropical green.
Almost every day in the Lake Chapala valley is mild. Many homes have garden
terraces or patios as many people live outdoors much of the year. It would be
difficult to find a more ideal climate anywhere in the world. In the winter
months, temperatures dip low enough to appreciate a fireplace, though,
generally, heating and air-conditioning are not needed.
 |
Average monthly temperatures and precipitation (in degrees Fahrenheit & inches)
|