The semi-tropical climate at Lake Chapala, Mexico is probably the first major attraction to the area. This pre-colonial town in western Mexico of the Sierra Madre makes it incomparable to live in a picturesque Mexican town with all the services and amenities of beautiful Guadalajara, Mexico the second-largest city, only about 30 minutes.
Although National Geographic rates nominate Lake Chapala as the 2nd best climate, it really thinks of it as the best, considering all the other benefits we enjoy here, and not less than the one that is easily accessible – a couple of hours and is already back home with friends and family.
The lake is around 5,200 feet (1,584.96 meters) above sea level so it is practically a semi-humid climate. The mountain range that surrounds the lake protects the area from which the north winds prevail creating this excellent micro-climate that they enjoy so much. The effects of the lake and mountains will ensure that temperatures are pleasantly warm throughout the year, with an average of around 23.34 ° C (74 ° Fahrenheit).
April and May are our hot and dry months with temperatures in the 80 ° ‘S and 90 °’ s with low at night around 60 ° F. Fortunately, it is the sun, not the hot air. When you pass in the shade you can feel at least a difference of ten degrees, so always comfortable, no matter the time of year.
Chapala: paradise of a thousand colors
Beyond its landscape and its immense lake, this jaliscience lake region combines history, healing and contemporaneity.
This text is an excerpt from the article “La Ribera de Chapala” published in the February issue of the National Geographic Traveler magazine.
The road is pleasant, the 40 kilometers that separate the city of Guadalajara from the town of Chapala are enjoyed. The riverside of Chapala, a popular lake area between Tapatios and foreigners, that arrive here attracted by its climate and by the colorful populations that stand on the banks of the lake.
Our tour begins in Chapala to continue through Ajijic until we reach Jocotepec stopping at San Juan Cosalá.
First season: Chapala
Fishing village was as it was named with affection to this population whose first photographic records showed the nets drying in the sun on the banks, while a small boat was lost on the horizon of an expanded lake.
Nostalgia and a dialogue with the present bustle, typical of local joy, seem to be the elements that accompany the walks along the seawall, from where it is possible to contemplate the Island of the scorpions, and it is better to see it from a distance because the boat trip It is not so worth it, as it is worth the tour of the populated area of the riverside, just the one that covers: Ajijic and Jocotepec.
Gastronomy: Charalitos with lemon and salt are part of the tradition of the area, together with the unique “sweets of Chapala”, a delight of candies of different flavors: Jamaican, lemon, burnt milk, myrtle, guava, tamarind to mention a few .
Ajijic, rest area
Well-maintained houses and streets, cultural spaces, theaters, a beautiful boardwalk, cafes and restaurants with top-notch cuisine and a varied gastronomic record, in addition to the good weather and landscape that make Ajijic a charming town.
San Juan Cosalá: the hot springs
Hot spring space where, decades ago, spas were built to which visitors arrive in search of forgetting the stress and urban living conditions.
Jocotepec and its roads
Staying on this boardwalk and watching the end of the day is like paying homage to nature, succumbing to such a simple experience and at the same time many times forgotten by us. The riverbank offers that, the possibility of contemplating time and vegetation.
Discover the paradise of the Chapala riverbank in our photo gallery. Da click HERE .
Source: visitajalisco.com.mx, natgeoespanol.com
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