Chapala is the largest and the first of the villages to have been placed on Spanish maps in the early 1500's. Among the restaurants, bars and meeting places of Chapala is the largest American Legion Post outside of the United States, with its own clubhouse, restaurant and activities.

Much of the Lake Chapala foreign population does their banking in Chapala and you will see them meeting for conversation with friends in one of the several coffee shops and sidewalk cafes. Near the pier and the former Braniff estate (famous airline family) is the Malecon, a Mexican version of the boardwalk, which is lined with vendors of souvenirs, food and more.

Just outside of Chapala are the communities of Las Brisas de Chapala, Chapala Haciendas and Vista del Lago that features a golf and country club.

Just west of Chapala, Riberas del Pilar has 1200 building lots.

It was largely ignored for many years but is booming now. House and land prices are still low.

Five minutes west of Chapala is the subdivision of Chula Vista where some of the 260 homes wind their way up the side of a mountain to capitalize on the spectacular 180 ° views of the lake and mountains.

The Chula Vista Country club features tennis courts, clubhouse and a short executive nine-hole golf course also with great views.

As is typical of much of the area, flowering trees, shrubs and plants of all descriptions abound.

Just south and west of Chula Vista is the village of San Antonio. This village has remained largely unchanged with the influx of North Americans. At first glance you may not realize there are North Americans in the village, but please. look again.

Behind the walls are lovely homes with modern appliances, beautiful gardens, and happy retirees. Here you truly learn not to judge any home by what you see from the curb.

Along the highway in San Antonio are several grocery stores, liquor store and meat market featuring US products. North Americans in their transition period, and after, will find these products satisfy their yearnings.

Nearby is the Lake Chapala Little Theater where English productions run through the winter months. Next to it you will find one of two bilingual schools in the area.

This is also the location of a new, very successful, 110 home development called "El Parque".

La Floresta is a forty year old, charming neighborhood, where the trees meet over the highway to form a leafy canopy. There are many medium and larger homes on both sides of the highway. It is a very pleasant neighborhood to explore to see the myriad of flowering plants and trees and lovely homes.

La Floresta, which means "Where the flowers are" in Spanish, is the location of the local 445 seat auditorium where classical musical performances, folkloric dance groups, plays and choral groups may be seen and enjoyed on a regular basis.

The village of Ajijic is the center of most of the activities of the North American community. Once a sleepy fishing village on the north shore, it has since been discovered by the rest of the world. Writers such as D.H. Lawrence came and were inspired, as did many musicians, actors and dancers. Some of entertainment's famous stars, such as Elizabeth Taylor and Charles Bronson once came here to escape the hectic pace north of the border. The Ajijic, Lake Chapala community is a haven for many artists who still find inspiration being surrounded by the natural beauty of Mexico.

The village church which is dedicated to San Andres (St. Andrew), the patron saint of Ajijic and the little chapel were built in the 1500's and are located on the plaza square. The church was rebuilt in 1749 and is referred to locally as the 'new church'. The traditional plaza square is the center of local fiestas and is always busy with families on Sunday evenings. The cobblestone streets date back to colonial times, and provide totally recyclable paving material today.

Wednesday is market day in Ajijic, and you can find the local Tiangus (street market) complete with everything you might need. In addition to the most beautiful display of fruits and vegetables, you'll find flowers, clothes, pots and pans, jewelry, tools, pizza, hand carvings, paintings and just about anything you can imagine.

Near the center of the village is the Lake Chapala Society which features a huge tropical garden setting, located on the former estate of the famous writer, Neil James. The Lake Chapala Society is a non-profit organization chartered under Mexican Law as an Asociacion Civil. They currently have over 3,400 members from over 31 nations.

Throughout the village you will find many fine restaurants, hotels and B & B's. Enjoy browsing the numerous designer boutiques, shops and art studios/galleries. Buses and taxis are available but are sometimes held up by the occasional burro carrying a load of goods for his owner. Enjoy the new refurbished lakefront walkways and parks on wonderful morning walks.

On the mountainside of the highway in western Ajijic are the charming neighborhoods of Las Salvias, Villa Nova, and Rancho del Oro. Some of the most beautiful and grand homes in the area lie within these neighborhoods. In Villa Nova, which is marked by stone arches facing the highway, you will find the original Hacienda site of the area. On the grounds of the Hacienda are magnificent enormous Indian Laurel trees. Rancho del Oro is on the west side of Villa Nova and shares the same potable water system. Gold was once mined in these hills, but be aware that the mineral rights belong to the country of Mexico, so prospecting will probably not be worth your effort.

There are many new developments all around these villages. They have from 4 to 120 homes with all the latest amenities. These will be featured on my Orientation Tour, along with the historical villages (communities).

During a ten minute drive west from Ajijic, you will pass the communities of La Canacinta, La Cristina, Los Charales before arriving at the village of San Juan Cosala. Above the village is the Racquet Club, which features homes with terrific panoramic views and a tennis club. The club features a pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, six to eight tennis courts and a clubhouse. In the village of San Juan Cosala are found renowned spas with thermal mineral waters. These spas are a popular mid-week getaway for local residents who enjoy the relaxing and medicinal qualities of the hot mineral waters.

As you continue west, you will pass the communities of El Limon, Jaltepec, El Chante, Las Fuentes and finally at the western end of Lake Chapala is the community of Jocotepec, which was founded in 1529. Jocotepec is a very typical Mexican town, and has traditionally been known for the quality serapes woven there. It features a large street market on Thursday mornings and is home not only to a few North Americans, but also to many local residents who have worked in the United States and now have returned home.

From the west edge of Jocotepec, you travel to the west end of Guadalajara or continue on around the lake, travel up into the mountains to alpine-like villages where pine forests grow. Or if you want a few days of rest and fun at the beaches of Manzanillo and Barra de Navidad, they are only four hours to the west by a beautiful toll highway.

The good weather in Lake Chapala comes with a certain guarantee. You will never be stuck in a snow storm.