Top Things to do in Ajijic
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The 10 Best Things to Do in Ajijic, Mexico
Ajijic, a small idyllic town in Mexico, is the perfect setting to enjoy a quiet and relaxing holiday. Enjoy a night of lively music in the plaza of this picturesque town or enjoy a stroll along the lakeside path. Visit the colorful Chapala handicrafts market, or relax and enjoy lunch and a beautiful view at the Beergarden restaurant by the pier. If you’re traveling with children, take them to Christiania Park, right next to the market. At the park, they can play on the expansive lawn or on the playground. Take a day trip to the Casacadas de Agua, a favorite spot with the locals and a great place to spend with family. Climb the waterfalls or swim in sparkling pools at the base of the falls. Find a shady spot to enjoy the lunch you packed at your holiday rental or try a local delicacy at one of the many small restaurants in the area.
Restaurants in Ajijic
1. Ajijic Malecon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 596 reviews
Reviewed By JoeNotTheDog - Oregon Coast, Oregon
Beautifully landscaped and maintained, the large boardwalk and adjacent park are never as busy as nearby Chapala’s. Rather than the large buildup of vendors at Chapala, there are a few vendors, none aggressive, Playgrounds, a decent sized cement skate park, and plenty of mostly locals fishing, cooking, picnicking and socializing, just having lots of peaceful, family fun. Restaurants are up the Main Street from one end of the Malecon, as well as several along the waterfront at the same end. The smaller number of foreigners (like myself) feel welcome to just enjoy this slower pace along the waterfront. I made the 3/4 mile or so stroll at least twice daily the couple of months I was there, and never tired of the waterside sights. Sunsets here are incredible, and rarely crowded.
2. Abuelinda's Cusine
Overall Ratings
5 based on 47 reviews
Abuelinda's Cuisine shares Mexico's culinary culture one delicious meal at a time. Both the cooking school and culinary adventures showcase authentic traditional Mexican cuisine of Mexico's many cultures. Enjoy learning and working with traditional ingredients during the hands-on cooking classes. Abuelinda is fluent in English and Spanish and has over 20 years experience teaching Meso-American cuisine. All skill levels are welcome.
Reviewed By oreguild02 - Ajijic, Mexico
Abuelinda's kitchen is a welcoming and cheerful place where 6 of us shared the experience of preparing a great Mexican meal. Abuelinda herself is charming and so willing to share her knowledge. We chopped and listened while Abuelinda slipped in details about Mexican cuisine and...MoreThat you so much Denise for the lovely review. Hope your visit was enjoyable and that you will return soon!
3. Lake Chapala Farmers' Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 43 reviews
Reviewed By Zephyr1248 - Portland, Oregon
One of the most fun and larger farmers markets I have been to. Crowded, yes, but a great spot for people watching. Beautiful locally made jewelry. One of the things you've u don't seemin farmers markets in the states are tables of people selling underwear and socks. Great fun and a great place to get authentic local food.
4. Ajijic Cemetery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 58 reviews
Reviewed By trinitas03 - Chapala, Mexico
Mexican village Cemeteries are different in Mexico than Cemeteries in the U.S., Canada or Western Europe. The graves are placed helter skelter throughout the property and there are tombs that are difficult to walk around. You definitely must be sure footed unless you stay on the main path--but then you miss the colorful statues, paintings and toys or an occasional beer bottle to help family to remember the deceased in the tombs. The Cemeteries are owned by the government but they are filled with religious mementos. You see family religious patrons as statues and they represent the family's desire for their loved ones to be happy with God in heaven. They certainly do not expect the dead to play with the toys, soccer balls or to drink the beer. These "grave goods"are all symbols of their hope for their family's eternal happiness and represent the things that made the deceased happy in life.
There are two large flat stones in the back of the cemetery where you find the graves of the author Dane Chandos and his father. Chandos (pen name) was a British visitor who lived near Ajijic on Lake Chapala for 40 years and built the first inn (posada). He may have been the first foreigner living in the area. He died in the late 1940s in Guadalajara of TB and his father died within a year of Chandos' death. The graves are near the chapel and nearly against the back wall. The foreign community owes much to this gentleman but his grave is a bit neglected except for an old inscription on the flat stone naming his books. "House in the Sun", his history of his life in the area and the interesting visitors from other parts of the world, can still be found sometimes on eBay. It is a fascinating account of life in the early 1900s for anyone visiting or living in the area.
5. Diane Pearl Collecions
Overall Ratings
5 based on 30 reviews
Reviewed By PapaMarkie - Ajijic, Mexico
If you come to Ajijic to visit or live, you'll get to know Diane Pearl.
First, it is a great store filled with eclectic collections of jewelry, household items, and the like. Great gifts to bring home.
But Diane is also a centerpiece to know what is going on around town. Need tickets to shows at the Bravo Theatre or the Auditorium or a tour of homes in Ajijic, you'll find them all at Diane Pearl's along with great words of wisdom.
6. Lake Chapala Golf Carts
Overall Ratings
5 based on 38 reviews
We rent golf carts to visitors so they can more easily explore Ajijic and the surrounding area. In a golf cart, you'll be able to tour around town in comfort, all the while enjoying the spectacular climate and the intimacy and friendliness of our village in the open air. It's the fun way to get around town!
Reviewed By Clyde C - Corpus Christi, Texas
Renting a golf cart to see more of Ajijic sounded like a great idea. We had a great time and got to see a lot more of this quaint little village and beyond than we did on foot. Well, we did have a great time exploring Ajijic.
The pleasant surprise was the excellent service by the owner Travis. He was very professional during the entire transaction and experience. I would recommend this rental to everyone that is looking to explore
7. San Andres Catholic Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 25 reviews
8. Fiaga Boutique
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
9. Barbara's Bazaar
Overall Ratings
4 based on 58 reviews
Barbara's has been around for 29 years now. We may have outgrown the name Bazaar as we offer fine art, high end mid century furniture, the best of kitchen accessories, decorations with class and a selection of Oriental rugs unmatched in the area. Along with all this fine stuff we offer Tupperware, old stainless pots with copper bottoms ( a big seller), old records and down right 'junk' that someone always falls in love with, a small selection of better vintage and name label clothing and accessories. We also carry a variety of architectural objects, like antique doors, iron window guards, stone detailing off old buildings, bronze garden art. You name it we have it or have had it or will have it!
Reviewed By Semalu - Guadalajara, Mexico
This store is a favorite of mine. Bazaars with this depth are more common in large cities like NYC or San Francisco, but it is unique to Mexico and a real treasure trove. Call it a junk shop, call it a bazaar, call it an antique store, call it what you want there is a joyful eclectic melange of "stuff" ranging from the utilitarian (need a coffee cup or a mixer?) to the immensely collectible (how about that Baccarat chandelier, the Tiffany candlestick holder and the mid-century and Art Deco furniture?). This store is worth a trip to Ajijic all by itself, as the weekend crowds will confirm, but it is such a delightful spot by the lake that you could easily just decide to stay forever. Make sure to plan a lunch around your trip, ConcinArt is nearby and delicious. The staff at Barbara's are bilingual and very helpful, and are known to cut a deal. I have even been treated to a glass of wine while browsing. I recently purchased a solid mahogany harvest table, seats 8-10 people at one of their regular clearance sales for only US$150. It is now refinished and a focal point in my office. All I can say is - Wow, I love this store. I'll be back, again and again and...
10. Panache
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By 88suzyq - Ajijic, Mexico
While Maria Therese is quite good with color her haircuts are never the same...at least that's been my experience. I was very disappointed that Marisol, who was really good at mani/pedis is no longer at the salon. The other irritation is that there is no...MoreI´m sorry to hear about your bad experience. We’re normally known for our exceptional attention to detail, and we regret that we missed the mark. If you’d like to discuss this further, please contact me at 766-2228 or [email protected]. Thanks and have a great day!
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