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| Get to Know Chapala & Ajijic Watch a video of Feria Maestros del Arte, just click here
Chapala & Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico Chapala and Ajijic (Ah-hee-HEEK) are just 30 minutes south of the Guadalajara International Airport. Both are two of the many villages that surround Mexico's largest lake, Lake Chapala, 700 miles south of the US border. The area is noted for its exceptional climate. In November, daytime temperatures will be around 70°F. This area is home to a vibrant international community of Mexicans, Americans, Canadians and Europeans. Internet, ATM banking, hotels, restaurants, and public transportation exist side-by-side with traditional Mexican life. The primary language is Spanish, but many people speak some English. Here is a beautiful video on Mexico - an incredible country full of color, adventures and cheerful, friendly people.
Admission each day to the fair is 50 pesos ($5 USD). We've made the price of admission very affordable so that you can come every single day! Get your hand stamped and return as many times during the day as you like. Taxis - we will have taxis available at the Feria Ajijic Taxi stand at Plaza - 376 766-0674, 766-1663 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Recommendations:
Chapala taxi stand at Plaza 376 765-3511, 765-4697 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Recommendations:
Bus: Local buses are also available. Ask for the information at your hotel.
Arriving
by Air When you deplane, you'll board a bus that will take you the short distance to Immigration where you'll fill out an immigration form and have your passport stamped. From there you'll pick up baggage and pass through Customs. You'll find the Guadalajara airport safe, easy to navigate, and friendly. ATMs that dispense pesos, a Starbuck's Coffee, Burger King and gift shops are available after you exit Customs. If you are not being met by your hotel, the taxi kiosk is just outside customs to the left. Buy a ticket to Ajijic for about $27 US. Fares are set so no haggling is required. Be sure that your hotel has provided you with their address and directions. Leaving
by Air
 
 For a complete guide and map to the area, buy "Mexico's Lake Chapala and Ajijic: The Insiders Guide," available at www.chapalaguide.com or at the Information Booth when you get to the show. With or without a guide, your hotel will help you with transportation and recommendations for restaurants. Be sure to secure your hotel reservations well in advance. CHAPALA Chapala- Hotel Quinta Quetzalcoatl - Better known as Hotel QQ, this B&B has been totally restored. It is a small, romantic inn located in Chapala. QQ is "the" place at Lake Chapala Mexico to indulge yourself in peace and relaxation. If you feel fit enough, QQ is about 6 blocks from the Feria site. (01152 from outside Méxic) (376) 765-3653 or from within México: (376) 765-3653.http://www.accommodationslakechapala.com/ Chapala- Lake Chapala Inn - Located in downtown Chapala, on the shores of Lake Chapala, within easy walking distance ( one short block) of shopping, restaurants, banks, and lakeside transportation. If you feel fit enough, the hotel is about 8 blocks from the Feria site. For more information 1-800-501-9446, phone 011 52 376 765-4786; Fax: 011 52 376 765-5174 http://www.mexonline.com/chapalainn.htm Chapala - Montecarlo Hotel - Hotel has restaurant, pool and extensive grounds. Hidalgo 296, Chapala. If you're fit and want to walk, the hotel is within walking distance to the Feria - of all the Chapala hotels listed, Montecarlo is the furthest away. www.hoteles.udg.mx/montecarlo/index.html Chapala - NEW- Hotel Villa San Francisco - Situated in a perfect location on a beautiful palm-lined boulevard, just yards from Mexico’s largest and most beautiful lake. www.hotelvillasanfrancisco.com Chapala - Hotel Villa Samary - Right off the plaza in Chapala, Morelos #199, this 6-room hotel is within walking distance of the Feria. Rooms are very basic but clean and run $400 pesos/double (kingsize bed). (01152 from outside Mexico) (376) 765-3960, villasamary@yahoo.com.mx AJIJIC Ajijic - Casa del Sol - Nestled between the Sierra Madre mountains and Lake Chapala, this B&B is centrally located on a quiet residential street, just two blocks from the the Ajiic plaza. Just a ten-minute taxi/bus ride to the Feria. www.casadelsolinn.com Patron Ajijic - Estrellitas B&B - Lorraine Pasini previously owned an award-winning inn in Glen Allen, CA (in the heart of wine country) and brings with her the expertise of making guests feel at home by providing quality service. Estrellita's is conveniently located in the heart of Ajijic, two blocks from the plaza. Just a ten-minute taxi/bus ride to the Feria. www.estrellitasinnajijic.com Ajijic - Casa Flores - a haven of peace and tranquility with 18th century wooden doors, that open to a secure private garden and pool area. Just a ten-minute taxi/bus ride to the Feria. www.casafloresajijic.com Ajijic - Casa Tres Leones - Elegant B&B and inn. Enjoy the comfortable and relaxing atmosphere surrounded by the beauty of Mexico, with a spectacular lake and mountain view. Just a ten-minute taxi ride to the Feria. www.casatresleones.com Ajijic - Casita Montaña B&B - "Little home on the mountain" is located at the corner of the Carretera and Ave. Colón in Ajijic. Just a ten minute taxi/bus ride to the Feria and a walk to Ajijic's lovely plaza and downtown area. From the US/Canada 918 895 4089; in Mexico (376) 766-5513; www.casitamontana.com Ajijic - Hotel Casa Blanca - an oasis in paradise, 16 de Septiembre #29, Ajijic. Just a ten minute taxi/bus ride to the Feria. To telephone from outside Mexico 01152 (376) 766-4440; 1-800 436-0759 www.casablancaajijic.com
Ajijic -
Hotel Italo - located 1/2 block from the Ajijic Plaza, this hotel is in the "budget" category. Rooms are 285p/person/night or 380/2 persons/night. If you book for multiple nights during the Feria, be sure to ask for the 10-15% discount. Guadalupe Victoria #8, Ajijic. marianabrandi60@hotmail.com , (376) 766-2221. Just a ten-minute taxi/bus ride to the Feria. Ajijic - Hotel La Estancia - Eight rooms with king or twin beds, cable TV, restaurant. Located on Ajijic’s main street near banking, shopping, galleries. Small pets okay. Just a ten-minute taxi/bus ride to the Feria. hotelestantanciaajijic@hotmail.com Ajijic - La Nueva Posada Hotel - The oldest hotel in Ajijic. Right on the shores of Lake Chapala, this hotel has a restaurant and beautiful gardens and is just a 10-minute taxi ride to the Feria in Chapala. Just a ten-minute taxi/bus ride to the Feria. http://hotelnuevaposada-ajijic.com Ajijic - La Paloma B&B - A place to find peace and rest. Walk to wonderful little shops and restaurants or just sit on the veranda overlooking the pool in our relaxing atmosphere. Just a ten-minute taxi/bus ride to the Feria. Email them from their website. www.lapalomabb.com Ajijic - Los Artistas B&B - Spectacular, serene, secure. Just a 10-minute taxi ride to the Feria site in Chapala. Just a ten-minute taxi/bus ride to the Feria. www.losartistas.com Ajijic - Villa Eucaliptos - Private Mexican villa located one block from Lake Chapala in the Heart of Ajijic. Enter into a private world all of your own, set in colonial Spanish architecture with magnificent fifteen-foot ceilings and arches. Just a ten-minute taxi/bus ride to the Feria. http://villaeucaliptos.tripod.com Ajijic - Hotel Real de Chapala - Located in Ajijic on the shore of Lake Chapala. They have 85 rooms and 5 Suites, ample gardens with a view of the mountains and the lake, four convention/event halls, restaurant, pool, tennis courts, soccer, volley ball and a recreational area for children. http://www.realdechapala.com. If you would like to spend some time in the Guadalajara area (Tlaquepaque or Tonalá) see our links page for hotel/B&B recommendations.
Food is available at the Feria courtesy of Club de Yates de Chapala. There is a restaurant and bar right in the Feria where you can purchase food at very reasonable prices. Enjoy a meal while spending the day watching artist demonstrations, the fashion show, and the raffle. Meet the artists who are the backbone of Mexico's art culture. You won't regret it. You'll be amazed at how affordable everything is when you buy from the source.
 Local Restaurants
ATM machines are available in both Chapala and Ajijic. We do not recommend traveler's checks. We hope to offer credit card purchasing at this year's show, however, should this not become a reality, we will accept US checks and/or change your US dollars.
 With all the negative press appearing in the US “news” outlets, Linda Ellerbee’s (well-known journalist) assessment of Mexico gives a much more accurate picture of the Mexico that we know and love — "Mexico: One Journalist's View". We who live here in Mexico applaud those journalists who do not join their colleagues in jumping on the bandwagon and exaggerating what is happening today in Mexico. Here, we offer an article by Charles Simpson entitled "The New Global Economic Reality." There are keen insights as to why the US continues to malign Mexico on various fronts. Read and judge for yourself once you see the comparisons and information Mr. Simpson provides. Another good website to check if you are concerned, is the Security Corner website - Mario González-Román tells it like it is about what is happening today in Mexico, gives you travel tips, etc. Chapala and Ajijic are both lovely villages whose people are centered around family and tradition. To keep your visit a happy one, observe normal travel safety. Make Xerox copies of your passport, ticket, credit cards and other documents and keep the originals in your hotel safe. Take as much cash as you need for a day's purchases and keep an eye on your belongings. Don't expect to be able to pay for purchases at the fair with traveler's cheques. Many artists will accept personal checks from the US.
(Our thanks to Ed Jordan of Austin, TX for the use of his photos.) |
The
3-day Feria Maestros Del Arte folk art show is held at 
Arriving
during the daylight hours will make it much easier to check into your
hotel or B&B, although many connecting flights into Guadalajara may
arrive at night - just alert your hotel to your arrival time. To enter Mexico you need a passport for identification purposes.
Feria
Maestros del Arte ends Sunday at 4 p.m. Stay Sunday night
and plan to fly out the next day. Your hotel can make arrangements for
your departure and help you check that your flight is on time. Folk art
is exempt from duty so don't worry about declaring your purchases to Customs.
If you've bought too many items to carry, be sure to visit our on-site
shipper at the Show. They'll help you ship your treasures.
(See above.)
Here
is a list of hotels/B&Bs in both Chapala and Ajijic. If the
name of the hotel or B&B is underlined, you may click on it to go to their website or email. (In alphabetical order.)
There
are many fine restaurants at Lakeside - just about any type of food desire.
(In alphabetical order.)
Bring
your ATM card. This is mostly a cash society. This year, Feria Maestros del Arte, tried to get our own ATM machine without success, however, we will have maps at the Information Desk that shows where all the local ATM machines are located.
Mexico
often gets what we living in Mexico consider "a bad rap" in
the foreign media. There is unrest in parts of Mexico the same as in any
other part of the world. There is also crime. BUT when you compare Mexico
crime statistics with those of the US or Canada, you will find them very
much lower. After all, why would the "largest" group of expatriates in the world stay here if Mexico
was truly and unsafe place to live or visit?
Everyone
drinks bottled water! It is readily available at corner grocery stores,
in your hotel, and in restaurants. If you have a delicate stomach we recommend
carrying Pepto Bismal tablets. The restaurants we recommend above are
very reliable, but if travel here has upset your stomach, alert your hotel
owner or B&B host during the day if you think you may need the services
of a doctor - most of them make housecalls. 
Still
have some questions or perhaps you need more information on