Tour Mazamitla

When it gets too balmy hot in Chapala, Mike and I circle to the other side of Lake Chapala, up the mountain into the tall, tall pine tree forest of Mazamitla. It is a refreshing change of scenery which reminds us of California trips up highway 88 to Silverlake and Lake Tahoe. This small Mexican jewel is visited by Mexicans who work in the humidity of Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, and Guadalajara. The draw is the cooler weather, and the landscape and vistas from atop the mountain. Mazamitla has lots of folk art and it is highly maintained as a Pueblo Magico. A simple day trip around the lake by car and up the hill takes about 2.5 hours one way. You can always expect that Mazamitla will be at least 10 degrees cooler so depending on the month you visit, just toss a sweater in your overnight bag.  Visit the waterfalls, go wine tasting, ride an ATV or just browse the quaint shops. . In the plaza you will bump into tour guides that will sign you up for an interesting tours of the waterfalls, the historical sites, the wine makers and the zip lines. Inquire and discover that you have many options from various vendors. If you enjoy shopping at the Farmers market, Mazamitla hosts theirs on Mondays. Zip lining fans have

a blast and the lines are safe as you swing very low across the deep valley.  We have stayed at Sierra Vista Cabins, and at the Monteverde Cabins. Our favorite, easy to find location for an overnight stay is at the Best Western Lodge which has the Quinta Bosque Restaurant on site. When you stay at the BW you can walk to town. Right around the corner is the new "Ribba" which is famous for their steak and selection of wines. This BW hotel has quaint cabins that include fireplaces. We like going to Mazamitla from October to March because the temp is perfect "Sweater Weather".  Mike loves Tex Mex food and we enjoyed this unique Tex Mex flavor at a famous local La Troje. You can walk there from the hotel too. In October 2019 Luis Amado García a pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels and Héctor Neris of the Philadelphia Phillies visited the famous Tex Mex Restaurante La Troje, in Mazamitla. Mikey will spend his #67 birthday enjoying his wish for Tex Mex food in Mexico. A baseball fan 😎 dream come true. We book all our stays on Hotels.com so that we can rack up points for a FREE stay somewhere on our next adventure. The ATV riding facility is on your way in or out of town.  It does not require an appointment, just stop in, pay the guy and crank up your guts to climb up and over the small hills along the track. The Best Western Sierra Mazamitla phone is 331-378-9200 #6 Mazamitla Hotel. The address for your GPS: Vicente Guerrero 100

Fracc. Pueblo Bonito

Mazamitla, JAL 49500

Lakeside, Jalisco

The artistic center of Guadalajara is known as Tlaquepaque. Female Mariachis serenade through this unique village. Excellent art shopping and fine dining. The old Train Station in Chapala below is now a place for musical events. Click pic to enlarge.

Lakeside is where the Tapatios (locals from Guad) come on the weekends to get away from the heat, traffic and congestion of Guadalajara. We are privileged to live in the place where people come from around the globe to rest and relax.

The cobblestones make it seem like authentic "old" Mexico and the small villages around this side of the lake include: San Nicolas de Ibarra, Santa Cruz, Chapala, Riberas del Pilar, San Antonio Tlayacapan, La Floresta, Ajijic, Jocotopec, San Juan Cosala. One can also drive around the lake up the mountain to Mazamitla to cool off. Lake Chapala is the main attraction and it is fun to take a boat ride out to Scorpion Island, or just circle the shore up to Riberas. During our summer months May, June, July, Aug, Sept it mostly rains at night with temps during the day of 85 F with humidity. Our fall weather begins in October with temps of 75 F without rain and less humidity. The best time to travel to any beach PV, Manzanillo, or Mazatlan is during November - February. This picture was taken on the Chapala malecon in the month of February when the purple blooms come out. Our favorite English speaking Taxi driver's name is Miguel cell phone: 045-333-808-8038 - unless you have international ability on your cell phone, it will be difficult to make calls. People at your chosen hotel can easily assist you. At Lakeside, I have many choice places ready to recommend on older posts on this blog. Villa de Angel is awesome or you can rely on Air B n B link on the side.

La Vita Bella

 

A very special place to stay that offers thermal spas, massage, a gourmet restaurant, a lake view, and luxury linens. La Vita Bella is located in San Juan Cosala, Jalisco, Mexico. Instead of driving 4 hours to the beach, we are blessed to arrive in less than an hour from our casa.  Check in at 3:00PM.  Book a  Jr Suite overlooking the lake, and enjoy a massage, and lunch on the terrace.  Stay overnight and explore all equiste new eateries just in front of the Grand Cosala Hotel.  Italian, Sushi, Mexican, Seafood - all brand new in 2022.

www.lavitabellasoulspa.com

+52-387-761-1145

Address: Rafael Ozuna 250

Raquet Club San Juan

Cosala C.P. 45820 Jalisco

CELL 331-704-3999

VISIT the WEBSITE to view the restaurant and menu.

EMAIL: lavitabella@live.com.mx

Private Hot Tub for Two

Get grounded and walk across the lawn

To reserve a room via email or on the website

you pay one night up front by credit card.

Reservation La Vita Bella

Read the comments

RESERVATIONS VIA TELEPHONE

NO ENGLISH SPOKEN

​

387 761 1145

WhatsApp 331 704 3999

Thrill the World 2016, Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico

Mike and Barb practiced the Thriller dance routine for a month before this event. We represented the oldest group of dancers who perform annually, globally! Mike and I are in the back line of ghouls.

HEAVEN for HORSES

Have you ever wanted to stay at a dude ranch, ride a horse, go on a hayride, breath in mountain air, enjoy breath taking views or just kick up your boots around an outdoor firepit? Well there is an affordable lovely place to do all that and more in San Nicolas de Ibarra. It is about 5 miles from Chapala to Rancho San Francisco. Stephanie Decker has created a whimsical wonderland full of delights for all your senses. There is a petting zoo filled with rescued creatures that just want to be loved and admired by you! The chicken coop looks like the brick house mentioned in the fairytale about the three pigs!  A happy hog wonders around in the mornings as the radiant roosters whistle and crow.  A few feathery friends that just might

remind you of the famous "Puddleduck" featured in the classic movie "Miss Beatrice Potter" A major part of the enchantment of Rancho San Francisco is the extreme love for all the animals. It is a forever home for horses, all birds of a feather, ducks, rabbits, a giant turkey, and a pet squirrel that has his very own cabin. Stephanie has created a safe haven for all. She also built a comfy casita that she rents out. Spending a few days here will reignite your sense that "all is well within my soul".  Keeping in

step with God, all those who enter the gates of this Rancho will absolutely marvel at how God has provided Stephanie with the gift of hospitality.  She has lovingly and creatively landscaped a 40 acre parcel in order to share her passion for taking pleasure in the great outdoors! You may think of it as a unique "Dude Ranch" where you can let your hair down and take a deep breath of ahhhh --- or a beautiful "Secret Garden" where friendships blossom, illnesses fade away and sorrows flee!  This special retreat from the world allows you to rediscover how simple "caring" has made a world of difference in the life of a horse, pig, squirrel, duck, donkey...and YOU.  Carefully crafted comfort in a humble casita that awaits you with a splendid "Come as you are" welcome to all that God has created just for you. EMAIL: motherdecker@gmail.com or CALL: 331-466-7753 for reservation to ride.

Casita has a kitchen, large porch, swim pool and a VIEW

Begin by stepping up to a Pinto

Rio Zula West Ajijic

This hotel is nestled in a quiet neighborhood just down from Casa Linda, Yves or Gosha's for a great breakfast! The adjoining restaurant is a must for all foodies! "Di Shanti" offers a tasty menu and a romantic atmosphere. Authentic Mexican food is next to the Ajijic plaza off Colon at Chili Verde. Ajijic has many fabulous eateries which includes  favorite lunch spots at Tango or at Cocinart just around the corner from the entrance to the Ajijic malecon. The hotel has an olympic pool and it is adjacent to one of the finest dining spots at Lakeside. Call to make reservations or use their website, English or Spanish. It has a high rating on TripAdvisor.  The hotel offers luxury suites and rooms that sleep 6. The property also offers  long term apartment rentals. (52) 376-766-4011 Chapala has been called "Land of eternal Spring" for the steady weather. If it rains, it refreshes all things after midnight. Lakeside offers the most sunny days in all Mexico. We are privileged to live here full time and we thank God for the beauty and His peace.

The generous hospitality of its people blesses us as we call this healthy environment our home. Citizens from Guadalajara and other major Mexico cities have bought real estate as vacation homes. Lakeside is a second home for over 10,000 permanent Americans & Canadians. This is the largest concentration of foreigners in Latin America so no worries about being fluent in Spanish. Request pickup at the Guad airport. Write down the hotel address to give to your Taxi driver. HOTEL ADDRESS: Calle Rio Zula 7, Ajijic 45920 Mexico.  The location is excellent and with an upper room you can view the lake. It is also a close walk to the Ajijic malecon which provides you with cultural events, horse back riding, and all the shopping you can endure. Recent rate on TripAdvisor 1,500 pesos nightly ZERO air conditioning at hotel. Rio Zula La Joya de Lago

HS HOTTSSON SMART CHAPALA

This local Hotel was built in 2019 and it offers spectacular views and a full Spa! HS HOTSSON Smart Chapala -- Book on Hotels.com. All rooms have air conditioning, WIFI, cable TV, desk, safe, hair dryer, free local calls. The hotel offers a washer and dryer which makes it convenient to pack light! There are 3 mineral baths, two swimming pools, a sauna and nature trails. The Junior and Master suites offer a small kitchen area. It has reading and resting areas and covered parking.  The Hotel is located right off the highway coming into Chapala. For all my local amigas - just book an appointment, without a room, for a "Relaxing Massage + Moisturizing Facial" for 1,500 pesos. Stay the night for $70 USD! Ahhh, nothing like living in paradise! This is my 'go-to' Spa Day Spot, just 10 minutes from mi casa!  NEW OWNERS and better management in 2022.  About 5 miles from our casa - GRAND VIEW of the entire LAKESIDE area. ADDRESS: Carretera Guadalajara-Chapala 8890, Chapala, 45908, JAL, Mexico - CONTACT via Hotels.com. HS HOTTSSON offers pickup from airport. See pictures on this blogpost. HS HOTTSSON HOTEL