Lake Chapala Ajijic Mexico Information

Health Issues & Food

Some newcomers need time for their digestive system to adjust. Food purchased with the intention of being washed and or cooked in your kitchen is no problem. Vegetables need to be soaked for 20 minutes in water with a few drops of Microdyne or Halazone. Both of these are available at local stores. You may also find the altitude requires some acclimating. Lake Chapala is about 5,200 feet above sea level. If you find yourself tired or napping for a few days, it is perfectly normal.

The sun at Lakeside is much stronger than you might expect. Be sure to have sunscreen and protective clothing, especialy hats. Walking the streets of Chapala, Ajijic and Jocotepec will help you locate the many shops that carry a wide variety of items. The street markets, called tianguis, are a marvelous way of shopping. You will find fresh fruits, vegetables, flower, clothing, sewing supplies, music tapes and discs, jewelry, nuts, candy and many other items sold from booths along the side of the street.

Chapala has tianguis on Monday, San Antonio and San Juan Cosala on Tuesday, Ajijic on Wednesday and Jocotepec on Thursday. Most residents, both Mexican and foreign find them fun and interesting. Some Vendors will bargain over the price and some will not. It is trial and error. The mercado in Chapala also carries frest fruits, vegetables and meats. Chicken, skinned and boned at no extra cost, or sold from rotisseries is available at many locations. Fresh bakery products are a delight. Mexican bakeries are scattered throughout Lakeside. Most stores sell soft drinks, beer and liquor.

Everything from daily needs to gifts and souvenirs can be found in many small shops on all village streets. Though selections may be limited, collectively they offer a shopping bonanza. Art galleries and artisan’s shops abound. Chapala has a larger market area with clothes, jewelry and toys and the malecon (boardwalk/pier) with vendors selling their wares. On Saturday and Sunday it becomes a lakefront extravaganza.

If you choose to make the trip to Guadalajara, you will find WalMart, Sams Club, Costco and Mega Mercado. All are modern centers with a complete selection of merchandise. Guadalajara also has a number of fine malls with a variety of upscale shops. The Libertad Market, is recognized as the largest open air market in the world. It carries everything from cloths to electronics and kitchenware. There are also many eating areas in the San Juan del Dios, as it is called locally. It is near Tapatia Plaza and it’s may shops, interesting architectural gems, museums, colonial churches, fine restaurants and a carnival atmosphere of street entertainers.