Chapala

Chapala: “grasshoppers on the water"

Population: 13,669

Founded: 1510

Jalisco
Lake Chapala is 78.5 kms long and 20.5 kms wide. It is the largest Lake in Mexico, the third largest in Latin America. It is the second highest in the Americas.

History
In 1904, the tourist area and the pier in Chapala was compared with the French Riviera. There was a steamboat that carried passengers and merchandise around the lake, as well as train service to Guadalajara.

Famous Citizens

Alberto Braniff
Luis Alberto Pérez Verdía
Arq. Guillermo de Alba
Natalia Gómez de Cuevas
Lic. Alberto Arce
Ignacio Arzapalo
Micky Laure
Pepe Guizar

Sites to Visit

San Francisco de Assisi Parrish
Chapala Train Station (now a museum)
Municipal Building (formerly the Nido Hotel)
Restaurant Cazadores (formerly Casa Braniff)
Scorpion Island (take a launch from the pier)
Malecon
This includes a pier with beautiful lake views, a large walking area with restaurants at the east and west ends, and a large artisans' market on the east side
Cristianía Park
Cross on the mountain overlooking Chapala

Arts and Crafts

Carved figures in stone
Ceramics
Carved wood items
Bone carvings
Regional clothing

Festivals
Patronales de San Francisco de Assisi - September 26 - October 4
Carnival - a week before of the ash Wednesday

Street Market Day: Monday

Regional Foods

Dulces de Chapala – fruit crystallized in sugar
Sangrita – a “chaser” for straight tequila
Molcajete – meat or seafood, cheese and wine served in a stone bowl with Tortillas (similar to fondue)
Charales – tiny white fish, breaded, natural or highly seasoned
Caldo Michi de Bagre – catfish stew
Pescado blanco – white fish
Tejuino – non-alcoholic cold fruit drink made from corn liquor, lime juice and lime sorbet