Here is what you'll find on our Chapala-Ajijic page:

Feria Maestros del Arte Show Schedule
Getting to the Feria & Map
Eating at the Show
Getting Your Treasures Home
Chapala & Ajijic Information - All You Will Need
Airline Information
Where to Stay in Chapala or Ajijic
Where to Eat
Money Tips
Are Chapala & Ajijic Safe?
Chapala & Ajijic Water
Other Questions

Show Schedule

November 13, 14 and 15, 2009
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. November 13 & 14
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. November 15

Location: Club de Yates de Chapala (Chapala Yacht Club)
Paseo Ramon Corona - check the map

Admission: 50p (hand stamped for return that day)

Feria Maestros del Arte Brochure

Getting to the Feria and Map

The 3-day Maestros Del Arte folk art show will be held in a new location this year - Club de Yates de Chapala (Chapala Yacht Club) - see the map below and just follow the signs. We suggest that you arrange for taxi service from your hotel. Taxi fare from the plaza in Ajijic should be approximately 40-50 pesos or $4-5 US.

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.

Here is a map to where the Feria will be held this year - Club de Yates de Chapala (Chapala Yacht Club)

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:

• Francisco 333 157 8060 (cellphone - from a land-line add 045 in front of the number). He is also available to take you to and from the airport.
• Carlos 331 173 3424 (cellphone - from a land-line add 045 in front of the number. ) He is also available to take you to and from the airport.

Chapala taxi stand at Plaza 376 765-3511, 765-4697 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Recommendations.:

• Chino 331 040 0050 (cellphone - from a land-line add 045 in front of the number.) Chino is an excellent driver and is also available to take you to and from the airport.
• Sergio 333 137 4218 (cellphone - from a land-line add 045 in front of the number.) Sergio is also a certified tourguide and available to take you to or from the airport.

Bus

Local buses are also available. Ask for the information at your hotel.

Eating at the Show

Club de Yates de Chapala has a restaurant and bar at very reasonable prices. Stay the day and enjoy the 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.

Getting Your Treasures Home

We willl have an English-speaking shipper available to help you get your large purchases home. Look for the signs that say Shipping.

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.

For more information go to www.chapalaguide.com

Getting here is easy

Arriving by Air
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.

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
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.)

Staying in Chapala or Ajijic

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.

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.

Chapala - Casa de los Suenos - Small hotel close to Lake Chapala and the Feria site. Cable TV, coffee shop, wine bar, rooftop garden. Rooms are small but well appointed in an elegant contemporary Mexican style. Within walking distance to the Feria. reserv_casadelossuenos@prodigy.net.mx

Ajijic - Casa del Sol - Nestled between the Sierra Madre mountains and Lake Chapalal, 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. info@casadelsolinn.com Sponsor

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. qq@accommodationslakechapala.com

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. inquiries@estrellitasinnajijic.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 chapalainn@laguna.com.mx

Ajijic - Villa del Angel - Offers the ambiance of a true European villa with cantera columns & arches throughout, high ceilings with detailed paintings and a warm welcoming feeling of old world charm and elegance. Email them from their website. Supporter.

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. montecarlo@hoteles.udg.mx

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. fernando@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. casatresleones@yahoo.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 info@casablanca.com Sponsor

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. Sponsor

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. nuevaposada@prodigy.net.mx

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.

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. artistas@laguna.com.mx

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. villaeucaliptos@gmail.com

Some of our Favorite Restaurants

There are many fine restaurants in Ajijic and the surrounding area.

Ajijic Tango - Argentinian food. Menu is very diverse, the "flap" steak is unbelievable! Morelos #5, Ajijic.

Cafe Magaña - In Riberas del Pilar on the south side of the Carretera between San Antonio and Chapala. Fish and chips English-style, ribs and other tantilizing food. Jeffrey, the owner, is a "hoot."

Creperie - primarily French with a Mexican twist, there is a delightful garden courtyard in back, just right for a quiet lunch., Calle Colón #18, Ajijic.

El Serape - Good soups, mesquite grilled entrees, Tex-Mex. Located on the Carretera Ajijic-Jocotepec on the west side of Ajijic.

Gerrard’s - Wood-fired pizza-oven pizzas, burgers, pastas, crepes suzette, spaghetti, and other popular Italian-inspired dishes. They are also serving breakfast. In La Joya del Lago at Rio Zula, in west Ajijic. (045) 333 476-6577.

Johanna’s - Exceptional Austrian-German cuisine. Their traditional dinner menu includes bratwursts, veal, trout, duck, rabbit, and sauerbraten as well as borscht, reibekuchen (potato pancakes), and spåtzle (noodles). Their wine list is long. German, Dutch, and Mexican beers are available. Blvd. Ajijic #118-A (in upper La Floresta, opposite the Auditorium). (376) 766-0437.

Jose's Illusion - Mediterranean Bistro Greek Restaurant. Outside Ajijic on the Carretera Ajijic-Jocotepec just past the Waffle House. Ajijic.

La Nueva Posada Restaurant - Donato Guerra #9, in Ajijic right on the lake. Breakfast, lunch & dinner. International cuisine in a beautiful setting. Sponsor

La Tasca - Ajijic, across from Nueva Posada at Donato Guerra #22. Live music from 3-6 pm daily and nightly from 7:30-10:30 pm. Sun brunch 12-2pm. Right on Lake Chapala, the ambiance is spectacular. Check the website to see who is playing latascamexico.googlepages.com/home

La Taverna - Italian fare with homemade pasta. West of town at the La Plaza la Huerta shopping center on the Carreterra.

Lety's Seafood - in San Antonio Tlayacapan on the Carretera across from the Coca Cola factory. Lunch and dinner. Fresh seafood - try their coconut shrimp. Inexpensive and delicious.

Los Telares (The Looms) - On Morelos across from Ajijic Tango, this restaurant boasts umbrella-covered tables around a pretty garden. Try the salmon, steaks, and chicken; finish the meal with an espresso. Full bar. Morelos #6, Ajijic. (376) 766-0428.

Manix - Family style, nightly specials, good simple food. Soup or salad and dessert included with entree. People love the corn pudding that comes with the entrees. Ocampo in village, west of Colon 1.5 blocks.

Mario's - Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Menu is a mixture of Mexican and international favorites. Ramón Corona 132, San Antonio Tlayacapan.

Pedro's Gourmet - Pedro's offers incredible edibles & daily specials: seafood, Thai food, east Indian, Tex-Mex, BBQ, pastas and more. In Ajijic at 71 Ocampo.

Pizzaria Toscana de Allessandro - Look for the yellow house with all the cars in front. Lunch and dinner. The best pizza we've ever had! In Riberas del Pilar on the Carretera Chapala-Ajijic

Rikki's Japanese and Thai - Sushi, and a good list of appetizers including edame and gyaza-shrimp pot stickers, tempura, combination platters. Located were Marcos Castelanos #27A meets the Carretera Ajijic-Jocotepec on the mountain side.

Robertos Rincon del Cielo - A great restaurant for serious gourmets — fresh crab cakes made with with real crab not surimi, mushroom soup, comfort food like pizza, mac and cheese, roasted beef brisket, and fresh made shrimp burgers as well as luscious desserts. On Carretera Ajijic-Jocotepec (highway) across from the Strom Moving company.

Salvador's Restaurant - Good breakfasts, daily specials, salad bar, good Sunday brunch buffet - mixture of Mexican and American favorites. In Ajijic right next to El Torito Market, on the Carretera.

Secret Garden - Vegetarian cuisine with incredible desserts. In Ajijic centro on Hidalgo # 8.

60's in Paradise - 60's decor, 60's tunes. Hamburgers (Angus beef), Cuban sandwiches Philly cheese steak, chili, milk shakes, homey desserts. Just a half block west from the Plaza/Colon on Hidalgo in Ajijic.

Sunrise Cafe - Large airy, restaurant with good breakfasts and chili relleños on the lunch/dinner menu. On the Carrtera Chapala-Ajijic in a small strip mall onn the lakeside of the road in Riberas del Pilar.

Tio Domingos - Salvador the owner serves you himself. Reasonable prices. Specials can include Mexican pre-Hispanic, Indian (Mexican) dishes. Mexican and international cuisine. Spanish coffee and crepes are the signature dessert, always prepared at tableside by Salvador. Ocampo # 204 west side of Ajijic.

Tomas Bar and Restaurant - Seafood (great shrimp), steaks, chicken. In Chapala on Alvaro Obregon #1, across from the soccer field.

Tony's - BBQ ribs, steaks, chicken, Mexican dishes, a nice/fresh salad bar, and his daily specials are always good. On the Carreterra in San Antonio almost next to Super Lake Market.

Yve's - Lakeside’s most complete salad bar. Everything is grilled with natural fire wood. On the waterfront next to the Old Posada. (376) 766-1851, Paseo del Lago #48-A, Ajijic.

And if you'd like to venture into Guadalajara, here are a few restaurants we recommend:

Adobe Fonda - Independencia 195, (333) 657-2792 , daily 12-7 p.m. This is both a shop and a restaurant and is one of the more fun ones in Tlaquepaque. Contemporary Mexican food. Everything on the menu is well prepared.

El Sacromonte - Pedro Moreno #1398, (333) 825-5447 A beautiful little restaurant , especially at night with all the little twinkle lights. Very popular with the haute Guadalajarans so make a reservation for dinner. Updated Mexican dishes that have been famous for so many years - it has music, and an outdoor patio.

La Matera - Av. Mexico #2891, phone (333) 616-1626. 1:30 pm until?, 7 days a week. Their specialty is meat - big juicy tender steaks.

Ma Como No - Av. Americas #202, (333) 615-4952. Easy to find, in the first block after you turn off Av. Mexico going north. Incredible Italian food, a really good salad bar with daily changes based on what's fresh.

Pierrot - Justo Sierra # 2355, (333) 630-2087, opens at 1:30. Traditional French, very well done, with very good service from white tux waiters.

Paying in Chapala or Ajijic

Bring your ATM card. This is mostly a cash society. This year, Feria Maestros del Arte, will have an ATM machine on-site courtesy of Chapala Ayuntamiento and Bancomer.

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. A map showing all ATMs in our area will be available at the Feria Information Booth.

Is this Area of Mexico Safe?

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 all of us living here stay, if Mexico was truly and unsafe place to live or visit? If you are concerned, check 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.

Can I Drink the Water?

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.

Other Questions?

Still have some questions or perhaps you need more information on Feria Maestros del Arte, contact Marianne Carlson (01152 from outside Mexico) 376 765 7485 mariannecarlson@gmail.com or Donna Williams (01152 from outside Mexico) 376 765 5937 wms.donna@gmail.com