Ajijic facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ajijic
|
|
|---|---|
|
Town
|
|
Panoramic view of Ajijic in the background Lake Chapala
|
|
 Ajijic
Location in Jalisco
Ajijic
Location in Mexico
Ajijic
Location in North America
|
|
| Country |  Mexico |
| State |  Jalisco |
| Municipality | Chapala |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 11,439 |
| Time zone | Central standard time |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 |
Ajijic (Spanish pronunciation: [axiˈxik]) is a charming town in Jalisco, Mexico. It is located about 5 kilometers (3 miles) west of Chapala. Ajijic is part of the Chapala municipality.
This town sits on the northern shore of Lake Chapala, surrounded by beautiful mountains. Ajijic is known for its pleasant weather all year long. In 2020, about 11,439 people lived there.
Contents
Exploring Ajijic's Location and Weather
Ajijic is located 1,538 meters (5,046 feet) above sea level. This area is part of Mexico's Volcanic Axis, also called the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt.
Ajijic's Climate: Always Pleasant
The area around Lake Chapala has an average temperature of about 19°C (66°F) all year. Because Ajijic is close to the equator but also high up, it is rarely too hot or humid.
The rainy season in Ajijic starts in June and ends in October. The town gets about 793 millimeters (31 inches) of rain each year. Even during the rainy season, it usually rains in the evening or at night.
The coolest months are December and January, when nighttime temperatures can drop to just above 4°C (39°F). May is the warmest month, right before the rainy season begins.
Overall, the temperature in Ajijic does not change much throughout the year. Daytime highs in January are around 24°C (75°F). In May, daytime highs range from 27°C (81°F) to 32°C (90°F).
A Glimpse into Ajijic's Past
Before the Spanish arrived, nomadic Native American tribes lived in this region. These were likely the Coca people, who settled along the northern shore. The names Chapala and Ajijic are Native American place names. They probably come from Nahuatl, the language spoken by the local people.
What Does Ajijic Mean?
The name Ajijic was once spelled Axixic. It means "place of water" or "place where water bubbles up" in Classical Nahuatl.
Don Andres Carlos and Fray Martin founded Ajijic in 1531. They chose this spot because it had a good source of water. It is one of the oldest villages in Western Mexico. By 1833, it had a population of about 2,000 people.
Artists and Writers Discover Ajijic
Ajijic has been a popular spot for foreign artists and writers since the late 1800s. Before World War II, two Englishmen, Nigel Millet and Peter Lilley, moved to Ajijic. They wrote a book called Village in the Sun (1945) under the pen name Dane Chandos. The book was about building a house near the lake.
Later, Peter Lilley and Anthony Stansfeld wrote House in the Sun (1949). This book was about running a small inn in Ajijic. These books were written when the main road from Chapala was not paved. Ice was brought by bus from Guadalajara, and electricity was just being installed.
Ajijic Today: A Lively Town
Ajijic has about 11,000 residents. This number does not include the many visitors from Guadalajara, which is 55 kilometers (34 miles) north. These visitors spend weekends and holidays in Ajijic. Many retired Americans and Canadians also live in Ajijic. In the winter, it is estimated that more than half of the population are immigrants.
The arrival of many immigrants has been met with different feelings by the local people. The town's economy relies a lot on tourism. Many businesses faced challenges when fewer tourists arrived during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Festivals and Fun Events in Ajijic
Ajijic is a very festive village. It has many holidays, special events, and parades almost every month.
- Mexico's National Chili Cook-Off: This event has been held in Ajijic since 1978. It attracts thousands of visitors from Mexico and other countries every February. Besides the cooking competition, many vendors sell art, crafts, clothing, and other items.
- Chupinaya Carrera de Montana: This challenging 13.8-kilometer (8.6-mile) foot race takes place every July. About 500 male and female runners from all over Mexico compete. They race to the top of Cerro La Chupinaya (2,400 meters or 7,874 feet) and back to the Ajijic Plaza. The best runners finish in about 90 minutes.
- Regatta de Globos: Hundreds of people come to this unmanned Hot Air Balloon event every September. Local groups enter their homemade tissue paper balloons. Some of these balloons can be as large as 200 cubic feet!
The biggest local event of the year is the San Andreas Fiesta. This festival honors Ajijic's patron saint. The Fiesta takes over Ajijic's central plaza and nearby streets for nine days in late November. Most Ajijic residents attend this important celebration.
On December 1, 2020, Ajijic was named the ninth Magical Town of Jalisco (Pueblo Mágico) by the federal tourism government.
See also
In Spanish: Ajijic para niños
