Things to do
The Plaza is one of the best things in Ajijic, a really good place to relax. The walkways throughout the Plaza are made of brick where a lot of benches and trees (eucalyptus, pines, palms, ficus and more) may give you a lovely time in the shade or in the sun. Roses, petunias, impatients, daisies, bugambilias and many flowering shrubs add delightful swaths of color around the kiosk. Also there are old fashion iron-post lamps which make it quaint.
There is a small church if you want a little bit of history and soul saving. It is dedicated to the Virgin of Santiago and was built between the second half of 1500’s and 1600’s. This adorable church is surrounded by a stone and iron fence covered with bugambilias.
If you want a touch of culture there is the Ajijic Cultural Center and one or two small art galleries. A long distance office, a Telcel cell phone store and a cyber café will let you stay in touch wherever you need. If the heat brings you down, there is a popsicle and fruit-water place and an ice cream parlor. For transportation, there is a taxi stand. Money? There is a BBVA Bancomer bank, with ATM. The Ajijic Delegation Building will bring you assistance in official matters.
CELEBRATIONS
The PurĂ©pecha are the indigenous tribe native of the Mexican state of Michoacán. They celebrate the K’uinchikua on October 12th (DĂa de la Raza) at the Plaza in the center of Ajijic. K’uinchikua translates to “fiesta” in Spanish, which means “Party” in any language.
The best of Purépecha handmade crafts are displayed around the block-square Plaza: There you can find myriads of choice items rarely seen outside the mountainside’s hidden indigenous villages. Colorful and skillfully carved masks, pottery and wood carvings, hand-sewn and hand-embroidered textiles, copper goods and many more enjoys the sights of the crowd. Everything is for sale.
All hearts will rejoice with all the lively dances, mainly a traditional wedding dance: the famous Danza de los Viejitos (dance of the Little Old Men). Indigenous orchestral music make of folkloric dances, haunting traditional singing in the Purépecha language are highlights of the festival.
There you can taste some of the delicious indigenous festive foods. Like uchepos (green corn tamales), corundas (triangle shaped tamal) with spicy salsa verde or roja, atole de grano (corn hot drink) and a beef soup, along with hand-patted tortillas cooked over a wood fire.
WHERE TO EAT
Ajijic is a really good place for food lovers, because you will surely find the right place for your taste.
Antica Restaurant 01 333 406 2437
Carr. No. 98, Riberas del Pilar
Armando’s La Cabaña 7662229
Bruno’s El Circo 766 2368
Cafe Magaña, Hamburguers 765 7007
Hidalgo 100 in Riberas del Pilar
Casa del Waffle 766 1946
Hacienda Carr Pte. Ajijic
Fonda Doña Lola 766 4455
Carr. Pte 36 Ajijic
Hacienda Los Alcatraces 766 5238
16 de Septiembre No 4 Ajijic
Johanna’s 766 0437
Blvd. Ajijic 118-A, Ajijic
La Posada Vieja 766 0744
Morelos No 1, Ajijic
Los Telares 766 0428 o 0666
Morelos No 6, Ajijic
Mariscos El Tio 01 (333) 461 7888
Mom’s Deli & Restaurant 765 5719
Pedro’s Gourmet 766 4747
Ocampo No. 71 Ajijic
Roberto’s Rincon del Cielo 7661463
Carr. Chapala-Jocotepec, Ajijic
Super Burrito 766 2233
EncarnaciĂłn Rosas 76 Ajijic
