Jalisco Mexico

My Mexico 2011

2011-07-06T08:09:00.001-05:00

This is slideshow of images all taken within a 4 hour drive of Lake Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico. Beaches, Mountains, Historic cities, People, Lake Chapala, Flowers all show the amazing diversity beauty and opportunities to explore that people living at Lake Chapala have. Even though some of the fotos are from Michoacan they are only about 4 hours distant.

Talpa de Allende

2010-05-09T11:40:00.001-05:00

Talpa de Allende is most famous for it's pilgrimages to pay homage to the Virgin de Talpa. The icon is housed in Talpa’s basilica, built in her honor in 1782.

There is an old story that shortly after the virgin was found in the mid-1600's, she disappeared to Masota because the mayor of Mascota wanted the devoted coming to his town. Mysteriously the virgin kept returning to Talpa until the mayor finally gave up.

The festivities begin every year on March 24th to commemorate the day the Virgin was unearthed. The fiesta continues for 3 months, till May. The route of the Pilgimage is from Ameca along highway 70 to Talpa.

Talpa, a town of about 10,000 people will triple in size at times over the festival. It's lcocated south of highway 70 between Ameca and Mascota in the state of Jalisco, Mexico.

View of Talpa from near highway 70

Town of Talpa

Talpa’s basilica

Concepcion de Buenos Aires

2010-04-21T11:35:00.001-05:00

A friend told me about Concepción de Buenos Aires somewhere off the new road to Mazamitla as being an attractive place to visit. The turn off is about 10-12 miles up the hill from Amacueca to the right. Putting that name on a road sign is next to impossible so you'll see something like - Cocep de BA. About 12-15 miles on this secondary road full of not very deep potholes appears the gates to Concepcion. Without a map in this area it's hard to tell if you are in Jalisco or Michoacan. This is Jalisco!

The town reminds me of a number of Colonial mountain towns like Tapalpa, Mazamitla or even Patcuaro with the tile roofs, buildings painted similarly and lots of wood. However this town was only founded in the 1850's and became head of it's municipio in the 1880's. The sign on the entrance to town says - 'Land of the friendly people'

Lake Altilte and the Balneario

2010-01-13T15:17:00.005-06:00

Marcos and I drove up to La Huerta on highway 80 only with the idea of looking around town and maybe taking a side road or two. What we found was some very helpful people in the Tourist Office (Oficina de Tourismo) just off the Plaza.

We knew about the Petroglyphs but had no idea where they were or how hard to get to. As we expected they suggested a guide, hiking boots and long pants (rock climbing and snakes) ... and we were in shorts and sandles.

We asked what else might be interesting and the Balneario was suggested but maybe hard to find. It's on the same road as the Petroglyphs but further through lots of farm country. (Find the road just a little west of La Concha off highway 80) After a few wrong turns, meeting a few people and missing the second sign we found it. Actually a very pretty place somewhat like an oasis where the warm water originates from a spring. It's not well developed and like the tourist office called it, rustico. Swimming is not real safe except in the pool which was empty and I would be concerned about water quality. It was fun to find and see !!

Here's a rather corny "travel video" of El Altilte but it works

The Petroglyphs we never saw
We did see the lake and balneario
And the country side is beautifulMunicipio de La Huerta, Jalisco MexicoTrip to Altilte and Balneario

Ferreria de Tula

2010-01-02T13:41:00.000-06:00

La Hacienda "La Ferrería" was founded in 1873 and as it's name says, it was a place of metal fabrication. They made train rails, ornamental iron, fountains and bronze church bells until around 1900. The dam was used to power the machinery.

We stopped in Ferreria de Tula on the way to Tapalpa. Now the town is agricultural and caters to Eco-Tourism with many country cabins.

Chapala Artisan Fair

2010-01-02T12:51:00.001-06:00

Back in November I was asked to go along on a shopping trip, found myself in downtown Chapala and remembered the Art Fair. Since I'd never been and Marilyn had - I opted to check it out while she continued her shopping.

Very cool and worth the 50 peso admission. The paper art and weaving were my favorites and it was good to see the Cocucho potters making an appearance. Talk to the weavers and they'll tell you all about the extensive process of dying (like tie dying) and setting up the looms. A number of local artists made the fair as well like the muneca women from San Cristobal.

Food was good and reasonable - check it out if you can

Feria Exposición Maestros del Arte AC is a non-profit mexico art show held yearly in Chapala Jalisco, Mexico to promote the ever disappearing folk and indigenous art (artensania) of Mexico. Artists are invited from all corners of Mexico based on the quality of their work, whether their art has been passed down generation to generation, or perhaps they are an "undiscovered" artist who is worthy of recognition for his/her work. All art/handcrafts must be made totally handmade by the artist presenting their work and they must use only "natural" materials in its production.

Mexico Art Show - Feria Exposicion Maestros del Arte AC

More Fotos of the Artisan Fair

Tonila Jalisco

2009-12-21T08:42:00.010-06:00

Tonila is located on the old highway 54 just off the new carretera 54D and is only a few kilometers from the Colima border. It's a pretty little town, easy to get to and great views of the Colima volcano. Although most of the outflow of the volcano is coming off the other side of the mountain lately, Tonila often gets it's share of ash when the wind is right/wrong.

The old highway winds along the base of the mountain with a number of small towns between Tonila and Colima City. Heading into Jalisco from there you can take the slow but beautiful drive through the valley towards Tuxpan which is at the edge of the plateau.

View Larger Map

Tonila Plaza

View of the volcano

Restaurant Pinar de Chayán just off the highway

Charreada in Tlajomulco de Zuniga

2009-10-06T07:55:00.005-05:00

The charreada is the original rodeo developed in Mexico based on the working practies of charros or working hands. The modern events were developed after the Mexican Revolution when charro traditions were slowly disappearing. A charreada consists of nine events for men and one for women. Jalisco is the home of the Charreada

A friend got some free tickets for last Sunday, the usual charreada day starting around noon. This was a smaller competition compared to the large arenas in large towns but these guys may well compete elsewhere. Tlajomulco de Zuniga is southeast of Guadalajara in a valley north of Lake Chapala.

Made a good afternoon but I think this is a once a year activity for me

Team lineup

Horse got away

Link to web page with more fotos

Tapalpa Jalisco

2009-02-15T12:10:00.004-06:00

Tapalpa is located in the Sierra de Tapalpa, which is part of the Sierra Madre, at around 6,700 feet. The nearest airport is Guadalajara, 1 1/2 hours to the north. Coming from Guadalajara one takes the toll-road to Colima toward the Pacific Coast and takes the Tapalpa exit. The Pacific Coast (Tecoman) is about 2 hours from Tapalpa.

Pine forests and large open valleys with pastures dominate the area. Main industries are lumber and agriculture and tourism that is mostly geared toward people from Guadalajara coming up to the mountains to escape the heat and pollution of the City.

Tapalpa has been chosen “Pueblo Magico” by a nationwide government program that promotes typical Mexican towns and helps with funding the upkeep of the town and with restoration projects.

Lots of people comment on how attractive Mazamitla is but Tapalpa is more roomy, still very Colonial and up in the pine forest. We weren't able to find the surrounding tourist sites so we headed south on a very nice road that soon turned to difficult dirt. Not wanting to back track we pushed on for 30 kilometers or so until we came into the agricultural town of San Gabriel (Venustiano Carranza).

Looking across town

Part of the town Plaza

If you like bricks

Las Piedrotas that we never found

Los Guachimontones

2008-12-28T08:18:00.002-06:00

Los Guachimontones

One of the most spectacular archeological sites in the state of Jalisco is located close to the small town Teuchitlán and is named Los Guachimontones. The region is part of the World Heritage Site, listed by the Unesco, mainly around the municipality of Tequila due to its agave landscape and ancient industrial facilities related to the Tequila production. Los Guachimontones is an archeological site which was populated in pre-Columbian times. Featuring several shaft tombs , two ball courts and about 10 circular complexes together with 5 plazas. Most interesting are the circular stepped pyramids, which are unique among all known Mesoamerican pyramids. Archeologists have several theories about the origin and the usage of these pyramids, but most is still unknown. The culture, who build the Los Guachimontones actually is named Teuchitlan tradition.

Puerto Vallarta's History

2008-12-21T16:43:00.008-06:00

During the first part of the 1800s, at the mouth of the Cuale River—then inhabited primarily by crocodiles—there were practically no human dwellers. Between the rugged sierra, the ocean and the powerful Ameca river, this beautiful piece of Mexican geography remained isolated from the rest of the world. The hubs of economic activity were up in the mountains, in the towns of Cuale, San Sebastián and Mascota, where silver mines abounded but where salt, an essential element for processing the metal, was not to be found.

In 1851 Guadalupe Sánchez, a boatman from Cihuatlán who used to bring salt from San Blas or the Marías islands to Los Muertos beach, became weary of waiting for the muleteers to come and pick up the load. Sometimes it would take them days to reach this solitary spot. As he was still a young man of 19 and had just married, Guadalupe saw it fit to establish himself in this beautiful place he would call Las Peñas. This, in a few words, could very well be the story of the founding of what we now know as Puerto Vallarta.

At the bottom of the page is a link to more Vallarta history than you may want to know

Beach Plaza on Playa los Muertos 1950's

Areal view of Vallarta in the 1950's

Vallarta Malecon in the 1950's

Virtual Vallarta Article

Tlaquepaque

2008-11-16T12:24:00.007-06:00

Tlaquepaque, once a town of it's own and bedroom community of the rich in Guadalajara, has been incorporated into the city. Lately it has attracted artisans of many talents and has become an expensive artsy-crafty shopping center. The pedestrian only streets that branch off the plaza do make for relaxing window shopping. Take your time and you'll also see much of Mexican history on display. Tlaquepaque underwent major commercial renovation in the 1970's to improve tourism.

In the middle of the plaza is El Parian, which was built in 1878, a block square cantina ringed by botanero restaurants and inside has a huge courtyard with central bandstand for entertainment. Some restaurants are only botaneros and some have full menus ... but you can just have a beer or Margarita and listen to Mariachis in the early evening.

I stayed at the Hotel Posada de la Media Luna which is right on the corner of the plaza and very convenient. They do have a parking garage agreement nearby but I was using buses at the time. A taxi ride to central Guadalajara should be less than 100 pesos but the taxis on the plaza are famous for overcharging

El Parian outer botana bars

El Parian inner restaurants and central bandstand

Pedestrian only shopping street

Hotel Posada de la Media Luna

Tuxpan River Valley

2008-09-14T16:22:00.006-05:00

The most important River in southern Jalisco is the Tuxpan River wich originates in Mazamitla and fertilizes the municipalites of Tamazula, Zapotiltic and Tuxpan. The Tuxpan valley is a beautiful drive from near the Colima border up to Mazamitla. It starts in rich farmland of mostly sugar cane, thru small towns with sugar mills, higher into more varied farmland and finally the pine forests of the mountains. Highway #110 is the road through this area and signs will say Jiquilpan/Mazamitla (Jiquilpan is on the other side of Lake Chapala almost in Michoacan)

Small town across the valley

Sugar cane valley

Young sugar care

Jocotepec

2008-07-07T15:47:00.001-05:00

Jocotepec is located in the state of Jalisco, approximately 40 kilometers south of Guadalajara and at the western end of Lake Chapala. Even at the elevation of 5130 feet, the presence of the lake provides for a year-round mild and pleasant micro-climate.

The village of Jocotepec (place of the plum trees) was founded in 1529. It is the county seat (municipio) for a number of smaller surrounding towns. It's a very typical Mexican town, and has traditionally been known for the quality serapes woven there. It features a large street market on Thursday mornings and an active mercado and plaza any day of the week.

Jocotepec is my favorite place to stay when I'm in the Lake Chapala area with a few inexpensive motels just east of town on the road to Chapala. We also have friends that live downtown.

Aerial view of Jocotepec

Jocotepec Plaza

Jocotepec Church on Plaza

Jocotepec Malecon on Lake Chapala

Mascota and Highway 70

2008-06-11T15:00:00.005-05:00

Highway 70 construction and Mascota
from Vallarta, Jalisco - Mexico

Highway 70 leaves Vallarta just south of the Nayarit border, north of the airport and next to the new Vallarta Home Depot. It's about 40 kilometers of small towns and farmland before you start into the mountains. The road is actually very good except they have cut thru some impossible hillsides making yearly roadwork a necessity. Right now (November 2007) they are working on about five major sections both east and west of Mascota. Most of the work is on the west side.

After crossing the bridge below it mostly flat land until you drop back down into Mascota. Mascota is very Colonial in a non-fancy way with one church in ruins looking as if it was a religious center for the area many years ago. Lots of classic construction and cobble stone streets.

The last few fotos are from one of the very few scenic lookouts along the road after leaving Mascota and heading toward Talpa and Ameca.

Looking down on Mascota from the east

Mascota church

Mascota house

Mascota church and ex-convent

Mascota trip fotos

Autlan de Navarro

2008-05-22T18:36:00.011-05:00

The city of Autlán de Navarro (or simply Autlán) is located in a valley at the foothills of the Sierra Madre Occidental, in the south coast region of the state of Jalisco. Autlán is referred to as “La Puerta de la Costa” (Door to the Coast) because of its warm, humid climate and its geographical location, as an important stop in the highway from the Pacific coast to Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco. Because of it's location, Autlán is a very important regional commercial and agricultural centre for the state, as well as the location of the University of Guadalajara’s south coast campus.

Another town that has some feel of the Colonial Era but has not been preserved as such so new is mixed with the old. It's a good sized town with lots of downtown activity - market, plaza and a number of chruches. The bull ring (Plaza del Toros) is close to downtown and one of the fanciest ones I've seen. I really should have tried to get a few fotos of it - even if only the outside.

After coming out of Ayutla onto highway 80 there is a large drop in elevation into the valley where Autlan is (those famous hair-pin turns). I cruzed downtown and then stayed at Hotel Autlan near the bus station - nice place for about $40us. The next morning I walked around town, had breakfast and headed downhill again towards Purificacion and La Huerta (more hair-pin turns).

Entrance to Autlan and bus station from in front of my motel

Colorful intersection near the mercado

Lots of parks

Autlan Church

More Autlan pictures

Mezcala Island - Lake Chapala

2008-05-06T13:01:00.008-05:00

Mezcala Island
Lake Chapala, Jalisco - Mexico

Mezcala Island is a few kilometers southeast of Mezcala on the northern shore of Lake Chapala. It is also known as El Presidio. From 1812-1816, a small band of rebels held off the Spanish army and navy against overwhelming odds. Tired of the humiliation the Spanish finally negotiated a peaceful surrender with the insurgents. The island then became a Spanish prison for many years.

It's rumored that there existed indigenous structures and hieroglyphics on the island before the fortifications were built but all traces disappeared with the construction. There are tours to the island from both Mezcala and Chapala-

Aerial view of Mezcala

Ruins of the fort

More ruins

Mezcala island from Mezcala town

A few more Mezcala fotos

sur de jalisco mexico turismo tourism

2008-04-24T18:47:00.000-05:00

este es un video que muestra la belleza del sur del estado de jalisco, los lugares que puedes visitar, conocer y disfrutar de un buen dia, donde puedes gozar de su rica gastronomia y belleza natural, ademas de los servicios que ofreceen los municipios de ciudad guzman. tuxpan y tapalpa.

Jalisco Mexico Sur Tourismo

Mazamitla - an Alpine town

2008-04-24T16:02:00.003-05:00

Mazamitla has a population of something above 15,000 people, and with an elevation of about 7200 feet is located some 2200 feet higher than Lake Chapala. Less than a two hour drive from Chapala and a little over 2 hours from Colima. Both times I've been to this pretty little town was from Colima taking the Tuxpan exit just after entering Jalisco.

Mazamitla is very small, narrow one way streets and built on the hillside. It's not a place to go for action - but rather just to relax. There are many country casitas and places to camp in the area. Eco Tourism is growing with road signs that map the area. I really wish I had some of my old pictures of the country side because the pine forests are really beautiful and a relief from the tropical coast.

Vive Manzamitla

Monteverde Resort

Ciudad Guzman

2008-04-23T20:49:00.000-05:00

Ciudad Guzmán has a second traditional name of Zapotlan El Grande. Ciudad Guzman's elevation is about 5000 feet and it is nestled at the foot of a dormant volcano. In the distance, there are volcanic mountains, some of which are slightly active from time to time.

The population of the Ciudad Guzman area is about 175,000. However, the city is the central shopping area for many smaller towns and agriculture communities in the area and is a bustling commercial center.

Glen and I stopped here for a few hours to get a feel for the city and because a number of people say it's quite uninteresting. It's definitely Colonial and the city center is attractive. The rest of the town is plain but with very wide streets. Not sure of activities or attractions but it's definitely in the middle of an interesting area.

Ciudad Guzman Jalisco Mexico