We are familiar with Malecons because of previous trips to Mexico and areas south. The Ajijic Malecon, while not the most elaborate we’ve seen, still is a wonderful place for a walk. On weekdays, mainly you will find ex-pats getting in their daily steps. On weekends, the place is full of Latino families enjoying every aspect of the area. And there is a lot to enjoy from looking at the water and mountains, to the walkway itself, to the parks and activity places on the non-water side.
At the main entrance to the Malecon, there is a famous old restaurant which used to be called the Old Posado, now called the Maria Isabel. It’s a great space with indoor and outdoor seating and apparently was THE hangout for the likes of DH Lawrence and Liz Taylor as well as several other dignitaries who have spent time in this area. Straight out from this restaurant is the pier, along with an abandoned building that apparently has been various restaurants. This is also the area where you can rent boats, etc.
The walkway itself is about 1.5 miles long.
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| There is also a HUGE green parrot nest with dozens of patrols flying around. |
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| lots of pretty plants and flowers |
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| There is one park area that has sculptures from famous civilizations all over the world. |
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| Liz Taylor spent time in the area, once upon a time. |
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| Exercise equipment in a couple of places |
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| Little boats for rent |
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| Couple of different playgrounds for kids |
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| More exercise equipment, this grouping right next to a kids’ playgrounds |
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| Nice skateboard park which seems to be used mostly with bikes |
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| Lots of picnic areas |
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| An amphitheater |
On the opposite side of the parks is the water of Lake Chapala surrounded by the Sierra Madre mountains. On weekdays, you will mainly see ex-pats using the walkway, but on the weekends, there are masses of people, some fishing, some using the exercise equipment, some kids in the playgrounds, kids using the skateboard park (some using it with bikes), some eating in the many picnic areas, some just enjoying the scenery. Often on weekends, there are multiple food booths also set up, as well as little artisan shops where people are selling their artistic wares.
You can also rent a boat on a weekend, which Harold and I did on one occasion to see the city from the lake.
All in all, it’s a beautiful public space and actually nicer than most public park spaces in the US.
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