The Guadalajara Chamber of Commerce (Camara de Comercio or Canaco) has started operating day trips from the city to the Lake Chapala area, mirroring its longtime and successful Tequila Express tour.
The eight-hour Lago Express excursion will visit points of historical and touristic interest in the north shore zone, and include a Batur boat ride on the lake, a meal and a folk dance/musical show.
According to Canaco President Fernando Topete Dávila, the luxury tour buses will be able to transport 45 passengers, and three to four departures are planned each Saturdays during the first stage of the project. In the high season he reckons demand for the tour could reach as high as 250 to 300 tourists.
“We believe the tourist potential (of Chapala) is tremendous,” he said.
To promote the excursion, Canaco will work closely with Chapala municipal authorities, Jalisco Tourism Minister Enrique Ramos said.
The Lago Express tour will cost 1,300 pesos for adults and 1,170 pesos for senior citizens (with INSEN credential) and children aged from six to 11. Tickets may be purchased at the Canaco building (Avenida Vallarta and Niño Obrero) or at www.lagoexpress.com (site still having teething issues).
The price of the Chapala tour is rather more expensive than the Tequila Express, the former train ride that is now a Saturday/Sunday bus trip costing 950 (850) pesos. Although Topete Dávila gave no reason for this, one explanation could be the inclusion of the Batur boat ride on Lake Chapala.