General News

With the 2015 election campaign season now on the horizon, a large field of contenders has emerged to chase the seat as Chapala’s next mayor, with a single female standing out in the line-up.  

Property taxes

To pay in person at the Chapala City Hall Catastro office, bring last year’s receipt, pull a numbered ficha from the ticket dispenser and wait until the number lights up on the digital screen above the windows at right of the seating area. Payments (cash or bank card) are collected by the same method at the cashier’s window on the opposite side of the lobby.  Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday-Friday.

Mouth-watering gourmet ice cream dished out in rolls is the specialty of Le Mime, one of more than a dozen food truck enterprises to be showcased at the Verbena FoodFest, coming to the Tobolandia parking lot on Saturday, January 24, Noon to 9 a.m. The event will also feature stands offering organic foods, award-winning Mexican wines, artisanal beer, crafts, and souvenirs, along with rock and roll tunes performed by the Super Clásicos band, special areas for kids and pets and an after-dark Flyaway Skylights globo display. General admission is set at 35 pesos, 25 pesos for students and free for children under age eight.    

Tucked away in Chapala a fiber artist, a novelist, composer,  writer and visual artist are experiencing a dream. Each was selected from the field of applicants anxious to take part in a month-long arts residency in Mexico. 

Neighbors of upper Ajijic will be in the grip of lively festivities all day Tuesday, January 20 as the barrio pays tribute to patron San Sebastián. The fiesta fever peaks from late afternoon when the visiting image of  the saint is marched back to home at the Capilla del Rosario and throngs of revelers regroup at the starting point for a unbridled street party.

The Chapala municipal police force have used a monetary donation from the expatriate community to purchase six boxes of apples to distribute to local children as part of the annual Three Kings Day celebration.

Have Hammer...Will Travel is hosting its 6th annual fundraising evening of good fun on Wednesday, February 11, 6 to 10 p.m. at Club Exotica on the Ajijic Plaza. The 350-peso tickets include a chicken or barbecue rib dinner and a night of entertainment with music by The Tall Boys, an expansive silent auction and students demonstrating their carving skills.  This practical program teaches local children, youth, and adults valuable life skills through woodworking and carpentry. Students will be on hand during the fundraiser to sell completed products, to take orders and to share their skills. For individual tickets or to reserve tables of 10, call the workshop at (376) 766-4830 and leave a message, or contact instructor Eloy Gonzalez at (376) 766-4663 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">.

There are many novel ways to help others at Lake Chapala. Now a dedicated group, the Villa Infantil “Lunch Bunch,” needs additional help – just a single time, once a week or once a month. Assistance couldn’t be more simple. Volunteers purchase, prepare and provide a nutritious “child friendly” lunch for the 30 children for whom the orphanage is a loving home.