Learn About the Neighborhood of Upper Ajijic
The Neighborhood of Upper Ajijic
Everybody knows “Lower Ajijic”. Every visitor, newcomer and local residents has enjoyed the lively plaza, the Wednesday outdoor market/tianguis, the Malecon for a stroll along the lake, etc. Along with all that, Lower Ajijic also has the highest concentration of restaurants, galleries, shops and other businesses that make it such an interesting place to explore. But what about “Upper Ajijic”? Wha’s that about? What would it be like to live there?
Both areas offer their virtues if you are thinking of buying a home here.
Upper Ajijic is also where you’ll find homes with unobstructed views of the lake, some of which are located in private gated communities.
Homes in gated communities and those featuring uncluttered lake views are very rare below the Carretera, so if either quality is important to you, it’s a good idea to consider making “Upper Ajijic” your home.
Lower Ajijic has flatter terrain, making it easier to walk and enjoy the amenities listed above. Upper Ajijic, on the other hand, climbs gradually to the base of the mountains. The streets in the upper village tend to be a bit wider in most areas, with easier driving and more abundant parking. Also, with fewer visitors wandering the streets north of the Carretera, the area is less congested. In short, Upper Ajijic offers close proximity to the amenities of lower Ajijic, but is a bit removed from the congestion, crowds and occasional
chaos.
So, while they’re only a short distance away from each other, Upper and Lower Ajijic offer different living experiences. Since moving here fulltime in 2008 I have lived in both Upper and Lower Ajijic for equal amounts of time.
Location
Ajijic is located between Chapala and San Juan Cosala. Like all areas lakeside, “Upper” and “Lower” are defined by the carretera, the main road east and west connecting Chapala with Jocotepec. Lower Ajijic is on the lakeside of the highway, and Upper is on the mountain side.
Neighborhood
- Lomas de Ajijic
- Lomas del Lago
- Lomas del Tepalo
- Montibello
- Rosalito
- El Palmar Courtyard
- Ajijic Hills
- Los Olivos
- Riviera Alta
- La Mision
- Mision del Lago
- San Juan de Colinas
- Ventanas de Ajijic
Climate Ajijic
The average temperature in Ajijic is from 5°C (41°F) to 31°C (87.8°F), it is considered one of the best weathers in the world.
Places of Interest
Upper Ajijic is the gateway to mountain trails where you can hike, mountain bike or ride horseback. During rainy season, stunningly beautiful waterfalls await you directly above the center of town. And year-round, nature the everchanging vistas, including panoramic views of the town, the lake and the entire south shore.
Internet, Cable and Telephone Service
Good internet speed, affordable television and telephone services provided by the companies:
Telmex
(Internet, Telephone):
Address: Carretera Chapala – Jocotepec Ote 113, Ajijic, Jal.
Hours 8:00 am – 4:30 pm.
Telecable
(Television, Internet)
Address: Hidalgo 45920 Riberas del Pilar, Chapala, Jal.
Hours 9:00 am – 7:00 pm.
ILOX
(Telephone, Internet and Television)
Address: Plaza Bugambilias Ajijic, Jal.
Hours 9:00 am – 7:00 pm.
Fees and HOA what is covered?
The vast majority of properties in Upper Ajijic are simply part of the village and include no HOA fees. There are, however, approximately ten gated communities, and the Colonos or HOA fees vary from among the lowest in our area to some of the highest, depending on the amenities included. It is important to know what, if any, HOA fees are associated with a property before deciding to purchase.
Potable Water and Sewer Systems
Services provided by a governmental organization called SIMAPA.
Address: Guadalupe Victoria 65. Tel 01 376 766 0423
Hours 9:00 am – 3:00 pm.
Electricity
The company that supplies this service is CFE (Comisión Federal de Electricidad).
Address: Zaragoza 451, Chapala, Jalisco.
Hours 8:00 am – 9:00 pm.
This service must be paid every 2 months and can be paid at the CFE office or in stores like Walmart, Soriana, OXXO and 7 Eleven.
CFE has different rates of power depending on client’s needs:
- Rate 01 Domestic use (regular house)
- Rate 02 Business (stores in general)
- Trifásico (business and regular house)
Medical Services
- Hospital Ajijic- Carretera Ote 33-A. Tel 376 766 0500
Hotels
- Hotel Casa de la Abuela- Hermenegildo Galeana 75. Tel 01 376 766 1747
Restaurants near Upper Ajijic
- Chinese food Min Wah- Al Tepalo 96 A. Tel 01 376 766 0686
- Donas Donuts Ajijic- J. Encarnación Rosas 52. Tel 01 376 766 4262
- Go Bistro- Marcos Castellanos 31. Tel 01 33 3502 6555
- El Jardín de Ninette- Carretera Ote. 52. Tel 01 376 766 4905
- Machi ma- Carretera 0te 25. Tel 01 376 766 1649.
Known Issues in Upper Ajijic
Noise- Many insist that because “sound travels up”, Upper Ajijic must be noisier than lower. And while it’s certainly true that there are noisier than average areas of Upper Ajijic, acoustics are much more complicated than a simple formula. How sound travels is affected by a lot of things, especially buildings that deflect it. Each individual property can be more or less impacted by noise depending upon different factors. If you are thinking of living right in town and are sensitive to noise, it’s important to work with a realtor who understands which areas are louder and which are not. I have lived in both upper and lower Ajijic, and have been fortunate to find two of the quieter “pockets”. Mexico is an exciting, vibrant place to live, but it is not a quiet culture.
Public Transportation- If there is a clear downside when comparing Upper and Lower Ajijic, it’s that there is no public transportation available above the carretera. Bus service only exists along the carretera running east and west, with smaller busses that patrol the lower village. If you live above the carretera, you need to either have a car, use taxis or rely on walking.