"Tlachichilco"

Have you ever heard of Tlachichilco del Carmen?
It's a quiet little town on the northern shore of the lake, east of Chapala. To go there you drive from Chapala to Vista del Lago and keep on going on the new carretera towards Mezcala. You drive thru San Juan Tecomatlan and the next pueblo is Tlachichilco, also known as "el barrio" de San Juan.

Because of it's geographical position opposite of Mezcala Island Tlachichilco took it's place in mexican history as the post of the royalist main force fighting the rebellious insurgents who had retreated to Mezcala Island in 1812. It was also here where in November 1816 the rebel leader Santana successfully negotiated the rebel surrender to Royalist Commander General José de la Cruz for a full pardon and compensation.

Until recently very few foreigners have ever found their way to Tlachichilco. The bad dirt road kept most away. Only a handful has settled here, because the land was "comunidad indigena" - indian community land. Now the road is paved, winding along the lake and thru the hills as far as Mezcala. The plan is for carretera to extend all the way to Ocotlan, located at the east end of the lake.
With the cooperation and agreement of the indigenous community and government action, some of the the land can now be owned by non-Mexians. Notarized, registered deeds are now available to foreigners.

With only 5 minutes to the golf course at Vista del Lago and 15 to 20 minutes to Chapala plus local phone calls to Ajijic and Chapala and fiber optic phone cable (important for internet user!) the area is ideal for the one who wants to be away from the crowd but don't want to miss out on the good things of civilization.

Tlachichilco has only 60 to 80 mexican families and with round about 30 foreigners living here the relationship between Mexicans  and "gringos" is very close. Everybody knows everybody, at least from seeing each other.
The countryside with it's unspoiled nature, the wide fields and countless trees, the green mountain slopes and the deep blue lake with Mezcala Island  right in front of you is a feast for the eye every time you look out of the window and a dream for people interested in hiking, bird watching, horseback riding, hunting, fishing or simply enjoying nature and quietness.
Some times I drive out to Ajijic and Chapala to work or do some shopping, but when I come home to Tlachichilco it's like a retreat into the nicest corner of paradise.