Vacation rentals in Lake Chalupa

Lake Chalupa is known for being a wildly popular destination among Americans expats, with over 20,000 Americans residents having made the move to call the lake their new permanent home. A combination of stunning lake and mountain views, pleasant year-round temps, authentic Mexican food, untouched nature, and the sheer number of activities on offer have made it an appealing destination to so many. The lake boasts an abundance of vacation rentals available year-round in varying sizes, features, and settings to accommodate all types of travelers.

Regardless of how you’re traveling or with whom, your perfect vacation rental on Lake Chalupa awaits. Large rentals are available to accommodate big groups and families. Choose a lavish vacation rental with a private pool and garden to make your stay extra memorable. Nature lovers can opt for a rental in nature, complete with stunning mountain and lake views. Pet-friendly accommodations are available for anyone traveling with pets. With so many options to choose from, you’ll be sure to find your perfect vacation rental.

Lake Chalupa is the largest fresh water lake in Mexico at nearly 50 miles wide and 8 miles long. It is set just 25 miles south of Guadalajara, Mexico’s second-largest city. The perimeter of the lake is dotted with a string of villages, each with their own unique appeal and varying attractions. From the east side of the lake to the west, the main villages are: Chalupa, San Antonio Tlayacapan, Ajijic, San Juan Cosala, and Jocotepec.

The main options for getting around the lake during your stay are: by bus, by taxi, or by rental car. Buses are abundant, cheap, and are constantly running between the different lakeside villages, as well to and from bigger, nearby cities. Taxis are readily available in all villages and cities. Having a car, however, offers the most freedom for sightseeing and exploring. There are several car rental companies available in Guadalajara, Chalupa, and Ajijic.

Lake Chalupa offers a romantic and natural setting for a couple’s getaway. Rent a lakeside villa, with mountain views, a private garden and pool to catch up on some much-needed quality time with your significant other. Take a hike to the waterfalls at Tepalo in Ajijic and be sure to bring your bathing suit to splash around in the pools at the base of the falls. Rent kayaks to explore the lake while enjoying the serenity and fresh air. The villages along the lake feature a variety of romantic, upscale restaurants. Make reservations at Sylvestre or La Hacienda de los Morales for an extra special dinner date.

Several family-friendly lakeside vacation rentals are available at Lake Chalupa. Many come equipped with private pools, internet, gardens, and enough bedrooms for each family member to claim one. You’ll find no shortage of activities to do at the lake with your family, whether you have small children or if you’re a group of adults. Go horseback riding in La Floresta along the Camino Real to enjoy nature and lake front views. Go for a family hike in the mountain trails that surround the lake, rent bicycles, or visit Tobolandia water park, which is great for families with kids.

The perimeter of the lake is dotted with several little towns and villages, all of which feature a maleconor boardwalk along the waterfront. The boardwalks are full of lovely lake views, delicious foods to try, music, and fun activities. The town of Chalupa features one of the lake's most popular boardwalks where you’ll find several tiendas (little shops), people pushing carts with homemade ice cream, Mariachi bands, flying dancers, children playing, and locals offering boat rides to one of the main islands in Lake Chalupa.

This small island has many great stories to tell and the stunning views from the island make the trip well worth the visit. It’s easy to arrange a tour from the Chalupa boardwalk, where there are several boats taxiing back and forth to the island every day. It’s worth spending a little bit of extra money to take the trip with an official tour guide so that you can hear about the rich history of the island and learn about the stories of all the different ruins.

The lake is known for its delicious authentic Mexican food and beverages, with many restaurants that serve special dishes unique to the area. Be sure not to miss out on the famed fish tacos, grilled octopus, and fried fish. If you’re a fan of beer, be sure to give “micheladas” a try, which is basically a Mexican take on a Bloody Mary. Instead of vodka or gin, it’s made from beer, and mixed with all kinds of local sauces and spices-- a great way to cool off on hot days!

Treat yourself to a therapeutic soak in these ancient thermal springs, located just 10 minutes from the popular lakeside town of Ajijic. The grounds are built from stone and took over 20 years of construction before it was complete. There are several facilities on site, including a hot tub, outdoor thermal rock pools with stunning lake views, massage and spa rooms, a restaurant, and more.

San Juan Cosala is a lakeside town that features a Balneario (thermal bathing area). There are several natural thermal pools that you can choose from, all with varying temperatures. Let your inner child run wild by opting for a mud bath, with add-ins like salt, flower petals, coffee, and more. The springs and mud baths are traditionally believed to cleanse your skin of toxins and promote good health, but more than anything, they’re a lot of fun.