Malecón de Chapala, Mexico
Chapala is a town and a municipality in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. Due to its location on Mexico’s largest freshwater lake, Lake Chapala, this town is a popular destination for weekend tourists, primarily from Guadalajara, a large city about 28 miles to the northwest. Chapala and its neighboring town of Ajijic are also popular destinations for expatriates from the U.S. and Canada seeking temperate weather and a laid-back lifestyle.
The main attraction to Chapala is the lake and its boardwalk or “Malecón de Chapala”. Here you will find beautiful views of the lake and surrounding mountains. The beauty is accentuated by long piers, fishing boats, horses, and beautiful cloud formations. It’s a pleasant place to spend the day strolling along the lake, getting a bite to eat, and observing the activities of both locals and tourists.
This was the rainy season and low-hanging clouds often thwarted my efforts to capture a sunset over the lake. However, the clouds and the light were constantly changing and presenting beautiful rays of light, colors, and unique photo opportunities on a regular basis. I frequently found myself enamored with the cloud formations here.
A guard stands by the side of the “Virgin of Zapopan” as the sun sets over Lake Chapala
Chapala is also informally referred to as “The Little Corner of Love” or “Rinconcito de Amor”, as can be seen on the archway to the entrance of this pier. As such, hundreds of locks displaying expressions of love from visitors have been fastened to the railing at the end of the pier.
A bridge provides access to the sculpture “Jesus Pescador” as clouds in the distance bring rain over the mountains.
The ancient Mesoamerican ceremony known as Dance of the Flyers or “Danza de Los Voladores” occurs regularly throughout the day. Their flute and drum can be heard across the Malecon as the birdmen perform their death-defying act.
In addition to the beautiful scenery, other attractions can be found along the Malecon de Chapala. These include restaurants and food vendors, a market, amusement rides, and a skateboard park.
Wow! Those cloud formations create an impressive backdrop and you’ve captured it beautifully. Also, that shot of the skateboarder is amazing. As always, thanks for sharing your photography.
Hey thanks. I’m noticing a trend with the clouds. It seems like these higher elevation towns in Mexico have great cloud formations. I felt the same way about San Miguel de Allende, but they seem more impressive on Lake Chapala and the surrounding area. That skateboard park is really cool. It seems to get busy with the boarders in the late afternoon to early evening. Thanks again for stopping by.
Skip, Your photos are stunning. I hope that you stick around for awhile. I can’t wait to see the next round of photos.
Hi Henry. Thanks so so much for the encouraging words. I plan to be around for a while. There are still many places to see and I’ll do my best to keep the photos coming. I look forward to seeing you here again soon.
I loved these photos. I feel fortunate to live here and your photos illustrate why.
Hi Stephany: That is a great compliment coming from someone who loves the place they call home. Thanks for the kind words. I’m happy to hear you feel I did your home justice.
Hello, I enjoyed your article as well as the beautiful photos. Thank you for sharing it. I loved hearing about “the little corner of love,” something that I did not hear about when I visited there a couple of years ago. The Malecon is something that I think about from time to time. It always makes me wish I were there. I will post your article on my page for my friends down there to enjoy, also.
Hi Shelley:
Thanks so much for your kind words and for sharing the article with your friends. Those photos of the Corner of Love pier and the locks are my favorite of this group. I hope to see you back again soon.
Amazing shots as always! I’m a fan of landscape photos and you’ve curated a fantastic selection ❤️
Hi Carrie: Great to hear from you again. Thanks for your words of encouragement. The clouds and mountains in Chapala do make for some beautiful shots. I’ll try to keep the landscape photos coming.
Your photos are stunning and capture these areas beautifully. To be there in person must be amazing. Thank you for sharing and taking us along on your journey. ?
Hi Marissa. Thanks for visiting and for your kind comment. I’m so happy to hear you are enjoying my images. Feel free to visit often, I’ll have more to share in the near future.