Lake Chapala is Mexico’s largest freshwater lake, located within a 1 hour drive of Guadalajara, in Central Mexico. It is a very popular place to retire among and American and Canadian retirees, and therefore has an eclectic mix of Mexican culture that manages to cater to Gringo peculiarities and demands. It is helpful if you can speak Spanish here, but you can certainly survive without it!
If you are thinking of visiting the Lake Chapala area, or perhaps you live on the lake and your grandchildren will be visiting soon (and you need to figure out how to keep them entertained!), here are some must-visit places to take the kids, within a reasonable distance!
1. Tobolandia Water Park in Ajijic
They have simply the best and largest children’s play area I have ever seen (Mexico or not). It may not be A+ in quality, but it is a B+ in effort, and has heated pools, a number of large slides, and a lazy river. Pack some lunch for the day, put on some sunscreen, and enjoy a half of full day! 
Adults/Children $100/$50 Pesos ($7.25/$3.50 USD)
2. Trompo Magico Children’s Museum in Guadalajara
Also the best children’s museum I have been to (and certainly the cheapest)!
Plan to spend hours upon hours here…letting your kids enjoy some pretend play (grocery store, doctor office, kitchen), among many other activities. Our favorite is their amazing bubble display (prepare to be wowed when they encase your whole body in a large bubble)! Older children and teenagers will appreciate areas that are geared towards them with more technology, etc. Fun for the whole family!
Adults/Children $35 pesos ($2.50 USD!)
While we haven’t been to it yet, ourselves (we’re waiting to go with some friends), but our friends RAVE about this zoo. They said they could go over and over and over again! Can’t wait!
Adults/Children are $60/$35 Pesos ($4.40/$2.50 USD)
4. Jocotepec Malecon
We have been watching the progress of this beautiful malecon in Jocotepec being completed, complete with a “Splash Pad” being built at the very end of the walkway. The playground has the most modern playground equipment we have seen in Mexico (literally), and we can’t wait until it is filled with a good 6 inches of water throughout, with all of the fountains running! Our last visit was just last weekend, January 2012, and they have not made progress with the water. Have they given up on it? Who knows! ¨Mañana¨is, of course, a popular word around here. However, when this is up and going fully…this cannot be missed! Not to mention…it’s free! (*p.s. I’ve recently decided it is likely not running with water because it is the “winter” and the locals think it is way too cold! I bet it will be flowing by early April! Bring it on!)
And if your kids have nearly as much energy as ours, they may also love the free outdoor workout equipment near the entrance to the Jocotepec Malecon. You might as well get a good workout, yourself, too!
5. Lake Chapala beach
Each small town along the North shore of Lake Chapala has its own little malecon (walking area on the water). Our favorites are the Chapala, Ajijic, and Jocotepec Malecons. The Jocotepec malecon was mentioned above, the Ajijic malecon has a fun simple little playground, and the Chapala malecon has the best sandy beach for playing in the water. We take our sun canopy and let the kids play for hours with their friends while the parents chat. Many locals are scared to play in the water(claiming it is contaminated) and may look at you funny, but a Gringo water specialist in the area has proved through independent testing that it is certainly clean enough for playing…so play away!
All malecons are perfect for bringing the bikes along and letting the kids ride up and down the smoothly paved walkways. It sure beats the cobblestone alternative!
And for goodness’ sake…if you are looking for entertainment in early September, DO NOT miss the Regata de Globos event in Ajijic!!
Lake Chapala is not just for retirees…kids love it, too!
Let the fun begin!
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To read about some other great places throughout the world to visit with children, see the following blog posts by other “Families on the Move” who participated in this group project! They selected a favorite place, and their top 5 activities to do with children! Who says traveling with kids can’t be fun?
Ambergris Caye, Belize – A King’s Life –
New York City, USA – A Minor Diversion
London, UK — Travels with a Nine Year Old
The Netherlands – Act of Traveling
Antigua, Guatemala – Raising Miro
Seattle, WA, USA – Walkingon Travels
Sunset Coast, Michigan, USA – WanderingEducators.com
Vancouver, B.C. Canada – With 2 Kids In Tow
Kingston, Ontario, Canada – EdventureProject.com
Costa Rica – Bohemian Travelers
Central Australia – Wandering Photographer
South Australia – Livin On The Road
The Holy Land: Israel – The Nomadic Family
Washington, D.C. U.S.A. – Grow In Grace Life
Fethiye, Turkey – Ramblecrunch
Brisbane, Australia – OurTravelLifestyle
Boston, USA – Great Family Escape
Chiang Mai, northern Thailand – The Dropout Diaries
Terrific list of activities! We’re in the process of moving down (waiting (im)patiently for house to sell) so posts like this keep me looking forward.
PS: I think we’ve connected on the Chapala board so it was fun to find your blog!
Best,
Jennifer
Hi Jennifer! Yes, I remember you from the Chapala board! I am crossing my fingers that your house sells soon and that you will be on your way before you know it!
We loved walking the Ajijic Malecon. Hope to do it again someday!
I hope so, too! We try to walk it most mornings…it is a great way to start the day!
We are coming early 2013. I show my kids that water park and playground and it’s a done deal! Thanks!
Haha! Yes, I hope the free one will finally be complete by 2013…but you never know!! Every malecon here is a treat…with playgrounds and room to run! Come fast!
what great fun – i had no idea that all these activities were available!
Wow–love the Children’s Museum as well as all the great affordable activites on offer for the kiddies! Thanks for sharing!
It was a total find! We had no idea it was there until we met another Gringo gal visiting Guadalajara with her Mexican husband and kids, and she told us that her hotel had mentioned the Children´s Museum. We went together and had a ball!
That water park looks great. I’m not familiar with Lake Chapala, but now I’m curious.
Lake Chapala is fantastic! Perfect weather year-round (literally) and a great jumping off point for seeing so much more of Mexico!
Wow Sid from the Lake Chapala Club referred me to this website and it is reassuring to know that there are activities for the children in the Lake Chapala area. I am wanting to move to the area with my children and hoping to connect with other parents who live in the area.
Thanks,
Norma in Texas
Hi Norma! Thanks for the note! That was nice of Sid to refer you, and I hope you do try moving to this area. There are quite a few young families in the area, and I’d love to hear more about you guys. I will email you!
My family and I are in the process of moving out there in the spring, and although I have been there many times.. Never had I come across many of the attractions you mentioned. But after reading your blog I’m enjoying the idea of living out there. My 5yr old daughter and I will definitely be going and enjoying all these wonderful places mentioned. Ty for such a good blog
Thanks Alejandra! Good luck with the move, and hopefully we will see you down here in the Spring! The Lake Chapala area (anywhere) is great for kids…and I’m sure you’ll discover many more jewels than just the ones I’ve shared!
Wow that really looks like one of the most kid/family friendly destinations I’ve ever seen. Those playgrounds, museum and pools look wonderful. I’m pretty sure my kids would be asking to go to one every day.
I have to admit…Mexico IS a very family-friendly country!! Have you been?
Thanks so much for all the info you provide!!! its exactly what i was looking for!!
And congratulations for choosing such a wonderful life!!
Many blessings for all of you !!
Ivette
As of today, its official! We are moving to lake Chapala. Signed the contract today on a house in mirasol! We will be here full time as of july2013 with our daughters 14 and 7 and our 12 year old son.
We’d love to network with other families in the area!
My fiance and I have been talking about moving to the area. we are coming soon ( March 2014)with 6 year old daughter. Any chance of meeting up with you? Or any other English speaking families in the area?
Hi Christine! so nice to hear from you, and congrats on your pending arrival in the area! We love it there, but moved away in summer 2012 to do some further travels. You will find many gringo retirees who will happily befriend you, and hopefully they can point you toward some young English-speaking families! The best way to start getting to know families in the area is to be bold in talking to people, involve yourself in extracurricular activities for young kids (ballet, gymnastics, etc), and if you’re interested–consider putting your daughter in a local bilingual school. Even part time would be great–and it provides a great social opportunity for all of you (as well as her Spanish will be fantastic in no time)!!