AJIJIC TOWN PLAZA

At the Ajijic town plaza, take a look inside the old (circa 1540) Chapel of the Virgin of Santiago on the north (uphill) edge of the plaza. From the opposite side of the plaza, head east one block to the baroque San Andrés parish church, founded during the mid-1500s and completed in 1749.

For nine days during Ajijic’s late-November Fiesta of San Andrés, the church’s spreading front courtyard and surrounding streets overflow with food stands, carnival rides, pitch-penny games, fireworks, and folk dancing. Moreover, Ajijic’s Semana Santa (pre-Easter week) celebration at this same spot is becoming renowned for its elaborately costumed, three-day reenactment of Jesus’s trial and crucifixion.