Chapala is the largest of the six Lakeside communities. The region where Lake Chapala is located was called Chimaloacán: “place for the people using shield”.  In the ninth century a big migration of Nahuatl origin tribes, from the northwest of the country, gave rise to the major settlements of the central plateau of Mexico; the residents of Chapala belonged to the group of Tanalan from where a warlord named Chapa encouraged groups to form a new population on the shores of the lake. Thus was formed Chapatla or Chapatlán. The word Chapala comes from the Nahuatl and means “place of Grasshoppers on the water”. Due to the characteristics of the area, the main activities were fishing, hunting, trade and agriculture. Over the entire basin was established the first pre-Hispanic communications between Tenochtitlan and northern and western regions. Later this long basin favored the Spanish exploration and conquest. more…

Patzcuaro is a city and region of the state of Michoacán. It is one of the points that identify the state of Michoacán and was the major pre-Hispanic religious center since its former inhabitants say that this was the gate of heaven where the gods ascended and descended, so its original name was Tzacapu-ansucutin Patzcuaro, which translates as “gate of heaven.” Pátzcuaro is categorized by the Ministry of Tourism as one of the Pueblos Mágicos, in a tour, the tourist will find churches of the XVI century, coexisting with buildings from XVII and XVIII century, colorful houses and cobblestone streets, rich traditions, crafts and a varied cuisine . When touring the city tourist can have a view of Lake Patzcuaro, the island of Janitzio, beautiful green mountains and sky with different shades of blue. more…