Lake Cajititlan, Jalisco

Lake Cajititlan is a freshwater lake in central Jalisco surrounded by several small towns and fishing communities. The water supports local livelihoods while waterside restaurants serve traditional fish dishes to both residents and visitors.

Spanish missionaries built a sanctuary near the lake in the 1500s, marking the arrival of colonial influence and religious conversion in the region. This early settlement became the foundation for the communities that grew up around the water.

In towns surrounding the lake, artisans keep alive traditional skills such as rope making and stone carving passed down through generations. You can see these crafts in daily use throughout the communities that depend on the water.

Visit in the morning when fishermen are working and restaurants prepare fresh catches for the day ahead. The flat terrain around the shore makes it easy to walk between villages and enjoy the waterside setting.

During the Three Kings celebration, hand-carved religious figures travel in boats across the lake as part of a water-based procession. This unusual tradition brings together folk art and water customs in a way that defines the spiritual calendar of local communities.