That’s the name (in Nahuatl) for the town where we’re making a short visit: Mazamitla (Mah-zah-meet-lah). The locals must have been good at arrow-making, because we haven’t seen many (any) deer. Mazamitla is a tiny pueblo of 12,000+ souls, nestled high in the mountains above the south side of Lake Chapala. When I say high, I mean it: it’s another 2000 ft above mile-high Ajijic, our home.
The federal government designated Mazamitla a Pueblo Magico or “magic town” in 2005. This is a special designation for the most interesting natural or tourist destinations. What is so special about a tiny mountain village that it warrants such a status?
Lotsa wood 
indoors too 
and in the courtyard 
evevry pueblo has one of these
Pines. Buildings with wood frames and ornamentation. A climate even milder than lakeside, with averages around 70/50 degrees F. And its nickname is la suiza mexicana, Mexico’s Switzerland. Tapatios from Guadalajara flock here on the weekends to escape the heat and the noise of the big city: they turn the cabins and campgrounds into non-stop parties. We also wanted to take a break from the tropical sun, but we wanted peace and quiet, so we’re visiting during the week.
The amount of wood, especially pine, used in construction and decoration is conspicuous in Mazamitla. Then there is their early 20th century church, which has a vaguely Asian style.
Anybody else see pagodas? 
Fairly modern interior
One of the local delicacies is Platillo de Sopa, or big-honking bowl of soup. With large cuts of beef, pork, chicken, corn, potatoes, carrots, a zuchini and a jalapeno, topped off with fresh limes, diced onions and cubed avocados. Probably a hearty stew for the nights when the temperature drops below 50!
hearty breakfast 
hearty dinner
There are a variety of eco-themed adventure parks, but for the less adventurous (us), we just walked down to the waterfall. Going mid-week at the end of the dry season meant we had the waterfall pretty much to ourselves. You can get a all-terrain vehicle for the day at several locations, all using standard Mexico rules of the road (“helmets? we don’t need no stinkin’ helmets!”).
Los Saltos waterfall 
Up close & beneath 
the walk back up gave me camino flashbacks
Everything we heard and saw indicates this small town has a split personality. The restaurants were very large and numerous. There were small “typically-tourist” souvenir shops, and many tourist-themed tours. And we heard from friends about the legendary parties on weekends. Yet here we were mid-week in a quiet little town populated almost entirely by locals who seemed genuinely surprised to see us show up in their restaurants and shops.
So if you’re looking for an eco-adventure tour and party, visit on the weekend. During the week, it’s only for the introverted at heart. The weather is always great.