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Jalisco is a western Mexican
state fringing the Pacific Ocean. The idiom "Jalisco
is Mexico" refers to how many of the things which are
typically associated with Mexico have their origins
in Jalisco. These include tequila, mariachis,
rodeos, wide-skirted ribbon dresses and the
sombrero.
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Our experience of
this lovely state included mostly the coastal areas, but
we would have loved to have found time to visit
beautiful Lake Chapala and colonial Guadalajara.
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The Western Sierra Madre Occidental
mountain range is covered by thick jungle that grows right
to the edge of the sea.
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The offshore islands are a protected
biosphere reserve, home to manta rays, turtles, dolphins and
migrating humpback whales.
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Mismaloya is a former
fishing village in a remote cove surrounded by jungle.
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Yelapa is a secluded coastal village,
bisected by a river flowing across golden sands to a
turquoise cove.
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We travelled the area by local public transit consisting of
buses and vans called collectivos.
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We also travelled by water taxi to areas
not accessible by road.
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In Yelapa, with no
vehicles, local folks get around on
horseback.
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This biodiverse area is
home to armadillos, ocelots, badgers, deer, crocodiles,
lizards, snakes and 2 species of iguanas including
these spiny-tailed ones.
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There are 400 bird species including
blue-footed boobies, magpie-jays and pelicans.
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There are hikes to two pretty waterfalls
near Yelapa.
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The movie Day of the Iguana initiated
this area as a tourist attraction.
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Inland lie fields of agave which is used
to make tequila.
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The local children are
involved in gathering shellfish and in fishing for tuna,
marlin, snapper and sailfish.
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The sunset views are spectacular.
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