The lobby of the Real de Chapala Hotel in La Floresta.
Rules of the Road
Rules? Driving rules in Mexico? Are we kidding?!!???!!!
Well, yes. And no. Sometimes it does seem like there aren't any driving rules in Mexico. (Okay, it seems like that all the time.) Drivers here are a special breed, for sure. We like to call it “creative driving”. But that's why it's important to pay attention and drive safely.
And there really are some rules and even laws that we must comply with here at Lake Chapala Golf Carts. We ask that you do the same. Below is a list you agree to when you rent a golf cart.
(This lawyerly message is brought to you by our high-powered attorney who insists you agree to such things. And if you don't, she says you can't have a golf cart.)
Well, yes. And no. Sometimes it does seem like there aren't any driving rules in Mexico. (Okay, it seems like that all the time.) Drivers here are a special breed, for sure. We like to call it “creative driving”. But that's why it's important to pay attention and drive safely.
And there really are some rules and even laws that we must comply with here at Lake Chapala Golf Carts. We ask that you do the same. Below is a list you agree to when you rent a golf cart.
(This lawyerly message is brought to you by our high-powered attorney who insists you agree to such things. And if you don't, she says you can't have a golf cart.)
The Gheko Gallery.
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A town filled with murals.
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At the lake.
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Local Road Rules
- ABSOLUTELY NO DRIVING ON THE CARRETERA. You may CROSS the carretera to get from the lake side of town to the mountain side, but you CANNOT drive ON the carretera. It is both ILLEGAL and UNSAFE. (This really isn't a problem for getting around the area. See "The Carretera Explained" below.) For your safety, we highly recommend crossing the carretera only at a stoplight.
- ABSOLUTELY NO DRIVING ON THE LIBRAMIENTO. The "libramiento" is the road that dead-ends at the stoplight in front of Walmart, and climbs up the hill leading to the airport, Guadalajara and beyond.
- ALL drivers must be over the age of 17 and legally licensed to drive in their state or province. (No tossing the keys to the kids.)
- NO drinking and driving.
- NO drugs.
- NO driving on the lakeshore.
- You agree not to drive in the bike lane/ciclopista that runs alongside many parts of the carretera.
- You agree not to drive in the wrong direction. Most streets in town are one-way. Obey the legal direction of traffic.
- You agree not to park on or near street corners. Our streets are narrow. Busses, trucks and large vehicles need empty corners to maneuver through town. Anything parked at a corner will get crushed. Stay at least 15 feet away from street corners.
- You agree not to park on the wrong side of the street. On many streets parking is only allowed on one side. If all other cars are parked on the same side of the street, follow their lead. Park only on that side.
- Go with the flow...but stay out of the way. Car and truck traffic has the right of way. Yield to others, and if there is a vehicle behind you, pull over at the first opportunity to let them pass.
- Lake Chapala Golf Carts assumes no responsibility for your safety.
"Main Street" in Ajijic is a State highway.
The Carretera Explained
The "carretera" is the main road that connects Ajijic with Chapala to the east, and Jocotepec to the west. But it's more than that: it's a State Highway. (In fact, carretera is the Spanish word for highway, so there's your free language lesson for the day. You're welcome!)
Because of this it is both unsafe and illegal to drive a golf cart on the carretera. You simply cannot do it. The local police will stop you, harrass you, and possibly confiscate the golf cart. And you will be responsible for any and all costs associated with retrieving the cart. And it will not be cheap. (Is that scary enough? Great.)
But no worries! As long as you stay off the carretera, you'll get around town without any trouble at all. And it's so easy...
The "carretera" is the main road that connects Ajijic with Chapala to the east, and Jocotepec to the west. But it's more than that: it's a State Highway. (In fact, carretera is the Spanish word for highway, so there's your free language lesson for the day. You're welcome!)
Because of this it is both unsafe and illegal to drive a golf cart on the carretera. You simply cannot do it. The local police will stop you, harrass you, and possibly confiscate the golf cart. And you will be responsible for any and all costs associated with retrieving the cart. And it will not be cheap. (Is that scary enough? Great.)
But no worries! As long as you stay off the carretera, you'll get around town without any trouble at all. And it's so easy...
Why drive on the carretera when you can take this road instead?
The Good News!
You can get anywhere you want in a golf cart without driving on the highway/carretera.
Much of the carretera has lateral/frontage roads running right alongside it, upon which you can drive and park. Also, it is legal to cross the carretera. (Again, for your own safety we highly recommend doing so at a stoplight.)
You can easily travel from lower Ajijic (lakeside) to upper Ajijic (mountainside). You can get anywhere east or west within our service area - including Walmart and Superlake - without ever driving on the carretera.
And driving a golf cart is super easy, so don't worry if you've never done it before.
Wecome to charming San Antonio Tlayacapan!
Getting Around the Easy Way
The key to east/west travel all the way from La Canacinta through Ajijic and on to San Antonio and Riberas del Pilar is the street named Ocampo/Constitución/El Camino Real/Ramón Corona/Avenida de la Ribera, etc. It's one long road - but with different names - and it's a simple straight shot.
This all probably sounds confusing if you haven't been here before, but it's really simple, and getting about the area will become clear once you're here. We'll explain all the major access roads when you arrive, and give you a map to help you navigate.
The Three Most Important Rules? See More, Stay Safe and Have Fun!
Ajijic Día de los Muertos.
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Día de la Cruz.
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Shops and Galleries.
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(c) 2013-15 Lake Chapala Golf Carts
