The Sparkling White Sands of Lake Chapala Beaches
By Jim Collums

      In our wildest dreams, right? But wait, beach lovers in our midst have been working overtime to make the above statement just one mo1re delightful reason for living here. A dedicated team, headed by Dr. Todd D. Stong—with too many engineering qualifications to list—has been consulting with local municipalities for the past seven years in collecting samples measuring Lake Chapala water bacteria.
      Mexican environmental laws state that water is suitable for recreational use if it contains less than 240 fecal coliform bacteria per 100 ml sample. The most feasible beach sites listed below passed the test with flying colors, measuring only 30 FC bacteria per 100 ml sample, which is, by way of comparison, much safer than 25 of the top beaches in the U.S. which averages somewhere in the 200 FC range.
      DR. STONG: “This is great news for Lake Lovers that should help dispel what seems to be a widespread misconception of Lake Chapala’s water quality conditions. We hope this good news about many sites on the lake will serve as an impetus to local municipalities to continue testing programs and take steps to make area beaches attractive and inviting to local people as well as visitors.”
      So get out your bikinis and snorkeling gear and visualize spans of silver white sand nestled between mountains surrounding the biggest lake in Mexico, peppered with palms and bougainvilleas and delightfully flavored with a constant supply of gentle breezes.
      SAN NICOLAS BEACH—Near the Guadalajara water pumping station in San Nicolas.
      CHRISTINA BEACH—Near the ever-popular Christina Park in Chapala, this addition would make this one of the most perfect (and popular) all around recreational facilities in Jalisco.
      CHAPALA BEACH—On the malecon in Chapala surrounded by restaurants and vendors and ongoing festivals.
      DONATA GUERRA BEACH—Fronting the Nueva Posada hotel and restaurant.
      CENTRAL PARK BEACH—Just west of the Ajijic pier, connecting the popular park with the lake.
      SAN JUAN BEACH—In San Juan Cosala.
      EL CHANTE BEACH—Destined to be the favorite, in the laid-back community of EI Chante.
      JOCOTOPEC BEACH—On the Jocotopec malecon.
      So the answer is no, Virginia, sparkling, white, sandy beaches around Lake Chapala beaches is NOT a dream!
      Get braced for the onslaught!