In Castillo de La Floresta, jacarandas abound. Photo: Sofía Medeles. 

Sofía Medeles (Ajijic).- Ajijic has earned the designation of Magic Town, not only for its traditions, but also for the beauty of its streets and the diversity of nature. Proof of this are its spring landscapes with the large number of colorful flowering trees. 

Purple rose or guayacan tree on Rio Yaqui street, at the intersection with Rio Bravo. Photo: Sofía Medeles.

La Floresta, in the east of the delegation, is one of the areas bursting with flowering trees.. It is enough to walk a few steps inside the subdivision to find several jacarandas – Jacaranda mimosifolia – that turn the planters purple. The so-called «Castle of La Floresta»  has one of the  highest concentration of these trees  in Ajiic. 

In the streets of the central part of Ajijic, what is most abundant are the spring trees – Tabebuia donnel-smithii – in yellow color, standing out among the older houses. «They must be at least 50 years old, even older,» commented some of the older adults interviewed. 

The yellow of spring tinges the cobblestones of Independencia Street. Photo: Sofia Medeles.

In some streets, pink also stands out due to the purple rose tree -guayacán or Tabebuia rosea-, as well as the bougainvillea. Although the bougainvillea bloom most of the year, they are most intense in spring. 

Likewise, on Ajijic’s boardwalk, on the west side, there are several trees in shades ranging from yellow to pink and purple, which are the most admired by visitors.

Leafy jacaranda trees on Hidalgo Street, in the area known as Las Seis Esquinas. Photo: Sofia Medeles.

Walking through Ajijic Magic Town during the spring, one is immersed in a colorful atmosphere that comes from its facades as well as from trees and flowers that decorate its narrow cobblestone streets. 

Pink bougainvilleas north of Ajijic, on Calle Galeana. Photo: Sofia Medeles. 

Trees with different colored flowers can be seen on the Ajijic boardwalk, in the area of the International Garden. Photo: Sofía Medeles.

Translated by Elisabeth Shields