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Jan

10

Guadalajara Holiday & Sightseeing Guide

Filed Under Mexico

A trip to Guadalajara

It is hard to find a cosier town in Mexican than Guadalajara. Despite being the second largest city, locals here are known to be helpful and friendly, ensuring the city feels like home in no time. The atmosphere is lively, with mariachi music in the air and tequila flowing from dawn until dusk. Downtown Guadalajara is home to a variety of historical gems, while the largest market in Latin America is every shopper’s mecca.

Flights to Guadalajara
Guadalajara boasts its own international airport, located less than an hour’s drive from the centre. The airport operates a number of flights to various destinations including many cities in the United States. Domestic flights connect Guadalajara with several cities including Mexico City, Los Mochis, La Paz, Tijuana and Puebla. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Guadalajara try lastminute.com.

Motorists can also drive here from Puerto Vallarta, heading north on Highway 200 to Compostela, then joining toll road 68D. The journey takes about six hours. However, bear in mind that driving at night in Mexico is not safe. Getting around in the city is easy. Buses run across the city and there are two main stations that operate long-distance buses to nearby areas. Walking is also popular, especially in the downtown area.

Guadalajara

Sightseeing in Guadalajara
Once unpacked, you can get ready for some real Mexican sightseeing. Downtown Guadalajara is home to a great number of historical monuments. The main landmark is the cathedral dating back to 1818. Boasting a beautiful mixture of Baroque, neo-classical and Gothic architectural styles, the cathedral sits among open plazas where you can laze around checking out the local eye candy.

Housing an array of exquisite paintings, the Palacio del Gobierno is a palace built in Spanish and Moorish styles. If you want to know more about the city, nip to the Instituto Cultural Cabañas, a vibrant cultural centre with artsy exhibits and classes for those interested. Who knows, you might get to mingle with a future Frida Kahlo.

Fun by night – eating drinking and partying
As with other Mexican cities, dining in Guadalajara is a pleasant experience. The city is packed with good Mexican restaurants as well as ubiquitous taco stands. Not to be missed is birria, a spicy stew prepared with lamb, goat or beef in light tomato broth, or thick pork and hominy soup

Night owls will be kept happy as nightlife here is lively, with piano bars, jazz clubs and discos scattered around in the city. Some restaurants also throw spectacular shows with dinner sets, while opera, ballet and theatre are good options for a more refined, quieter night out. The choices are endless, so you will have to plan well to make the best of your night in Guadalajara.

Fun by day - shopping and activities
Shopping enthusiasts will be delighted to know that the largest market in Latin America is here in the heart of Guadalajara. Here you can find a dizzying array of Mexican handicrafts at knock-off prices, while Mexican spices and kicking sauces also make for good souvenirs to take home.

Those who can’t be bothered to fight their way through local goodies in the market can head to the shops around Tlaquepaque or Tonalá, where you can look for precious finds without hassle. There are also hundreds of craft workshops around the area. If shopping isn’t your thing, just relax at a café in one of many open plazas, enjoy a shot of tequila and a plate of nachos, and listen to the sounds of mariachi music.

Daytrips
There are a couple of day trips travellers can make from Guadalajara in under an hour. The city of Chapla is only a 45-minute drive from Guadalajara and it boasts Mexico’s largest lake. Known as a popular weekend getaway hotspot, Lake Chapla has several dining and leisure venues specialising in local delicacies and seafood.

Just outside of Chapala is the equally charming village of Ajijic. Travellers from all over the world flock to this quiet lakeside village for its old Mexican charm and to experience its traditional village life. Stroll along the cobblestone streets while visiting local and outdoor art galleries. Renting boats to cruise around the lake or horses to trek through the countryside are two popular activities for visitors to Ajijic.

A trip to Guadalajara would not be complete without a ride on the Tequila Express. Travellers board this sightseeing train that departs Guadalajara in the mornings and journeys to the town of Tequila, where visitors get to see the plants that are responsible for that infamous spirit. Before returning to the big city in the evening, there is plenty of tequila tasting and mariachi music for ample amounts of entertainment.

Must-see attractions
There are a number of art and cultural venues to explore around Guadalajara along with entertainment. The Institute of Jalisco Handicrafts is a nice place to start a day of exploration and adventure around the city. For those who wish to capture the city’s history through media and mass communication, a trip to the Museum of Journalism and Graphic Arts will be worthwhile.

Guadalajara’s Cathedral is another amazing place to start a sightseeing excursion. Located on Alcalde Avenue, this Gothic inspired structure took nearly 30 years to finish and displays over five centuries of Mexican and Spanish history and religious relics. After completing a full tour of this historic monument and venue, heading over to Avenue Independencia in the historic centre is a smooth transition into several pedestrian walkways and markets.

For family fun or just a cool escape on warmer and sunnier days, the Agua Caliente is a water park located roughly 30 minutes from Guadalajara’s city centre. Here anyone can enjoy a variety of dining venues, wave pools, and water rides. Shopping expeditions can begin at the Mercado Libertad. Bringing back local and native souvenirs, clothing and trinkets is made easy as this is the largest covered market in Latin America.

Best time to go
Depending on what you are travelling to Guadalajara for, there are several ideal times to visit the city. For those that are looking to escape the cold climates of winter for mild or warmer temperatures, Guadalajara’s winter usually produces temperatures around 20°C and is generally drier. If participating in festivals and cultural events sounds appealing, the Cultural Festivo de Mayo in May and Fiesta de Octubre in October are great times to visit.

Rainy day suggestions
For those rainy days in Guadalajara, travellers can take the opportunity to explore the many educational and historic venues around the city. The Expiatory Temple is a beautiful structure that was built at the end of the 19th century. The famous Biblioteca Iberoamericana is also nearby and offers one of the largest collections of English and Spanish literary works in Latin America. Trompo Magico Museo Interactivo or Museum of the Magic Top is a hands-on interactive museum for adults and children.

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