Jalisco attractions

Surrounded by charming provincial towns in Mexico’s picturesque state of Jalisco, Lake Chapala is a fun, easy day trip from Guadalajara. Stroll the cobblestone streets, browse the quaint boutiques, and chat with the locals and many expats.

The country’s second-largest metropolis and capital of the Mexican state of Jalisco, Guadalajara retains a vibrant historical center (centro histórico) filled with colonial plazas, churches, and stately buildings. This downtown area includes some of the city’s top tourist attractions, such as the Palacio del Gobierno, Teatro Degollado, and the Instituto Cultural Cabañas.

Pay homage to distinguished artists, writers, and politicians from Jalisco at Guadalajara’s neoclassical Rotunda of the Illustrious Jaliscans (Rotonda de Los Jaliscienses Ilustres). Close to 100 urns are contained within the rotunda, which is encircled by leafy trees and 22 bronze statues depicting other famous Jalisco-born figures.

Once home to director John Huston, Las Caletas Beach and Nature Reserve is a secluded stretch of Bay of Banderas shoreline, which has since become a dream day-trip destination for vacationers in Puerto Vallarta. Here, you can escape the hustle and bustle of busy central beaches and while away the hours swaying in a hammock, snorkeling, or enjoying a soothing massage on the shores of Las Caletas.

With spindly, cross-topped spires and intricate stonework, the 20th-century Templo Expiatorio del Santísimo Sacramento is one of Mexico’s most striking examples of neo-Gothic architecture. Stick around for the march of 12 miniature Apostles when the German church clock strikes the hour and admire the impressive stained-glass windows both inside and out.

Lush tropical foliage, hummingbird-watching hot spots, and orchid sanctuaries are just three of the attractions you’ll find at the Vallarta Botanical Gardens (Jardín Botánico de Vallarta). A rich and diverse array of flora and fauna—mostly native—dominates the 20-acre (8-hectare) expanse of jungle. Follow jungle paths, wander curated gardens, and marvel at the koi pond as part of a scenic Puerto Vallarta day trip.

The 18th-century Governor’s Palace in downtown Guadalajara is an essential destination for visitors interested in the politics and history of one of Mexico’s most important cities. While appealing from the outside—the imposing baroque building is decorated with a number of carved gargoyles—the draw of the building for most travelers comes from the José Clemente Orozco murals which decorate the interior.

Centered on an ornate art nouveau bandstand, threaded with leafy walkways, and backed by the 19th-century Palacio de Gobierno, Guadalajara Plaza de Armas is the historic downtown’s oldest public square. Here, admire the neighboring 16th-century cathedral, people-watch from wrought-iron benches, and catch a free musical performance after dark.

For an authentic and lively Puerto Vallarta beach experience, Los Muertos Beach (Playa Los Muertos) can’t be beat. Located just south of Olas Altas Beach in the Romantic Zone, this gay-friendly stretch of sand fronts a pier and is lined with bars and restaurants. Locals and families also love this beach and its diverse crowd.

Sail into the calm Bay of Banderas for a warm Mexican welcome in Puerto Vallarta, a former fishing community turned vacation destination. A popular stopping point on ships bound for the Caribbean, Puerto Vallarta Cruise Port—which has the capacity for three liners at any one time—is the gateway to Puerto Vallarta and the coast of Jalisco.

Escape the humidity of Puerto Vallarta or Boca de Tomatlán in charming El Tuito, a laidback, traditional town in the Jalisco mountains. Although overlooked by many travelers, here you can get an insight into local life, sample regional produce—such as panela cheese and raicilla (an agave spirit)—and relax in the main plaza.

Once home to Hollywood superstars Liz Taylor and Richard Burton, Gringo Gulch is now a sleepy Puerto Vallarta neighborhood which spills down the hillside above the Cuale River. Characterized by red-roofed, whitewashed "Vallarta-style" mansions—including Casa Kimberly, Taylor’s one-time villa—Gringo Gulch has some of the best views over downtown Puerto Vallarta, as well as a distinctly colorful past.

In the heart of downtown Guadalajara, Mariachi Plaza (Plaza de los Mariachis) is one of the most local spots to enjoy live mariachi music performances in the birthplace of the genre. Grab a beer at one of the streetside bars and listen from afar, or hire the musicians to play a few tableside tracks for an authentic experience.

Escape the hustle and bustle of downtown Guadalajara for the peace and quiet of colorful Tlaquepaque. An arts and crafts town, known in Mexico for being one of the country’s foremost ceramics regions, Tlaquepaque has a timeless appeal, plenty of shopping options for all budgets, and several important ceramics museums. Charming and laidback by day, it comes alive with mariachi music and lively bars by night.

A ride on one of Tequila's sightseeing trains ensures an atmospheric experience of tequila country—the UNESCO World Heritage–listed landscapes of Jalisco, the center of Mexico’s tequila industry. Popular with locals and visitors alike, train rides typically include a distillery visit, tequila tasting, and traditional Mexican entertainment.

The jungle-clad Sierra Madre mountains stretch along Mexico’s western coast from Santa Cruz to Arizona. In this wilderness escape you can trek through the forest, discover off-the-beaten-path villages, and experience outdoor adventures such as ziplining and rappelling.

A dusty town tucked into the volcanic valleys northwest of Guadalajara, Tequila is the birthplace of the eponymous drink and has been producing Mexico’s national beverage since the 16th century. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the town is surrounded by Jalisco’s blue-agave plantations, which produce some 50 million gallons of the spirit each year.

Established in 1870, the family-run Casa Herradura hacienda sits on the outskirts of Amatitán, a village near Guadalajara in the heart of Mexico’s tequila country. Explore the vast Casa Herradura Distillery, a major player in the Mexican tequila scene; sample its wares; and take in the area’s natural beauty.

Home to the Virgin of Zapopan, the 17th-century baroque Basilica of Our Lady of Zapopan (Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Zapopan) is one of Guadalajara’s most important churches. Take your cue from pilgrims across the country and come to admire the much-revered 16th-century wooden statue of the Virgin of Zapopan—when she’s in situ—or visit the on-site Huichol Art Museum.

Three decades worth of award-winning, contemporary Mexican ceramics are housed at the Pantaleón Panduro Museum in the town of Tlaquepaque. Almost every one of the country’s most prolific pottery-producing regions—from Oaxaca to Puebla—is represented. Quality is a guaranteed too: practically every piece at the Pantaleón Panduro Museum was once a winning entry of the prestigious National Ceramics Prize.

Behind the white facade of an imposing neoclassical building in downtown Guadalajara, the University of Guadalajara Art Museum (MUSA) houses an impressive collection of artworks and murals by notable Mexican artists, as well as regularly rotating international exhibits. Highlights include two José Clemente Orozco murals—Man, Creator and Rebel and The People and Their False Leaders.

This Guadalajara amusement park attracts guests big and small with its kid-friendly rides, heart-racing roller coasters, and adventure courses. Home to around 40 attractions, including a VR coaster, high rope walk, and Sesame Street-themed land, Selva Mágica is a popular destination for families and thrill-seekers in western Mexico.

With sweeping vistas over the Oblatos-Huentitán Canyon and Santiago River, the Mirador Independencia Park (Parque Mirador Independencia) is one of Guadalajara’s most picturesque lookouts. Soak up the view from the checkered amphitheater or use the park as a starting point for hikes into the forested surrounds.

With almost 400 species across eight permanent exhibits—including Latin America’s largest reptile house—Guadalajara Zoo (Zoológico Guadalajara) is one of Mexico’s most diverse zoos. Highlights are white Bengal tigers, rare Mexican wolves, and endangered crocodiles, as well as sweeping views over the Barranca de Huentitán (Huentitán Canyon).

Conveniently located in the Guadalajara historic center, Guadalajara Wax Museum is one of only three wax museums in Mexico. Opened in 1994, Guadalajara Wax Museum currently houses more than 160 wax replicas of fictional, political, and historic figures, as well as Mexican and international celebrities.

Often considered one of the best and most beautiful golf destinations in Mexico, the Vista Vallarta Golf Club features two high-elevation courses designed by renowned golfers Jack Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf respectively. Here, members and non-members can play a leisurely 18 holes surrounded by views of both Banderas Bay and Sierra Madre mountains before retiring to the on-site clubhouse, bar, or restaurant.

A replica of the Spanish ship Santa Maria—from Christopher Columbus’ first voyage across the Atlantic—the Marigalante lives in the port of Puerto Vallarta. These days the ship heads out to sea on family-friendly tours; pirate- and Mexican heritage–themed shows and activities take place both day and night.