Itineraries for Your Trip to Guadalajara
3 Days in Guadalajara for First Timers
Birthplace of mariachi music and wide-brimmed sombreros, Guadalajara is Mexico's cultural epicenter. When I first visited, I expected a less frenetic version of Mexico City, but what I found was that Guadalajara thrums with an energy all its own.
Colonial plazas are peppered throughout the historic center, and they offer respite from the buzz and bustle of Mexico's second largest city, where tequila bars and grand churches sit side by side. When you stare at the twin golden spires of Guadalajara Cathedral, the taste of salt and spice dancing on your tongue, you can't help but fall in love with this vibrant metropolis. Here's how best to get your bearings if you're visiting for the first time.
For cooler temps with sunshine, visit Guadalajara October–December.
If you only have time for one thing, make it the Centro Historico for pretty architecture and street food.
Kick your trip off in Guadalajara's Centro Historico, where you'll find all of the city's big historical attractions. Gaze up at the glimmering, neo-Gothic spires of Guadalajara Cathedral–inside you'll find stained class windows and a Spanish Renaissance altar. Then, take the 2-minute stroll to the neoclassical Degollado Theater whose façade depicts Apollo and the nine muses in marble.
Then, after revitalizing with a horchata from La Chata de Guadalajara, explore Plaza de Los Mariachis, where you're likely to witness a live performance of mariachi music in the afternoon and evening.
The state of Jalisco is the birthplace of tequila, so no visit to Guadalajara is complete without a trip to the town of Tequila, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the Jose Cuervo distillery to sample the spirit and ride the Jose Cuervo Express train. Tours are a stress-free option, as you get to see the cactus-covered countryside without worrying about taking the wheel yourself.
Then, continue in the party spirit with a visit to Chapultepec Avenue, the city's nightlife epicenter. Sample locally brewed craft beer at El Grillo or dance the night away in Bar Americas, a cocktail-bar-cum-club with two dance floors.
Spend your final morning in Guadalajara exploring the nearby towns of Ajijic and Chapala, home to the largest lake in Mexico. Explore the local markets and be sure to sample charales, small fried fish smothered in spicy sauce and lemon juice.
Top off your time in Guadalajara with a visit to Hospicio Cabañas, a UNESCO-recognized former orphanage. It's home to some of Jose Clemente Orozco’s most spectacular murals.
