Guadalajara Western Central Highlands, Mexico Travel Guide
This section provides detailed itinerary suggestions, designed to maximize your time and cater to various travel styles.
It guides you through logical progressions of activities, helping you discover the best of Guadalajara and its surrounding regions.
A weekend allows for exploration of the city’s areas and a taste of its famous tequila.
Explore the Historic Center: Cathedral, plazas, Palacio de Gobierno, Teatro Degollado. Dedicate the afternoon to Hospicio Cabañas and MUSA.
Journey to Tequila. Book an organized tour or take the Tequila Express Train (if weekend). Learn about tequila production and enjoy tastings.
Take a local bus or ride-share to Tlaquepaque. Stroll its pedestrian streets and browse artisan shops for pottery, glass, and leather goods.
Take a public bus or ride-share to Lake Chapala and the charming town of Ajijic. Walk along the malecon and explore the village's art galleries.
For stays of a month or longer, Guadalajara offers a comfortable and engaging environment.
Rent an apartment via Airbnb or a local rental agency, especially in neighborhoods like Americana, Lafayette, Providencia, or Zapopan.
Enroll in a Spanish language school for an immersive experience. Many schools offer homestay options.
Use Guadalajara as a base for longer trips to other parts of Mexico, returning to your apartment between excursions.
A week allows for a dive into Guadalajara’s culture, exploration of its natural surroundings, and more relaxed pacing.
Focus on the Historic Center (Cathedral, plazas, Palacio de Gobierno, Teatro Degollado, San Juan de Dios Market). Dedicate the afternoon to Hospicio Cabañas and MUSA.
Full-day excursion to Tequila, including a comprehensive distillery tour. Consider a private tour to explore smaller, more artisanal distilleries.
Full day dedicated to Tlaquepaque and Tonalá. Start in Tlaquepaque for its high-quality crafts and galleries. Have lunch there.
Morning: Visit Bosque Los Colomos for a peaceful walk, explore the Japanese Garden. Afternoon: Head to Lake Chapala and Ajijic.
Explore Parque Metropolitano. Visit Panteón de Belén or Barrio de Analco. Fine dining in the evening.
Revisit a favorite spot, explore a missed museum, or do last-minute souvenir shopping.
If time allows, consider a 'charrería' (Mexican rodeo) event, usually on Sundays.
Two weeks allows you to fully explore Guadalajara, Jalisco’s broader offerings, and even venture to other regions of Mexico.
Follow the One-Week Comprehensive Itinerary for the first 7 days, allowing for more relaxed pacing, repeat visits to favorite spots, or longer classes.
Venture to other regions of Mexico, offering diverse travel experiences and combining the cultural immersion of Guadalajara with other destinations.
Travel by bus or flight to Puerto Vallarta for 3-4 days of beach time, water sports, and coastal relaxation. Book Puerto Vallarta experiences.
Take a bus to Guanajuato (3-4 days), then to San Miguel de Allende (3-4 days), exploring these UNESCO World Heritage cities.
Allow for flexible pacing and unscheduled time to fully immerse yourself in each destination.
For popular periods or specific events, secure accommodation and transportation well in advance.
