A Travel Guide To Tequila & Guadalajara. If you are looking to experience authentic Mexico, make sure you take a trip to Guadalajara. Home to the mariachis and over 7 million people, this bustling historical city is definitely worth a visit.
Getting There
To get to Guadalajara, we took a local bus from Cancun. The journey was about 4.5 hours and it was extremely comfortable. Two of the best bus companies to use in Mexico are Primera Plus or ETN. Both are known as ‘luxury’ bus services and have comfortable seats, ample space and even provide riders with complimentary drinks and snacks.
If you don’t want to take the bus, flying is another popular method of travel. There are a number of daily non-stop flights into Miguel Hidalgo International Airport (GDL), located 24 miles from the city center.
A Travel Guide To Tequila & Guadalajara
Things To Do
Visit Tequila & Go Tequila Tasting
One of the most popular things to do whilst in Guadalajara is to take a day trip, or a few nights out of your stay to visit the charming town of Tequila. Located in Jalisco, Tequila is home to the infamous spirit and overlooks the hills of blue agave.
To get to Tequila from Guadalajara, you can either hire a car/taxi, take a local bus, or ride the famous tequila train which is run by Jose Cuervo. We opted for the cab since we were traveling with my dad, but the next time we visit, we want to try the train!
The town itself is pretty small and quaint. We loved the colonial architecture and vibrancy Tequila had to offer. We spent a total of 3 nights there and participated in tequila tours. Our favorite tour was with Fortaleza. We learned all about the process of making tequila, from start to finish. We also got to experience a behind the scenes tour of their tequila factory, learned about the bottles, labels, and even ended our afternoon with an intimate tasting inside their tequila cave! It was so much fun and one of our most memorable experiences of our trip!
If you don’t book a tequila tour ahead of time, don’t worry! There are tours that run daily from major tequila distributors such as Jose Cuervo and Sauza. They also have a wonderful tequila museum located in the center of town for those interested in learning more about the history behind tequila!
Local Markets
Mexico is known for its massive markets; filled with blown glass, woven bags, leather shoes, street food, and more! Tonala is one of the largest and most famous markets in Guadalajara. This market’s specialty is in crafts. There, you will find really unique art pieces to bring back home. Tonala is open on Thursdays and Sundays, so if you can make a trip out, definitely try!
Arts District
Spend an afternoon exploring the arts district, otherwise known as, Tlaquepaque! This was the neighborhood we stayed in and we loved walking around during the afternoon. In Tlaquepaque, you will find dozens of small art galleries, pottery stores, and yummy restaurants. It is also a very popular shopping area and the square comes to life after sunset. When we went they even had free salsa dancing lessons in the middle of the square open to the public.
Watch Mariachi Performance: Guadalajara is home to the mariachi. For those of you who don’t know, mariachi is a musician who dresses in authentic native costume and performs song and dance. They are pretty common at most Mexican restaurants around the city. We went to El Patio in Tlaquepaque for lunch one afternoon and they had a phenomenal mariachi performance!
A Travel Guide To Tequila & Guadalajara
Where To Eat
El Patio
El Patio is a great option for those looking for lunch in Tlaquepaque. Upon entry, they ask you where you’re from and they put your country’s flag on your table. It’s a great way to see where other people are from around you while you eat. They also had one of the best mariachi performances we saw on our trip!
1910 Cocina de México
This is a really delicious and more upscale option for dinner. We ate here with my dad and had some really great dishes. Their tacos were delicious, as well as their specialty cocktails!
Barlo 71
If you are craving Italian food, definitely stop by Barlo 71. They have really good pasta dishes and plenty of vegetarian options too!
A Travel Guide To Tequila & Guadalajara
Where To Stay
Guadalajara itself is super spread out. We recommend that if you visit you stay in one of the three neighborhoods: Centro, Zapopan, or Tlaquepaque. These are the more popular tourist areas and are known to be on the safer side!
We stayed at a wonderful boutique family-run hotel in Tlaquepaque called, La Villa del Ensueno. The rooms were comfortable and it also had a great bar and pool.
If you are looking for accommodation in Tequila, there are also a variety of options. Since the town is pretty small, we left our three top suggestions below!
Luxury
check out Hotel Solar de las Ánimas.
Mid-tier
Hotel Villa Tequila is a great option!
Budget
Try Hotel Plaza Jardin. We stayed here for 2 nights and it was super central in town.
Overall, we were thrilled that we got to experience a different part of Mexico, one that is oftentimes missed by travelers. If you are ever feeling adventurous and want to experience some authentic Mexican culture definitely plan a trip to Guadalajara!
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