Guadalajara trips and vacations

Use your vacation to Guadalajara to explore the birthplace of tequila. Order a tequila or mezcal cocktail in a Guadalajaran bar or restaurant (you’re spoiled for choice). La Tequila restaurant has 200 different varieties you can try. Or take a day trip to Tequila, the drink’s namesake town, to tour its distilleries and see the blue agave fields.

Stay near Plaza Tapatia to be within walking distance of major attractions during your holiday to Guadalajara. See the sculptures and hear mariachi bands in this Downtown square. Then take in architectural highlights like Guadalajara Cathedral and the Government Palace. Get tickets for a show at Degollado Theater, or shop for crafts at the Mercado Libertad.

Hard to say, easy to love, Tlaquepaque is Guadalajara’s main artisan district. Find workshops and retail stalls where you can shop for handmade pottery, clothing and jewelry. Grab a meal at the restaurants along Calle Independencia. On the second and fourth Fridays of the month, watch free concerts and enjoy a street party in the center of town.

Providencia is the best neighborhood to stay in Guadalajara for easy access to shopping and dining. Browse the luxury boutiques in Plaza Patria, followed by a meal at one of the restaurants around Sao Paulo. After sunset, grab a cocktail at Bar Americas, or head to the University of Guadalajara to check out what’s new at the Museo de las Artes.

Good for: Shopping, museums, nightlife 

Stroll through El Parque de la Revolucion, a popular gathering spot with innovative food trucks and free concerts. You’ll see why Colonia Americana is where to stay in Guadalajara for local culture. Chapultepec Avenue is the beating heart of this cool neighborhood. Check out local restaurants, and join free salsa dance lessons on Mondays.

Good for: Local culture, free activities, tequila 

It’s all about soaking up the history in Centro Historico. Walk along the cobblestone streets and take photos of landmarks like the Hospicio Cabanas and the Rotonda de los Jaliscienses Ilustres. Wander through the large Mercado Libertad. Then stop for drinks and enjoy the view from one of the excellent local bars.

Good for: Sightseeing, markets, history 

Looking for the best things to do with family in Guadalajara? There are plenty of amusement parks and attractions at your disposal, starting with roller coaster rides at Selva Magica amusement park. Or let budding astronomers experiment at Lunaria Jalisco Planetarium and Interactive Center. Or head to Plaza Tapatia to watch the street performers.

For handcrafted souvenirs and local snacks, make your way to Mercado Libertad (better known as Mercado San Juan de Dios). Browse through luxury boutiques in the open-air shopping center at Plaza Andares or shop at the enclosed Centro Magno Mall. Department stores and specialty retailers also line Avenida Juarez.

See the murals of artist Jose Clemente Orozco at ‘Instituto Cultural Cabanas’ (Cabanas Cultural Institute, also known as the ‘Hospicio Cabanas’), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the ‘Museo Regional de Guadalajara’ (Regional Museum of Guadalajara) for exhibits on Jalisco's history and culture. View modern artwork at the ‘Museo de Arte Zapopan’ (Zapopan Museum of Art) in Downtown.

Try tequila-based cocktails in rooftop bars, hear live music or sip local beer in the city’s microbreweries. Chapultepec Avenue is lined with dance clubs and music venues, while Plaza de los Mariachis has nonstop mariachi music. Experience traditional nightlife in Guadalajara at a cantina, or head to Providencia for exclusive clubs and lounges.

Sample everything from beloved dishes to traditional favorites like ‘birria’ (goat stew) and ‘tortas ahogadas’ (sandwiches soaked in spicy sauce) at the restaurants in Guadalajara. Try creative versions of Mexican staples at Restaurante Alcalde and enjoy comfort food alongside locals at La Chata de Guadalajara. For a real cantina dining experience, find a booth at Saloon del Bosque.

You’ll find several options for beaches near Guadalajara. Drive south one hour from the city to Lake Chapala’s Cruz Park. Consider an overnight trip to the Pacific Coast, arriving in time for a gorgeous sunset. A trip of three to four hours to Boca de Pascuales in Tecoman or Playa Chacala in Nayarit will reward you with soft sands, surfable waves and great beachside restaurants.