Guadalajara 3-Day Itinerary

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Written By Andréa

Planning A Trip To Mexico? Be Sure To Visit Guadalajara!

Guadalajara is a beautiful city full of charm, culture, delicious food, and kind-hearted people. I’ve never felt more at home traveling abroad than I have in Guadalajara. If you’re thinking about visiting Mexico, I highly recommend exploring this city. In the meantime, here’s a little information about Guadalajara and a guide to help you plan the perfect 3-day trip. Enjoy!

Guadalajara Location & Climate

Located in the Northwest region of Mexico, Guadalajara is the capital of Jalisco. It’s roughly a seven-hour drive, or a short, one-hour flight, away from Mexico City. This region boasts temperate weather year-round making it, in my opinion, the perfect vacation spot.

The temperature in Guadalajara can range from 55°F to 95°F degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year, with only 10-15 degrees of difference from season to season. Winter is the driest season. And March is the driest month. January, on the other hand, is the coolest. Summer months produce the most rainfall. And July is known to be the wettest month of the year. May is the warmest month (Visit Guadalajara, 2022). Based on the city’s tourism score, the best time of year to visit Guadalajara is between April and June, when the weather is warm and there is little rainfall (Weather Spark, N.A.).

Culture in Guadalajara

Did you know, Guadalajara is the birthplace of mariachi? It’s also the home of tequila, the sombrero, and my favorite, tortas abogadas! But just in case you thought this city couldn’t get any better, it even boasts a ton of unique cultural events. The Guadalajara International Book Fair is just one example. And if you didn’t know, it’s the second-largest book fair in the world (the first largest is The Frankfurt Book Fair in Germany).

Mural by José Clemente Orozco.

Tortas Abogadas from Choclo y Maíz Cocina Vegana

Known as the Silicon Valley of Mexico, Guadalajara is the country’s second-largest city. It’s also one of the fastest-growing regions. Much of the city’s growth can be attributed to its booming electronics, pharmaceuticals, and fashion industries. It even has a relatively large expat community full of students, retirees, and digital nomads. With a huge metropolis, and over 1.6 million citizens (2005 Census) known as Tapatíos, it’s safe to say, the city of Guadalajara is not only full of tradition but also flare.

Transportation In Guadalajara

Keen to explore the city by foot? Guadalajara proper is divided into four districts, the northwest, northeast, southwest, and southeast quarters. In Guadalajara’s center, you will find the Centro Histórico also called the Historic Downtown. If you’re a tourist, most of your time will likely be spent here. This area is filled with beautiful colonial-era buildings, statues, and art. In fact, you’ll find many mural paintings by José Clemente Orozco, one of the country’s most prominent and respected artists.

Statue of José Clemente Orozco in Guadalajara's Historic Center.

Statue of José Clemente Orozco, a Mexican caricaturist and painter, specializing in political art. José lost his left hand while working with gunpowder making fireworks but continued to paint until he died.

Rotonda de Los Jaliscienses Ilustres is a landmark in the historical center of Guadalajara. It was built in the form of a neoclassical rotunda with 17 fluted columns.

Many attractions in Guadalajara are within walking distance, especially those in the Centro Histórico. Horse-drawn and motorized carriages called “calandrias” are also an option for short journeys; however, I don’t recommend these as they are much more expensive than other transportation options, quite touristy, and can be harmful to the horses pulling them. For longer trips, you may want to consider using public transportation, renting a car, or catching an Uber.

Taxis are also another travel alternative. Although I should warn you, I was told by multiple residents to avoid this option as taxis in the city are often dirty and overpriced. However, I can neither confirm nor deny that this is true. What I can say is that this is not the case for airport taxis. Fares to and from the airport are set and the taxis are clean. If you’re arriving at the Guadalajara airport, you’ll find that a taxi monopoly provides service departing the airport.

The Ultimate Guadalajara 3-Day Itinerary

Now that I’ve convinced you to visit Graudalajara, what’s next? Planning your trip of course — Vamos!

Day 1 - Tequila Tour

In the town of Tequila, you’ll find a beautiful, scenic landscape of greenish-blue agave fields that span across rugged and hilly terrain. You’ll also find tons of famous distilleries like Jose Cuervo situated amongst many smaller, family-owned, distilleries. And yes, Jose Cuervo was a real person… You can reach the town of Tequila by car, bus, or train. However, if you’re traveling solo, I recommend a guided tour, simply because no one wants to drink alone — am I right? Depending on traffic, Tequila is about an hour's drive from Guadalajara. I chose to take a guided tour through Airbnb Experiences, check it out here. This tour included travel, both to and from my hotel, as well as several tequila tastings. I chose this tour because I also wanted to see the town of Tequila. We had two hours in the town to eat and explore.

 

FUN FACT: Roughly 80% of all agave is grown in the state of Jalisco, and tequila can only be produced inside this state. Any agave-based distilled spirit made outside of Jalisco is called "mezcal". In other words, all tequilas are mezcals, but not all mezcals are tequila (Geo-Mexico, 2016).

Day 2 - Centro Histórico And Dining In Colonia Americana

Centro Histórico

Centro Histórico is home to many of Guadalajara’s most loved and ancient landmarks. It boasts many historical buildings, monuments, museums, and markets. Places such as the Casa de Los Azulejos, Museo Biblioteca Palacio Postal, and Palacio de Bellas Artes are the perfect destinations for those who admire art and architecture. The center’s plazas sell a plethora of crafts, jewelry, and vintage items. And majestic views of the city can be found from rooftop restaurants, such as the one at Doubletree’s Piso Siete Restaurante Bar, or recreational areas like El Parque de la Revolución.

If you’re visiting during the day, I recommend booking a Free Walking Tour through freewalkingtourmexico.com, to really get a feel for the area, its culture, traditions, and history. There’s nothing like learning history from a local! You can also book a paid tour using services like Airbnb Experiences. This is what I did; however, if I had a redo, I’d likely just book a free tour. The tour that I took was roughly two hours long and explored Guadalajara Cathedral, Rotonda de Los Jaliscienses Ilustres, Templo de Nuestra Señora de la Merced, and Mercado Libertad — San Juan De Dios.

Colonia Americana

Close to the city center, you’ll find one of the most iconic neighborhoods in Guadalajara. Voted the World’s Coolest Neighborhood in 2022 by Timeout.com (Timeout, 2022), Colonia Americana hosts some of the most trendy and unique restaurants, coolest bars, and chicest shops. It also boasts captivating art and architecture.

Visiting Templo Expiatorio del Santísimo Sacramento you’ll find that this church is the ultimate expression of Neo-gothic style. Its plaza is prime for people-watching, full of food carts and street performers. And, you’ll be sure to see tons of artsy locals sitting with their laptops in sleek cafés — it’s truly a vibe.

If you visit Guadalajara and don’t walk the streets of Colonia Americana, you’re missing out on one of the coolest neighborhoods in town.

La Antigua - Crepas Dulces (Sweet Crepes)

Café paReal - Roast Beef “Bisquet'“

Páramo Bistro - Chilaquiles

VENENO. - Tacos de Cabeza (Beef Cheek Tacos)

VENENO. - Mezcal

La Postrería - Cheesecake con Helado (Cheesecake with Ice Cream)

Day 3 - Lake Chapala

Visiting Lake Chapala, Mexico’s largest freshwater lake, was one of my favorite experiences in Guadalajara. About an hour's drive south of Guadalajara, Lake Chapala is nestled in the beautiful Sierra Madre Mountains. With its near-perfect climate, scenic views, and gorgeous lake, it’s no wonder why it’s such a popular attraction to vacationers, day-trippers, expats, and Tapatíos.

Cobblestone streets, colorful gardens, busy outdoor markets, tasty restaurants, and scenic lush green mountainscapes surround the lake. The hills are laced with flowering trees and are accented by breathtaking waterfalls, caves, and many indigenous sites, all providing a variety of scenic hiking trails and wonderful places to explore.

The town’s high altitude and large lake seamlessly work together to produce the perfect climate. In fact, National Geographic Magazine declared Lake Chapala to have the second-best climate in the world (Chapala.com, N.A.). With its scenic pier, lakefront promenade, boat rides, and many restaurants, Lake Chapala is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing day.

Monday through Friday is the best time to visit Lake Chapala. It’s much quieter and less crowded during this time. However, on the weekend, the boardwalk is filled with tons of visitors taking in the sights, buying ice cream, and enjoying scenic boat rides out to one of the three islands. There are boat tours offered next to the water, and they provide a great view of the lake and mountainscape.

Along Lake Chapala, are the charming towns of Chapala, Ajijic, and Jocotepec which offer an attractive mix of sightseeing, shopping, and great eats. During my trip to Lake Chapala, I visited Chapala and Ajijic. However, I hope to come back soon and see Jocotepec and the islands within Lake Chapala.

View of Chapala from the water.

Chapala Town

Chapala, is the largest town on the shore of Lake Chapala, and it makes for a great stop. The views here are lovely! It’s a nice place to check out the local scene, buy snacks, and purchase souvenirs from local vendors. Art lovers like me will want to check out the Old Train Station, which was converted into a cultural center that now hosts art exhibits. The town’s plaza is also a must-see with live music and Mariachi.
Ajijic

Ajijic is a small, fashionable, and bustling town just 3-miles away from Lake Chapala. It has many galleries, boutiques, handicrafts, and restaurants. It is also decorated with boldly painted houses and colorful murals. Ajijic’s plaza comes to life every evening and weekend with special events and shopping. On Wednesdays, the Tianguis shopping market is packed with vendors offering gifts and locally sourced foods, such as fresh vegetables, fruits, and meats (Visit Gaudalajara, N.A.).

It’s Your Turn To Share!

Although I had an amazing trip to Guadalajara, there are still many more places that I want to visit. Three days is not enough time in this beautiful city. Do you plan to visit Guadalajara soon? If so, I’d love to hear about your plans. What place, or places, are you most excited about visiting in Guadalajara?

 

References

Access Lake Chapala. (N.A.). Chapala. Access Lake Chapala. (Accessed 2022, October 20). https://www.accesslakechapala.com/location/chapala/

Geo-Mexico. (2016, November 14). The geography of tequila: where is tequila made? Geo-Mexico. (Accessed 2022, October 20). https://geo-mexico.com/?p=6953

Visit Guadalajara. (N.A.). Lake Chapala. Visit Guadalajara. (Accessed 2022, October 20). https://visitguadalajara.com/

Weather Spark. (N.A.). Climate and Average Weather Year Round in Guadalajara. Weather Spark. (Accessed 2022, October 20). https://weatherspark.com/y/3866/Average-Weather-in-Guadalajara-Mexico-Year-Round#Sections-BestTime.

Andréa
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