Things to do in Guadalajara
Capital city of the state of Jalisco and the second most populous and important city in Mexico, internationally famous for being the cradle of mariachi, tequila, charrería and for having one of the richest artisan centers in the country, Tlaquepaque.
Places to visit in Guadalajara
Go to the Hospicio Cabañas designed by Manuel Tolsá and decorated with the murals of José Clemente Orozco. Lie on a bench to experience the visual impact caused by the painting of the man in flames on the dome.
Get to know Guadalajara Square, Liberation Square, Rotunda de los Jalicienses Ilustres or Plaza de Armas before heading towards the Degollado Theater, the Expiatory Temple, the church of San Juan de Dios or the Ibero-American Library.
Visit the José Clemente Orozco Museum, built since 1948, an impressive construction that is highlighted in the urban space thanks to the spectacular square that precedes it.
Visit Tlaquepaque, Tonalá and Zapopan
If you go to Guadalajara we recommend you visit the neighboring municipalities Tlaquepaque and Tonalá, as they are ideal for buying decorative handmade objects of pottery and pottery. There you will find the Independencia Walker in which stores, galleries, cafes and ice cream shops, the Casa del Artesano and the Regional Museum of Ceramics are located. For its part, Zapopan stands out for its viceregal constructions, such as the basilica of our lady Zapopan that keeps the first religious images created shortly after the Conquest: La Generala, La Madre de Jalisco and La Reina.
Tequila
At the foot of the Tequila Volcano stands this town, whose agave landscape has been declared Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2006. Its haciendas and colonial houses keep Mexican restaurants, distilleries, canteens and craft shops, as well as the most renowned factories where one of the most emblematic drinks of Mexico is manufactured: tequila. Tequila is located less than 60km from Guadalajara, in the north-central region of the state of Jalisco. Nice warm and semi-dry weather.
In the center you will find places with all kinds of crafts, such as jars and wooden barrels made of oak, also known as red stick. Another option is skin-lined amphorae or items made with pineapple and agave leaves, such as bags, purses or bracelets. You will also find several talabarteros (craftsmen working with leather products) workshops where huaraches, belts and leather pins are sold. Your nights will be filled with a unique sweet aroma that will make your senses fall in love: it is the soft smell of cooked agave that escapes from the ovens to flood the town with its aroma and trap you with its magic and all your senses succumb. Live a unique experience in the Magic Towns of Mexico, visit Tequila.
You may choose one of many options we suggest the ones in train you will enjoy an unforgettable experience. The journey begins at the Guadalajara train station. On the way, watch through the windows how the horizon of greenish blue fields that lie on soft hills seems to advance: it is the agave landscape. During the tour you can enjoy the emblematic drinks made with the traditional tequila such as margaritas, accompanied by the sweet mariachi melody to create a festive atmosphere. Upon reaching the destination and entering the distilleries, you will know the magic of transforming agave pineapples into the most famous spirit drink in Mexico, tequila. First, the baking ovens emit red earth vapors to obtain their nectar from the agave; then the mills extract their juices to ferment in large tubs and distilled in stills; In the end, the careful process of distillation happens so that tequila finally has a long dream in oak barrels. Enjoy unique landscapes and beautiful architecture throughout the tour, and finally a tasting of the different tequilas is offered: blanco, reposado, or añejo and discover in each one its flavors; surrender in each sip to the pleasure of Mayahuel, the Mexica goddess of the maguey plant from which tequila is made.
In this beautiful town is held the National Tequila Fair in late November and early December It includes parades, charreadas, cock fights, serenades with mariachis and firework displays. They have also the religious celebrations for the Lady of the Immaculate Conception and the Virgin of Guadalupe, this event arose where the most representative elements of the state are commemorated: tequila, charrería and mariachis.
Yearly events
Cultural Festival of May
Every May, the pearl Tapatia hosts an important artistic event with a magnificent range of musical, dance, plastic arts, cinema and gastronomy shows.
This festival was created in 1998 as a space dedicated to recreation and cultural exchange between various countries of the world and the state of Jalisco. The event takes place in the city’s best known venues, such as the slaughtered theater and the cabañas cultural center; as well as enclosures in other municipalities such as Zapopan and Tlaquepaque.
Since 2003, a guest country has been chosen, such as Germany, Japan, Spain, Poland, Canada, etc.
Mariachi festival
Every year, Guadalajara celebrates one of the most important events of the region, the international mariachi´s & charreada’s encounter, a party full of color, fun, and music.
Held in August with the Sunday Parade on the Chapultepec corridor, you will see allegorical cars, musical groups and dancers as well as charrería exhibitions, art popular and crafts expositions.
The charro championship is also held with teams from all over the country, music workshops and didactic concerts.
Day of the Dead.
This is a great celebration in all the country. The Tapatios strive with their original and colorful celebrations, with the illusion of the return of souls. Admire this celebration from late October to November 2, enjoy the different activities that are held around Guadalajara. Enjoy the different scenarios of large altars with candles, confetti, sugar skulls, salt and of course, tequila.
Some of the places that are dressed in colors these days are the Walker Pedro Loza who during the days of all saints is known as the cempasúchil walker, since the roofs of the farms of that place are lined with these beautiful flowers.
It is also possible to participate in one of the dramatized night tours in the Pantheon of Mezquitan or wait until November 2 to the Procession of the Animas carried out in the main streets of the city.
International book fair (FIL)
Late November. One of the most important and expected literary events in Mexico and Latin America, a meeting point for writers, creatives and fans of reading and where book presentations, readings, as well as other cultural events are made in different venues.
Each year there is a guest country which contributes to diversity and cultural exchange. Without doubt one of the most emblematic events of this destination.
