Jan

10

Guadalajara Holiday & Sightseeing Guide

January 10, 2008 |

A trip to Guadalajara

It is hard to find a cosier town in Mexican than Guadalajara. Despite being the second largest city, locals here are known to be helpful and friendly, ensuring the city feels like home in no time. The atmosphere is lively, with mariachi music in the air and tequila flowing from dawn until dusk. Downtown Guadalajara is home to a variety of historical gems, while the largest market in Latin America is every shopper’s mecca.

Flights to Guadalajara
Guadalajara boasts its own international airport, located less than an hour’s drive from the centre. The airport operates a number of flights to various destinations including many cities in the United States. Domestic flights connect Guadalajara with several cities including Mexico City, Los Mochis, La Paz, Tijuana and Puebla. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Guadalajara try lastminute.com.

Motorists can also drive here from Puerto Vallarta, heading north on Highway 200 to Compostela, then joining toll road 68D. The journey takes about six hours. However, bear in mind that driving at night in Mexico is not safe. Getting around in the city is easy. Buses run across the city and there are two main stations that operate long-distance buses to nearby areas. Walking is also popular, especially in the downtown area.
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Sightseeing in Guadalajara
Once unpacked, you can get ready for some real Mexican sightseeing. Downtown Guadalajara is home to a great number of historical monuments. The main landmark is the cathedral dating back to 1818. Boasting a beautiful mixture of Baroque, neo-classical and Gothic architectural styles, the cathedral sits among open plazas where you can laze around checking out the local eye candy.

Housing an array of exquisite paintings, the Palacio del Gobierno is a palace built in Spanish and Moorish styles. If you want to know more about the city, nip to the Instituto Cultural Cabañas, a vibrant cultural centre with artsy exhibits and classes for those interested. Who knows, you might get to mingle with a future Frida Kahlo.

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Fun by night – eating drinking and partying
As with other Mexican cities, dining in Guadalajara is a pleasant experience. The city is packed with good Mexican restaurants as well as ubiquitous taco stands. Not to be missed is birria, a spicy stew prepared with lamb, goat or beef in light tomato broth, or thick pork and hominy soup

Night owls will be kept happy as nightlife here is lively, with piano bars, jazz clubs and discos scattered around in the city. Some restaurants also throw spectacular shows with dinner sets, while opera, ballet and theatre are good options for a more refined, quieter night out. The choices are endless, so you will have to plan well to make the best of your night in Guadalajara.

Fun by day - shopping and activities
Shopping enthusiasts will be delighted to know that the largest market in Latin America is here in the heart of Guadalajara. Here you can find a dizzying array of Mexican handicrafts at knock-off prices, while Mexican spices and kicking sauces also make for good souvenirs to take home.

Those who can’t be bothered to fight their way through local goodies in the market can head to the shops around Tlaquepaque or Tonalá, where you can look for precious finds without hassle. There are also hundreds of craft workshops around the area. If shopping isn’t your thing, just relax at a café in one of many open plazas, enjoy a shot of tequila and a plate of nachos, and listen to the sounds of mariachi music.


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