Overview
Most tourists who travel to Guadalajara get an unsuspected surprise - Guadalajara is not a resort city. It's a place full of both modern and historic qualities that include monuments, tree-lined avenues and parks that date back to the 16th century. It's also the birthplace of the Mariachi bands and the town of Tequila. Guadalajara is a great vacation spot for those who want to taste authentic Mexican culture with the modern comforts that a large city can provide.
Guadalajara Municipal Tourist Office: Guadalajara is located in the Mexican state of Jalisco - which is situated in an area known as the "Western Highlands" of Mexico. Now, you may think you don't know anything about Guadalajara and the state of Jalisco, but surprisingly three of Mexico's best known and most beloved icons come from this area: the cowboy, the mariachi and tequila! So a traveler planning a trip to Guadalajara has all sorts of options for itineraries. A good place to sort things out is the Guadalajara Tourism Office.
Web: www.visita.jalisco.gob.mx
Tonalá Tourist Office: Guadalajara is known for its nearby arts-and-crafts communities. Sam ventured off to the town of Tonalá, which is a 30-minute drive from the center of Guadalajara. Thursdays and Sundays are market day in Tonalá, and the town is packed, with market stalls that stretch nearly 30 blocks. Samantha stopped off for a taco breakfast at Victoria's House - a great local place to sit and enjoy homemade tacos. She also got some assistance with directions from the friendly Tonalá Tourist Police. The officers walk and ride around the streets offering assistance to travelers in need.
Web: www.tonala.gob.mx
Transforma Servicios S.A. DE C.V. (Transportation): Guadalajara and its surrounding districts comprise a very big city, so it can be challenging to get around. If you're not particularly adventurous and feel uneasy using public transportation, then you may well want to use a guide and transportation company. The folks at Transforma Servicios can arrange a complete itinerary for groups or individuals, or just show you around town for the day.
Hotels
Mexico Boutique Hotels: If you want to stay in a hotel that gives you a real "sense of place," then check out Mexico Boutique Hotels. You can find these unique properties throughout the country.
Web: www.mexicoboutiquehotels.com
Villa Ganz Boutique Hotel: A member of the collection of Mexico's Boutique Hotels, Villa Ganz is located in the fashionable Lafayette neighborhood. Although primarily residential, this area has become one of the places for outdoor cafes, cool shops, trendy bars and restaurants. Samantha chose Villa Ganz for its unique setting - it's a former 1930s residence, fully restored. One step inside makes you feel as if you're in the Mediterranean and not a busy metropolis, yet you're just a 10-minute taxi ride from Guadalajara's historical city center. The hotel has only 10 rooms, so you really feel like you're in your own private villa.
Web: www.villaganz.com
Food/Restaurants/Bars
Birrieria Las 9 Esquinas ("9 Corners" Mexican Restaurant): Samantha ventured into one of the oldest neighborhoods in Guadalajara - Barrio Nueve Esquinas, or the "Neighborhood of 9 Corners." This area is known for its birrierias. These small restaurants serve a local specialty: goat soup! Samantha stopped into the popular Birrieria Las 9 Esquinas - a quaint and colorfully tiled restaurant where everything on the menu is made right before your eyes. If you're not as brave as Samantha, and aren't up for trying the traditional goat soup, there's plenty more to choose from on the menu.
Restaurante El Boquinete: Restaurant El Boquinete can be hard to find if you've never been to Tonalá, so you may need to ask for directions to get there. It's a good place to cool off, sit back, relax and take a break during your day of market shopping. Their guacamole is great!
Sights/Landmarks/To Do
Guadalajara's Rodeo (Charreada): Samantha started off her Guadalajara adventure experiencing what is considered the national sport here - the "charreada," better known as "the rodeo." Mexican rodeo differs from American rodeo. It's a competition between teams, and each team must complete specific tasks to win. Samantha learned from her friend Bernie Rodriguez that these cowboys don't make their primary living from the rodeo; they have other jobs! Some are doctors, accountants, dentists - and they pass their cowboy skills and traditions down from generation to generation.
Mundo Cuervo (José Cuervo Distillery): During a day trip, Samantha found out that tequila is not only a spirit but a place. She took a ride in a motorcycle side car to the town of Tequila. Mexico has strict laws regulating where tequila can be made, and Jalisco is the only state allowed to legally produce this Mexican liquor. Samantha stopped in to tour Mundo Cuervo - the home of José Cuervo, one of the most famous tequila makers in the world. She also headed into the fields of blue agave to meet a few "jimedors," who harvest the agave plants year-round. Samantha took hold of a machete and tried her hand at harvesting an agave plant. The best way to finish up a day at José Cuervo? Sipping a variety of flavored margaritas.
Web: www.mundocuervo.com
Shopping
Prickly Pear Market (Guadalajara Street Market): One thing Samantha loved about Latin America was eating fresh fruit, and just down the street from the Birrieria Las 9 Esquinas she found herself immersed in a market where one particular fruit was getting a lot of attention - the prickly pear, or in Spanish, the "pitaya." This unusual fruit looks like Day-Glo brains on the inside and is in season during May, June and part of July.
Artesanias Caporales (Pottery Shop): If you venture off the main road in Tonalá, you'll find all sorts of pottery shops that open their doors to travelers looking for authentic Mexican crafts. Some are larger factories, others are small family-run shops. Don't be afraid to walk in, look around and meet the artists and craftspeople. Artesanias Caporales is unique in that they create and design pottery that you see in stores all over Mexico. You can even find potters still using wheels powered only by their feet.
Web: www.ceramicacaporales.com
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