A Complete Guadalajara Itinerary (3, 4 & 5 Days)

Posted 24/07/2024 | 24th July, 2024
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Mexico is a country of vast diversity, ranging from the hustle and bustle of the fantastic Mexico City, the iconic colours of Oaxaca, and the spectacular beauty of San Cristobal de Las Casas.
Guadalajara doesn’t appear on many backpackers’ itineraries, and I have no idea why! There is so much to do in this amazing city, including drinking Tequila in its birthplace, enjoying the tranquil Lake Chapala, and exploring the unexplored at Guachimontones.
So, if you’re planning a trip to Guadalajara, I’ve got you covered. Here is your complete Guadalajara Itinerary, perfect for three, four or five days.

Day 1: Explore Central
Take A Walking Tour
Walking tours are a great way to start exploring any new town or city.
Like many cities in Mexico, Guadalajara has a free two-hour walking tour each morning. The guides speak English and Spanish and will introduce you to all of the Guadalajara highlights, as well as a few hidden gems.
Visit Teatro Degollada
Teatro Degollado was inaugurated on September 13, 1866. It was designed by the architect Jacobo Gálvez and named after Santos Degollado, a Jaliscan lawyer and politician who was executed during the Reform War.
This magnificent building will likely have been pointed out to you during your walking tour earlier in the morning. Still, it’s well worth popping back to spend a little more time exploring this Guadalajara highlight.
The best part? Providing there is no current performance, visitors are free to pop inside and admire the beauty. And wow, this place is stunning!
Lunch at Mercado Libertad
No Guadalajara itinerary would be complete without a visit to Mercado Libertad.
When reviews say that this market sells everything, they mean it! Fake luxury goods (watches, handbags, shoes, etc.), traditional boots and belts, fresh fruit and vegetables, live birds, leather, sheep’s heads?! Just to name a small selection.
I recommend an hour wandering the market and browsing the various goods on offer. Then, you have to try out one of the many food vendors for lunch on your first day in Guadalajara.
If you’re not a local, it’s almost impossible to choose a place to eat, so we opted for a small taco spot, which was relatively busy. The staff were very friendly, and the food was delicious and super cheap ($120 MXN for eight tacos and two drinks).
Drinks on Chaputlapec Avenue
Is Chaputlapec Avenue a place to explore Guadalajara’s best arts and culture? Absolutely not!
But it’s a fun, lively street packed with places to socialise and drink, ideal for meeting other travellers and relaxing after your first day of exploration.
You’ll find every kind of establishment on this street, ranging from casual bars to underground nightclubs.
Day 2: Tequila Town
Visit Tequila Town


On your second day in Guadalajara, head to Tequila town!
As you might have guessed, Tequila Town is home to the world-renowned drink millions love.
It is designated a Pueblo Mágico and offers visitors a mix of cultural heritage, distillery tours, and picturesque landscapes. The National Museum of Tequila and traditional distilleries like José Cuervo and Sauza are key attractions. The town’s vibrant festivals and historic architecture provide a rich experience, making it a popular destination for tourists and locals.
There are four main options when heading to Tequila from Guadalajara:
🚎 Take A Guided Tour
🚂The Tequila Train
🚌Bus From Guadalajara to Tequila
🚗Rent a Car and Drive
Personally, I would recommend a guided tour of Tequila Town. You can visit a distillery, have a tasting session, and spend some free time in the town without worrying about any of the logistics.
Eat Birria!


Your tour will get you back into the centre of Guadalajara around 7 p.m., and you’ll need some delicious food to soak up a day of drinking.
Birria is a savoury stew typically made from goat meat, though beef, lamb, or pork can also be used. The meat is marinated in a rich blend of spices and slow-cooked until tender.
Birria is often served with broth and accompanied by tortillas, onions, cilantro, and lime. In recent years, birria tacos, especially birria de res (beef birria), have gained popularity internationally. They are often served with a side of consommé for dipping.
I can honestly say there is no better after-drinking food than Birria; it is absolutely delicious. This amazing dish originates from the state of Jalisco, so there is literally no better place to enjoy it!
Day 3: Tlaquepaque & Mariachi Bands


Tlaquapaque
Tlaquapaque is one of the most famous things to do in Guadalajara—and for good reason! It is a stunning Pueblo Magico located 10km south of central Guadajalaja.
It’s an extremely picturesque city filled with gorgeous, brightly painted buildings. It is best known for its handmade crafts, including pottery, textiles and glass. Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough space in my backpack to indulge, but if you’re an art lover with enough suitcase space, you will love it here!
Tlaquapaque is one of those places that you should just wander around and enjoy at your own pace. For that reason, I wouldn’t recommend taking a tour.
We were apprehensive about public transportation, but it couldn’t have been easier (or cheaper!). Jump on the metro line three and exit at Tlaquapaque (a couple of stops before the central bus station). The metro is clean and modern and costs just $9.50 MXN per ride.
Note: We found that paying by card was difficult in some smaller towns in Mexico. However, there were no problems at all in Tlaquepaque, and debit cards were widely accepted.
Mariachi Bands
Enjoying Mariachi music is a must-do in Mexico, particularly in Guadalajara. (Mariachi originated from the state of Jalisco after all!).
In the day, this area is relatively nondescript. However, at night, the area comes to life with Mariachi bands and crowds of locals and tourists. Its a great, lively place to spend an evening after a tranquil day in Tlaquepaque.
Day 4: Ajijic & Lake Chapala


If you’re lucky enough to spend more than three days in Guadalajara, I recommend taking a trip to Lake Chapala, particularly the town of Ajijic.
You can take a bus from the Central Vieja station directly to Ajijic. The bus costs just $65 MXN and departs roughly every hour. It’s a nice, comfortable bus, but keep your eye on Google Maps as you get closer to the lake, as there isn’t an official ‘stop’.
Ajijic has a very different vibe to central Guadalajara. It’s a much more laid-back ‘hippie’ town, filled with US, Canada and the UK expats. You won’t get the same Mexican charm you will find in the city’s centre, but it’s a beautiful spot nonetheless.
The town is filled with cute coffee shops, cafes, and plenty of stores selling handmade goods. There is a beautiful church and a small square where locals and tourists relax.
But for me, my favourite part was relaxing and enjoying the magnificent view over Lake Chapala. The bus will drop you on the main road, and it’s just a short walk through Ajijcic until you’re on the water’s edge.
I sat for hours enjoying the goings-on (dog walkers, fishermen, and even some horse riders). Ajijic’s beauty is its magnificent mild year-round climate, so there really isn’t a bad time to visit.
Day 5: Guachimontones & Lucha Libre

Guachimontones
Guachimontones is an archaeological site located near Teuchitlán, about 60 kilometres west of Guadalajara, Mexico. It is renowned for its unique circular pyramids, which are a hallmark of the Teuchitlán tradition that thrived from around 300 BCE to 900 CE.
The site includes several conical step pyramids, ball courts, terraces, and plazas. The largest pyramid, the Great Guachi, is about 60 feet tall. Guachimontones provides valuable insights into the region’s pre-Hispanic culture and attracts tourists and scholars interested in Mesoamerican history.
I have to be honest, though; getting to Guachimontones takes an extremely long time (around three hours each way) and is a relatively uneventful and boring drive. Therefore, when putting together this Guadalajara itinerary, I think it is only worthwhile for those with at least five days in Guadalajara.
Lucha Libre
Round off your five-day Guadalajara itinerary with a trip to the crazy Lucha Libre!
Lucha Libre is a form of professional wrestling originating in Mexico, characterised by colourful masks, rapid sequences of holds and manoeuvres, and high-flying acrobatics.
The term translates to “free fight” in English. Luchadores (wrestlers) often wear masks to conceal their identities, creating larger-than-life personas. Matches typically feature dramatic storytelling, with clear heroes (técnicos) and villains (rudos).
Lucha libre has deep cultural significance in Mexico and has influenced wrestling styles worldwide. It’s celebrated for its theatrical flair, athleticism, and unique blend of sport and entertainment.
In Guadalajara, Lucha Libre takes place at Arena Coliseo. You can simply turn up and purchase your tickets at the door. However, I recommend booking a group trip if you’re a little nervous about the experience. On these trips, you will experience the Lucha Libre and meet other travellers!
Frequently Asked Questions – Guadalajara Itinerary
Is Guadalajara Worth Visiting?
In one word – yes! I absolutely love Guadalajara, so much so that I visited twice during my four-month Mexico trip. It’s a vibrant city with lots to do and a great mix of friendly, welcoming locals and tourists.
How Long Should I Spend in Guadalajara?
This question is almost impossible to answer, as it completely depends on your timeframe and budget. However, as you can see from this article, five days in Guadalajara will allow you to see the great amount this fantastic city offers.
Cash or Card in Guadalajara?
I found that card was accepted almost everywhere in Guadalajara, aside from small food vendors and markets. Therefore, I recommend carrying a small amount of cash but using your debit card wherever possible (you almost always get a better exchange rate when using a card such as Monzo or Revolut).
Useful Links for Travelling Mexico:
🛌 Booking.com or Hostelworld for booking the best accommodation.
🌴 Viator or Get Your Guide for the best day trips
🚌 Busbud for organising long-distance busses in Mexico
🚙 Discover Cars to compare the best car rentals in Mexico
MORE MEXICO INSPIRATION:
How to See The Lucha Libre in Mexico City (Without A Tour)
13 Amazing Things to Do in Puebla, Mexico
How to Get to Teotihuacan Pyramids from Mexico City