Guadalajara, Tequila & Puerto Vallarta

Destination 01

Guadalajara

9 places

Stay 3 nights for the historic centre, Tlaquepaque and the city's food.

• Photo: Museo Cabañas · Google

  Hospicio Cabañas

  UNESCO-listed 19th-century orphanage holding José Clemente Orozco's fire-themed murals.

  Tip Borrow a mat and lie down to see the dome mural.

  SeeCentro Histórico$1.5 hrMorning
• Photo: Isacdaavid · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Guadalajara Cathedral

  Twin-spired cathedral at the heart of a ring of plazas in the historic centre.

  SeeCentro HistóricoFree45 minMorning
• Photo: Alejandro Basan · Google

  Teatro Degollado

  Neoclassical theatre and home of the Jalisco Philharmonic, with a painted ceiling.

  Tip Sunday morning folkloric ballet shows are a good way in.

  SeeCentro Histórico$$1.5 hrEvening
• Photo: Roy Winemiller · Google

  Mercado San Juan de Dios

  Three-storey market of food stalls, leather and crafts, also called Mercado Libertad.

  Tip Eat birria on the upper food floor.

  ShopCentro Histórico$1.5 hrMidday
• Photo: Antonio Renteria Navarro · CC BY-SA 3.0

  Tlaquepaque

  Former village of galleries and ceramics shops, with mariachi at El Parián plaza.

  ShopTlaquepaque$3 hrEvening
• Photo: Alvaro Antulio · Google

  Guachimontones

  Circular stepped pyramids of the Teuchitlán culture, unique in Mesoamerica.

  SeeTeuchitlán$2 hrMorning
• Photo: Marcos Martínez · Google

  Karne Garibaldi

  Fast-service institution for carne en su jugo, beef stewed in its own broth with beans.

  EatSanta Teresita$45 minLunch
• Photo: kaart_1 @ Mapillary · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Alcalde

  Chef Paco Ruano's modern Mexican tasting menus, ranked among Latin America's best.

  EatVallarta Norte$$$$2.5 hrDinner
• Photo: Nima Honarbakhsh · Google

  La Fuente

  Cantina open since 1921, with old regulars and live music, steps from the cathedral.

  DrinkCentro Histórico$1.5 hrEvening

Destination 02

Tequila

9 places

One night lets you tour distilleries, ride through the agave fields and enjoy the plaza once day-trippers leave.

• Photo: Fábrica La Rojeña · Google

  Mundo Cuervo / La Rojeña

  Tours of Latin America's oldest active distillery, with tastings and agave-roasting ovens.

  DoCentro$$$2 hrMorning
• Photo: EDS la glorieta · Google

  Casa Sauza

  Sauza distillery tours with a visit to its agave fields and gardens.

  DoCentro$$$2 hrAfternoon
• Photo: Jesús Álvarez · Google

  Agave Landscape

  UNESCO-listed blue agave fields and old haciendas between Tequila and Amatitán.

  Tip Ride a horseback or jeep tour through the fields at golden hour.

  Outdoors$3 hrLate afternoon
• Photo: Angelica Ortega · Google

  Museo Nacional del Tequila

  Small museum on the history of tequila production, a block from the plaza.

  SeeCentro$45 minAfternoon
• Photo: Salvador Morales · Google

  Casa Herradura

  Hacienda distillery in Amatitán with old stone ovens and tours.

  DoAmatitán$$$2.5 hrMorning
• Photo: Jose Cuervo Express Amanecer · Google

  José Cuervo Express

  Weekend train from Guadalajara to Tequila or Amatitán with tastings on board.

  Do$$$$10 hrWeekends
• Photo: La Antigua Casona · Google

  La Antigua Casona

  Restaurant in a historic house serving Jalisco dishes, a top pick in town.

  EatCentro$$$1.5 hrDinner
• Photo: Restaurante La Fonda Cholula · Google

  Fonda Cholula

  Casual spot on the plaza with outdoor seating and classic Mexican plates.

  EatCentro$$60 minLunch
• Photo: Oscar Ramirez · Google

  La Capilla

  Cantina dating from 1940 where Don Javier created the batanga.

  Tip Bring cash; hours can be irregular.

  DrinkCentro$60 minEvening

Destination 03

Puerto Vallarta

10 places

Stay 3 nights for the old town, beaches, a boat day and sunsets on the bay.

• Photo: G Whizz · Google

  Malecón

  Seafront promenade lined with bronze sculptures, ending near the crown-topped church.

  SeeCentroFree1.5 hrSunset
• Photo: Melikamp · CC BY-SA 3.0

  Zona Romántica

  Cobbled old-town district of restaurants, shops and the Los Muertos Pier.

  SeeZona Romántica$2 hrEvening
• Photo: ǟռɢɛʟ ʄɛʀռǟռɖօ · Google

  Isla del Río Cuale

  River island with shaded paths, craft stalls and a small museum.

  ShopCentro$60 minMorning
• Photo: Another Believer · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Vallarta Botanical Garden

  Hillside gardens of orchids and native plants, with a river for swimming.

  OutdoorsLas Juntas y Los Veranos$$3 hrMorning
• Photo: RichardMills65 · CC BY-SA 3.0

  Yelapa

  Car-free cove village reached by water taxi, with a waterfall walk and beach.

  Do$$6 hrMorning
• Photo: Christian Frausto Bernal from Tepic, Nayarit, MEXICO · CC BY-SA 2.0

  Islas Marietas

  Protected volcanic islands with blue-footed boobies and the Hidden Beach.

  Tip Book licensed tours; Hidden Beach permits are limited.

  Outdoors$$$6 hrMorning
• Photo: Mike R · Google

  Playa Mismaloya

  Small bay south of town with snorkeling at Los Arcos rock formations.

  OutdoorsMismaloya$3 hrAfternoon
• Photo: Another Believer · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Café des Artistes

  French-Mexican restaurant in a garden setting, a Vallarta fixture since 1990.

  EatCentro$$$$2 hrDinner
• Photo: Anthony Ricciardi · Google

  Pancho's Takos

  Late-night taco joint known for al pastor carved off the trompo.

  Tip Expect a line after 10 pm.

  EatZona Romántica$45 minLate night
• Photo: Cassy Dygert · Google

  La Bodeguita del Medio

  Cuban bar on the Malecón with mojitos and live son music.

  DrinkCentro$$1.5 hrNight