If you’re spending any time in Guadalajara City there it’s likely you’re going to want to take a day trip or two to explore. The state of Jalisco is an incredibly diverse state where you can visit beautiful beaches, pueblos mágicos, semi-deserts, forests, jungles, mountains, lakes and ancient ruins. As you can see, from that run down, it’s a really great place to visit if you love outdoor activities.

Let’s take a look now at the very best day trips to take from Guadalajara. 

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Your city of Guadalajara itinerary

​Day Trips from Guadalajara

Guadalajara is Mexico’s second biggest city but you really don’t need a car to explore until you start considering day trips. Then you might want to think very seriously about renting a car.

How are you going to get around Jalisco?

🚗 – renting a car gives you the most freedom to discover Jalisco and to do it at your own speed and in your style. A car means no sticking to anyone else’s timetable or plans. It’s always my favourite way to get around.

🚌 – relying on public transportation is entirely possible in Jalisco as long as you’re happy to spend time working out bus routes, taking buses to the bigger towns and then local colectivos to the smaller pueblos and always being aware of timetables to get home again. Buses in Mexico are perfectly safe and decent.

⭐️ there are plenty of local tour guides who will provide wonderful day adventures and teach you llabout local culture and history. The first place I look for my tour options is always GetYourGuide.

​Day Trips in the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area

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Zapopan

Zapopan forms part of the Metropolitan of Guadalajara but remains its own town with its own vibe. Most visitors to Guadalajara make sure to spend at least an afternoon in Zapopan.

What to do in Zapopan

Basilica de Nuestra Señora de Zapopan

This is the main sight/site of Zapopan. It’s an enormous church flanked by the lovely and lively Plaza de las Americas.

Museo de Arte de Zapopan

This gallery is the only institution in Jalisco devoted entirely to contemporary art. The website states that the museum’s mission is to “generate experiences that encourage reflection and learning through the art of our time… making for more complex and independent ways of understanding and thinking about art.” 

Museo del Arte Huichol Wixárica

A small museum dedicated to the indigenous people of the region. 

Getting to and from Zapopan

🚗 25 minute drive through the Greater Metropolitan area

🚌 1hr25 minutes from Central Vieja bus station

⭐️ Cassie’s recommended tour: 4 hour Zapopan tour with bilingual local guide

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Tlaquepaque

Tlaquepaque, like Zapopan, is its own town within larger metropolis. It’s also one of the 12 pueblos magicos in the state of Jalisco.

It is extremely popular with visitors to Guadalajara. The streets are pedestrianized and walking around here will fill your senses. Grab some delicious street food or a super traditional ice cream (nieve) and enjoy strolling around this extremely “Mexican” part of Mexico. 

What to do in Tlaquepaque

Eat and Enjoy Mariachi Music

El Parían is a cluster of restaurants around a small square where you can watch live music and mariachis perform as you eat. While it might sound touristy (it is), everyone does eat here, including Mexicans. El Patio is another extremely popular restaurant that is famous for its traditional food and Mariachi combo. I saw an all-female Mariachi band here, which was pretty epic.

Find the Reproduction of the Rivera Fresco

If you aren’t going to get to Mexico City to see the original “Sueño de una tarde dominical en la Parque Alameda” then check out the fresco version here. Do you spot the Catrina holding the hand of the young Rivera? It’s pretty fitting since the Catrina has become an important part of Día de los Muertos and Tlaquepaque is a cool spot for a Día de los Muertos party. 

Eat A LOT of Ice Cream

You’re looking for Nieves de Garrafa – sorbet from a bucket, basically. This is something of a regional speciality and you’ll see them everywhere in town. Most people recommend Nieves de Chapalita and I have to say I agree. There are so many fantastic flavours and if you study the board you’ll figure out your best combination before you get there. My favourite was avocado and tequila. Try it if you dare. 

Nuestros Dulces Factory

This is an interactive museum/factory tour around a traditional sweets factory. It takes around forty minutes to visit all the rooms, hear the chat and try the sweets.

Shopping for Souvenirs 

The tourist shops here are second to none. Pick up tequila, traditional candies, pottery and so much more. Began at the Mercado de Artesanías but be aware that you may find items cheaper elsewhere. 

Art

Tlaquepaque is a veritable art centre. The main tourist roads are lined with statues and there are plenty of art museums and stores. Pantaléon Panduro, Museo Regional de la Cerámic and Galería Alejandro Calvillo are great options when getting to know the local art scene. 

Getting to and from Tlaquepaque

🚗 25 minute drive straight through the Metropolitan area

🚌 approximately 45 minutes on the bus from Central Vieja bus station

📌 While many visitors to Guadalajara stay in the historic center, there are also some great hotel options in Tlaquepaque.

⭐️ Cassie’s recommended tour: Full day tour of the main sites in Guadalajara and Tlaquepaque (including the candy store!)

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Tequila

The pueblo magico of Tequila is around an hour from Guadalajara, It’s a stunning small town with a lot of character, a lot to see and no, you don’t have to be drunk to enjoy it.

This is the birthplace of tequila and of course the best place to go if you’re interested in doing a tequila tasting or visiting the tequila fields.

Did you know that Agave Landscape and Ancient Industrial Facilities of Tequila is a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

What to do in the town of Tequila

Distillery Tours

You can take a novelty bus around the town and check out a tequila distillery very easily and cheaply. Just head to the plaza and someone will find you and give you the details. The buses are definitely fun and offer a non-too-serious look at the tequila-making process. 

The most common distilleries to visit are:

• La Rojeña – Jose Cuervo brand
• Casa Herradura – tours in English and Spanish at different times during the day. Preference for prebooking
• La Cofradía – a number of different tour options are offered, there is a fabulous restaurant on site as well as a hotel and the famous barrel rooms
• La Casa Orendain – tequila is Orendain, Ollitas, Cantinero. Regular tours throughout the day 
• La Fortaleza / Los Abuelos. It is recommended to book your visit here in advance
• La Perserverancia – one of the oldest and most prestigious distilleries in Tequila. Sauza brand 
• Casa Noble – the only hotel with a tequila factory 

Explore the museums in Tequila

Casa los Abuelos – the museum of the Los Abuelos tequila

Museo Nacional De Tequila – this is the national museum of Tequila small museum showcasing the history of Tequila

Museo La Cofradía – history of tequila making in Cofradia

Palacio Municipal – like all towns and cities in Mexico, the working home of government is also always open to the public who are entitled to enter to view the historical murals. Strolling around the Palacio Municipales is one of my favourite activities in a new town.

What else is there to do in Tequila?

Walk up the Volcan de Tequila or through the agave fields

Drink tequila – of course this is remarkably easy to do in Tequila. Even on the main plaza there are stands selling tequila. 

Eat at Cleofas Mota – this is a restaurant market patio with numerous delicious and cheap restaurants. 

Getting to and from Tequila

🚗 1hr15 on the 15 and 15D roads out of Guadalajara

🚌 No direct public buses but there are specific Tequila tour buses that run from both Centro Viejo and Zapopan bus stations. Takes approximately 2 hrs

📌 Should you wish to stay longer in Tequila than one day I can recommend Matices Hotel de Barricas if you fancy splashing out and staying in the famous barrel hotel

⭐️ Cassie’s recommended tours

🐎 Go horseback riding through the agave fields, learn about the tequila making process, have a traditional lunch and taste tequilas

and because not everyone loves horses

⭐️ Explore the towns of Tequila and Amatitan, visit the Tequila volcano and a distillery and taste the tequila.

➡️ Read more about what to do in Tequila

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Tapalpa

Two hours from Guadalajara is Tapalpa, a pueblo magico and one of my favourite outdoor spots in the whole of Mexico. Tapalpa is a top location for Tapatíos (Guadalajarans) when they’re looking for an easy get away and a bit of nature. 

Las Piedrotas

One of the main reasons to head to Tapalpa is Las Piedrotas, an area of incredible natural beauty about a ten-minute drive from Tapalpa town. Here you can run, climb, ride go-carts, abseil, zip-line, ride horses and more (or just enjoy the views and the clean air, of course).

If you don’t have a car when you’re in town, or don’t fancy driving, the tourist ‘train’ stops here, you can hire a quad bike or go as part of a tour.

What else to do in Tapalpa

⭐️ Hike to the Cascada el Salto del Nogal

⭐️ Visit Eco-Park La Tuna – to enjoy the aerial tree-top course, yoga, temazcal and more

Getting to and from Tapalpa

🚗 2hr10 via Acatlan de Juarez

🚌 3hr40

📌 You might just fall in love with Tapalpa so if you’re worried this may happen, book a hotel and stay longer!

⭐️ Cassie’s recommended tour: Private tour of Tapalpa and Attaco – visit the incredible village of Tapalpa and the nearby indigenous village of Attaco to learn about their living pharmacy.

➡️ Read more about what to do in Tapalpa

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Lake Chapala and Ajijic

​Lake Chapala is Mexico’s largest lake and it’s a great location to visit if you fancy a gentle walk in nature. You can’t swim in the lake as sadly it’s pretty polluted these days but it doesn’t mean it isn’t a delight to explore around. 

Most people visiting Lake Chapala visit via the pueblo magico Ajijic. Ajijic is a sweet little town.

What to do in Ajijic

Stroll along the lake shore on the malecon, find the Ajijic sign.

Hike up to El Tepalo

Take a horse ride

Explore the Lake Chapala Society

Visit the Ajijic Museo del Arte

Getting to and from Ajijic

🚗 1hr15

🚌 From Guadalajara’s Central Vieja station, you can take a red & white Chapala bus. Some buses go directly between Guadalajara and Ajijic.

⭐️ Cassie’s recommended tour: Take a full day tour of Lake Chapala and Ajijic with plenty of time for strolling and sightseeing

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Other Pueblos Magicos in Jalisco

There are 12 pueblos magicos in Jalisco, 4 of which have been mentioned above.

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Bosque de la Primavera & the Río Caliente

The Bosque de la Primavera is also accessible as a day trip from Guadalajara. Here you can bathe in the thermal waters and hot springs and enjoy the enormous forest.

The forest is home to sixty species of mammal and over 250 types of bird and serves as the lungs of Guadalajara.

The Rio Caliente is a thermal river that runs right through the forest. The source of the river’s heat is a volcano that erupted some 95,000 years ago. While the water here can be extremely hot, not all the streams in the forest are the same temperature: each stream has its own temperature so finding your perfect spot is part of the fun of visiting the Bosque de la Primavera. 

When you arrive you’ll drive past Balneario Cañon de las Flores (swimming complex) where the waters have been diverted into pools of varying temperatures so if you prefer your thermal waters a little less rustic, this is your best option. 

Carry on past here to reach the actual river. You’ll have to pay a small sum to park the car. Be warned that during Semana Santa and other holidays this river can receive thousands of visitors in a day so plan accordingly. If you’re looking for an active day out then a bike tour to the forest might be just what you need. 

Getting to and from the Bosque de Primavera

🚗 1hr via the small town of La Primavera

🚌 Take a local bus to La Primavera and take a cab

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Los Guachimontones and Teuchitlán 

Approximately sixty-five kilometres from Guadalajara is Guachimontones, a prehispanic archaeological site that is completely different from any other I’ve seen in Mexico.

Not as much known about prehispanic cultures on this side of Mexico as is known about the Maya in Yucatan, which in my opinion is all the more reason to visit Guachimontones.

It is thought that this site belonged to the Teuchitlán tradition that thrived between 300 BCE and 900 CE. The pyramids here are round, stepped pyramids. There is the requisite ball court on-site and it is believed that there was a strong volador tradition here too. The only other place I know of with round pyramids in Mexico is Cuicuilco in Mexico City, another site about which relatively little is known. 

Visiting Guachimontones

Note: For people less able to walk, inquire about the free transport up, for everyone else, you just have to walk. 

While you can’t climb the main pyramid, off to one side is a still unrestored pyramid – basically a hill – that is climbable and offers stunning views.

Visiting the town of Teuchitlán 

This is a small and cute town that’s worth driving through on the way to the lake for lunch. The main plaza and the church are both interesting to see. 

Lago Vega

If you’re looking for a relaxing lunch experience then this lake is just gorgeous. There are plenty of restaurants on the lake shore. Either do your google research or just show up and take your chances! 

If I were feeling wealthier, I’d eat at the Hacienda Labor de Rivera Hotel, which is also where I’d recommend staying if you fancy treating yourself in this area.

Getting to and from Guachimontones

🚗 1hr 15

🚌 there are regular buses from the old bus station in Guadalajara to Teuchitlán

⭐️ Cassie’s tour recommendation: this highly rated tour takes in both the pueblo magico of Tequila and the ruins of Guachimontones with a bilingual guide.

And as a final option, Las Islas Marietas. They can’t really be visited in a single day from Guadalajara but they’re so incredible I can’t leave them off the list:

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Islas Marietas / Playa del Amor / Hidden Beach

Just off the coast of Puerto Vallarta are the Islas Marietas. The reason most people want to visit this small group of islands is the Hidden Beach or Playa del Amor. This beach has become something of a must for many visitors to Jalisco thanks to Instagram and to be honest, unusually, it is entirely worthy of the hype. 

The Islas Marietas are within a marine park and as such can only be visited on a tour with official permission, and only a set number of people can visit each day. The tours take visitors to the islands, which are actually some of the most ecologically diverse islands in all of Mexico. You can even see the famous blue-footed boobie there! 

The beach itself is encased within one of the islands that has become a cavern that’s open to the sky. Be warned that the swim through the cave to the beach, although short (75m) is arduous. These tours also offer the opportunity to see whales, dolphins and to snorkel in the national park. It remains one of the most incredible tours I’ve ever taken in Mexico. 

This tour is generally taken from Puerto Vallarta or nearby Sayulita (in Nayarit). 

Getting to and from Puerto Vallarta

🚗 5 hr drive via Sayulita or slightly longer via Mascota

🚌 Between 4-5 hours. Check timetables and options here

📌 You’ll definitely need a day or two in Puerto Vallarta so grab a hotel and get exploring!

⭐️ Cassie’s recommended tour: Take a small group tour to snorkel around the island and visit the hidden beach