Guadalajara

When you draw a picture of Mexico – the culture, the food, and the music – what you’re thinking of is Jalisco, and more specifically Guadalajara. This is where tequila comes from, where mariachi is played and those big sombreros are worn. This region is an exporter of culture, both across Mexico and around the world. More than just Mexico’s second-largest city, it is a mix of these great cultural things, with a modern Mexican twist. The city is huge and there are a lot of different places to explore.

While it may lack any individual “major” attraction, the lure and appeal can be discovered everywhere. The food is amazing. The city is full of interesting street art. The city is fairly modern and constantly evolving. Its historic city center is full of churches and monuments worthy of a visit.

Guadalajara is massive! The city is actually three towns that have merged into one. It has many distinct and different neighborhoods connected by a patchwork of crazy roads. Transit is good, and a new massive above-ground Subway line is nearing completion. It was a fun city to explore together. Norma lived here for a few years, and her hometown is a 3-hour drive north of here in Zacatecas State, so she acted as my tour guide.

It is an amazing starting point for any trip to Mexico. It has a major international airport with connecting flights inside and outside of Mexico and is home to one of the countries largest bus stations, which means it acts as a major hub for getting around. It is definitely a destination worth putting on your Mexico itinerary.

One of our favourite things to seek out during our short stay were some of the famous murals of Jose Clemente Orozco, which are located in several public places in the city. He is one of the most famous artists that the city has ever produced.

On this trip, we had less than two days to explore the city together; it was our starting point for our 2 weeks journey around Mexico and we had lots to do in only a little time. We did as much as we could before we left; we ate a lot of food and just tried to explore as much as we could. The city is sprawling and massive; there is a lot we didn’t see.

We’re not too worried… We know we will be back again soon.

Guadalajara:

Guadalajara Cathedral. 2017.

Guadalajara Grafitti. 2017.

Jose Clemente Orozco. 2017

Murals of Jose Clemente Orozco. 2017.

Self-Portrait of Norma and Rob. 2017.

Fountain. 2017.

Guadalajara. 2017.

Water Fountain. 2017.

Tlaquepaque. 2017.

Water fountain in Guadalajara. 2017.

Beautiful Guadalajara. 2017.

Guadalajara. 2017.

Norma got this great picture of Rob taking pictures. 2017.

Adding another city to our collection in Tlaquepaque. 2017.

Guadalajara Bus Station. 2017.

Central Guadalajara from above the Mercado San Juan de Dios. 2017.

Classical Architecture in Guadalajara. 2017.

Norma and Rob posing in Tlaquepaque. 2017.

Sitting Around on a public art piece. 2017.

Rob puts the ‘R’ in Guadalajara. 2017.

Street Vendors. 2017.

Street Art in Guadalajara. 2017.

Guadalajara Courtyard. 2017.

Guadalajara Cathedral. 2017.

Murals of Jose Clemente Orozco. 2017.

Classical Architecture in Guadalajara. 2017.

Guadalajara Cathedral. 2017.

For the Birds. 2017.

Murals of Jose Clemente Orozco. 2017.

Courtyard of one of the Government Buildings. 2017.

Guadalajara at Night. 2017.

Guadalajara Tower. 2017.

Two days in Guadalajara:

During our short visit to Guadalajara, we did what any smart traveler would do; seek out the best food the city has to offer. Guadalajara is a cultural center of Mexico, exporting some of the best food and music that is known outside of Mexico. Home of Tequilla and the birthplace of Mariachi, Guadalajara is a good place to spend a few days wandering around.