Day 1 – Guadalajara city
Start with a walking tour to see the center of the city. Compared to Mexico City, Guadalajara appears safer, cleaner, and more well-maintained.
![Guadalajara](https://i0.wp.com/ashishb.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/guadalajara-1.jpg?resize=640%2C480&ssl=1)
![Guadalajara](https://i0.wp.com/ashishb.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/guadalajara-2.jpg?resize=640%2C480&ssl=1)
Do check out the largest gold market and the largest covered market in Latin America (“Mercado San Juan de Dios”).
![San Juan De Dios](https://i0.wp.com/ashishb.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/guadalajara-largest-market.jpg?resize=640%2C480&ssl=1)
Try Tejuino, a drink local to the Mexican states of Jalisco and Chihuahua.
![Tejuino](https://i0.wp.com/ashishb.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/guadalajara-tejuino.jpg?resize=640%2C853&ssl=1)
And since it is Mexico, do eat corn (elotes) as well.
![Elotes](https://i0.wp.com/ashishb.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/guadalajara-elotes-768x1024.jpg?resize=640%2C853&ssl=1)
There are two museums worth visiting, Museo Cabañas and Musa. Musa is free. Museo Cabañas is free on Tuesdays.
![Mueso Cabañas](https://i0.wp.com/ashishb.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/mueso-cabanas.jpg?resize=640%2C853&ssl=1)
At night, do watch the light show at Guadalajara Catedral.
Day 2 – Guachiomontones
Guachiomontones built in ~300 BC is the only circular pyramid in the world.
The site is small compared to Chichén Itzá or Egyptian Pyramids.
However, if you are a history buff, you will love it. Otherwise, it might feel underwhelming.
To get here, take a 100 pesos one-hour bus from Guadalajara Central Bus Station to Teuchitlán.
From here, you can take a taxi or even a 20-minute walk to the pyramids. Here’s a blog post that describes the full details.
I would highly recommend taking a guide here as they will explain the Ulama game and how it relates to “Poc ta poc ” played near Chichén Itzá. The guide will cost 200-400 pesos.
![Ulama (game) playground](https://i0.wp.com/ashishb.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/guachimontones-ulama-playground.jpg?resize=640%2C480&ssl=1)
![Only circular pyramid in the world](https://i0.wp.com/ashishb.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/guachimontones-pyramid.jpg?resize=640%2C480&ssl=1)
Rather than going from Teuchitlán to Guadalajara, you can take a ~100 peso bus to La Venta del Astillero and from there head to Tequila town via a 120 pesos bus.
Tequila town is the birthplace of Tequila. There isn’t a lot to do here if you don’t drink. You can try Agave miel (honey) at a few shops. Tequila Town has a relaxed touristy vibe.
![Agave Farm in Tequila](https://i0.wp.com/ashishb.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/tequila-agave-farm.jpg?resize=640%2C480&ssl=1)
![Tequila Town](https://i0.wp.com/ashishb.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/tequila-town.jpg?resize=640%2C480&ssl=1)
Once you are done, you can take a 130 pesos 2-hour bus back to Guadalajara.
Day 3 – Lake Chapala – the largest lake in Mexico
I took a 60-pesos 1-hour bus journey to Ajijic on Lake Chapala.
Lake Chapala is the largest lake in Mexico. The nearby city of Ajijic is one of the best-known expat hubs.
It has a small waterfall that was dry when I visited.
The hike to the waterfall is only 40 minutes long but is a strenuous upward climb.
Otherwise, there isn’t much to see in the city.
![Dried up waterfall at Ajijic](https://i0.wp.com/ashishb.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/ajijic-dry-waterfall.jpg?resize=640%2C853&ssl=1)
From here, take a 12-pesos ~20-minute bus to the City of Chapala, which is both larger and more touristy.
![Lake Chapala](https://i0.wp.com/ashishb.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/lake-chapala.jpg?resize=640%2C480&ssl=1)
Here you can see the ceremony of Voladores (“flying men”).
![Ceremony of Flying Men](https://i0.wp.com/ashishb.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/voladores-flying-men-ceremony.jpg?resize=640%2C853&ssl=1)
In the evening, I took a 60 pesos 1-hour bus ride back to Guadalajara.
Day 4 – Tlaquepaque
The city of Tlaquepaque has friendly vibes and beautiful art. It is worth visiting but still a bit underwhelming compared to Guadalajara.
![Tlaquepaque](https://i0.wp.com/ashishb.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/tlaqueplaque-1.jpg?resize=640%2C853&ssl=1)
In the evening, try vegan ceviche at the famous vegan restaurant “La Flaca”.
![Ceviché at La Flaca](https://i0.wp.com/ashishb.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/la-flaca-vegan.jpg?resize=640%2C480&ssl=1)
Note:
- Just like in Mexico City, the public transport is widely accessible.