Attractions Nearby Guadalajara, Day Trips and Excursions

(Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico)

One of Mexico's biggest cities and brimming with quality attractions, Guadalajara has plenty to keep visitors fully entertained for the entire duration of their holiday. However, for a further taste of the state of Jalisco, visitors from Guadalajara will find many less developed towns and locations nearby, each with their own set of unique attractions.

No trip to Guadalajara is really complete without visiting the much-loved town of Tequila, where you get to sample this spirit and explore the attractions within the main distilleries. The landscape around Tequila is filled with large specimens of blue agave, which are an important ingredient of the drink itself and quite striking in their appearance. These and other attractions nearby Guadalajara are explained further below.

Tequila / Tequila Express

Famous the world over for its classic Mexico liquor, the town of Tequila is within easy reach of Guadalajara. The town is located approximately 50 km / 31 miles to the north-west and home to some 25,000 residents. The main attractions within Tequila relate to the liquor and include hourly guided tours around La Rojena, where José Cuervo tequila is produced and can be sampled. Also popular is the Museum Nacional del Tequila. A good way to reach the town is on the Tequila Express, which departs from Guadalajara's train station and features distillery tours included in the price.

Zapotlanejo

Zapotlanejo lies directly east of Guadalajara and is around 30 km / 19 miles away, with a population of just less than 30,000 people. This undeveloped town is far from full of tourist attractions, although if you are looking for clothing, then this is the place to come. Zapotlanejo contains literally hundreds of different vendors, all of which are selling inexpensive clothing and accessories and line several blocks. Buses regularly connect Zapotlanejo and Guadalajara, departing from the Nueve Central Camionera bus station.

Chapala

Home to the biggest natural lakes in the whole of the country, the Lago de Chapala, this beauty spot is sited some 40 km / 25 miles south of Guadalajara. Chapala is a small resort close to the lake and features a population of 20,000. Apart from Chapala Lake itself, the main attractions are within the town and around the Avenida Madero, such as a park and crafts market. Close by, the Parque La Cristiania offers a large pool, play area and well-maintained gardens, and the Tobolandia water park is also near to the lake and a notable bathing resort. Further afield, boat trips are available to the attractions on Scorpion Island (Isla de los Alacranes), which is just 6 km / 4 miles from Chapala.

Zona Montana

The Zona Montana is a mountainous region sited on the southern side of the Lago de Chapala and has become a popular weekend break with both locals and tourists from Guadalajara. Visitors arrive in the Zona Montana to enjoy the stunning views and soak up the atmosphere within the numerous surrounding villages and towns, such as both Tapalpa and Mazamitla. Other attractions are to be found in the region's Ciudad Guzman city, where you will find the biggest plaza in the whole state, the 17th-century Sagrado Corazón and the Museo Regional de las Culturas de Occidente.

Géiseres de Ixcatán (Ixcatan Geysers)

This is a stunning natural attraction some 25 km / 16 miles from Guadalajara, where geothermic fountains shoot high in the air and make for great photo opportunities. The Géiseres de Ixcatán enjoy a particularly scenic setting, with nearby stream and waterfall, and plenty of places to stop for a picnic and rest. Further attractions lie within the neighbouring town of Ixcatán.