Guadalajara, the second largest city in Mexico, is a thriving metropolis that offers tons of culture. Spending two days in Guadalajara is the perfect amount of time to see the city and explore the surrounding areas. You cannot go wrong with tequila, tacos, and mariachi music!
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History of Guadalajara
Guadalajara, the capital of the Mexican state of Jalisco, is one of Mexico’s most historic and culturally rich cities. It was first founded in 1542 by the Spanish, and it came to be after much conflict with the local indigenous groups.
During the colonial period, Guadalajara became an important administrative and economic center for Spain. It became a hub for agriculture, ranching, and trade due to its location. Later, it played a critical role in the Mexican War of Independence. Miguel Hidalgo became the leader in the area.
The city continued to grow and became a center of commerce and culture. During this time, mariachi music came to be, and tequila production grew. Today, Guadalajara is Mexico’s second-largest city and is a vibrant blend of music, historic charm, and modern innovation.
When to Spend Two Days in Guadalajara
The best time to spend two days in Guadalajara is between October to May. The weather during these months is a lot cooler, mild, and dry. June to September is Guadalajara’s rainy season, which often rains in the afternoon, but it has fewer crowds.
How to Get to Guadalajara
Guadalajara has one major airport: Guadalajara International Airport. Skyscanner is my favorite way to search for flights. If you are flying from California, you may want to check flying out of Tijuana for the best deals. From there, I have seen flights for $100 round trip.
Transportation in Guadalajara
There is no need to rent a car in Guadalajara unless you want to explore the surrounding area and do not want to hire a driver. If you do rent a car, I recommend renting a car through Economy Bookings, as it will search all rental car companies for you.
Where to Stay in Guadalajara
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Check out the best hotels in Guadalajara here! You can always try searching Priceline Express Deals for a better price or try to price match a hotel.
We opted to stay at the Hyatt Regency Andares Guadalajara, located in the Providencia area, which was in the perfect location to take a day trip to Tequila. It is next to a large shopping mall, so it also has many places to eat nearby. Alternatively, you could stay in the Centro Historico to have easy access to all the historical sites.
Other hotel options in Guadalajara include the following:
- The Westin Guadalajara
- AC Hotel Guadalajara
- Hilton Guadalajara Midtown
- Doubletree Guadalajara Centro Historico
- Hotel Indigo Guadalajara Expo
What to do During Two Days in Guadalajara
Want a guided tour to start out your trip and get acclimated to the city? Then check out Guru Walks for a free guided tour. You can book online to reserve your spot and pay what you wish when you get there. Check out the tours in Guadalajara here.
Day 1
To start your two days in Guadalajara, you may want to do a private Guadalajara city tour as an orientation to the city. Alternatively, you could do this Guadalajara walking tour. We opted to explore the city on our own.
Hospicio Cabanas
Cost: $4
Hours: 10am-5pm
Start your two days in Guadalajara with a visit to Hospicio Cabanas. This museum was once one of the largest hospital complexes in the Americas and is now a museum complex. The highlight of the museum is its grand entrance hall with spectacular murals painted by José Clemente Orozco. Inside the museum are also several other rotating and permanent exhibitions. Plan to spend at least an hour exploring the exhibits.
Mercado Libertad
Cost: Free
Hours: Varies
Mercado Libertad is the place to go if you are looking for any fresh food or souvenirs during your two days in Guadalajara. This is the largest indoor market in Latin America. In addition, it is a center for music and entertainment. You can find something for everyone here!
Guadalajara Cathedral
Cost: Free
Hours: Varies
Next, take in the Guadalajara Cathedral. The Guadalajara Cathedral is one of the most iconic landmarks to see during your two days in Guadalajara. It blends the architectural styles of Gothic, Baroque, and Neoclassical. Construction of the cathedral began in 1561 and was completed in 1618. It is located in the city’s Plaza de Armas. Also in the plaza is the State of Jalisco Government Building.
Restaurante Fonda Catrina
Cost: $$
Hours: Varies by day and season
Restaurante Fonda Catrina is a fantastic place to stop at for lunch. They have several different lunch sets you can get that offer up dishes of the local cuisine. It comes with a drink, appetizer, entree, and dessert! There is usually someone on staff who speaks English, which makes it easy to learn about the menu and dishes.
De La O Cantina
Cost: $
Hours: 1pm-1am
The De La O Cantina is one of the top-rated bars in Guadalajara. This cantina is the perfect place to go to sample lots of local tequila. They have an extensive menu with all of the local brands. It’s a great place to rest your feet and grab a drink!
MUSA: Museum of the Arts
Cost: $2.50
Hours: Tues-Sat: 10am-6pm, Sun: 10am-3pm, Closed Mondays
This museum is one of the most iconic institutions to visit during your two days in Guadalajara. It houses a collection of modern and contemporary art with both permanent and temporary exhibitions. It is part of the University of Guadalajara and provides a vibrant hub for the arts.
Templo Expiatorio del Santísimo
Cost: Free
Hours: 6am-9pm
The Templo Expiatorio del Santísimo is one of the city’s most iconic architectural landmarks. This church is in the Neo-Gothic style with stained glass windows, spires, and detailed stonework. It is mostly known for the stunning clocktower that chimes every hour.
Kamilos 333
Cost: $
Hours: 9am-10pm
Kamilos 333 is an amazing dinner option to end your first of two days in Guadalajara. This renowned restaurant is known for its traditional dishes and “carne en su jugo” a signature beef strew. Many people also like their agua frescas. It is open for all meals, but I recommend heading there for dinner during your two days in Guadalajara.
Day 2
Take a day trip to Tequila
A day trip to Tequila is the perfect way to spend your second of two days in Guadalajara. There are multiple options for getting to Tequila. The most popular option is taking the Jose Cuervo Express. Alternatively, you can book a Tequila tour or a private tour to Tequila. We chose to hire a private driver to take us around to the different distilleries. Lastly, you could rent a car and drive yourself.
Tequila Cascahuin
Cost: $10+
Hours: 9am-5pm
During your trip to Tequila, I highly recommend visiting Cascahuin. A Cascahuin tequila tour will be the highlight of your two days in Guadalajara. This family-owned distillery was founded in 1904 and uses methods that have been passed down through the generations. The distillery produces a variety of tequilas, such as Blanco, Reposado and Añejo.
A tour runs around $10-$20 a person and you get to see the entire facility. More premium tours gives you a more extensive look at the process and the agae fields. After the tour, you will get to taste many of their tequilas out on their patio. You will need to email them at VISITAS@tequilacascahuin.com to book.
Fortaleza
Cost: $15+
Hours: 9am-4pm
Fortaleza is another popular distillery to visit in Tequila. It is much more commercialized than Cascahuin, but it is very popular with locals. The property is gorgeous and perfect if you want photos in agave fields. In addition, they have a popular taco cafe and other parts of the grounds to explore.
A tour will last 1-1.5 hours and you will get a tour of the facility and the property. The tour ends with a tasting in their infamous caves. The tour is usually in a large group and can fill up quickly if you do not book ahead of time.
More Than Two Days in Guadalajara
If you have more than two days in Guadalajara, you could opt to take some more day trips like a Lake Chapala day trip. You could spend another day in Tequila, or you could continue sampling the amazing restaurants, like Xokol or Cantina La Fuente, in Guadalajara. Alternatively, you could go on a private food tour. A great place to go for a walk or a hike is Bosque Los Colomos.
Final Tips for Two Days in Guadalajara
Guadalajara is the perfect destination for people who love tacos, tequila, and mariachi. If you have more time, you can pair it with a trip to Puerto Vallarta or Mexico City. No matter what, two days in Guadalajara will show you the best of this amazing city and provide an awesome weekend away.
