Day 12: Zacatecas - What to do in Guadalajara
Today our day starts at 5 in the morning, ending our stay in Zacatecas to start with the visits to do in Guadalajara We have planned, the city that will be our last stop at this stage of this trip to Mexico in 45 days, in which we have visited several colonial cities.
At 7 in the morning we go down to the reception of the Hotel Casa Torres, which has been our accommodation in Zacatecas these days ago and where after checking out we are asked for a taxi that takes us for 60 pesos to the Central Station, from where at 8 our bus leaves, this time from the bus company, which will take us from Zacatecas to Guadalajara.
How to go from Zacatecas to Guadalajara
As in previous journeys of this trip to Mexico for free, the transfer from Zacatecas to Guadalajara can be done with several companies. In this case we have chosen Bus only for a schedule issue, since this company allowed us to leave at 8 in the morning, thus arriving at 1 noon to Guadalajara, something that will allow us to enjoy practically the afternoon today for complete, in addition to tomorrow.
After the experience also and comparing it with ETN, we have to say that we have liked the buses of the latter, only for a matter of space, since the seats are somewhat wider, something that in long trips is appreciated. And although Omnibus also has a cafeteria service, plugs, seat recliners and Wi-Fi, they are not as comfortable as ETN.
We leave punctually at 8 in the morning, saying goodbye to the city, remembering the many things to do in Zacatecas that we did yesterday and through which we can confirm that this city has been a surprise for us and has become one of the Essential places to visit in Mexico.
From Zacatecas to Guadalajara we have a 5-hour trip that we make surrounded by incredible landscapes from which we take our eyes off from time to time to review the planning of things what to do in Guadalajara that we have planned for this afternoon and with which, practically without realizing it, we arrive on time, at 1 noon, at the Central Station of Guadalajara, which receives us with a gray sky, for the first time on this trip.
After collecting our bags, the first thing we do is ask for an UBER to take us to our hotel, the One Guadalajara Centro, which will be our accommodation in Guadalajara the next two nights, for 120 pesos. But as it has happened to us in the last occasions with UBER, when having these problems with the taxi drivers at the stations, the driver after waiting 15 minutes cancels the service, so we have to take a taxi that for 170 pesos takes us to the hotel.
More practical information to prepare your trip to Mexico
- 10 essential places to visit in Mexico
- 10 essential tips for traveling to Mexico
- Best travel insurance for Mexico
- Security in Mexico
We arrive at the hotel when it is just after 2 in the afternoon and it is that the traffic in Guadalajara at this time of the day is remarkable, so it is a quick check-in and after leaving our luggage, go straight in search of a restaurant to eat in that calms the stomach that is already demanding attention.
Our first option is La Chata de Guadalajara, one of the most recommended restaurants in the city, which we also have very close to the hotel, but when we arrive we find that there is a fairly important queue and it's almost 3 in the afternoon, for what we decided to make a change of option and leave this one for tonight and go directly to the Café Boutique, in the Degollado Theater, one of the visits to do in Guadalajara We have planned for this afternoon.
We ordered some nachos, a plate of jicama, a pizza and salad, which we already needed to eat green, plus beer and soda and coffees for 450 pesos. All great, although you have to keep in mind that you can only pay in cash.
Boutique Cafe
It's 4 in the afternoon when we start the itinerary of all visits to do in Guadalajara that we have planned, starting with the Degollado Theater, which is right where we have eaten.
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What to do in Guadalajara
Known for being the second largest city in Mexico, Guadalajara with more than 4 million inhabitants, it is an incredible city where you can enjoy a few days between its historic center Zapopan, Tlaquepaque and Tonalá.
Throat cut theatre
Headquarters of the Guadalajara Philharmonic, the Degollado Theater is one of the visits to do in Guadalajara that you can't miss With many similarities that remind us of a Greek temple, on its facade you can see several columns and an incredible frieze.
Throat cut theatre
Guadalajara Regional Museum
Although we have not visited due to lack of time, this museum is one of the best known museums in the city, in which a tour of the city's history is made. Its schedule is from 19 to 17:30 from Tuesday to Saturday and until 16:30 on Sundays.
Main Square. Guadalajara's cathedral
The Cathedral is one of the places to see in Guadalajara that you can not miss, besides being one of the most visited in the city. With several areas rebuilt after the earthquake, as the towers are said to carry on its foundations even before Guadalajara existed.
In addition to the outside we advise you to spend a few minutes inside, which highlights the stained glass window of the Last Supper,
Government palace
Very close to the Plaza de Armas we find the Government Palace, where the government offices are located. Although we do not enter, inside you can see various socialist murals that, as explained, are very interesting.
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Roundabout of the Illustrious Jaliscenses
With a name that perfectly defines what we will find in it, the Rotunda of the Illustrious Jaliscenses is neither more nor less than a square in which you can see the sculptures of 20 illustrious characters of the city.
Plaza de los Jaliscenses Ilustres
Guadalajara Square
In the western part of the Guadalajara Cathedral we find this small square, where you can enjoy the day-to-day life of the inhabitants of the city, who usually stop by at any time of day.
Liberation Square
In the eastern part of the Cathedral we find the Liberation Square, one of the best-known squares in the city, where the Legislative Palace and the Palace of Justice are located.
courthouse
Tapatia Square
Arriving at Plaza Tapatía from the Cathedral is synonymous with following a wide pedestrian zone, just like the square, which is a bit gray for us, although it is not something we believe matters to the hundreds of people who meet in this place, day after day, to enjoy the place, the atmosphere or the many little shops that gather in every corner of the square.
Tapatia Square
National Cabañas Institute
This museum, considered one of the symbols of the city, is another of the visits to do in Guadalajara that you can't miss
Cabañas Cultural Institute
From here and after resting for a while, we step back on our steps and we will cross Morelos Street, one of the arteries of the city. Today especially lively as it is a shopping street and it is a weekend in addition to the Christmas season, until reaching the Fountain of the Meón children, which represents the childhood joy and it is one of the many works of the sculptor Miguel Miramontes.
Morelos Street
It's 8 in the afternoon when we just did the visits to do in Guadalajara that we had planned for this afternoon and the truth is that after these hours, if we want to be honest, we have mixed opinions about the city and it is that perhaps influenced by the cloudy and gray afternoon that has accompanied us, we have found Guadalajara as a city with a somewhat atmosphere rough that has not finished convincing us, but that we hope tomorrow will show us one more face friendly and colorful.
Being the time it is and having eaten today later than usual, we decided to go directly to the One Guadalajara Centro hotel to work for a while, update everything and rest for tomorrow to return to the streets a Guadalajara, we hope that much more colorful than We've seen her today
In this tour we highlight the Essential visits to Guadalajara, among which are the Degollado Theater, the Plaza de Armas, the Guadalajara Cathedral, the Guadalajara Square, the Rotunda of the Illustrious Jaliscenses, the Liberation Square and the Tapatia Square.
Day 13: Go to Tonalá from Guadalajara - Tlaquepaque
