Chingon Guadalajara

02.10.2017 – 09.10.2017

443 Pesos was the cost of the ticket from Puerto Vallarta to Guadalajara. We took a bus from the centre of PVR to the bus terminal and the travel took about 6-7 hours due to a lot of traffic in Guadalajara.

Marc and I stayed in the awesome Hostal Nacional at the street Lopez Cotilla near to Avenida Chapultepec.

The first day we had a walk around the centre of Guadalajara, the old part. Plaza de la Liberacion, Catedral de Guadalajara and Plaza de Armas.

It was Tuesday night and that means in Guadalajara LUCHA LIBRE!!! With the help of the hostal we got some tickets and our private Lucha Libre guide. That was fun. Also try to understand what they are shouting. They shouted for sure Puto and as far as I remember Putos de abajo. 😀

Before we (Marc, I and the English “decent” clan) headed to Chapala, we ate a big cheap salad near out hostel. The place was called deli-salads (Lopez Cotilla and Calle Marsella).

By Uber (ca. 300 pesos) we drove from Guadalajara to Chapala, which is a lovely town with an awesome lake and malecon. Unfortunately the people there did not recommend swimming in the lake due to the pollution. Also rent a boat to see the nearby island and sights due to an incident we did not rent a boat…. Also what a saw that they have a lot of nice restaurant, buffets and bars which opens during the evening. We did not experience that. But anyway enjoy the market on the plaza, my friend both some really cheap nice leather accessories.

Next day we went to the nearby canyon. One entrance is near to the street Belisario Dominguez and take enough water with you. I remember that we needed around 1h 30 minutes down and a little bit more to climb up again. It is definitely worth it!!! Let the pictures speak for themselves.

Tequila Express with Jose Curevo

On that trip I met the three lovely women from all around Mexico, with whom I spent the ride from Guadalajara to Tequila. Thanks J. The program looked following.

With the train I left Guadalajara and near Tequila we changed to buses. During the change of transportation a traditional music band was playing and you had the opportunity to buy some sombreros.

Later we arrived at the headquarter of Jose Cuervo, where you see some interestings things.

After a walk around the HQ, the guest were invited to the auditorium where a tequila expert explained us how to taste tequila. I tasted tequila with coffee beans (to neutralize the smell in your nose) and also fermented sweet agave, was an awesome experience.

Then the tour guides took us on the exhibition tour of the factory and the awesome buildings around the HQ. After the tour of course you have enough time to buy tequila even they offer you a deposit service for your new belongings.

After the tour I had time for myself to have a look at the city of Tequila. Also I met Marc for some awesome birria des res in the Mercado Municipal Tequila, a must!

With a full stomach I headed back to the headquarter, where a traditional dance and music show was waiting for me.

Last but not at least I also head a chance to see how an unharvested agave looked like. With the whole group we went to the countryside, where some farmers showed us how to harvest the agave. Also more tequila and more music were waiting for us!!! After that I went with the bus back to Guadalajara.

During the whole trip for sure you had enough opportunity to drink for free and eat some snacks, here a small list:

In the train terminal for breakfast: coffee, hot chocolate, fruits and even some buiscuits
In the train: a snack bag was waiting with sandwich fruits and yoghurt
During the ride: cocktail service, strawberry cocktail, vampire, paloma and even cervezas
Arrival in the HQ: more tequila cocktails
During the exhibition tour: some more tequila
Again back in the HQ: more paloma
On the countryside: more tequila, however you want it
On the bus: take some drinks from the bar into the bus

Note: there are two possible ways one is
by train to tequila and by bus back or
by bus to tequila and by train back

I took first the train and then the bus so I can enjoy the train ride with full energy and in the bus back I can take some nap.

It was also time to taste the night life in GDL. We went to Lola Lolita, which was a crazy strange night club. Until 00:20 just girls were allowed in the main room due to the ongoing striptease show for women. Hahahah. And the boys, who needed a toilet, were blindfolded and guided through the main room. Due to the blindness the girls could do anything like touching you everywhere… crazy…

The last day I spent eating the most delicious tacos and tostadas!!! A small list of my favourite food places: for helping you locating the places in Mercado libertad I made some photos of the menu and the sign of the food stand.

deli-salads (Lopez Cotilla and Calle Marsella)
Tequila Mercado, in Tequila
Mercado Libertad
- Tacos chava, try the bistek, pastor and barbacoa
- Mariscos La Chipa, try the Tostadas de camaron
- And for sure the birrias there
El Cuino (Taco Catrin)
- Delicious tacos but a little more expensive, but still 4.5 out of 5. Awesome taste, I fully disagree with the google rating