Mexico’s city of Guadalajara is the perfect base for day trips. Whether you are into tasting tequila, hiking around scenic lakes, or poking around old, colorful towns, it’s easy to arrange a personal guide and driver to take you on an adventure.
Lake Chapala, Mexico’s largest freshwater lake, is only 45 minutes by car from the heart of the city, where you will find the lakeside town of Ajijic, renowned for its art scene, pleasant climate, and scenic views, making it perfect for relaxing walks, dining by the water, or exploring local galleries. For history buffs, the nearby suburb of Tlaquepaque, just 20 minutes from the city center, is famous for its artisan crafts, vibrant markets, and colonial architecture. It’s an ideal place to linger over a long lunch or spend some cash on handcrafted souvenirs. If you are into nature, head to Barranca de Huentitán, also known as the "Grand Canyon of Western Mexico," about an hour from Guadalajara. You can hike until your leg muscles burn, become a voyeur of birds, or linger in the natural beauty, taking in the breathtaking views. About two hours outside Guadalajara is the city of Mazamitla, often called the "Switzerland of Mexico" for its alpine-style architecture and lush forests. The area is a haven for hiking, horseback riding, or merely escaping into nature for a night in a cozy lodge.
When we were recently in Guadalajara, my daughter and I concocted our own itinerary for a big day out:
Guachimontones
The drive to the incredible archaeological site of Guachimontones near the town of Teuchitlán was an emotional rollercoaster ride from fascination as the countryside whizzed by to a big, wide-eyed response when looking in the car’s rear-view mirror to find a massive machine gun almost poking through the rear window. The army was on the move and just so happened to be behind us. From police carrying big guns and their own machine guns hanging out at various intersections, to quirky tequila tasting huts spread out along the road, one can’t say the drive was boring. Leaving Guadalajara in the wee hours of the morning was not really welcomed by either of us, but strong coffee was the only saving grace pre-trip. For about an hour and a half, our jaws dropped at various intervals of incredulity.
Guachimontones is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist attraction, which is why we had such an early departure time, to beat the hordes. The Mexican government manages the site and features a visitor center and guided tours that educate visitors about its history, architecture, and cultural significance, which is well worth visiting before you head to the pyramids. Ongoing excavations and research continue to shed light on the mysteries of the Teuchitlán culture and its impressive architectural achievements. The name ‘Guachimontones’ derives from the local Teuchitlán language, meaning ‘place of the circular pyramids.’ The circular design of the pyramids is believed to have held religious significance, possibly representing cosmological concepts or serving as ceremonial centers for the community. Dating back to around 300 BCE to 900 CE, they are unlike traditional Mesoamerican pyramids, as Guachimontones are characterized by concentric circular terraces that create a series of stepped rings culminating in a flat top. The site consists of multiple of these circular pyramids, often accompanied by smaller platforms and ball courts, indicating the importance of ritual and social activities. As the pyramids are aligned with astronomical events, it’s believed that the inhabitants had a keen understanding of celestial movements.
Teuchitlán
Teuchitlán is a quaint, small, and historical town, set amidst a pretty landscape, only a short distance from the pyramids, with remnants of decorations from the Day of the Dead celebrations when we were there. A must-needed stop for another caffeine hit, and in hindsight, we should have filled up on food at the same time. The town dates back several centuries, with a central square at its heart and numerous historic buildings, quirky shops, museums, and unique landmarks preserving the architectural styles of past eras.
We had to backtrack for an hour or so through the countryside to get to our next stop.
Tequila – the town and the drink
Outside of the main enclave of the town of Tequila, the skinny roads are dusty and bumpy to get to the array of tequila houses, numbering about 25 to 30 active distilleries, all huddled together with their array of blue agave. Mexico produces more than 2,000 brands of tequila across the country, with the industry’s epicenter being the town of Tequila. This fiery and powerful drink was first produced in Mexico during the 16th Century after the Spanish conquistadors arrived. But it had been made for centuries before this (just not distilled) by the local indigenous people, who fermented the agave to make ‘pulque,’ a ceremonial wine. In fact, it would be criminal to be in Guadalajara and not visit one of the many distilleries, purely for historical reasons.
Tequila Fortaleza
We chose to go to Fortaleza, which has an impressive reputation for its rich history, traditional methods of craftsmanship, flavors, and commitment to quality. Tequila tasting at Fortaleza is an exceptional experience beginning with a tour of the distillery, where visitors can witness the meticulous process of making tequila, from the harvesting of blue agave to the fermentation and distillation processes. During the tasting session in a dimly lit cave, guests are introduced to a variety of tequila flavors, including blancos, reposados, and añejos. Our excellent, personable guide was on the cheeky side, and it was a hilarious experience watching the novice tequila drinkers knock back this potent brew, us included. It ended up quite a long tour, made longer by the drunken stumbling back to our car and driver. We blamed the fact that we had not eaten as the reason why the alcohol hit us so hard.
With tequila sloshing around our hungry, rumbling stomachs, we headed back to the town to eat.
Restaurant Antigua Casona, Tequila
A culinary gem of Tequila, Antigua Casona is the perfect place for lunch after a tequila tasting. Set in a stunning colonial building where you dine in an atrium with soaring glass ceilings, it’s the epitome of historical charm and a culinary treat where local flavors are presented in traditional dishes that will have your taste buds doing a Mexican hat dance, ‘Jarabe Tapatio.’ The restaurant uses locally sourced ingredients and wows its patrons with an innovative approach to classic recipes in an elegant setting. There’s also a super impressive wine list if you haven’t had enough tequila on your tour.
Tequila, the town
Tequila is a country town that sees huge numbers of tourists dining in its streets, tasting tequila at quirky tasting stations set up in the main square, or even visiting numerous distilleries via odd-looking tequila barrel contraptions running along the cobblestoned roads. It’s a place where most people are smiling, singing with mariachis that have stopped by their alfresco table, or rushing in a mad jumble of swinging arms and wobbly legs from one distillery to the next in a panic that the tequila will run out before they get there—this is impossible! You can even get the Jose Cuervo Express tequila train from Guadalajara, which apparently is an excellent day out. If you contemplate doing the train ride (with copious amounts of tequila available for the ride), ensure that you are in Guadalajara on a Saturday—that’s the only day it runs.
Endless blue agave landscapes surround the town of Tequila, while its picturesque streets are lined with colorful buildings, vibrant markets, and plenty of historic churches to dawdle through. The town's history dates back to pre-Hispanic times and has a wealth of cultural sites to explore. The Parish of Santiago Apostol, a stunning baroque-style church built in the 17th century, stands as a testament to the town's historical significance.
Tequila, the drink and the town, are the iconic symbols of Mexico’s heritage and tradition, and my impression of the town is that I have never been to such a happy place where dancing in the street during the day is a common sight.
Note:
On February 3, 2026, Mexican authorities made a significant move by arresting Diego Rivera Navarro, the mayor of Tequila, Jalisco, along with three other officials, on charges of corruption and cartel collaboration. The arrests have sent shockwaves through the region, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by Mexican authorities in combating corruption and cartel influence, especially in economically vital areas like Tequila.
Many countries have put Mexico on the ‘reconsider your need to travel’ list since 24th February 2026, when a major cartel boss was killed by law enforcement in Jalisco. Subsequent criminal violence erupted across numerous areas in Mexico. Before going to Mexico, check with your country’s government travel advisory.
Gail Palethorpe, a self proclaimed Australian gypsy, is a freelance writer, photographer and eternal traveller. Check out her website Gail Palethorpe Photography and her Shutterstock profile.
