Spirited Escape to Jalisco: Guadalajara & Tequila

Fly into Guadalajara, meet your private chauffeur to transfer, and check in to your hotel. Take some time to get settled and explore your accommodation.

For dinner, reserve a table at Casa de los Platos. Set in a beautiful finca with lush gardens, this restaurant serves refined Jalisco cuisine accompanied by craft cocktails and live mariachi on select evenings. Order tableside guacamole spiced to your liking and ask your waiter for tequila pairings. If you prefer something more casual after your flight, opt for tortas ahogadas at El Arabe or street tacos at Taqueria Tomate—classic local favorites.

Begin the morning at your own pace or with a private walking tour of Guadalajara’s historic core. Start at Plaza de Armas and the cathedral; your guide will share stories about their 16th‑century origins. Continue to the 19th‑century Teatro Degollado, then wander through shaded plazas for people‑watching and a café de olla. Shop for artisanal finds at Mercado Libertad (San Juan de Dios)—Latin America’s largest indoor market—and let a market expert steer you toward the best birria, fresh‑pressed jugo, and handmade crafts.

For lunch, head to El Sacromonte, an elegant restaurant known for its inventive takes on regional recipes. Ask for the chef’s tasting menu and sample dishes like chile en nogada or pork in adobo. After lunch, choose between visiting MUSA (the Museum of the Arts) to see contemporary Mexican works, or exploring Mercado Juarez for a less touristy shopping experience. In the late afternoon, take a siesta or book a spa treatment at your hotel.

Dinner brings you to Santo Coyote, a restaurant that feels like a living museum. Enter through a candlelit courtyard and sit beneath terracotta sculptures as servers prepare salsas and moles tableside. The menu celebrates fermented flavors, smoked meats, and heirloom corn—perfect fuel before an evening at Casa Bariachi, where mariachi bands perform nightly. Reserve a private table and enjoy the show with a mezcal flight.

Check out of your Guadalajara hotel (unless you're planning to head back to Guadalajara tonight) and meet your driver for the 45‑minute journey west. Stop first in Amatitán for breakfast tacos and coffee; consider a quick detour to the Grutas de Amatitán to learn local legends about the caves. From here, your road skirts fields of blue agave—your guide can arrange a short walk through the rows and explain the Jimadores’ harvest technique. Arrive midday in the Pueblo Mágico of Tequila, where the agave landscape is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Begin with a private tour and tasting at Casa Herradura or Casa Noble to learn about production methods, then continue to a second distillery, such as Fortaleza, Siete Lenguas, or La Cofradía for a boutique experience. Many of these producers offer pairing menus or agave cocktail classes—book in advance.

Stroll the town plaza with a cantarito in hand (tequila with citrus juices, served in a clay mug) and browse stalls selling hand‑beaded jewelry and woven bags. If the Voladores de Papantla are performing, pause to watch their gravity‑defying ritual and tip the dancers. In the evening, arrange a tequila masterclass with a local expert or dine at La Cholula, known for its banderita flights and carne en su jugo (beef stewed in its own juices).

Optional: Stay overnight in Tequila at Hotel Solar de los Ánimas or a private hacienda. If you’re returning to Guadalajara the same day, plan for a relaxed evening back at your city hotel.

Enjoy a leisurely morning at your Tequila hotel. Midday, meet a Cuervo ambassador for an expedited, behind‑the‑scenes tour of La Rojeña, the oldest distillery in Latin America. After the tour, board the Jose Cuervo Express for the sunset return to Guadalajara. The VIP carriage includes priority boarding, dedicated attendants, an open bar with premium tequilas and mezcal, live music, and comfortable lounge seating. The train is a one-of-a-kind experience, delivering panoramic views of the agave fields bathed in golden light while you enjoy a selection of premium tequila flights and gourmet bites.

Upon arriving back in Guadalajara, check into your hotel and prepare for dinner at Allium. This farm‑to‑table restaurant uses locally sourced ingredients in creative dishes. Reservations are essential and the tasting menu can be customized for vegetarians or allergies. Alternatively, try La Docena for oysters and seafood or Hueso for avant‑garde Jalisco cuisine.

Spend the morning enjoying your hotel’s pool, spa, or gym. In the early afternoon, transfer 20 minutes to Tlaquepaque, an artsy suburb famed for its ceramics workshops and galleries. The main square often hosts live mariachi. Linger with an ice‑cold michelada and soak up the music—and maybe a torta ahogada (pictured). Wander down Calle Independencia past colorful colonial buildings and browse handmade pottery, blown glass, and leather goods.

Enjoy dinner at I Latina, a refined dining room with a tasting menu inspired by Latin American flavors. Expect exceptionally creative and delicious dishes paired with excellent service. After dinner, those curious about pre‑Hispanic drinks can visit a traditional pulquería to sample pulque, a fermented maguey beverage reminiscent of kombucha.

On your final day, squeeze in any last‑minute shopping, a market visit, or a morning yoga session. Transfer from your hotel to the airport—from downtown Guadalajara, it takes 30 to 60 minutes to reach the international terminal. If time allows, stop by a local bakery for conchas, cookies, or pan dulce to take home. After a farewell glass of tequila, depart knowing you’ve experienced Jalisco’s culture, cuisine, and landscapes in depth.