Day Trips from Guadalajara — Tequila, Lake Chapala & Guachimontones

Guadalajara sits at the centre of one of Mexico’s most rewarding day-trip networks. Within two hours in any direction, you have agave country, ancient circular pyramids, Mexico’s largest natural lake, and one of the country’s best artisan shopping districts. None of these require a tour group — though joining one for Tequila town makes the journey considerably more fun.

The Tequila Express

The Tequila Express is the most theatrical way to reach Mexico’s most famous town. The train departs from the Guadalajara train station (Estación del Ferrocarril) on Avenida Washington on Friday evenings and at weekends, covering the 60-kilometre route through agave fields at a pace that lets you absorb the landscape properly. Tickets cost approximately USD 80–95 per person as of 2026 and include a mariachi band, open bar of tequila and food, and admission to one of the distilleries upon arrival.

The Jose Cuervo La Rojeña distillery — the world’s oldest operating tequila distillery, founded in 1758 — offers guided tours that walk through the fermentation tanks, aging barrels, and bottling lines. The tour takes roughly 90 minutes and is bookable directly through Viator or GetYourGuide from approximately USD 25 on top of standard entrance. If the express train schedule doesn’t suit, private driver services from Guadalajara run the route for approximately MXN 800–1,200 return, or shared colectivo buses depart from Central Camionera for around MXN 100 each way.

In town itself, the main plaza is compact and walkable. Beyond Jose Cuervo, Herradura and Sauza both operate facilities on the outskirts — Herradura’s Hacienda San José del Refugio is particularly well-preserved and accepts drop-in visitors in the mornings.

Lake Chapala and Ajijic

Lake Chapala is the largest natural lake in Mexico, stretching 80 kilometres east to west and reaching depths of around 7 metres. The lake sits at 1,500 metres above sea level, which keeps temperatures mild year-round and draws a large community of North American expats, particularly to the village of Ajijic on the western shore.

Chapala town itself is about 45 minutes south of Guadalajara. The promenade (malecón) runs along the northern shore and is the focal point for weekend visitors — food stalls sell fresh pescado blanco (white fish from the lake), refreshments, and handmade crafts. A short boat ride from the pier takes you to Isla de los Alacranes, a small island with a restaurant and lake views. Return boat trips cost approximately MXN 200–300 per person.

Ajijic, about 8 kilometres west of Chapala town, has a cobblestone centre lined with galleries, expat cafés, and a Thursday artisan market. The village has a slower pace than Guadalajara and is particularly pleasant mid-week when the weekend crowds from the city are absent. Buses between Chapala town and Ajijic run frequently and cost MXN 15–20.

Guachimontones Pyramids

The Guachimontones archaeological zone near Teuchitlán, approximately 1.5 hours west of Guadalajara, contains one of the most architecturally unusual pre-Columbian sites in Mexico. The pyramids here are circular — a form nearly unique to the Teuchitlán culture, which flourished in the region from roughly 300 BCE to 900 CE. The main structure, Círculo 2, rises about 18 metres and sits at the centre of a flat circular platform ringed by smaller mounds and a ball court.

Admission costs approximately MXN 80 per person as of 2026. The site museum provides context on the circular temple tradition and the shaft tombs found throughout Jalisco. Allow around two hours to walk the main circuits at a relaxed pace. The nearest town, Teuchitlán, is 4 kilometres from the site entrance and has a small central plaza and basic restaurants for lunch.

Getting there without a car requires taking a bus to Tala and then a local taxi or colectivo to the site — total journey time around two hours. Most visitors find it easier to rent a car for the day (from approximately MXN 700–900 including insurance) or book a tour through operators such as Viator or local Guadalajara agencies, which charge approximately USD 55–80 including transport and entrance.

Tlaquepaque

Tlaquepaque is Guadalajara’s artisan district and sits just 15 minutes from the city centre by Uber or taxi (approximately MXN 80–120). The neighbourhood is technically a separate municipality but functions as an extension of the city for visitors.

The pedestrianised Calle Independencia is the main shopping corridor, lined with galleries and workshops selling blown glass, talavera ceramics, hand-painted furniture, leather goods, and silver jewellery. Prices here are considerably lower than in tourist markets elsewhere in Mexico, and the quality of the craft work is high — many of the workshops export commercially to the United States.

The central El Parián square has a covered walkway of cantinas where mariachi groups perform from midday onwards. Lunch at one of the courtyard restaurants along Independencia — typical mains run MXN 130–280 — turns a shopping trip into a half-day outing easily.

Laguna de Cajititlán

Less visited than Lake Chapala, Laguna de Cajititlán sits about 40 minutes south of Guadalajara near the town of Tlajomulco. The lake is smaller but quieter and works well as a secondary stop if you’re already heading south towards Chapala.

Boat rentals on the lake cost approximately MXN 200–350 per hour. The small church in the lakeside town and the views across the water at dusk make it worth arriving in the late afternoon if you’re combining it with a Lake Chapala morning. On weekends, local families set up food stalls selling birria, pescado, and fresh aguas frescas along the shoreline.

Getting There

• Tequila town: Tequila Express train (USD 80–95, weekends), or colectivo bus from Central Camionera (~MXN 100 each way), or private driver (~MXN 800–1,200 return)
• Lake Chapala: Bus from Central Vieja (~MXN 80–100 one way, 45 min) or taxi/Uber (~MXN 300–400)
• Guachimontones: Rental car (~MXN 700–900/day) or guided tour from Guadalajara (~USD 55–80)
• Tlaquepaque: Uber or taxi from centro (~MXN 80–120, 15 min)
• Laguna de Cajititlán: Uber or rental car (~40 min south)

All prices and travel times are approximate and may vary seasonally.