Travel to Mexico

Ex Convento del Carmen

The ex-Convento del Carmen is one of the most beautiful places in Guadalajara, even though after almost being destroyed, only part of the main buildings and the chapel remains. It has been remodelled, however, and is definitely worth a visit. Today, the ex-Convento functions as a cultural center. Some of its halls display art exhibitions while others stage plays, recitals and chamber music concerts. Dance performances are held in the main courtyard

Instituto de la Artesanía Jalisciense

The Institute is located at Parque Agua Azul, one of Guadalajara's most traditional sites. The aim of the Institute is to protect, preserve, exhibit and promote the state's handicraft traditions as a kind of co-operative retailer for the state's artisans. On sale is everything from ceramics, blown glass and textiles, wrought iron to papier mache, silver pieces, traditional indigenous Huichol art and other crafts all from throughout the municipalities of Jalisco including Tlaquepaque, Sayula, Colotlán, Ciudad Guzmán, Tonalá and Talpa.

Centro de Ciencia y Tecnología

The city planetarium, designed to introduce science to the general population, was opened in 1982 and named after the distinguished scientist and priest Severo Días Saavedra. Discover the components of an aeroplane, enter the cockpit of a Boeing 707 or a F-105 fighter bomber. On the softer side, the human body is explored with full-scale, anatomic models. Astronomy enthusiasts can observe the stars every Friday from 8pm and take a workshop to construct a working telescope

Tequila Sauza

Learn the painstaking process involved in making Tequila in Jalisco, the birthplace of Mexico's national drink. While here, you can view a series of murals including that of Jose María Servín depicting the origin and customs surrounding the agave-based liquor, Guillermo Cháves' work and Gabriel Flores' "Mitología e historia del tequila" (Mythology and History of Tequila). Enjoy a shot of tequila, on the house, to accompany the tour.

Santísima Trinidad

The church of the Santísima Trinidad owns the most exquisite Baroque façades in all of Mexico. It could even be compared with the Sagrario Metropolitano. The façade of Santisima Trinidad shows the Baroque style taken to its utmost limits, in a complex fusion of Spanish and indigenous designs. The focal point is a stone poem, created between 1755 and 1783 by the artist Lorenzo Rodríguez. It shows pinnacles, columns, angels, the twelve Apostles and Christ, resting on God.

Pista Lomas Verdes

This place has courses in figure-skating and ice-hockey for the more athletically inclined. At other times, the rink turns into a giant disco, perfect for party animals. They rent equipment out on a daily basis and instructors are at hand to help keep you on your feet.

Chapultepec Forest

One of the most popular destination among the city's children and teenagers is to hire a boat and row around the lake located in the Chapultepec Forest. Here people can take to the water, accompanied by the local duck and goose population,It is a nice place for a families outdoor activities, right in the heart of the city.

Rinconado

This is an odd phenomena, a sort of strip mall between Carrizalillo beach, the Shalom hostel, and an area of vacation rentals and hotels. It has two blocks long and one building, it contains an English language library, two Internet places (one good one with chairs on the passageway, and one really bad one closer to the hostel), some decoration stores, a laundrymat, and a few daytime restaurants. Lots of worldwide tourists getting breakfast and coffee along the covered passageway in front of the stores. Walk out back to a wonderful beach, sit there and sip and chat while your clothes get washed. It's really sort of nowhere, but good to know about, especially if you're spending the day at the cove beaches of Carrizalillo and Manzanillo. Consider it a life support system for goofing off at the beach... nicely located AWAY from the beach.