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.

Frida's Museum

If you visit the Frida Kahlo's museum you are going to really love the house and the outside garden, it's beautiful, and you must admire the vivid and bold colors, the various decor and themes of the rooms, the beauty in it's pure escense, you can feel Frida and Diego's spirit within.

National Palace (Palacio Nacional)

This isn't Versailles, but it was the Viceroy's palace during the colonial period, and now is a government building. The best thing is the murals, painted by one of Mexico's greatest and most famous artists. It's free to get in, but you must have an ID on you (no age limit though). These murals are some of Rivera's most famous. The palace has a courtyard in the middle, and the rooms on every floor open out onto the courtyard, so there is an open hallway on the second floor, which you can circulate around to take in all the murals. Brilliant work. At 6:00pm every day, the huge flag in the center of the adjoining Zócalo (main plaza) is lowered, with a military ceremony. The platoon which guards the square and performs the ceremony starts from the Palacio and returns there at the end. The Zócalo is the beating heart of Mexico City and is not to be missed, the Palacio is part of that.

Chichen Itzá

Chichén Itzá is the largest ruined city of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization, located in the Yucatan Peninsula. El Castillo or The Pyramid of Kukulcan is the most famous structure, and was a temple dedicated to the Feathered Serpent God, Kukulcan. You can find many sculptures of the Feathered Serpents run down the sides of the northern staircase, and a great view of the whole site from the top of this Temple.