Guadalajara, Mexico: Mercado Libertad; things to do

Mercado Libertad 

(also known as San Juan market) 

On Avenida Javier Mina/Calle Independencia.  Daily 6am-8pm. 

The gigantic Mercado Libertad market—it is Latin America’s largest indoor market--features traditional handicrafts and flowers and more on the ground floor, and fruits and vegetables in fondas (food stalls) on the second floor.  You can buy everything from a taco or parakeet to fine silver jewelry and fancy leather boots.

boots for sale at Mercado Libertad in Guadalajara, Mexico

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image c2013 Carole Terwilliger Meyers 

Guadalajara, Mexico: Tlaquepaque; things to do

Tlaquepaque  

7 miles/20-minute cab ride SE of downtown Guadalajara.

couple relax on a bench in Tlaquepaque, Mexico

Pronounced “tla-key-pah-key,” this town’s name is an Indian word meaning “over the hills of clay.” Tlaquepaque is famous for its pottery and blown glass--handcrafts that have been passed down through generations of residents—but a wide range of handcrafts is displayed in the many galleries. Beautiful old mansions on the main shopping street (closed to traffic) have been transformed into attractive shops, galleries, and restaurants. The main square, Jardin Hidalgo, is filled with flowers and mature trees and surrounded by churches, bars, and a market. Designers and decorators come here from all over the world in search of blown glass, ceramics, furniture, paintings, fabrics, and antiques.



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image c2011 Greg Vaughn

Guadalajara, Mexico: Take a ride in a calandria cab; things to do

Take a ride in a calandria cab in Guadalajara, Mexico

The charming calandria horse-drawn carriages have been touring people around Guadalajara’s historic City Center since 1912. They were named for their original bright yellow color, which brings to mind a lark or a "calandria" bird. Now most of the carriages are white. Passengers board at stage stations downtown, then ride by colonial buildings, parks, squares, and mansions. Drivers relay the rich history of the city (most do not speak English). At one time there were 200 carriages, but now only 50 remain--they’ve been replaced by buses.

horse-drawn calandria cab in Guadalajara, Mexico

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image c2011 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Guadalajara, Mexico: Ride the Tequila Express; things to do

Ride the Tequila Express  

F-Sun. Reservations advised.

One of only two passenger trains left in Mexico (Copper Canyon is other), the festive, usually crowded, journey on the Tequila Express includes a two-hour-long scenic train ride, a distillery tour, a Mexican buffet, a folkloric dance show, and strolling mariachis, not to mention all the Tequila, beer, or soft drinks you can consume. Every weekend, this train journeys from Guadalajara through the agave fields to the town of AMATITAN, to the very old Hacienda San Jose del Refugio distillery, where Herradura tequila is produced (the one with a horseshoe symbol, and the only Tequila that doesn’t use yeast in production). Dedicated to partying, mariachis begin belting out tunes at the Guadalajara Railroad Depot. When travelers are on board, waiters pass by offering beer or a Tequila cocktail and return again and again, and no one is in any special hurry to arrive. Mariachis wander from car to car. It is a lot like one of those Mexican bay cruises, except on rails.


mariachis warm everyone up at the train station

these kids keep the party going!

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videos c2010 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

updated August 27, 2023

Guadalajara, Mexico: spider sculptures; things to do

spider sculptures in Guadalajara, Mexico

While recently riding in a charming horse-drawn calandria cab through downtown Guadalajara, I viewed the “creepy spider sculptures” by Alejandro Colunga that are displayed on a small plaza there.

Learn more about the artist.

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image c2010 Carole Terwilliger Meyers