🌄 1. Metropolitan Area: Guadalajara and Surroundings

🏙️ Guadalajara – Cultural and Urban Heart

Things to do:

• Historic Center: Visit the Cathedral, Teatro Degollado, and Plaza Tapatía.

• Hospicio Cabañas (UNESCO): Art, history, and murals by José Clemente Orozco.

• San Juan de Dios Market: Traditional flavors, crafts, and local products.

• Chapultepec: Cafés, nightlife, bookstores, and coworking spaces.

• Colonia Americana: Architecture, street art, bars, and boutique hostels.

Tips:

• Use Mi Macrobus and light rail for transportation (cheap and safe).

• Great for digital nomads: spaces like Nevermind and Epic Nest Coworking.

🎨 Tlaquepaque & Tonalá – Art, Ceramics, and Tradition

Craft towns south of Guadalajara.
Pedestrian streets full of galleries, workshops, and markets.

Recommendation: Visit on a Sunday for a traditional vibe (music, dancers, and local food).

🌊 2. Jalisco Coast: Puerto Vallarta, Costalegre & More

🏖️ Puerto Vallarta – Beach, Mountains, and Community

Highlights:

• Malecón: Sculptures, street art, and a bohemian vibe.

• Romantic Zone: Cafés, galleries, LGBT+ tourism, and great for remote work.

• Los Muertos & Conchas Chinas Beaches: Calm for swimming and relaxing.

Activities:

• Whale watching (Dec–Mar).

• Paragliding or zip-lining in the Sierra Madre.

• Paddleboarding and kayaking in Banderas Bay.

Tips:

• Use shared taxis or intercity buses.

• Support eco-projects like Ecotours Vallarta and sustainable tours.

🐢 Costalegre – Hidden Gems of the Pacific

A lesser-known coastal route south of Vallarta: Yelapa, Mayto, Pizota, Tenacatita.
Virgin beaches, community-run turtle sanctuaries, eco-lodges or cabins.

Transportation:

• Reach by boat from Boca de Tomatlán, or bus + local truck from Vallarta.

🌄 3. Highlands of Jalisco: Tequila, Magic Towns & Tradition

🥃 Tequila – The Soul of Agave

Blue agave fields (UNESCO), stunning landscapes.
Visit sustainable distilleries like Casa Herradura or José Cuervo.
Tequila Express or José Cuervo Express trains offer a unique (but pricey) experience.

Tip: Go independently by bus from Guadalajara (~2 hrs) and explore smaller, responsible projects.

🌵 Tapalpa & Mazamitla – Magic Towns in the Forest

Located in the Sierra del Tigre: cabins, waterfalls, and misty forests.
Activities: hiking, mountain biking, and zip-lining.

Mazamitla is more touristy; Tapalpa feels quieter and more rustic.

🌽 4. Tapatío Cuisine – Flavors You Must Try

• Tortas ahogadas: Pork sandwich in salty bread drenched in tomato sauce.

• Birria: Goat or beef slow-cooked underground.

• Tejuino: Fermented corn drink served with ice.

• Jericallas: A dessert between flan and custard.

• Try pozole tapatío and Sayula’s pozolillo in smaller towns.

♻️ Recommended Sustainable Accessories

• Portable water filter (great for small towns).

• Light clothing for humid zones, warmer layers for the highlands.

• Waterproof bag for the coast, reusable cloth bags.

• Biodegradable sunscreen (for the beach).

• Reusable utensils and your own thermo or filter bottle.

🚍 How to Get Around Jalisco

• In cities: light rail, public bikes (MiBici), and collective transport.

• Between towns/cities: Buses from ETN, Primera Plus, and local lines.

• Coastal and mountain areas: local vans; rent a car only if necessary.

• Avoid using Uber in rural zones, where it’s expensive or disrupts local systems.

🌐 Internet and Remote Work

• Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta have strong connections, coworking spaces, and cafés.

• Tequila, Tapalpa, and coastal villages have limited signal.

Tip: Use a Telcel or AT&T SIM, or carry a portable modem for remote work.

📅 Best Time to Visit

• Dry season (Nov–Apr): Best for coast and magic towns.

• Rainy season (Jun–Sep): Greener landscapes but more humidity in the mountains.

• Avoid Easter and Christmas holidays if you're seeking a peaceful trip.