Hi Paradise Seekers! Today I want to tell you about a cool travel destination in Mexico. I know, I know….Tulum is all the craze these days and every travel or fashion blogger is posting about how to spend sunny days on this Mexican beach…and don’t get me wrong, I’ll jump on that bandwagon any second! But Mexico is a huge, beautiful country with plenty to offer when choosing a vacay destination. Last summer I got my taste of Guadalajara and today I’d like to share with you, #paradiseseekers, the five must-dos in Guadalajara:

1. Stay at Hotel Morales:

Beautiful decor throughout sunlit patios and spacious, colonial-style rooms. Balconies and corridors with the greenest, most beautiful plants on every floor. This beautiful hotel, with elegant touches, bold colors, and perfect symmetry is a designer’s dream. The house-turned-luxury-hotel is centrally located and the staff is super friendly. The restaurant within the hotel is a great option for breakfast!

2. Enjoy lunch at Casa Fayette:

An Instagrammer’s paradise, Casa Fayette is a boutique hotel located in one of the trendiest neighborhoods in Guadalajara, Colonia Lafayette… and its restaurant is simply dreamy. I discovered it on Pinterest while planning my trip and could not leave it off my #paraisoeats list. Casa Fayette’s restaurant is not just picture-worthy, it is melt-in-your-mouth-goodness! Trevor La Presle, its Executive Chef, offers a menu abundant with organic and local ingredients. Must-have: Bone Marrow with Habanero vinaigrette.

3. Tour Hospicio Cabana:

Art and history combined in this building, recognized as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Previously a hospice for orphans and disadvantaged people in the 19th century, the complex houses great murals by native artist, José Clemente Orozco and welcomes visitors with famous masterpieces of Mexican art. It’s centrally located and perfect for an afternoon stroll.

4. Splurge at Mercado Libertad:

If you’re the type to #wearyoursouvenirs, just like me…you will need to make sure to have enough space in your suitcase for all the goodies found in this market. You can find anything from Mexican crafts, leather goods, hats, traditional clothing, to jewelry and homemade sweets…I could go on forever! I bought a beautiful, one-of-a-kind linen dress that I saw on a plastic mannequin hanging at one of the market stands.  It was love at first sight, but I was a bit hesitant since there were no fitting rooms. I couldn’t resist, so I bought it and had it altered!

5. Venture out on a day trip to Tequila and/or San Pedro de Tlaquepaque:

Guadalajara has several nearby towns and cities that are perfect for a day trip. Less than an hour away from the city is San Pedro de Tlaquepaque, a colorful little town that is known for arts and crafts and ceramics. Indulge in Mexican dishes and beer at any of the restaurants in El Parián. This venue is a series of restaurants linked to each other forming a circle, with a gazebo in the middle. You can usually find a local Mariachi band playing iconic rancheras (Mariachi songs).

Tequila, another town in the Mexican state of Jalisco, is where your favorite Happy Hour beverage was born. You can tour the several distilleries around town, learn about the production process, and maybe have a shot or two…for tasting purposes, of course. But I also recommend that you tour the main square and take in the life and beautiful energy from this vibrant town.

So Guadalajara may not have been on your radar as a vacation spot, but now that you’ve read my recommendations, hopefully, you’ll be as excited as I was to visit and have a great time eating, touring and singing along to Mariachi!

Have any other must-dos in Guadalajara? #Jointheclub and comment below 🙂