Guide To Tlaquepaque

About Tlaquepaque

Tlaquepaque, ("Tla-Keh-Pa-Keh") situated about 7km southeast of Guadalajara, was once a small village in its own right, long before the Spanish set foot in Mexico. Today, it is a highly fashionable suburb within the limits Mexico's second largest city, with it's hip, up market colonial center offering a character and style of its own - a 'must see' location when traveling through this part of Mexico.

Its mansions and gentile style date back to the 19th century, when Tlaquepaque was one of the principal stops en route to Mexico City. It also holds an important place in Mexico's history: The Plan de Iguala, which set forth the foundation for Mexican Independence from Spain, was signed at the house on the corner of Independencia and Contreras Medellin Streets.

Modern-day Tlaquepaque has become an up-market boutique arts and crafts centre with trendy shops and restaurants lining colonial-style streets and alleyways, plazas and gardens. The shops specialize in art and craftwork from all over Mexico, with a particular emphasis on up-market ceramics, bronze sculpture, papier-mâché, blown glass and embroidered cloth.

The look, feel and atmosphere around Tlaquepaque is distinctly colonial; there are various pedestrian areas, cafes and restaurants with outside tables where you can watch the world go by; street performers provide curbside entertainment while musicians' instruments fill the air with the warm sound of Mexican music.

Although many of the shops are closed on Sundays, the area fills up with lots of locals and visitors for Sunday lunch at one of the many fine restaurants here.

Just a short taxi ride from Guadalajara's city centre, Tlaquepaque makes a great day out, and some people prefer to use it as a base to explore Guadalajara and environs as there are many good B&Bs and hotels in the area too.

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Key Attractions

Colonial Center

The colonial centre begins at the Jardin Hidalgo, with its plaza, bandstand, gardens and church. Off here are several streets and alleyways that lead around the area of Tlaquepaque.

Museum

The Museo Regional de la Ceramica (Regional Ceramics Museum) offers free admission and a glimpse into the different types and styles of ceramic crafted in Tlaquepaque. Like most museums in Mexico, it is closed on Mondays.

Great Restaurants

Many of the old colonial mansions have been converted into excellent cafes and restaurants. Sunday lunch is very popular here with locals and visitors alike; live bands can often be heard playing through the open windows and often a traveling minstrel will "do the rounds" at a restaurant offering to play traditional Mexican Folk songs in return for a small per number.

Quality Shopping

There are many boutiques selling arts and crafts in Tlaquepaque. Some sell exclusive designs while others will offer more general, but high quality, Mexican arts and crafts. This is not the place you will find many bargains, but you can be assured of the quality and authenticity of the goods.

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Getting There & Around

Getting There (to Guadalajara)

By Air - You can fly to Guadalajara from the US and other points in Mexico including Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta, and Monterrey.

Connect to the Mexperience Travel Center for Airlines.

By Bus - You can travel to Guadalajara on a luxury bus from Mexico City - the trip takes around 7-8 hours. Luxury buses drop people off at the New Bus Station in Guadalajara, which is actually near Tlaquepaque!

Connect to the Mexperience Travel Center for National Buses.

By Car - Driving to Guadalajara / Tlaquepaque is very fast and efficient using the many high-speed roads that connect this region.  See additional information about Driving in Mexico and Mexico's Toll Roads on Mexperience.

Getting Around

From the Airport - The airport is on the south-side of Guadalajara, and it will take about 45 minutes for your taxi to get into the city centre from there; or about 30 minutes if you are going straight to Tlaquepaque.

Taxis - Guadalajara's & Tlaquepaque's Taxis are officially metered, but taxis here have been known not to use them. Either insist that the meter be activated (or find another taxi) or agree your price before you get in. Your hotel can arrange taxis for you; some post their rates on a board in the lobby. If you speak Spanish, you will have a distinct advantage and be able to negotiate a better price! Another good reason to Learn Spanish!

Buses - There are regular buses from Guadalajara to Tlaquepaque and the journey takes around 20-30 minutes. Bus Trips to local areas (within about 50 miles of Guadalajara) depart from the Old Bus Station in Guadalajara, which is in the city centre. You can take a local bus to nearby places including Lake Chapala (Chapala, Ajijic, Jacotepec).

Connect to the Travel Essentials section on Mexperience for information about traveling on Local Buses.

Rent a Car - Guadalajara is very accessible by road, and there is plenty to see and do in the surrounding areas - including other Colonial Cities, and great coastal attractions! Renting a car would be a smart option you're thinking about traveling around this region, as it will give you the freedom and flexibility to see more of the area and its surrounding attractions.

See the Mexperience Travel Center for Car Rental in Guadalajara.

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Local Events Calendar (Guadalajara / Tlaquepaque)

Besides the big national holidays like Independence Day, Easter and Christmas (see Mexico Events Calendar) Guadalajara has some local festivals of its own:

Feria de Tonala - Once Tonala was Guadalajara - before it moved to its current location. Today, Tonala is a neighbourhood of the city and the week before and week after Easter, it hosts an annual Handicrafts Fair, with the emphasis on ceramics.

Fiesta Internacional del Mariachi (International Mariachi Fair) - Scheduled to take place during the first two weeks in September. Mariachis from everywhere come to celebrate and play here.

Feria Internacional del Libro (International Book Fair) - The largest book fair in Latin America takes place annually in Guadalajara between the last week in November and the first week in December.

Fiestas de Octubre (October Parties) - These celebrations begin on the first Sunday in October and run right through to Halloween. Street parades, parties, celebrations, food, Mariachis and tequila all feature heavily. Consult the local tourist office (see Practical Information, below) for details of this year's event calendar.

Ceramics Festival (Tlaquepaque) - Tlaquepaque hosts Mexico's National Handicraft Trade Fair. This event is aimed at buyers (wholesalers) of Mexican Handicrafts, and is ideal for those who buy Mexican handicrafts for export.

Further information and dates for this year's event is available online at: www.enart.com.mx.

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Practical Information

Telephone: Connect to the Communications in Mexico Page on Mexperience for full information about keeping in touch and the latest table of national dialing codes.

Exchanging Currency: All of Mexico's main Banks with ATM machines can be found in the central area of Tlaquepaque. During business hours, they and the Casas de Cambio will buy traveler's cheques and cash from you as well. Read about currency exchange in Mexperience's Money Section.

Travel Insurance: We recommend that you are adequately covered with travel medical cover and/or travel assistance cover when you are visiting Mexico. Read the Mexperience guide to Travel Insurance in Mexico for full details and links to specialist insurance suppliers.

Internet Access: Internet cafes are commonplace in Mexico - new ones open and old ones close all the time - but you won't have to look too hard to find one downtown and in the main tourist areas.

Local Tourist Office: Connect to the Mexperience Travel Center for details of the nearest Tourist Information office.

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Accommodation

• Find a Hotel in Tlaquepaque

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Restaurants

We have no specific restaurant recommendations at this time.

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When Night Falls

Tlaquepaque has a good selection of cafes, restaurants, bars that stay open reasonably late (see Restaurants, above) although most of the late nightlife takes place in nearby Guadalajara.

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What to Buy in Tlaquepaque

The shops here specialize in art and craftwork from all over Mexico, with a particular emphasis on up-market ceramics, bronze sculpture, papier-mâché, blown glass and embroidered cloth. Some sell exclusive designs while others will offer more mainstream, but high quality, Mexican arts and crafts. This is not the place you will find many bargains, but you can be assured of the quality and authenticity of the goods.

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Local Climate

Guadalajara / Tlaquepaque's climate is spring-like all year-round. The winter months do become cooler in the mornings and evenings - so bring a sweater with you if you're traveling at these times. The warmest times are April, May and June. The rainy season runs from June through to September. Rains tend to come in the afternoon, are relatively short and fierce and leave the evenings dry and cooled off.

Live Weather Report:

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