While staying in Guadalajara, I was invited by a local friend to join a camping trip with a group of her friends. I had expected something similar to a typical campground experience, but what I found was a much more authentic outdoor adventure. From fluorescent scorpions and campfire conversations to homemade carne asada and the warmth of Mexican hospitality, it became one of the most memorable experiences of my time in Mexico.
In this post, I’d like to share the story of a camping trip in the mountains outside Guadalajara and the unique local culture I experienced along the way.
Table of Contents
A Local Camping Adventure Near Guadalajara
The local friend from Guadalajara who appeared in a previous post kindly invited me to join a camping trip with her friends. Since we had spent the previous night eating, drinking, and talking until late, we intentionally agreed on a slightly later meeting time. Even so, getting out of bed was not easy.
As it was the weekend, the streets were crowded with people. I learned that some roads are closed to vehicle traffic on Sundays and transformed into spaces for cyclists and pedestrians, creating a lively atmosphere throughout the city.
After meeting at my friend’s house, we loaded the car with camping equipment, blankets, and sleeping bags. We also stopped by a supermarket to buy food supplies and plenty of beer for the trip. Along the way, we grabbed some snacks from a street vendor. To my surprise, they tasted almost identical to Korean puffed rice snacks, although they were thinner and much more colorful.
Leaving the City for the Mountains
Traffic was surprisingly heavy as we left Guadalajara. Considering that the metropolitan area is home to more than five million people and it was a weekend, the congestion was probably unavoidable.
The traffic jam dragged on long enough that I even spotted a man standing on top of a garbage truck, continuously shouting at passing vehicles. Whether he was entertaining himself or everyone else, I still have no idea.
Once we finally escaped the city traffic, the scenery began to change. The landscape was dominated by shrubs and dry vegetation, typical of the highlands surrounding Guadalajara. Sitting at an elevation of over 1,600 meters (5,250 feet), the region has a distinctive environment that felt very different from what I had expected.
Since I had no idea where we were actually going and was simply along for the ride, the unexpected scenery made the journey even more enjoyable.
Camping in the Tequila Region of Jalisco
Many people know Tequila as Mexico’s most famous spirit, but it is actually named after the town of Tequila in the state of Jalisco. Because of this, blue agave fields can be seen throughout the surrounding countryside.
After a long drive, we finally arrived at our destination—or at least what I later realized was our destination. We pulled over on the side of the road, parked the car, and walked through a forest without any visible trail. Hidden deep among the trees was our campsite.
Unfortunately, the traffic delays had cost us valuable daylight. By the time we unloaded our equipment and began setting up camp, the sun was already disappearing behind the mountains.
Then one of my friends pointed a flashlight at the ground and told me to watch my step.
Encountering Mexico’s Fluorescent Scorpions
The glowing object he showed me turned out to be a scorpion. Mexico is home to many different species of scorpions, and experienced campers often bring ultraviolet flashlights because scorpions glow bright fluorescent green under UV light.
At first, I thought the tiny glowing creature looked almost cute. That impression quickly disappeared when someone casually mentioned that certain species could be deadly if they sting you.
I was advised not to leave my shoes outside the tent and to check carefully before touching anything on the ground. While I was becoming increasingly cautious, everyone else seemed completely relaxed and continued preparing dinner as if nothing unusual had happened.
Carne Asada Around the Campfire
Dinner that evening was Carne Asada, one of Mexico’s most iconic dishes. The name literally means “grilled meat,” and it typically consists of thinly sliced beef cooked over an open flame. Whether it was the atmosphere of camping in the mountains or simply the quality of the food, it was easily one of the best meals I had during my travels in Mexico.
We also grilled chilies and green onions over the fire. As the birthplace of chili peppers, Mexico takes great pride in its spicy food, and the peppers certainly lived up to that reputation.
The flat cooking surface used to warm tortillas is called a comal, a traditional cooking tool found throughout Mexico. After dinner, what began as a barbecue slowly turned into a campfire gathering.
Mexican Hospitality Under the Stars
Everyone gathered around the fire, sharing stories, drinks, and laughter late into the night.
Most of the group spoke very little English, so conversations naturally flowed in Spanish. Thanks to occasional translations from my friend, I was able to follow along well enough to understand the topics being discussed.
At one point, we remembered the corn we had thrown into the fire as a snack. Unfortunately, it had been forgotten for far too long and ended up completely burnt.
When I jokingly said that Korean sweet corn tasted much better, I immediately became the target of playful criticism. Since corn originated in Mexico, it is a source of national pride just like chili peppers.
Despite the language barrier, it was one of those rare travel moments where complete strangers welcomed me as if I had been part of their group for years.
A Relaxing Morning in Nature
The next morning revealed the evidence of the previous night’s celebration.
Empty bottles were scattered around the campsite, making it impossible to remember exactly how much beer had been consumed. In addition to the beer we bought at the supermarket, one member of the group had brought craft beer from the brewery where he worked. I cannot remember the brewery’s name, but I do remember enjoying it quite a bit.
Breakfast consisted of scrambled eggs cooked with sausage and, naturally, tortillas. In Mexico, it is difficult to imagine a meal without them.
After breakfast, I finally had a chance to explore the campsite in daylight. What had seemed like untouched wilderness during the night revealed subtle signs of human activity, including small dams built along the creek.
Even so, the campsite felt wonderfully remote, surrounded by fresh mountain air and peaceful scenery.
Swimming, Chicharrón, and Afternoon Beer
The creek quickly became the center of attention as everyone settled into a relaxed afternoon.
We snacked on chicharrón, a popular Mexican snack made from fried pork skin, while enjoying cold beer by the water. It was simple, but somehow perfect for the setting. The stream looked somewhat cloudy, but this is common in parts of Mexico where limestone-rich geology can give the water a milky appearance.
After swimming, drinking, and relaxing by the creek, everyone eventually drifted off for an afternoon nap. Having stayed up late around the campfire and woken up early the next morning, I fell asleep almost immediately.
Before long, it was time to pack up and return to Guadalajara.
Back in Guadalajara
After carefully cleaning the campsite and loading everything back into the cars, we made our way back to the city. Although I was traveling without a schedule, the others had classes, jobs, and responsibilities waiting for them the next day. Saying goodbye felt more difficult than I expected.
Back in Guadalajara, we stopped for a late lunch and enjoyed Torta Ahogada, one of the city’s most famous dishes. Often translated as “drowned sandwich,” it consists of a crusty sandwich covered in spicy sauce.
Later that evening, we bought Pan de Muerto, the traditional bread associated with Day of the Dead celebrations, along with hot chocolate, and visited another friend’s house.
What I expected to be a quiet visit turned into a gathering with his mother, aunt, and cousins. Despite meeting me for the first time, they welcomed me with remarkable warmth and kindness. It was a fitting end to an unforgettable weekend.
Final Thoughts
This camping trip near Guadalajara remains one of the most memorable experiences from my travels in Mexico.
What started as a casual invitation became an opportunity to experience a side of Mexico that most visitors never see. Between the mountain scenery, campfire conversations, local food, and genuine hospitality, it felt less like a camping trip and more like a glimpse into everyday Mexican life.
More than anything else, it reminded me that some of the best travel experiences happen not at famous attractions, but through the people you meet along the way.
HDND travel
All around the world
