Following my trip to the US, the first destination on my Mexico journey was Guadalajara. I learned about this place because Mexican friends I met while traveling in Belgium are from here. Although it’s not hugely famous for international tourism, it’s a city where you can get a genuine glimpse into the daily lives of the locals. In this post, I’d like to share what I saw and felt while wandering around downtown Guadalajara.
Table of Contents
First Impressions of Guadalajara
While it might not be world-renowned, Guadalajara boasts a metropolitan population of over 4 million, making it Mexico’s second-largest city after the capital, Mexico City.
Personally, it holds a special place in my heart as the starting point of my Mexico trip and a place where I met many wonderful people. Honestly, I was a bit scared at first. When you think of Mexico, things like drug cartels often come to mind, so I was worried about safety.
However, the Mexico I actually faced upon arrival was much safer than I expected and possessed a unique atmosphere you can’t find in any other country. It is also a deeply religious nation, with almost 80 percent of the population being Catholic. Because of this, you can easily find churches no matter where you go in Mexico.
Guadalajara Historic Center
Templo Expiatorio del Santísimo Sacramento
The very first place I visited in Guadalajara was a Catholic church: the neo-Gothic Sacramento Church. Its official name is Templo Expiatorio del Santísimo Sacramento, which translates to the Expiatory Temple of the Blessed Sacrament.
You can find Pietà statues in many Catholic churches, and Mexico is no exception. It is a form of Christian art depicting the Virgin Mary cradling the body of Jesus after his descent from the cross, the most famous of which is Michelangelo’s Pietà.
Construction of the Expiatory Temple began in 1897 and took 75 years to complete, finally finishing in 1972. The structure, which emphasizes the verticality typical of Gothic architecture, and its magnificent stained glass windows are truly impressive.
The yellow stained glass on the left depicts the saints who were martyred during the Cristero War (Guerra Cristera), when people rebelled against the anti-religious constitution and policies following the Mexican Revolution.
Street Art and City Vibes
Leaving the Expiatory Temple and heading towards my next destination, the Guadalajara Cathedral, some familiar text caught my eye. I’m not sure why a Korean sign for Bubble “팝(POP)” was written as Bubble “펍(PUB),” but it made me realize that Korean culture is quite widespread even in Mexico.
Guadalajara sits about 1,500 meters above sea level, and like many Mexican cities with high elevations and low latitudes, it enjoys mild weather throughout the year. That is why I was able to see flowers blooming all over the city, even during my visit in October.
One of the most impressive things about Guadalajara was the high-quality graffiti scattered throughout the city. It isn’t difficult to find large-scale pieces like this one as you walk around.
The strong scent of coffee wafting through the air made me stop briefly at a neighborhood coffee shop. They sold espresso and lattes, but looking at the machinery and interior decor, it seemed to be primarily a local roasting facility. I wanted to try a cup of freshly roasted coffee, but unfortunately, no one was around, so I had to turn back.
Guadalajara Cathedral
The Guadalajara Cathedral (Catedral de Guadalajara) is practically the symbol of the city. Originally built in the mid-1500s, it boasts a history of nearly 500 years, during which it has endured various hardships, including fires and earthquakes. You can see that the colors of the two spires in the photo are distinctly different; the one on the left collapsed during an earthquake and had to be rebuilt.
The interior of the cathedral is predominantly white and ivory, with striking sky blue and gold decorations. The gorgeous frescoes and stained glass windows are also highly worth admiring.
Many of the statues in Mexican churches are delicately painted. You can find Mexico’s uniquely bright and intense colors even in these church sculptures. Another distinct feature is the use of gold leaf draped over the carvings.
Authentic Culture and Nightlife
Mariachi
Right next to the Guadalajara Cathedral is the Rotonda de los Jaliscienses Ilustres, a monument honoring the achievements of notable figures from the state of Jalisco. Around the central circular structure, you can see bronze statues of individuals who achieved greatness in various fields, including outstanding artists, politicians, scientists, and writers.
When I visited, a stage was set up in the small plaza in front of the monument, and various performances were taking place. Because it was my first time seeing this, I watched for quite a while. In fact, even without an official event like this, you can feel a festival-like atmosphere every single day in Mexico.
Everywhere you go, the rhythmic sounds of traditional Mexican mariachi music echo through the air. If you’ve seen the movie “Coco,” you’ll easily recognize what kind of music this is. Rather than a single independent genre, it’s a concept that encompasses various traditional Mexican music genres, unique performance formats, and styles, and it is even registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Also, wherever there is mariachi music, you will often see a wooden board nearby. This is a space for a type of tap dance called Zapateado. It was so much fun to watch people of all ages and genders randomly joining in.
Tacos, Mezcal, and Craft Beer
On this day, I was scheduled to meet one of the Mexican friends I had met during my trip to Belgium. As I watched the street performances, it was suddenly time to meet up. Having a local friend in an unfamiliar place like Mexico made me feel unexpectedly reassured.
I became close with this friend while doing a Cantillon brewery tour together in Brussels. Thanks to her, I was able to experience so much in Guadalajara and feel the genuine warmth of the Mexican people, so I am personally very grateful. She will be making another appearance in my next post.
Anyway, after grabbing dinner at my friend’s favorite street taco stand, we went to a local bar. They had an incredibly diverse selection of mezcal and tequila, so I asked for a recommendation and tried one. The mezcal was characterized by its smoky flavor, which paired remarkably well with the piece of chocolate served alongside it.
The next drink I had was a local craft beer. Minerva Brewery is quite a large-scale operation here, and their beer was an easy-drinking, light stout. The Paraiso from Loba Brewery was a fruit Gose style; the blend of fruit flavors and refreshing acidity was exceptionally good.
After a few drinks, we moved to another bar, which felt similar to a trendy, atmosphere-focused lounge. In Mexico, even clubs that charge an entrance fee are sometimes just called “bars,” so the distinction can be a bit blurry. Regardless, seeing a statue of the Virgin Mary used as neon club decoration made me think about what an undeniably fascinating and complex place Mexico is as I wrapped up the day.
Final Thoughts
Today, I’ve shared my experiences wandering around Guadalajara, the starting point of my Mexican journey. Since I focused on taking it easy and enjoying the local atmosphere rather than strict sightseeing, my upcoming Mexico posts will likely read more like a personal travel diary rather than an information-heavy guide.
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