The Warmth and Wonder that’s Guadalajara
Fate seemed to have a hand in guiding me to Guadalajara earlier this year. Sometime last year (in fall), at a cafe I frequent, I was talking to a friend about traveling to Mexico. The intent was clear: escape the Canadian winters in a warm city with some culture and history.
This friend, who has lived in Mexico for over 30 years, passionately endorsed Guadalajara as his favorite city in the country. With modest expectations of just warm weather and impressive architecture, I didn’t do any research — his strong recommendation was good enough. Along with my wife, and a brand new Ricoh GR IIIx camera, I decided to embark on a journey to this city I knew little about, with a whole month to explore.
After booking our flights and an Airbnb in the vibrant Americana neighborhood, suggested by my friend as a great base, we arrived in GDL. Some friends were surprised by our spontaneous and unpremeditated travel approach, solely based on one man’s passionate suggestion. Looking back, I am grateful for our decision to visit Guadalajara — it has easily become one of my favorite cities worldwide.
What Makes Guadalajara Truly Special?
We’ve been to Mexico before and certainly, the people of the country are nice and very warm. But the kindness of people in this city is just next level. We’ve never seen such nice people anywhere in the world, and I’d be surprised if there are.
People
Though we don’t speak Spanish, no one in the city took advantage of us or was rude to us in any way. We mostly relied on Google Translate app to communicate, and they were very patient. Everywhere we went, we were greeted with warmth and kindness. You can tell that everyone wanted to help and they meant well for us.
Because people are so nice, it is so easy to make friends in the city — we made a several friends, some Spanish speaking too. At Templo Expiatorio de Guadalajara, there was a family who had a taco stall with vegan options every weekend. We became regulars there and though they didn’t speak any English, the women there became friends with my wife.
And then Anita, the remarkable owner of a vegan restaurant that was a true delight. We went to Anita’s restaurant several times and she’ll always find some English speaking customer in her restaurant and appoint them as translator — so thoughtful.
No, all our friends weren’t just people serving us food. We also made friends talking to random people on streets or in restaurants, which was so extraordinary — certainly not something common in Toronto.
Art & Creativity
As soon as you land in Guadalajara, the city’s creative energy sweeps you off your feet. It’s palpable everywhere — from the vibrant murals adorning the streets to the dynamic street performances, evocative theatre productions, and striking sculptures that punctuate the cityscape.
The artists, architects, and graphic designers in Guadalajara are bold innovators, fearlessly exploring new ideas that set the city apart. Their work imbues the city with a spirit of artistic freedom and innovation that’s truly inspiring.
Considering its size as the second-largest city in Mexico, I was pleasantly surprised by how clean and well-maintained Guadalajara is. The streets, parks, and public spaces were remarkably tidy, contributing to the city’s overall welcoming and enjoyable atmosphere.
We had the incredible opportunity to attend a music concert at a stunning 150-year-old theater in the Centro area. The beautiful architecture and amazing acoustics made it an unforgettable experience that we highly recommend to anyone visiting Guadalajara.
In the heart of Guadalajara, especially in the Centro area, the cultural offerings are so abundant that you don’t have to seek them out — they naturally find you. This effortless immersion in the city’s arts scene made our stay in Guadalajara truly unforgettable.
Monuments and Architecture
The only thing we knew about Guadalajara before coming here was the city’s famous monuments — mostly located in and around the Centro region. The Cathedral and Hospicio Cabañas in the Centro region are particularly striking. And there are some very impressive heritage buildings in the Americana neighbourhood as well, such a treat to walk in this area with a camera.
Speaking of walking around, I have to mention how clean the whole city is. For being the second-largest in Mexico, Guadalajara is so well-maintained. The streets, parks, public spaces — everything is spotless. It creates such a welcoming atmosphere that makes it really enjoyable to explore on foot.
Getting around was a breeze too. We mainly used Uber which was easy and affordable. There are some great Tourist bus services too, which we tried out to see different areas. Everything was well-run, affordable and safe.
I came to Guadalajara for the sun, but I’ll forever remember it for the warmth. A city full of creativity, great food, and the kindest people I’ve ever met. I can’t wait to visit again.