As Mexico’s second-largest city, Guadalajara is a hub for culture, cuisine, history and business. It’s also a fascinating place to explore a variety of “only in Mexico” activities that can provide unique excitement to any Mexico vacation.
So if you’re planning a visit to Guadalajara and interested in going beyond the typical tourist activities, here are three cool and offbeat things to do in Guadalajara.
1. Attend a Lucha Libre Fight
Lucha Libre — the colorful, over-the-top wrestling matches that feature extravagant costumes and lots of glorious overacting — is one of Mexico’s most fun modern traditions, and it’s easy to enjoy it in Guadalajara. La Arena Coliseo, located in downtown Guadalajara, is square one for anyone looking to view a match. Check the calendar ahead of time to see when there are fights scheduled, and then — if you can — buy through Ticketmaster to avoid long lines on site. If you have tickets, then you can proceed straight to the door and be escorted to your seat (although you should still show up early, because it’s fun to see the masks, T-shirts and other things that vendors sell).
2. Go for a Bike Ride
Larger cities around Latin America have become increasingly bike friendly. A company called GDLBike Tour offers guided cycling tours of the city, making it easy for foreigners to find the best routes while you see some of the city’s most important sites. On Sundays, Guadalajara becomes especially friendly for cyclists, when Vía RecreActiva closes down several streets to vehicular traffic so that pedestrians, joggers and cyclists and enjoy more space.
3. Watch the Charros
Charreria — Mexican rodeos — are a big deal in the state of Jalisco, where Guadalajara is located. Competitions are usually held every Sunday, and the national charro championship takes place in September. Companies like Tours by Locals offer charros tours that include visits to charro fields, explanations and demonstrations.
4. Ride in a Limo Made from a Boeing 727
I found this company by accident, while walking down a street downtown. Vaca Limousines features a fleet of decidedly extraordinary VIP vehicles for special occasions. Its Boeing 727 conversion is billed as the world’s only ground limo-plane, and that just may be true. With a capacity of 40 people, it’s complete with a dance floor, big screen for videos, festive light and sound system and even a cockpit. For 10,000 pesos, you get a three-hour ride that includes four bottles of wine, 40 non-alcoholic beverages, ice and the services of a uniformed “pilot.”
There’s also a 45-person “boat” on wheels, which costs 45,000 pesos for three hours, and a fanciful smaller vehicle, reminiscent of Cinderella’s carriage, that’s designed for quinceañeras (but who’s to say you can’t use it for a fancy night out).
Vaca Limousines also offers a more traditional variety of limousines based on Lincoln, Hummer and Cadillac models. So if you’re looking for a decidedly unforgettable way to get around Guadalajara, you’ve got lots of options.