Treasures of Guadalajara & Puerto Vallarta: Art, Culture & More

Activity note: Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).

Afternoon: After you check in and have your room assignment, take some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.

Dinner: At the hotel restaurant. Dinner will be saved for those arriving late to the hotel.

Evening: At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

Activity note: Walking about 3 miles, approximately 4 hours throughout the day on flat surfaces; periods of standing up to 1/2 hour at a time.

Breakfast: At the hotel restaurant.

Morning: Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This program is staffed with an instructor who will give lectures and a Group Leader who will be responsible for logistics. A certified expert will lead field trips, and transportation will be via bus unless specified otherwise. We will provide suggestions for restaurants and on-site visits for personal independent exploration and several meals on your own to enjoy the cuisine of your choice. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Our Study Leader will give us a presentation on the history and foundation of Guadalajara. Setting out walking and accompanied by our local expert, we will visit and learn about the most important buildings and plazas in Guadalajara. Among the buildings we will visit is Teatro Degollado. Construction started in 1856 and finished 10 years later. It is considered one of the most emblematic buildings in Guadalajara and a regular venue for recitals, concerts, and classical and contemporary dance shows. It is also the headquarters of the Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Accompanied by our local expert, we will visit the Guadalajara Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral-Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady, originally built in 1951. Suffering some fire damages in 1574 and rebuilt by 1561, it has since gone through a few more remodels and repairs after earthquakes. The altar is made of marble and silver, and the stained glass was imported from France. The Hospicio Cabañas was built in the late 18th century, and it was originally designed as a combination of a hospital, orphanage, and almshouse. Its architectural design incorporates several innovative features that were ahead of its time, particularly in terms of providing care and support to vulnerable members of society. The complex is noted for its harmonious relationship between open spaces and built structures. The layout of the buildings and courtyards creates a sense of balance and tranquility, which was intended to provide a supportive environment for its occupants. The Hospicio Cabañas was adorned with a series of magnificent murals painted by José Clemente Orozco. These murals are considered some of the masterpieces of Mexican art and are significant in the history of Mexican muralism, a prominent artistic movement of the time. Returning to the hotel, we’ll enjoy a social hour and spend more time getting to know our fellow Road Scholars.

Dinner: At the hotel restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Getting on/off a bus; driving about 65 miles, approximately 1.5 hours riding time each way to/from Lake Chapala Area. Some walking; periods of standing.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Aboard our bus and driving through the countryside, we’ll go to the area of Lake Chapala. Our first stop will be at Jojotepec, located on the shore of Lake Chapala – the largest lake in Mexico – where we will hear from our local expert about the history of the area. We will walk on the Malecon and enjoy the beautiful views of the lake in contrast with the mountains. We will admire the colorful sculptures that were installed on the Malecon, or boardwalk. We’ll board the bus to move to a different area on Lake Chapala where we will have lunch in front of the lake.

Lunch: At a local restaurant in front of the lake.

Afternoon: After lunch, we will move on to the town of Ajijic. It offers a blend of Mexican culture, natural beauty, and a diverse community that make it appealing for visitors and expatriates. It hosts several markets, including a weekly tianguis (street market) and an artisan market, where you can find a variety of locally produced goods, crafts, fresh produce, and more. Ajijic has a sizable expatriate community, particularly retirees from across North America. Many expats are drawn to the town’s affordable cost of living, pleasant climate, and welcoming atmosphere. As a result, we’ll find a range of services, restaurants, and activities catering to English-speaking residents. Here we will receive a unique demonstration by local weavers using the looms to create cloths and tapestries. During the next hour, we’ll observe the treating of the wool, organic coloring, and weaving by a team of professionals. After our exploration on Ajijic, we will return to our hotel, where we will have some time to relax or continue exploring the treasures of Guadalajara independently.

Dinner: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Getting on/off a bus; driving about 8 miles, over 1 hour total riding time. Some walking in town; periods of standing.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Right after breakfast, we will get together with our instructor in the conference room for our second part of the history of Guadalajara and its famous Mexican muralist. We’ll then board our bus to go to San Pedro Tlaquepaque, one of the most beautiful magical towns in the entire country. We will walk its streets and admire its historic buildings dating from the beginning of 1600 when the rich New Spain built their country houses that later became one of the most important arts and crafts centers in Mexico. We will be able to listen to the irresistible mariachi, in “El Parián” (The House of the Mariachi) in the heart of Tlaquepaque. Some of the most important things are the arts and crafts that can be found here. Tlaquepaque is home to the Museo Pantaleon Panduro – permanent home to the winners of the National Ceramic Award – where we can admire the inventiveness and talented hand of the Mexicans.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Our field trip continues as we explore Tlaquepaque. We will have some time on our own to explore the many galleries in town before heading back to our hotel by bus. Back at the hotel, we will have some time to continue exploring Guadalajara independently, or simply relax.

Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 200 miles, approximately 4.5 hours riding time. Minimal walking and some standing periods during the tequila demonstration.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will check out of the hotel, then aboard a motorcoach, we’ll transfer to the Tequila Jalisco area for a demonstration of tequila making with an opportunity to taste it. We’ll visit one of the oldest and most famous tequila distilleries and will hear an overview from the distillery experts on the process of tequila making, a complex and fascinating procedure that involves the cultivation and harvesting of agave plants, fermentation, distillation, and aging. Tequila is a distilled alcoholic beverage that is primarily made from the blue agave plant, specifically in the region of Mexico around the town of Tequila, Jalisco. After this stop, we’ll continue on our way to Puerto Vallarta, making a stop for lunch.

Lunch: At a local restaurant en route.

Afternoon: We will continue on the motorcoach, enjoying the well-traveled route connecting Guadalajara and the popular coastal destination of Puerto Vallarta. The road offers stunning scenic views as it winds through the lush mountains and tropical forests of the Sierra Madre Occidental. As we approach Puerto Vallarta, we’ll begin to descend from the mountains, and the road will lead us to the coastal area. We’ll eventually reach the vibrant city of Puerto Vallarta, known for its beautiful beaches, and rich cultural attractions. After we check in at the hotel, we will take some time to rest before we convene for dinner.

Dinner: At the hotel restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Walking about 3 miles throughout the day; standing for some periods of time. Walking and other free time activities according to personal choice.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Accompanied by our local expert, we’ll set out walking to explore the most important buildings of Puerto Vallarta. It will also be an opportunity to admire some of the most relevant sculptures installed in the area. Along the Malecon, we will observe some of the most stunning sculptures and outdoor art installations representing various themes, ideas, and artistic styles. They often represent traditional Mexican motifs, indigenous peoples, and historical events, but also the local flora and fauna on occasion. We will also have an opportunity to visit the city hall, built next to Puerto Vallarta Main Square in 1980. Here, we’ll admire the famous mural “Puerto Vallarta,” painted by Manuel Lepe in 1981. This will be followed by a visit to the oldest church in Puerto Vallarta, the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The church was built between 1930 and 1940 over the foundations of a chapel that was originally built in 1902. The church now has two architecture styles, the structure being of Neoclassic, with a crown seated on top of the building indicative of Baroque style. We will also visit the main plaza, which is used by the locals to socialize specially on Sundays and Thursdays when the municipal band plays at the kiosk and locals and visitors alike dance and enjoy the music.

Lunch: At a local restaurant. After lunch, we will walk back to the hotel.

Afternoon: Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration.

Dinner: On your own.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Walking about 1.5 miles, approximately 3 hours; standing for short periods of time. Walking and other free time activities according to personal choice.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We’ll spend the morning downtown on a walking culinary journey featuring several tasting locations specifically chosen to highlight the best of the regional flavors Puerto Vallarta has to offer. This is an appetizing opportunity to experience the Mexican culture through its food.

Lunch: Lunch will be during the culinary journey, an opportunity to sample different regional dishes. We will make stops at local restaurants where we will eat a variety of dishes with drinks and desserts.

Afternoon: Free time. Take this opportunity to see and do what interests you most.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

Activity note: Hotel check-out by 1:00 p.m. See your program’s “Getting There” information regarding transfers.

Breakfast: At the hotel. This concludes our program.

Morning: Independent transfers to the Puerto Vallarta Airport for the return flight. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!