Guadalajara’s municipal tourism department is offering a range of free, three-hour daily city tours spanning a variety of areas and interests during Holy and Easter weeks. The walking/bus tours run from approximately 9 a.m. to noon and from 3 to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, April 14-25.
All tours start at Plaza Guadalajara, in front of the Municipal Palace at Hidalgo 400. Show up 30 minutes early to register. Wear comfortable walking shoes and take a small water bottle and a hat to ward off the sun.
Historic Center: This walking tour takes in the Municipal Palace, Plaza Guadalajara, the Rotonda of Illustrious Jaliscienses, the Cathedral, Plaza de Armas, Plaza de la Liberacion, Teatro Degollado, Plaza Fundadores, Plaza Tapatia and the Explanade of the Instituto Cultural Cabañas. Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. or 3 p.m.
Juarez: This walking tour strolls up the city’s major artery beginning with the Plaza Guadalajara, the Iberoamerican Library, Avenida Juarez, Restauraunte Fonda San Miguel, the Telfonica building, Parque de la Revolucion and the Expatorio Church. Optional return to downtown via horse pulled carriage (calandria) is just 20 pesos per person. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Museums: This walking tour starts at the Rotunda and goes on to the Casa Museo Lopez Portillo, the Museum of Journalism and Graphic Arts and the Museum of Mexican Saints and the Beatified. Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m.
Bosque Los Colomos: This bus trip runs from downtown via avenidas Juarez and Vallarta to Los Colomos Park taking in various city landmarks. This is a very walkable tour of the city’s oldest and arguably most beautiful park that includes a small castle. A lovely Japanese garden thrives within the park, which is popular for photo sessions by brides and 15th birthday teens. The 200-plus acre park is also an important watershed that supplies fresh water to much of the city. Thursdays and Saturdays, 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Barrios Antiguos (older neighborhoods): This bus trip covers the older neighborhoods in and around the downtown area. Included are the San Juan de Dios barrio, San Sebastian de Analco church, the church and market of the Mexicaltzingo neighborhood and the Aranzazu church. Wednesday and Fridays, 9 a.m.
Independencia Mirador (lookout): This bus trip takes in two of the city’s major thoroughfares — Avenida Hidalgo and the Calzada Independencia — and passes Parque Morelos, one of the downtown’s largest and most visited parks, and includes a visit to the Estadio Jalisco soccer stadium, a drive by the Plaza de Toros Nuevo Progresso bull ring and a stop at the Parque Mirador Independencia, where you can see the Barranca de Huentitan canyon. Wednesday and Friday, 9 a.m.
Zapopan: Guadalajara’s largest neighboring municipality has many charms of its own and this bus and walking tour will highlight them. It begins with a stop at the Basilica de Zapopan — home of the venerated Virgen de Zapopan statue. Around the corner is the Huichol Art Museum and the highly regarded Zapopan Museum of Art. The Teoptitzintli pedestrian corridor offers lots of restaurants and chic shops and the tour ends with a visit to the recently renovated Avila Camacho Park, which offers aquatic attractions, and plenty of space for tree-shaded walks (children should bring a bathing suit or roller skates). Thursdays and Saturdays, 9 a.m.