The Most Non-Touristy Things To Do In Guadalajara

Guadalajara is a complex city full of stories and characters, and just walking through its streets can be a complete adventure. Entering its old canteens and talking with the locals while enjoying a shot or two of tequila can make you feel like you’re in a Mexican movie. Here are some of the more unusual experiences you can enjoy in this Mexican city.

1. Martes de Glamour

Every Tuesday, the Coliseo Arena plays host to the fans of Lucha Libre (“free fight,” a form of professional wrestling) who attend the weekly fight to support their favorite wrestlers, whether it be Rudos or Técnicos. This spectacle is very popular among locals and visitors. The atmosphere can get quite heated and you may hear swear words you didn’t even know existed. If you sit on the front line, you may end up with a luchador at your feet.

Luchador | © David Goehring/Flickr

2. Panteón de Belén

Museum

Many cemeteries in the world allow tourists to visit the graves of famous people who are buried there; not all of them allow nighttime visits. El Panteón de Belén, nowadays a museum, lets you enjoy a terrifying visit in the dead of night, walking among the graves of rich and poor people alike in one of the oldest cemeteries in the city.

During the Día de Los Muertos (“The Day of The Dead”) there is also a play about death, called “La muerte irredenta,” which is a must if you visit Guadalajara during November.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BMLC5JGgFay/?taken-at=1013940768

3. Morelia's Bar

Bar, Mexican, Beer

There are many canteens in the city where you can get a Corona beer or a tequila; but this place is central to the lives of many locals. Here, you can talk with friends, listen to some traditional music, have a few drinks, and meet new people. If you’re lucky, you may even meet some famous local artists.

In recent years, Guadalajara has been filled with many interesting characters. It’s common, while walking in the streets, to meet cinema characters, icons such as the main character from the Stephen King novel It or Tim Burton’s young Edward Scissorhands asking for money in exchange for a performance.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BS7uLsqDMAS/?tagged=payasoeso&hl=es

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.