My husband and I will be spending a week in Puerto Vallarta in March. We would like to add additional days and explore Guadalajara, Tlaquepaque and Tonala. We wonder if we should rent a car and drive, keeping the car to explore these areas, or is the city so congested that we would be better to take a bus from PV. We plan to sight see and do some shopping. We would also like recommendations for a clean and charming place to stay.

Many years ago we too wanted to go to Tlaquepaque from P.V. and flew to Guadalajara and if I remember right took either a bus or a cab from the hotel. We were only in Guadalajara for the most two days and used a cab...I think you should checkout places in Tlaquepaque rather than Guadalajara which I understand is not the best place..We did eat at the "door with no name",, and visited the main gallery of Sergio Bustamante and found the Tlaq, just absolutely charming and shopping incredible. I bought two Puelo caftans.. and this was about 15 to 20 years ago and they tell me that they start now at $400.00 each.. (I still have them)..we didn't get to Tonala though.. You could probably rent a car once you fly to Guadlajara...it WAS a beautiful city with fountains and the great flea market.. but things have changed... and it's very polluted.

We were there about 3 years ago. We took the bus to/from Vallarta to Guadalajara. We stayed at a hotel in the city, and took a taxi to Tlaquepaque, which was great for shopping - bought a fair amount on that trip! You could also take a bus to Tlaquepaque - in fact, maybe we took the bus there and a taxi back, I don't remember. (Definitely a taxi back with all our purchases.) We didn't get to Tonala. I think there are some nice B&B's in Tlaquepaque, but I'm not familiar with the names. There was actually a fair amount to see in Guadalajara, and it worked out well for us staying there.

One of our favorite cities, Take the bus, If you stay near the Main Plaza you will be near many of the sights & attractions such as The Teatro Delgado, The Cathedral, Museos, Plaza de Mariachi ETC. Some of the hotels are The Mendoza (great Location), San Fransisco (great bargin or one of the chains. Second choice is to stay in Telequapaque at one of the B & B's. On our honeymoon we hired a driver/car for the more out lying places such as Chapala, The Canyon/falls Etc. Around the city public transportation or taxis.

I would take the bus from PV to GDL, but stay in Tlaquepaque. Have stayed there twice--Villa de los Ensuenos and Quinta Don Jose. Take a cab into GDL--but enjoy the plaza at Tlaq. Nice town, great shopping, good food. Very safe.

I am convinced the bus is the way to go and to stay at a B&B in Tlaquepaque. Was one of these B&B nicer or more charming than the other: Villa de los Ensuenos or Quinta Don Jose?