My wife is an artist, and has heard that Guadalajara has some interesting artists. Is it worth a side trip from Puerto Vallarta?

What's the best way to get there, and how long would it take?

Thanks.

It takes 4-1/2 to 5 hours each way and there are very good 1st class premium type busses that go the route.

Or you could fly, or rent a car and drive.

For the "worth it" question, to me would depend how much time you have in Puerto Vallarta.

Thanks, Suze. I've also heard good things about Barra de Navidad. Can you offer any advice on it?

We stayed in GJ and enjoyed it. The central plaza in the evening, the murals, Tlaquepaque, are worth a visit. You would not regret it. We flew.

I've also heard good things about Barra (from people I met in PV who'd caught the bus down that way) but never been myself. It's smaller than PV and beach oriented. While Guadalajara is a major city. So two totally different side trips you're thinking of.

GDL is way overrated, imhpo.
The Costalegre, including Barra de Navidad, is better, but stay in way upscale or remote places.
www.costalegre.ca or www.tomzap.com
We stayed at CocoCabanas over Christmas - primitive ecolodge on the beach - way fun and great Viet/Thai food.
Any of the nearby beach towns are great: Melaque, Tenacatita (great fresh grilled red snapper on the beach to the way left - Mascaro's maybe),
Las Manzanillas, etc.
Great in winter, very hot and humid in summer.
Buen viaje.
M (SMdA, Gto.)

Mikemo, are you comparing Guadalajara to the coastal towns? I don't see the basis for comparison - it's like apples and oranges.

We quite enjoyed Guadalajara. On that particular trip, we spent 3 nights in Puerto Vallarta (which was just ok - I used to love PV back in the 80's), a week in Sayulita (which we both enjoyed) and 4 nights in Guadalajara. Lots to see and do there and we were glad we went. I personally like some variety on a vacation in Mexico - we usually try to spend some time on a beach and some time in a city in the interior.

Guadalajara is a wonderful, safe, clean city with many attractions. To many to mention here. We honeymooned there (Suite 45 Quinta Real) in one of the finest hotels in Mexico. I would not go unless I could spend two nights minimum. Back in the 80s/90s I would end my stay in PV by spend 3 or 4 nights there flying Mexicana home from there.
Barra/Melaque is a fun area. Much smaller you can easily walk the beach from one town to the other. The only downer is the beach has a bit of a slant so it takes some getting use to. Melaque's beach i s more protective thus more swimable. Barra's can be very rough.

Susan,
By no means as I live in San Miguel de Allende,Gto. just trying to give some perspective.
I would never live in GDL, nor on the coast full time.
It seldom gets better than here, imhpo.
M

Tlaquepaque is a great place to stay for visiting GDL. You get the feel of a small city, with a short taxi ride to the sites in town. The Orozco murals in the Palacio de Gobierno and the Instituto Cultural Cabanas in addition to the Catedral can be done in one day. You might add a visit to Teatro Degollado for Ballet Folklorico. The Thursday and Sunday market in Tonala are worth a visit, too. Easy taxi ride. A side trip to Tequila is interesting--especially either Sauza or Herradura. There are some great B&B's in Tlaquepaque. Lake Chapala and Ajijic are retirement villages for Canadians and ex-pats.