hedgepath

I hear so much about Tlaquepaque -- but if the area is mainly for shopping -- we are more into beautiful squares, really nice restaurants, and experiencing more of the city's culture. What is the big difference between the Downtown area and Tlaquepaque?
Thanks alot.

ParrotMom

Haven't been to Tlaquepaque for years, but there is the famous "no name restaurant" behind the black doors, the haciendas are charming and it's a beautiful village. GDL has gorgeous parks and the Rivera murals.. and you can also take a bus either way..I think if I had my way I'd stay i Tlaquepaque...if only for the fact that famous artist Sergio Bustamante has his gallery there.

SusanInToronto

We stayed downtown for a few nights in February. We were in a budget hotel, mind you, but it was ok. The advantage was that there are loads of restaurants in the area and the downtown was very lively every night. (There was a festival on, so lots of concerts, etc. all the time.) You're also right next to all the plazas and cathedrals, museums, etc.

On the other hand, Tlaquepaque was terrific for shopping and we spent a day there. We had a wonderful lunch and I could easily have spent another day exploring all the shops. I imagine that later in the day, it's a quieter experience than downtown and some of the places around there looked wonderful.

Taxi out to Tlaquepaque from downtown was pretty cheap. I don't remember the exact amount, but I do remember that it wasn't a lot of money.

ParrotMom

forgot...although your not into shopping Lillian Puelo had her actual shop there..beautiful mexican designed and colorful clothes..I bought two caftans which I have to this day... We loved walking around and seeing the old buildings too. If you want more info on the "black door" restaurant write.. [email protected]

Jean_Valjean

Tlaquepaque is indeed very nice. However, I think that there may be more things to do in the downtown area. As some others said, taxis are cheap, usually safe, and plentiful.

In Tlaquepaque you need to go to Casa Fuerte, a really good Mexican restaurant in a very nice setting. The cornbread soaked in honey they serve for dessert is to die for.

There are a thousand handcraft stores in Tlaquepaque. If you feel like buying something, take a taxi to Tonala. It is maybe 20 minutes away from Tlaquepaque. This is where they MAKE the handcrafts, so prices are a lot cheaper (as in less than half).

SusanInToronto

I think Casa Fuerte was where we ate lunch. Yes, it was very pretty restaurant with good food.

We would have loved to go to Tonala, but too little time. Maybe on our next visit!

ETee

In response to your basic question "what is the big difference between Tlaquepaque or in Downtown GDL", Tlaquepaque is a tourist destination, while downtown GDL puts you in the heart of a living, breathing Mexican city. As you surmised, Tlaquepaque has excellent shopping and some beautiful craftspersons and artisans, as well as restaurants and the like which have grown to optimize the experience in a non-disneyesque fashion. Downtown Guadalajara on the other hand, is a real city - the municipal, state, and federal offices are there, as are several major universities, numerous churches and cathedrals, and two major Mercados so you have "real Mexicans" gathering and passing through, rather than just shoppers. The maze of interlocking plazas, cathedrals, and major buildings which make up the "Centro Historico" really are a walker and looker Mecca, particularly because they're really honestly used rather than preserved for tourists from both abroad and domestically. And living in an intensely urban area in the US, I enjoyed sitting for hours in some of the plazas and parks, just watching people enjoying and using the facilities, rather than deserting them and leaving them for the homeless. It should be noted that you will be in the core of a major city, and with it you have intense traffic at times, noise, and dirt, but in terms of modern culture, it's really miles ahead of Tlaquepaque.

Note regarding restaurants - like any major urban area "really nice" restaurants aren't all concentrated in one small zone or area - depending on what you consider to be really nice you may need to travel. Hint - unless you have real need, use taxis, as driving can be an overwhelming experience you don't really need.

Carolred

I have not been, but after weighing advice from others, chose Quinta Don Jose in Tlaquepaque (first week March). The people at Quinta Don Jose were really really nice.

There are good "destination" restaurants in Tlaquepaque, as well as quaint squares, and parks. People who recommend it call it a "neighbourhood" with a lot of character, and lots of people love to stay there for the local flavour. In my experience, its pretty hard to find a quiet room in large cities anywhere in the world. Its a cheap bus ride downtown or to Tonala. I am even thinking of walking, to get even more flavour.P

Please note that I HATE shopping and love neighbourhoods, so I did not decide to stay in Tlaquepaque for the shopping!

If you are there before me, let me know about Quinta Don Jose. Otherwise, I will let you know.

Leyva

If you're wondering about a good quiet place, you should visit La Casa del Retoño. Also in Tlaquepaque and just 3 blocks away from the center.
There's another post from people who has visited this place.

Carolred

Now I have been there! Back from a two week trip to Mexico, including three days in Guadalajara, staying in Quinta Don Jose.

Tlaquepaque is a living, breathing community, not just a shopper's paradise. There is a magnificent meat and produce market near the Parian. And it is especially charming in the evening, when most of the tourists are in their downtown 4stars, and the families come out to visit in the square by the two churches, and tons of really good food vendors come out.

Quinta Don Jose is an incredible value for the money. It is a Mexican style hotel, beautifully decorated, wonderful hosts with excellent English, the best Margaritas in Mexico, quiet, amazing breakfast included in the room, a block from the Parian, what else could one ask?

Downtown is beautiful, and fairly quiet for a city this size. Guadalajara is very clean and green. The bus to downtown is 40 pesos ($4 US), air conditioned, clean.

For the price and ambiance, I would suggest that B&B's in Tlaquepaque are a much better travel experience.