Activities in Western Central Highlands
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A
Instituto Mexicano-Americano de Cultura
The Instituto Mexicano-Americano de Cultura offers one- to 52-week courses. Study between one and four hours per day. Check its website for course fees and homestay options. Music and dance classes are also available.
reviewed
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B
Baden-Powell Institute
This small, well-run and affordable Institute offers courses in Spanish language, as well as Mexican politics, cooking, culture, guitar and salsa dancing. It books homestays (per day M$365) for students.
reviewed
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Mex Mich Guías
Provides personalized tours and transportation to many destinations in the area, including the Santuario Mariposa Monarca.
reviewed
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Colima Magic
Parque Nacional Volcán Nevado de Colima straddles the Colima–Jalisco border. It includes two dramatic volcanoes: the still-active Volcán de Fuego and the inactive Volcán Nevado de Colima. Colima Magic is one of the area’s best adventure tour operator. It runs day trips from Colima to Volcán Nevado de Colima’s peak, with English-speaking guides. Tours cost M$800 to M$1304, which includes transportation and entry fees; it also includes food. But you must book in advance. It can be difficult to find a guide on the fly if you only have a few days.
reviewed
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Returi
Parque Nacional Volcán Nevado de Colima straddles the Colima–Jalisco border. It includes two dramatic volcanoes: the still-active Volcán de Fuego and the inactive Volcán Nevado de Colima. Returi is one of the area’s best adventure tour operator. It runs day trips from Colima to Volcán Nevado de Colima’s peak, with English-speaking guides. Tours cost M$800 to M$1304, which includes transportation and entry fees. But you must book in advance. It can be difficult to find a guide on the fly if you only have a few days.
reviewed
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C
Tapatio Tour
The ubiquitous double-decker buses of Tapatio Tour ply the city’s most popular sights on a circuit track. While the pre-recorded narration (in English, Spanish, French, Italian, German and Japanese) is less than inspirational, the tours allow you to hop off and on wherever you wish, making sightseeing a breeze. Buses depart from the Rotonda de los Jaliscenses Ilustres.
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Panoramex
Panoramex runs tours with English-, French- and Spanish-speaking guides, leaving from the Jardín San Francisco at 09:30. Tours include visits to Guadalajara's main sights; and to the town of Tequila, where you'll roam agave fields and Sauza's tequila distillery before sipping (around $210, 6½ hours, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday).
reviewed
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Miguel Ángel Núñez
English-speaking Miguel Ángel, an anthropologist, offers insider tours of the Pátzcuaro area and throughout Michoacán. He covers indigenous culture, archaeology, colonial history, art and architecture. Tour prices depend on the destination, transportation is provided. He can also organize cooking classes and food tours upon request.
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Thermal Spa
At San Juan Cosalá, 10km west of Ajijic, there’s a popular thermal spa on the lake. It has seven steaming pools, plays loud music and attracts Mexican families on weekends. It’s located between hotels Balneario San Juan Cosalá and Villa Bordeaux; if you stay at either of these places entry to the spa is free.
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D
Parque Regional Metropolitano
The Parque Regional Metropolitano, a few blocks southwest of the city center, has a depressing zoo, a swimming pool, snack kiosks and a forest with an artificial lake. Explore the forest paths on quad bikes (M$25 per 30 minutes), or cruise the lake by paddleboat (M$25 per 30 minutes).
reviewed
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E
Centro de Lenguas Y Ecoturismo de Pátzcuaro
Courses at Centro de Lenguas y Ecoturismo de Pátzcuaro involve four to six hours of classes Monday to Friday. Cultural programs include seminars in Mexican literature and excursions to the butterfly sanctuary (in season) and local villages. Homestays (including meals) cost M$326 per day.
reviewed
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F
Artes Plásticas
Learn music, dance, photography, design and drama at Guadalajara's best art school, held in a reclaimed, graffiti covered colonial relic in the city center. Exchange students of all ages are welcome, but instruction is in Spanish. Register through the University of Guadalajara.
reviewed
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Siete Leguas
Call ahead for free tours at Siete Leguas, a fine tequila distillery located in a large purple building along the main road into town. After your tour, wander along Independencia for great deals on tequila at various distillery warehouse shops.
reviewed
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G
Universidad de Guadalajara’s Centro de Estudios para Extranjeros
The Universidad de Guadalajara’s Centro de Estudios para Extranjeros offers several levels of intensive two- to five-week Spanish-language courses. Day trips, homestays and longer excursions to other parts of Mexico are available.
reviewed
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H
Centro Cultural de Lenguas
Centro Cultural de Lenguas offers Spanish-language classes running from one hour to four weeks, as well as music, dance and cooking classes. Homestays (per night from M$313, including meals) are available.
reviewed
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Experience Tequila
American tequila aficionado Clayton Szczech offers a variety of individualized private tours departing from Guadalajara, from basic day trips to tequila country to multiday intensive tasting seminars. Book well in advance.
reviewed
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Yogare
Yogis can descend to this sweet studio near the Zapopan plaza. Daily vinyasa yoga classes cost around $100 each, but you can have four for around $240 or an unlimited month's pass for M$480. Instruction is in Spanish.
reviewed
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Tequilas del Señor
Located half an hour from downtown Guadalajara in the suburb of Tlaquepaque, Tequilas del Señor is an 1800s distillery offers tours of its cellars, complete with samples.
reviewed
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I
Spirits of El Panteón de Belén
Check out the haunted, crumbling tombs in one of Guadalajara's oldest cemeteries on this creepy night tour. The later the hour the more spine-tingling the journey. Enjoy the ghosts.
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Leyendas de Morelia
An interesting 2½ hour night tour where guides explain the legends behind the major sites in the city center. Includes a visit to an underground crypt. Tours are in Spanish.
reviewed
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Mundo Cuervo
Mundo Cuervo, a veritable tequila theme park, is the biggest game in town. Hourly tours include tastings and a free plastic cup of margarita.
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Herradura
The romantic old hacienda of Herradura is Mexico’s prettiest distillery, with regularly scheduled English-language tours.
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Sauza
Five blocks south of Mundo Cuervo, the industrial-looking La Perseverancia distillery Sauza has regular factory tours.
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Tres Mujeres
Call ahead for Spanish-language tours at the high-end 100% agave distillery Tres Mujeres.
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GDL Tours
This Guadalajara-based day trip features distillery tours and tastings.
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