The Ultimate One Week Jalisco, Mexico Itinerary
- ana & dee carry on twins
- Aug 1
- 5 min read
From Cozy Mountain Towns to Beach Days in Puerto Vallarta
If you’re planning a trip to Jalisco, don’t make the mistake of only visiting Puerto Vallarta. We spent a week road-tripping through the state—from colorful Guadalajara to the cozy mountain town of Tapalpa before ending on the beaches of Puerto Vallarta—and it ended up being one of our favorite trips ever.
This itinerary has a little bit of everything: colonial towns, mountain cabins, coffee shops, beaches, surfing, incredible food, shopping, and nightlife. If you’re looking for a trip that lets you experience several different sides of Mexico in one vacation, this is it.
Here’s exactly how we’d plan it again.
Day 1: Arrive in Guadalajara & Explore Tlaquepaque
After landing in Guadalajara, skip staying downtown and head about 20 minutes to Tlaquepaque, one of the most charming neighborhoods in all of Mexico.
Known for its colorful streets, artisan shops, mariachi music, and beautiful courtyards, Tlaquepaque is the perfect introduction to Jalisco. We loved wandering through the pedestrian streets, popping into local boutiques, and enjoying dinner while live mariachi bands played nearby.
We stayed at Quinta Don José Boutique Hotel, which had incredible hospitality and a great location. If you’re looking for something a little more luxurious or design-forward, there are several beautiful boutique hotels throughout the area that would also make a wonderful home base.
Where to Stay
Quinta Don José Boutique Hotel
Casa Morales Hotel Boutique
Gala Hotel Boutique
Where to Eat
Casa Luna
El Patio
TlaquePasta
El Parián (perfect for mariachi music and drinks)
Carry On Twins Tip: Plan to arrive early enough to spend the evening exploring Tlaquepaque. The atmosphere comes alive after sunset and it’s one of the most charming places we visited.
Days 2 & 3: Escape to Tapalpa
If we could recommend just one destination from this entire itinerary, it would be Tapalpa.
We honestly didn’t know much about it before visiting, but it quickly became our favorite stop of the trip. Nestled in the mountains, Tapalpa feels completely different from the beach towns people typically associate with Mexico. Think pine forests, cool mountain air, cozy cabins, fireplaces, coffee shops, and quiet streets lined with local shops. It’s the perfect place to slow down.
Stay at La Chula
We stayed at an Airbnb called La Chula, and it was easily one of our favorite places we’ve ever stayed.
The home overlooked the mountains and felt incredibly peaceful. We spent our evenings cooking dinner, enjoying the cooler weather, and watching the sunset from the patio. If you’re traveling with family or friends, we highly recommend renting a cabin instead of staying in town.
Start the Morning at 7 Aromas Café
Every good vacation day starts with coffee, and 7 Aromas Café was one of our favorite coffee shops of the week. It’s cozy, welcoming, and the perfect place to fuel up before exploring.
Visit Las Piedrotas
Las Piedrotas is Tapalpa’s most famous attraction, and it’s absolutely worth visiting.
Massive rock formations rise from rolling green fields, creating one of the most unique landscapes in Jalisco. It’s a beautiful place to walk around, take photos, or simply enjoy the scenery.
One of our favorite surprises was that you can go horseback riding through the area for about $5 USD for a 20-minute ride. It ended up being one of the highlights of our entire trip.
Wander Through Downtown Tapalpa
One of our favorite afternoons was simply walking around downtown.
The streets are filled with authentic restaurants, handmade ice cream shops, bakeries, souvenir stands, and local artisans. There isn’t a strict itinerary here—and that’s exactly what makes it so special.
Restaurant Recommendations
Madre Tierra
Paulino’s
Los Girasoles
El Vergel
Carry On Twins Tip: We recommend spending two nights in Tapalpa. One night simply isn’t enough to enjoy everything this mountain town has to offer.
Days 4–6: Puerto Vallarta & Nuevo Vallarta
After leaving Tapalpa, we made the drive to Puerto Vallarta and stayed in Nuevo Vallarta, which we thought made an excellent home base.
It’s quieter than downtown Puerto Vallarta, offers beautiful beaches, and is close enough to easily explore Sayulita, Punta Mita, and Puerto Vallarta throughout your stay.
Where We Ate
Tarantino & NickSan
One of the coolest restaurant concepts we’ve experienced.
The two restaurants share the same seating area, meaning everyone at your table can order from either menu. Whether you’re craving Italian or sushi, you don’t have to
choose. It’s such a fun dining experience and one we’d absolutely recommend.
Spend a Day in Sayulita
If you’re looking for a colorful surf town with a laid-back atmosphere, Sayulita is worth the drive.
The town is filled with boutiques, cafés, beach bars, local artists, and surfers. Even if you’ve never surfed before, this is one of the best places to take a lesson.
We stopped at ChocoBanana for breakfast, but if we return we’d also love to try:
Mary’s
Don Pedro’s
Barracuda
Anchor Café
Yah-Yah Café
Plan to spend the day walking through town before relaxing on the beach for the afternoon.
Experience Puerto Vallarta Nightlife
One of the most unexpected highlights of our trip was a night at Sala de Despecho.
Imagine live music, everyone singing together, dancing, and an atmosphere that’s hard to describe until you experience it yourself. It’s often compared to karaoke, but it’s so much more entertaining.
Our biggest recommendation is to reserve a table ahead of time if you’re traveling with a group. Keep in mind that table reservations typically require purchasing a bottle, but if you’re celebrating or traveling with friends, it’s absolutely worth it.
Visit Punta Mita
We also spent part of a day exploring Punta Mita. To be honest, we weren’t blown away by the public beaches, but we also weren’t staying at one of the luxury resorts. We imagine the experience would be completely different if you were staying at the Four Seasons or St. Regis.
We did stop at El Cafecito de Mita, which was a cute coffee stop, and you’ll also find plenty of surf lessons offered around town.
If you’re limited on time, we’d personally prioritize Sayulita over Punta Mita.
Day 7: Return to Guadalajara & Explore Andares
Before flying home, we stayed near Andares, and we can’t recommend it enough.
Andares is one of the most beautiful shopping destinations we’ve visited. It’s an upscale indoor-outdoor shopping district filled with luxury brands, local boutiques, restaurants, cafés, rooftop bars, and beautiful architecture.
Even if shopping isn’t your thing, it’s worth visiting just to walk around and enjoy the atmosphere.
Where to Stay
Hyatt Regency Andares Guadalajara
Wyndham Grand Guadalajara
Hilton Guadalajara Midtown
Restaurant Recommendations
Campomar
La Docena
La Madalena
Mochomos
Brick Steakhouse
It’s the perfect way to end your trip before heading back to the airport.
Our Favorite Stops
Best Overall Destination: Tapalpa
Favorite Coffee Shop: 7 Aromas Café
Most Unique Experience: Las Piedrotas
Best Beach Town: Sayulita
Favorite Dinner: NickSan
Best Nightlife: Sala de Despecho
Best Shopping: Andares
Things to Know Before You Go
Rent a car. This itinerary is best experienced as a road trip.
Tapalpa is much cooler than Puerto Vallarta, especially in the evenings, so pack a light jacket.
Bring comfortable walking shoes for Tlaquepaque, Tapalpa, Sayulita, and Andares.
Carry some cash for small shops, food stands, and activities like horseback riding.
We recommend spending at least seven days to fully experience each destination without feeling rushed.
Final Thoughts
Jalisco completely surprised us. Like many travelers, we originally thought of Puerto Vallarta when we heard the name Jalisco. But after spending a week exploring colorful colonial towns, peaceful mountain landscapes, charming surf towns, beautiful beaches, and one of the nicest shopping districts we’ve visited in Mexico, we realized just how much this state has to offer.
If we were planning this trip again, we wouldn’t change much. We’d still begin in Tlaquepaque, spend a few peaceful days in Tapalpa, enjoy the beaches around Puerto Vallarta, wander through Sayulita, and end the trip with one last afternoon at Andares before flying home.
It was the perfect mix of adventure, relaxation, incredible food, and hidden gems—and it’s a trip we’d recommend to anyone looking to experience a different side of Mexico.
Comments