Hostel Courtyard and Dining Area - - and Tequila Notes

The Hostel de Maria courtyard and dining area provide a marvelous place for travelers to plan some Mexico action or to take a load off after a day at language school, sightseeing, eating or drinking -- yep, this area is home to tequila. The stairs at the back of the photo lead to one of two of the hostel's private rooms, and the community kitchen is at the left.

Speaking of tequila...

Tequila by Bus

Take the Panamex luxury tour bus to Tequila for a 7-8 hour roundtrip to the charming town of Tequila and a tour of Jose Cuervo's (the real company) fields and distillery. Tequila tasting starts first thing at a roadside tequila stand just outside Guadalajara, narrated by the bilingual tour guide. Tequila and margarita taste tests continue through the distillery tour and the bus stops at a liquor store on the way home so you can stock up on bottles of the stuff. Buy a few minis of the expensive area-made nectar of the gods, using the knowledge just acquired at Jose Cuervo (if you can remember after experiencing eight different tequila "stations").

Catch the tequila bus at central Guadalajara's Parque San Francisco, three blocks northeast of your home away from home at the Hostel de Maria. The bus should leave about 9:30 a.m. -- wander the park and grab some coffee, fresh churros or a burrito from local street vendors; if you've time, walk half a block north to the delish La Chata restaurant (across the street from the stately Hotel Morales) for chilaquiles and hot chocolate. Duck inside the beautiful San Francisco cathedral (hostel owner Claudia was married here); note the curbside horse-drawn carriages for potential night rides around Guadalajara's centro later.

You can buy $23 tickets just before boarding or make a deposit on a seat the day before at a tourist information booth in the centro -- the silver kiosks, staffed by friendly, bilingual folks, are found in the Plaza Liberacion, Plaza de Armas or Plaza Guadalajara (all near the Guadalajara cathedral) about three blocks north.

• See hostel rates, amenities, location and directions.

Photo Index

• Hostel Exterior
  
• Hostel Front Desk
  
• Hostel TV Lounge
  
• Hostel Courtyard
  
• Private Room
  
• Hostel Rates, Amenities, Location and Directions
  
• Tequila Bus Information
  
• Hostel Dorm Room
  
• Nine Corners Neighborhood Cafe
  
• Churros Near Parque San Francisco
  
• Guadalajara Cathedral by Night
  
• Birrieria las Nueve Esquinas
  
• Guadalajara Mercado