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Magical Towns on the way from Guadalajara to Puerto Vallarta

8 Magical Towns are less than 30 km from the road between Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta, a trip of roughly 319 km on the Guadalajara–Tepic highway (15D) and the new Jala–Compostela–Puerto Vallarta highway. Tlaquepaque, Tequila, Ixtlán del Río, Jala, Ahuacatlán and Compostela are right on the way.

From tequila to the sea in one day: the route passes Tequila and its blue agave fields, enters Nayarit through Ixtlán del Río, Ahuacatlán and Jala at the foot of the Ceboruco volcano, and descends to the coast via Compostela to Sayulita.

Distance
≈ 319 km
Driving time
≈ 3 h 45 min
Stops
8

Stops in order, from Guadalajara

  1. Illustration of Tlaquepaque, JaliscoKm 0
    Jalisco

    Tlaquepaque

    Right on the way

    Folk art in Guadalajara: ceramics, galleries and workshops, the Independencia pedestrian street, El Parián with mariachi and ceramics museums.

  2. Illustration of Tequila, JaliscoKm 67
    Jalisco

    Tequila

    Right on the way

    Birthplace of tequila and the UNESCO-listed Agave Landscape: blue agave fields, historic distilleries, museums and Jalisco's tequila culture.

  3. Illustration of Amatlán de Cañas, NayaritKm 133
    Nayarit

    Amatlán de Cañas

    ≈ 25 km off the road

    A rural corner among mountains in southern Nayarit: hot springs, waterfalls such as El Manto and quiet village life.

  4. Illustration of Ixtlán del Río, NayaritKm 137
    Nayarit

    Ixtlán del Río

    Right on the way

    The Los Toriles archaeological site and its round temple, the Cristo Rey viewpoint and natural pools in southern Nayarit.

  5. Illustration of Jala, NayaritKm 149
    Nayarit

    Jala

    Right on the way

    At the foot of the Ceboruco volcano: the Lateran Basilica, rural traditions and a corn fair with a contest for the world's biggest ear of corn.

  6. Illustration of Ahuacatlán, NayaritKm 151
    Nayarit

    Ahuacatlán

    Right on the way

    On southern Nayarit's tourist corridor: historic churches, the Ceboruco volcano, natural pools and its October patron-saint festival.

  7. Illustration of Compostela, NayaritKm 209
    Nayarit

    Compostela

    Right on the way

    One of Nayarit's oldest towns (founded 1530): colonial architecture, regional food and a gateway to the Riviera Nayarit.

  8. Illustration of Sayulita, NayaritKm 292
    Nayarit

    Sayulita

    ≈ 16 km off the road

    The bohemian surf town of the Riviera Nayarit: beach, surf lessons, street art, design shops, cafés and nightlife.

Kilometers are approximate, measured along the main highway; the detour is the straight-line distance from the road to the town, so by road it will be longer. Times are estimates: check your route and road conditions before you leave.

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