8 breakfasts, 1 lunch

Eating is a big part of traveling. Travelling with G Adventures you experience the vast array of wonderful food that is available out in the world. Generally meals are not included in the trip price when there is a choice of eating options, to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat. It also gives you more budgeting flexibility, though generally food is cheap. Our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other’s company. There is no obligation to do this though. Your CEO will be able to suggest favourite restaurants during your trip. The above information applies to G Adventures group trips. Please refer to the meals included and budget information for included meals and meal budgets.

We believe solo travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and solo travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.

You must be 18 to travel unaccompanied on a G Adventures tour. For minors travelling with a guardian over 21 years old, the minimum age is 12.

ACCOMMODATION NOTE:

Please be aware that properties we stay in with only two stories may not have elevators installed and climbing the stairs with your luggage will be necessary.

All G Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders, a G Adventures representative, or an expedition team. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting- we think it’s the best of both worlds.

Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.

On day 4, dive deeper with a guided city tour that threads the plazas and promenades of Guadalajara’s Centro. Take in grand civic spaces from Plaza de Armas to the cultural axis toward Hospicio Cabañas, and view powerful Orozco murals that shaped Mexico’s visual identity. Then continue to colorful Tlaquepaque, an artisan hub famed for pottery, glass, and lively plazas.

Stroll pedestrian streets lined with studios and patios, pausing at the gazebo of El Parián where mariachis often play. Along the way, your guide shares local lore and points out snacks—from spicy tejuino to pozole—before an open evening to explore your favorite finds.

Arriving on day 5, set out through Guanajuato’s UNESCO-listed historic center, a kaleidoscope of pastel facades and leafy plazas. Weave past the Jardín de la Unión, hear the legend of the Callejón del Beso, and descend into the subterranean tunnels that rerouted the river beneath the city—today, atmospheric roadways of stone.

Between landmarks, taste the city: a stop at a neighborhood bakery, fresh-squeezed juices, and street bites like tlacoyos, tamales, or sopes. As you walk, learn how silver wealth, student culture, and festival traditions shaped Guanajuato’s spirit, from the Alhóndiga’s Independence history to the music spilling from narrow callejones.

On day 6, arrive in San Miguel and follow your CEO through cobblestoned streets toward El Jardín, the city’s social heart. Gaze up at the pink spires of the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, whose neo-Gothic silhouette crowns the skyline, and get practical bearings on markets, cafés, and viewpoints for sunset.

Learn why this colonial city—part of a UNESCO World Heritage designation—became a magnet for artists and artisans in the 20th century. Along the way, your CEO shares tips for galleries and local eateries so you can make the most of your free evening.

Begin day 7 with a guided exploration of San Miguel’s finest landmarks. Stand before the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, then continue to the ornate Iglesia de San Francisco and the Templo del Oratorio de San Felipe Neri. Your guide threads quiet lanes and artisan alleys, sharing stories that animate facades and bell towers.

Hear of Independence hero Ignacio Allende and the layers of baroque, Churrigueresque, and neo-Gothic styles that lend San Miguel its character. With time to enjoy a free afternoon afterward, you’ll be primed to linger at a rooftop terrace, browse the artisan market, or return to your favorite square.

On day 2, head onto Banderas Bay for an ocean outing in search of humpbacks (Dec–Mar). Glide across calm waters as guides scan the horizon for towering blows and tail flukes. When whales surface, listen for their breath and watch for breaches while learning about migration routes and behaviors from on-board naturalists.

This is one of the Pacific’s richest marine habitats, framed by the Sierra Madre and the curve of the bay. Dress for spray and sun, keep cameras ready, and savor the salt air. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour with your CEO; seasonality and sightings are weather-dependent.

On day 2, cruise across Banderas Bay to the protected Marietas Islands. After a swift ride, slip into clear water to snorkel over volcanic reefs where angelfish, puffers, and parrotfish feed. Between sessions, scan the rocky islets for seabirds and enjoy time on deck with panoramic views of the bay.

These uninhabited islands are a national park with strict conservation rules, home to notable species like blue-footed boobies. Guides share natural history and safety tips, with quality gear provided. This excursion is at additional cost and bookable on tour; access to specific beaches is regulated and not always permitted.

On day 7, saddle up with local rancheros to explore the semi-arid highlands outside San Miguel. Follow dusty trails through mesquite and nopal cactus, descend into a basalt canyon, and cross shallow streams as hawks wheel overhead. Guides match horses to ability, so both beginners and experienced riders can relax into the rhythm.

This landscape has long been worked by vaquero families; along the way, you’ll hear stories of ranch life and seasonal traditions. Expect broad horizons, misty mountain passes in the distance, and plenty of time for photos. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

On day 7, join a chef for a hands-on class that begins at a local mercado. Shop fragrant herbs, heirloom chiles, and seasonal produce before returning to the kitchen to roast, grind, and blend salsas, press warm tortillas, and prepare regional dishes that showcase central Mexico’s larder.

As pots simmer, learn about nixtamalization, the artistry of balancing chiles, and the stories behind family recipes. Sit down together to savor your creations with aguas frescas, comparing textures and heat levels like a local. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

On day 7 in the evening, refine your palate with a curated flight that explores blanco, reposado, and añejo. A specialist explains proper nosing and sipping, how oak aging shapes aromas, and why terroir and altitude affect flavor. Pair sips with light bites and practice the slow appreciation locals prefer.

Contextualized by your earlier distillery visit, this tasting deepens understanding of agave culture—from field to glass. Learn about appellation rules, traditional vs. modern methods, and respectful drinking customs like pairing with sangrita. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

On day 7, slip away to thermal pools just outside the city for a restorative break. Move between warm outdoor baths and a tranquil stone grotto as steam rises into the highland air. It’s an easygoing interlude after sightseeing—bring a book, sip a juice, and let mineral-rich water do the work.

These balnearios draw locals and travelers alike for their soothing temperatures and garden settings. Expect changing rooms, simple cafés, and mellow ambiance that invites you to soak in the lakeside atmosphere—minus the lake. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour; towels and lockers are typically available for rent.

On day 3, travel through blue agave country to a traditional distillery near the town of Tequila. Learn how jimadores harvest ripe agave with the coa, then tour the ovens and stills to see how piñas become Mexico’s signature spirit. Cap the visit with a guided flight where you’ll sip, don’t shoot, comparing blanco, reposado, and añejo, followed by a leisurely lunch.

Set amid the UNESCO-listed Agave Landscape with views toward the Tequila Volcano, this experience connects technique to terroir—earth, altitude, and time. Hear stories of craft and culture that shaped Jalisco’s identity before continuing on to Guadalajara in the late afternoon.

Arriving on day 3, stretch your legs on a CEO-led stroll through Guadalajara’s historic core. Trace elegant plazas to the Teatro Degollado and the twin-towered Cathedral of Guadalajara, then continue to the Palacio de Gobierno to discuss the city’s pivotal role in Jalisco’s history. Your CEO points out favorite cafés, mercados, and evening spots for later.

Guadalajara hums with mariachi heritage and neoclassical facades. Learn how the city’s proud identity is expressed in music, craft, and bold public art—including Orozco’s dramatic murals. With the lay of the land in mind, you’ll be set to explore confidently during your free time.

On day 2 in the evening, follow your CEO to seek out the city’s tastiest stalls and taquerías. Try tacos al pastor shaved from the trompo, crispy birria folded into consommé, and grilled elote dusted with chile and lime. Between bites, wander the lively waterfront and pause for photos and reflection as surf breaks along the promenade.

Puerto Vallarta’s street scene blends Jalisco heritage with coastal bounty: salsas perfumed with roasted chiles, fresh ceviches, and vendors pouring the refreshing local drink, tuba. With music floating from plazas and sea air at your back, this casual stroll introduces the flavors and rhythms that will carry you across Mexico.

On day 1, gather for an evening meet your CEO and group to set the tone for the journey ahead. Your CEO outlines the route from the Pacific to the central highlands, shares practical tips, and suggests favorite spots for a casual bite. Afterward, you may stroll the Puerto Vallarta Malecón together, where ocean breezes and street performers frame the night.

As the sky blushes over sunset over Banderas Bay, admire whimsical bronze sculptures and the distant silhouette of the Sierra Madre. This relaxed welcome creates an easy space to ask questions, connect with fellow travelers, and enjoy a free evening sampling local flavors near the waterfront before the journey moves inland.