Tapalpa, Mexico
Mexico has always been a big part of my life. My mom was Mexican, I lived there for many years, and I still have a lot of family in Guadalajara. I am Mexican too, so this part of the country has always felt like home to me.
I've been going to Tapalpa for as long as I can remember. It's one of those places I've known forever — a little mountain town a couple of hours from Guadalajara, surrounded by pine forests, mountains and some pretty amazing scenery; the food and chilly nights!
Jerry and I have been here together too, so this is a little mix of Tapalpa memories over the years.
One of my favorite Tapalpa memories. Somehow, even on the hardest days, my family can make me laugh.
Las Piedrotas
Las Piedrotas is just outside Tapalpa — huge rocks in the middle of a wide-open valley surrounded by mountains.
We explored the area on horseback, then spent some time climbing around the rocks. Such a cool place to see.
And apparently Jerry is one of “las personas más importantes del mundo.”
Cascada El Salto del Nogal
About 30 minutes from Tapalpa is El Salto del Nogal, the largest waterfall in Jalisco at 105 meters. Here's the trail on AllTrails.
The hike is only about two miles, but it's pretty steep, especially coming back up. I also wouldn't do this one alone.
We loved it. The canyon is beautiful, the flowers along the trail were incredible, and we sat at the bottom by the waterfall for a while and had this really peaceful, almost meditative moment.
Definitely one of my favorite hikes around Tapalpa.
Tapalpa
I've been coming to Tapalpa literally my whole life. My family brought me here as a baby, and years later I was bringing my own kids here as babies. We've come for weekends, family trips, and even celebrated some of our best friends' weddings here.
Tapalpa is one of Mexico's Pueblos Mágicos, and I love just walking around the cobblestone streets, little shops and the plaza. One of the best things is finding a little cenaduría tucked inside someone's house. You walk in, sit down and eat whatever they're making that night.
No real plan needed — just walk around and see where you end up.
Food & Chilly Nights
The food is a big part of Tapalpa for me. Little cenadurías with great pozole, queso fundido, tequila... simple and so good.
We love staying at Casa de Maty, right in the middle of town across from the church and plaza. It's a great little hotel with adorable rooms, fireplaces and a really good restaurant — and it's super inexpensive.
There’s something about a chilly night in Tapalpa, good food, a drink and a fireplace. That's Tapalpa to me.
When You Go…
Getting there: Tapalpa is about two hours from Guadalajara. Having a car makes it much easier to explore outside of town.
Stay: There are lots of places to stay at pretty much every budget. We've stayed at several over the years, including Casa de Maty, Tapalpa Country Club and Hotel La Casona. Casa de Maty is one we really like if you want to be right in town.
Eat: Find a little cenaduría, order some pozole or queso fundido and have a tequila. Some of the best food is in the simplest places.
Do: Walk around town, go to Las Piedrotas and hike El Salto del Nogal. And leave some time to just wander.
Bring layers: The nights can get chilly, even when the days are warm.
Tapalpa isn't really a trip for me. It's just one of those places that's always been part of my life. And now Jerry loves it too.