First Solo International Trip in a loooong time - Guadalajara (50/M): Looking for Budget conscious recs
I'm on my first solo international trip in years. I'm 50 (M if that matters), retired early, and living on a fixed-ish budget. Staying in an Airbnb in Centro, which has been a solid base for walking and exploring so far.
I've already had my first taste of the city; a rainy Sunday evening at Templo Expiatorio, watching some matches at the FIFA Fan Zone, and torta ahogada.
I don't look like the typical American tourist, which creates interesting social situations. To add to the chaos, I live in Portugal, so my Spanish is currently a messy Portuñol hybrid. My mouth and brain defaults to Portuguese mid-sentence and has led to some confused stares, followed by laughs.
Looking for help filling my remaining 10 days. Budget-conscious and low-key if possible.
1. Lucha Libre: I survived the Mercado San Juan de Dios solo, so I think I'm ready. Any recommended tips for going solo or is this beeter a going as part of a tou?
2. Vintage Markets: I love hunting for vintage clothing and curios. Where are the best markets or thrift spots in GDL?
3. Live Music: Music-first venues or neighborhood scenes only. I want to avoid bar-crawl and party scenes entirely.
4. Art/History (beyond the big ticket items): I've hit the main Centro sites. Looking for under-the-radar murals, smaller galleries, or historical neighborhoods worth exploring .
5. Tours: I'm willing to book a few. Any local operators worth looking into? I've already connected with a local artist who does an art tour, but she's waiting on bookings to make it happen (fingers crossed.)
6. Food: Local markets and neighborhood spots over tourist traps. Any must-eats? Open to a food tour if it's a deep-dive.
7. Solo-specific: Any experiences here that are better solo?
I'm here to wander, eat, and reconnect/ recenter myself. If you have a favorite plaza for people-watching or a quiet café to sit with a journal or a book, I 'd love to hear about it.
Posted Jun 29, 2026, 11:38 PM UTC