If there were a contest to find the capital of crafts in Mexico, Tonalá would surely be competing for one of the top spots. This municipality, located in the metropolitan area of Guadalajara, has been shaped in the pottery kilns and clay of its lands, gaining international fame.
Favorite crafts include pieces made of clay, wrought iron, blown glass, papier-mâché, wood, copper, plaster, and ceramics. In fact, there is a museum entirely dedicated to ceramic techniques, which you should definitely add to your itinerary.
Tonalá, whose Nahuatl name means "Place where the sun rises," will dazzle you with its buildings. The best way to immerse yourself in Tonalá is by visiting its historic center, where the Parish of Santo Domingo, with its finely carved stone facade, is a beautiful example of colonial syncretism.
Also, don't miss the municipal palace with its clay walls and the Cihualpilli plaza, crowned by a beautiful French kiosk.
If all that walking makes you hungry, try the typical dishes such as pipián, meatballs, campechanas, and goat or beef birria. And to accompany them, there’s no better drink than a tejuino (corn beer) or a super cold lime water.
