Guadalajara Cathedral viewed from north side of Plaza de Guadalajara

Guadalajara is the capital of the central state of Jalisco in Mexico, and the second-largest city in the country, with about a million and a half citizens (known as "Tapatíos"). It is considered a colonial city, though much of its architecture dates from the independence period. Although it has a far more relaxed feel than Mexico City, the city center can still seem a bit stuffy and dusty, especially during rush hour when the sun is out. All in all, however, it is a lovely city and contains many nice areas for walking, not just in the center.

Understand

Guadalajara is Mexico's second largest city, and one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the country. This growth has been driven in part by the booming electronics industry in the industrial outskirts of the city. Other important and growing industries are pharmaceuticals, food processing, and fashion.

Orientation

Guadalajara proper is divided into four districts corresponding approximately to the northwest, northeast, southwest, and southeast quarters of the city. At the center of everything is the main area of interest to tourists, the Centro Histórico, or the historic downtown. Most of your time will probably be spent here. It is filled with colonial-era buildings and, famously, also boasts several important mural paintings by Jalisco-born José Clemente Orozco, one of Mexico's most important artists.

Outside the Centro Histórico are:

• Sector Hidalgo— in northwest of the Centro Histórico, Hidalgo is a largely residential sector encompassing the financial district and the Country Club Guadalajara.
• Sector Libertad— northeast of the Centro Histórico, Sector Libertad is mostly given over to industrial use. However, the southwest part of the sector, close to the Centro Histórico, boasts a traditional market (Mercado Libertad) and the Plaza de los Mariachis.
• Sector Juárez— southwest of the Centro Histórico, Sector Juárez is a shoppers' paradise: it boasts two shopping malls (Centro Magno and Galerias), as well as the popular Minerva, Chapultepec, and Zona Rosa shopping areas.
• Sector Reforma— southeast of the Centro Histórico, Reforma is also a mostly industrial sector, but visitors will no doubt be interested in the pleasant, tree-filled Parque Agua Azul, as well as the Tianguis Cultural de Guadalajara, a street market where alternative clothing and articles such as spiked belts, black trenchcoats, military uniforms, used books and trading cards are for sale at good prices.

Streets of Guadalajara

Still further from central Guadalajara are several suburbs (municipios) that are cities in their own right. Several of these are also of interest to visitors, including:

• Tlaquepaque — about 30 minutes by car southeast of the Centro Histórico, downtown Tlaquepaque is a charming streetscape redolent of old Mexico. An important arts and crafts center, Tlaquepaque has a vibrant shopping district where you can buy local pottery and handicrafts, as well as many lovely restaurants, art galleries, and a regional ceramics museum.
• Tonalá — immediately east of Tlaquepaque, Tonalá contains Guadalajara's main bus station, handicraft shops and markets, and the large Parque Solidaridad.
• Zapopan — a large, busy suburb southwest of Guadalajara, is famous for the old-fashioned charm of its downtown, its active nightlife fueled by the three large private universities within the city limits (Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara, Tecnológico de Monterrey and Universidad del Valle de Atemajac), its proliferation of modern shopping malls that will make American suburbanites feel right at home, and—by contrast—also large expanses of pristine nature, such as the Bosque de Colomos and the gargantuan Bosque La Primavera.

The 275-diagonal bus route runs from Tlaquepaque through the Centro to Zapopan, providing convenient access to all of these outer districts.

History

The co-founders of Guadalajara were Doña Beatriz de Hernández and Governor Cristobal de Oñate. In the Plaza de los Fundadores there is a monument in honor of both of them.

Guadalajara, and Jalisco in general, were the epicenter of the Cristero Wars (1926-1929) — a rebellion by Catholic guerrillas against the secularizing reforms of President Plutarco Calles. One of the first armed conflicts of the rebellion took place in Guadalajara in the Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe on August 3, 1926, where a group of several hundred Cristeros engaged in a shootout with federal troops. Guadalajara was attacked (unsuccessfully) by the Cristero armies in March 1929.

In the 1950s, Avenida Juárez was widened to create today's arterial road of Juárez-Vallarta which you see today. A famous part of that work was the moving of the central telephone exchange without the disruption of service. Pictures of this feat of engineering can be seen in the City Museum (Museo de la Ciudad).

In April 1992, Sector Reforma was rocked by a huge explosion of gasoline, when a gasoline pipeline leaked into the sewers over a period of days until the fumes finally detonated. Some 200 Tapatíos were killed and several thousand injured. The explosion affected mostly the working-class and industrial areas on the south side of the city.

In May 1993, Cardinal Juan Jesús Posadas Ocampo of Guadalajara was killed at the Guadalajara airport. Though at the time the murder was thought to have been some sort of politically motivated assassination, subsequent investigations favor the theory that the cardinal was caught by mistake in drug-related violence, his motorcade having been mistaken for that of a drug lord. Cardinal Ocampo is buried beneath the high altar of the Catedral de Guadalajara, probably because it was first suspected that the motives for his murder were political, rather than accidental.

Get in

By plane

• 1 Aeropuerto Internacional de Guadalajara Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (GDL  ^IATA) (south of city along the Guadalajara-Chapala Highway). Airlines serving GDL include AeroMexico, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Copa Airlines, Delta, United, VivaAerobus, and Volaris. (updated Jan 2017)

At the airport, always buy the taxi chit from the booth before exiting the terminal, then present it to the licensed driver. Many hotels offer airport pickups that can be cheaper.

Uber drivers are not allowed to pick up passengers at the airport. A common way to get around this limitation is to walk outside the airport a few minutes away to the nearby UPS distribution center (labeled as "Centro de Envios UPS" on Google maps). Set your Uber pick up location at this UPS center, which is outside the airport's restrictions and a driver will pick you up there.

The app Moovit finds a better bus connection from the airport to your accommodation than Google Maps (as of Dec 2021). The bus stops at the bottom of Terminal 1 and goes to the Old Bus Station close to the Centro Histórico and costs M$9.50 (Dec 2021). To get to the bus station of the airport, take a right upon exiting the airport building and follow the signs to the "Terminal Terrestre." Walk past the police station and FedEx building. Pay when getting on the bus.

By bus

Guadalajara has two bus stations:

• 2 Central de Autobuses Guadalajara – This is the new main bus station in the suburb of Tonalá, which serves all long-distance routes (generally those which leave the state of Jalisco). From this bus station to the Centro Histórico it's convenient by the subway or e-hailing.

• 3 Central AntiguoJust south of downtown, the Central Antiguo is served by regional second-class bus lines to nearby pueblos such as Tequila , Mazamitla, and Chapala. The buses themselves are often clean and very comfortable.

By van

If you come from León and want to take a second-class van to Guadalajara: Roll&bits has daily rides for about M$200 (May 2022). Just book your ticket online on their website. The vans have a big trunk for luggage.

By carpooling

From and to Puerto Vallarta it's around M$300 (Nov 2021) on Blablacar.

By car

• Federal Highway 15 (Carretera Federal 15) connects Guadalajara with Mexico City to the east.

Get around

Calle de Morelos

The Centro (downtown) is best accessible by walking. Most attractions lie within an area of about 1 km long by 350 m wide. For longer trips, or to get in and out of the Centro, use the bus, subway or a taxi. There are also horse-drawn carriages (calandrias), which are more expensive and touristy.

By e-hailing

Uber, Cabify and Didi cover the city.

By bus

For finding connections, Moovit and Google Maps cover the city including the subway. Regular buses cost M$9.50 (Dec 2023). You can pay with the public transport card or in cash. You don't get change. If paying with a bill, you can fold it and push it through the coin slot inside the bus.

The bus stops are shown in Google Maps or when calculating a route with Moovit. Not all bus stops have a signpost with a blue sign and a picture of a bus as well as triangular markings on the road with the word parada (bus stop).

Some bus lines show a different bus line number on their destination screen. When you wait for a bus, check the destination screen, the windshield and on the left of the front door, whether it's your bus line. It might be good to always ask the bus driver if he goes to your destination.

Dozens of bus routes provide transportation around the city. There are also luxury buses (Turquesa, Tour and Cardenal). Look on the front window of the bus to determine its destination, and ask the driver if you're uncertain.

Riding the bus also provides a good chance to see different parts of the city and get your bearings. Bus drivers will give you change within limits, though after even a day in Guadalajara you might find more 10-peso pieces in your pocket than you can dispose of.

The Pre-Tren

Metropolitan Area Mass Transit System (Sistema de Transporte Colectivo de la Zona Metropolitana). Alternatively, try Busca Tu Ruta (Search for Your Route).

Map of the Tren Ligero system

One particularly useful method for getting back and forth between the Centro Histórico and the Zona Rosa/Minerva area is the Guadalajara Trolley Bus (Trolebús de Guadalajara). Westbound trolleys travel along Avenida Vallarta; eastbound trolleys along Avenida Hidalgo. Just look overhead for the pair of electrical power cables. In the Centro Histórico you can catch the Trolebús on Avenida Hidalgo up to the east side of the Plaza de la Liberación, where it makes the turn to head up to Calzada Independencia and back west.

There is also an open-top double-decker tourist bus (TuriBus) that leaves from the Rotunda and will take you past all the main sites in Guadalajara, Tlaquepaque and Zapopan. Riders can get on and off the bus at will all day long, for a flat rate.

By taxi

Taxis are another option if you don't want to try to figure out the buses. You can either agree on a price with the cab driver or ask him to turn the meter on. Using the latter option, there is a risk that the driver won't the take the shortest possible route if he thinks you don't know it yourself. The meter will normally be a better price than the price the hotel will tell you to pay if they call you a cab. As always, be sure to ask the fare before you get in. Cabs cost more at night or when they have to cross the outer ring (Anillo Periférico) of the city. At night, the prices are doubled. If the driver is using a meter, there's also a starting price.

Fares to and from the airport are set. If arriving at the Guadalajara airport, a taxi monopoly provides the service from the airport. Pay for your taxi ride at the booths outside of the arrival halls. You can take a normal taxi to the airport, though.

By subway

There is a light-rail subway system (the Tren Ligero) that can be useful for travelers who are headed where the trains go. There are two lines that meet at the western edge of the Centro Histórico, and a third line that runs diagonally across the city. One runs north-to-south beneath Avenida Federalismo to the edges of the city in both directions. The second runs west-to-east through the Centro Histórico to the eastern suburbs, and the third runs diagonally across the city from Zapopan in the northwest to Tlaquepaque in the southeast.

The fare is M$9.50 (Dec 2021). You can pay with the public transport card or by cash at the machine: For the latter just push on the blue button on the screen. The machine does not give you change. The subway closes at 23:00.

A public transport card costs M$30 (Dec 2021) and can be purchased e.g. at a ticket machine of a subway station. It can be used for the metro, bus and bikesharing.

A new bus service named Pre-Tren ("Pre-Train") extends from the main subway station (Juárez) through the Zona Rosa to the west Anillo Periférico at a 50% discounted fare for subway card users. Pre-Trenes provide a good service with air-conditioned, red-colored units. The service is better than the smaller buses (camiones).

By car

You may also rent a car from airport, most major car rental companies such Avis, National Car Rental, City Car Rental,Hertz and Europcar have booths at the baggage claim area. There are also some local car rentals such as Veico Car Rental and Mobix Car Rental just outside the airport that also have good cars and often lower prices.

See

Centro Histórico and nearby

Cabañas in the nighttime

This statue of Miguel de Hidalgo is in the Plaza de la Liberación.

Colomos Forest

• 1 Belén Cemetery (Panteón de Belén), Belén 684, El Retiro, ☏ +52 33 3613 7786. Tours Tu-Sa 10:00, 11:00, 13:00 and 14:00, Th-Sa also at 20:30, 22:00 and 23:30. This old cemetery dates back to 1786. It has been converted into a museum that is full of interesting stories of cemetery hauntings and Tapatío culture in general. There are also night tours Th-Sa that many people are afraid to take! Photos and videos for a fee. Tours are offered.  
• 2 Cabañas Cultural Institute (Instituto Cultural Cabañas), Cabañas 8, San Juan de Dios, ☏ +52 33 3668 1642. Tu-Su 10:00-18:00. This UNESCO World Heritage Site east of Plaza de la Liberación is a cultural and art center where the fresco paintings of Jose Clemente Orozco are exhibited. M$80; teachers, students, and seniors $60 ($30 with valid ID, kids 6-12 also), free entry on Tuesdays; camera fee $30, video fee $40; Guillermo del Toro Cinema $30, teachers, students and seniors $25. (updated May 2023)
• 3 City Museum (Museo de la Ciudad), Independencia 684, Zona Centro, ☏ +52 33 1201 8712. Tu-Sa 10:00-17:30, Su 10:00-14:30. Exploring Guadalajara's over 450 years of history, the Museo de la Ciudad is situated in a former convent in the Centro Histórico that dates to the 18th Century. The museum's permanent collection is housed in six exhibition halls arranged chronologically according to century (16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st) and comprises artifacts and explanatory tests related to the history of Guadalajara in terms of art and architecture, ethnography, urban development, and the everyday life of Tapatíos. Temporary exhibits are also displayed, and lectures, workshops and symposia often take place in the auditorium and outdoor courtyard. M$20, teachers and students $10, free for children under 12 and Su. (updated Jul 2017)
• 4 Museum of the Arts University of Guadalajara (MUSA Museo de las Artes Universidad de Guadalajara), Av Juárez 975, Col Americana, ☏ +52 33 3134 1664. Tu-Su 10:00-18:00, closed M. University museum featuring noted local art. (updated Dec 2020)
• Cross of Plazas (Cruz de Plazas). These four plazas are laid out in the form of a cross, with the Catedral at the center. Any of them offer a nice spot to walk through or rest in for a few minutes, and most have plenty of food vendors nearby. The plazas that make up the Cross are: 
  • 5 Plaza Guadalajara (West of the cathedral, between Av. Hidalgo and Calle de Morelos, Zona Centro). Located directly in front of the cathedral, Plaza Guadalajara contains a circular fountain and an outdoor restaurant. Under the fountain there is an underground commercial center which offers all kinds of goods for sale including fruit, beverages and jewelry. 
  • 6 Plaza de Armas (south of the cathedral, between Calle de Morelos and Calle Pedro Moreno, Zona Centro). Plaza de Armas offers one of the best views of the cathedral, as well as the Government Palace. It features a French ironwork bandstand that was purchased by former Mexican president Porfirio Díaz in 1885, and four statues on the corners of the place symbolizing the four seasons. The bandstand serves as the performing arena for marching bands. 
  • 7 Plaza de la Liberación (east of the cathedral, between Av. Hidalgo and Calle de Morelos, Zona Centro). This plaza features two large cup-shaped fountains and a gigantic sculpture of Miguel Hidalgo, the man who signed the Mexican Declaration of Independence in the current Governor's Office. It also serves as an atrium for the oldest surviving theater in the city, the Teatro Degollado, and it's the usual spot for massive free concerts. 
  • 8 Rotunda of Illustrious Jaliscans (Rotonda de los Jaliscienses Ilustres) (north of the cathedral, between Av. Hidalgo and Calle Independencia, Zona Centro). This lovely circular monument of fluted columns is a mausoleum containing the ashes of 98 important men and women born in Jalisco. The bright and busy atmosphere of the park around it contrasts with the serious aspect of the Rotunda. On the southern side (across the street from the cathedral) is the bus stop for the TuriBus. 
• 9 Government Palace (Palacio de Gobierno), Corona 31, Zona Centro, ☏ +52 33 3668 1800. Daily 09:00-20:00. This is the historical center of the government of the State of Jalisco. Today it is mostly visited for its murals, the work of the famous Jalisciense artist, José Clemente Orozco. The most famous of these is a huge portrait of Miguel Hidalgo in the vault of the old chambers of the State Council.  
• 10 Guadalajara Cathedral (Catedral de la Asunción de María Santísima), Fray Antonio Alcalde 10, Zona Centro, ☏ +52 33 3613 7168. Construction of this Guadalajara landmark started in the 1560s and took about 50 years to complete. The current towers were replaced on 1854 by architect Manuel Gómez Ibarra after an earthquake destroyed the originals in 1818. While visiting the Cathedral, a must-see is the mural "The Immaculate Conception" (La Purísima Concepción) by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo. Also here is the Museo de Arte Sacro. The cathedral's architecture is an eclectic mix of the Gothic, Neoclassical and Palladian styles. (updated Jul 2017)
• 11 Guadalajara Regional Museum (Museo Regional de Guadalajara), Liceo 60, Zona Centro, ☏ +52 33 3613 2703. Tu-Sa 09:00-17:30, Su 09:00-16:30. A pleasant museum to spend a few hours in, especially on a hot day when you need some time out of the sun. It features the skeleton of a mammoth found on the nearby Laguna de Chapala. (updated Jul 2017)
• 12 Museo de lo Increíble, C. Morelos 217, ☏ +52 33 3614 8487. It sounds tacky, but this wax/oddities museum can be an interesting way to learn about Jaliscian history. (updated Dec 2020)
• 13 Plaza de los Mariachis, Av. Javier Mina at Calz. Independencia Sur, San Juan de Dios. The official name of this small triangular plaza is Plaza Pepe Guizar, named for the composer who was responsible for the song "Guadalajara". However, its popular name comes from the mariachi bands who, for a small fee, will serenade you while enjoying the restaurants and bars around the square (a word of warning, though: this neighborhood becomes sketchy after dark). The Plaza de los Mariachis is where the famous Mexican Hat Dance (Jarabe Tapatío) was born.  
• 14 Acuario Michin, Mariano de la Bárcena 990 (next to Parque Alcalde), ☏ +52 33 1644 9910. Daily 11ː00-18ː00. Good representation of aquatic species here. (updated Dec 2020)
• 15 Blue Water Park (Parque Agua Azul), Calz. Independencia Sur 973, Reforma, ☏ +52 33 3619 0328, [email protected]. Tu-Su 10:00-18:00. Open air concerts, a butterfly enclosure, an aviary and plenty of greenery are some of the things that can be enjoyed at Agua Azul. This is a good place to take a break from the often dry, dusty and crowded environment of the city. The park houses a museum of paleontology, and there is a museum of regional archaeology just across Calzada Independencia. The 1.5 km from the Centro Histórico to the park is quite walkable, but it is also accessible via the 62A and 62D buses along Calzada Independencia. 

Minerva, Chapultepec, and west of the Centro Histórico

• 16 Chapalita Roundabout (Glorieta Chapalita), Av. Guadalupe at Av. de las Rosas, Chapalita, Zapopan. A verdant gathering place in a lovely neighborhood (colonia) in the suburb of Zapopan, this "garden of art" sees local artists showing off their creations every Sunday while local residents show off their dogs. Raucous celebrations take place here on national holidays. 
• 17 The Expiatory Church of the Blessed Sacrament (El Expiatorio, Templo del Santísimo Sacramento), López Cotilla 935, Zona Centro, ☏ +52 33 3825 3410. This finely detailed Gothic Revival cathedral was built over decades starting in the late 19th century. There is a mechanical clock in the bell tower that features a procession of the Twelve Apostles at 09:00, 12:00 and 18:00. The interior of the church features a lovely collection of stained glass windows.  
• 18 Minerva Roundabout (Glorieta Minerva), Av. Ignacio Vallarta at Av. Adolfo López Mateos, Zona Centro. This glorieta (traffic circle) showcases a giant statue of the Roman goddess Minerva (one of the most important symbols of Guadalajara), surrounded by a fountain. It's sometimes shut down to traffic and opened to pedestrians when there's a major city celebration—such as when the Chivas football team wins a major game.  
• 19 Monument of the Child Heroes (Monumento a los Niños Héroes), Av. Niños Héroes at Av. Chapultepec Sur, Moderna, ☏ +52 33 3825 1340. A massive stone spire that memorializes six teenage military cadets who died defending Mexico City's military academy from U.S. forces during the Mexican-American War. 
• 20 Vallarta Arch (Arcos Vallarta), Av. Ignacio Vallarta just east of Glorieta Minerva, Zona Centro. This Romanesque double arch stands at what was once the western edge of the city. There are nice views to be had from the top, and interesting murals to view on the way up.  

Zapopan

• 21 Colomos Forest (Bosque Los Colomos), El Chaco 3200, Colomos Providencia, Zapopan, ☏ +52 33 3641 3804. M-F 09:00-15:00. This lovely, family-friendly green space is a 92-hectare urban forest that boasts 30,000 trees of diverse species. Its mission is to conserve a beautiful example of a native woodland in an urban environment and educate visitors on ways for humans to better coexist with nature. In terms of visitor amenities, Colomos boasts lovely gardens including a Japanese garden and a cactus garden, goldfish ponds where children enjoy feeding the fish, and horseback riding. Smoking is strictly prohibited.  
• 22 Basilica of Our Lady of Zapopan, Calle Eva Briseño 152, Zapopan, ☏ +52 33 3633 0141. This basilica whose construction began in 1689 is especially popular because it preserves a wooden Virgin relic that came from Spain in the 16th century, and which is tied to a visitation by the Virgin herself with the intent of getting the indigenous people to lay down their weapons in the process of Spanish colonization. (updated Dec 2020)
• 23 Trompo Mágico Museum, Av. Central Guillermo Gonzalez Camarena 750, Zapopan, ☏ +52 33 3030 0001. Tu-F 09:00-18:00, Sa Su 11:00-19:00, closed M. Interactive kids museum. (updated Dec 2020)
• 24 Calaverandia - Parque Temático, Avenida Manuel Ávila Camacho (located in Parque Avila Camacho). A thematic amusement park. (updated Dec 2020)

Tlaquepaque and Tonala

Plaza Tapatia

The municipalities of Tlaquepaque and Tonala to the southeast of Guadalajara are essentially suburbs, though they retain muc of their small-town charm. They had similar origins in originally being settlements of indigenous tribes with a pottery industry and were overtaken by the Spanish conquistador Nuño de Guzmán in 1530. Tlaquepaque also hosted Miguel Hidalgo on his way to Guadalajara in the Mexican War of Independence. Today the hallmark feature of these places is still pottery, though shops with furniture, textiles and other handicrafts are plentiful. In Tonala, don't miss the Thursday and Sunday street market revolving around handicrafts in front of the main church.

• 25 Museo Regional de la Ceramica, Calle Independencia 237, Tlaquepaque, ☏ +52 33 3860 1177. M-F 09:00-17:00. A tribute to the pottery heritage of Tlaquepaque. Portrays different styles like burnished clay, high temperature, flag clay and petatillo. free. (updated Dec 2020)
• 26 Parroquia San Pedro Apóstol, Guillermo Prieto 60, Tlaquepaque, ☏ +52 33 3635 1001. M-F 09:30-13:30, 16:30-20:00 Sa; 09:30-13:30; closed Su. Baroque/Byzantine-designed parish that dates to 1845, fronting the city square known as Jardin Hidalgo. (updated Dec 2020)
• 27 Centro Cultural El Refugio, Calle Donato Guerra 160, Tlaquepaque, ☏ +52 33 3562 7036. M-F 09:00-15:00. This building built in 1885 to be a psychiatric hospital now hosts cultural events and the Pantaleón Panduro, or display of winners from the National Ceramics Contest. (updated Dec 2020)

• 28 Museo Regional Tonallan, Calle Ramón Corona 73, Tonalá, ☏ +52 33 1200 3936. Tu-Su 10:00-18:00, closed M. Includes artwork pertaining to the Nahual, a shapeshifter sort of being. free. (updated Dec 2020)
• 29 Parroquia de Santiago Apostol/Capilla de la Cruz Blanca, Av Benito Juarez 80, Tonalá, ☏ +52 33 3683 1186. 16th-century churches. The parroquia is known for its Dance of the Tastoanes featuring masks on July 25th. (updated Dec 2020)
• 30 Museo Nacional de la Cerámica, Calle Constitución 104, Tonalá, ☏ +52 33 3683 2519. Tu-Su 10:00-18:00, closed M. more about ceramics. (updated Dec 2020)

Huentitán

• 31 Huentitán-Oblatos Canyon (Barranca de Huentitán-Oblatos), North end of Calz. Independencia Norte, Huentitán el Alto, ☏ +52 33 3674 0238. This is the forested gorge of the Río Lerma-Santiago, accessible via buses #62A and #62D which run along Calzada Independencia. There are two locations with fine views of the gorge:. 
• 32 Guadalajara Zoo (Zoológico Guadalajara), Paseo del Zoológico 600, Huentitán el Alto, ☏ +52 33 3674 4488. W-Su 10:00-18:00 when school is in session, daily 10:00-18:00 during summer break and on holiday weekends. The modern Guadalajara Zoo is next to the Barranca de Huentitán-Oblatos. It's worth visiting for its view of the canyon, and for its collection of animals, its safari ride and its panoramic train. Other highlights include a reptile house, a nocturnal environment exhibit and a tropical forest simulated environment. Special packages available for access to panoramic train, safari and/or aquarium  

• 33 Independencia Overlook Park (Parque Mirador Independencia). This lovely park is at the northern terminus of Calzada Independencia adjacent to the Barranca de Huentitán-Oblatos, with beautiful views of the canyon. Pretty gardens and benches are peppered around the park, allowing visitors to sit and enjoy the different views the park has to offer. This is also the starting point for many of the hiking trails that traverse the canyon.  

Do

City tour

You can make a sightseeing tour in a very economically and animal friendly carriage. These are not powered by a horse, instead by a battery like an electric car. The start is at the cathedral. Prices are M$300 for half an hour, M$400-500 for a whole hour (Dec 2021).

Sports

Guadalajara's sports culture is one of the most vibrant in Mexico, with a well-developed infrastructure of stadiums and facilities, achievements under its belt such as its successful turn as the host of the 2011 Pan-American Games, world-class athletes such as professional golfer Lorena Ochoa calling the city home, and big plans for the future. Guadalajara is also home to many ballet schools surrounding the metropolitan area.

Football

Of course, one would be remiss in talking about Guadalajara sports without mentioning the three professional football (futbol, i.e. what Americans call soccer) teams based there: Estudiantes, Atlas, and of course, Chivas. Chivas, more properly known as Club Deportivo Guadalajara, is, according to FIFA, the most popular football team in Mexico. Chivas has won 11 first-division titles and holds the longest-ever season-opening winning streak: 8 back-to-back wins. Chivas is also the only football team in Mexico with exclusively Mexican players, whereas other teams have players of varying nationalities. The team colors are red, white, and blue, signifying "Fraternity, Union, and Sports". The new stadium, Estadio Akron, with a capacity of 49,850, was inaugurated in 2010.

• 1 Estadio Akron (formerly Estadio Omnilife), Circuito JVC 2800, Ayamonte, Zapopan, ☏ +52 33 3777 5700. This is the stadium where most of the outdoor events for the 2011 Pan-American Games were held, and—more importantly—where the most popular football team in the city and the whole country, Club Deportivo Guadalajara (Chivas), has played since 2010. Chivas plays here every other Saturday at 19:00, unless otherwise specified. If you happen to be in Guadalajara on a Saturday, you are most likely to find either a Chivas football game in this stadium, or an Atlas game at Estadio Jalisco (below). Big games to watch out are Chivas vs. Atlas (which can be held in either stadiums depending on which one is scheduled as the home team) and Chivas vs. América—the "National Superclassic" (superclásico nacional)—as these teams are bitter rivals. Either of these match-ups are sure to sell out the stadium and treat those lucky enough to get tickets to an intense atmosphere. Estadio Akron is a difficult place to reach by public transport. It is close to the Periférico Oriente, so taking a taxi is the best option. Alternatively, use any bus that will go around Periférico and you'll eventually get there, just ask the driver to let you know when you are there, since the stadium's visibility from Periférico is very limited.  

Jalisco Stadium

• 2 Estadio Jalisco (Jalisco Stadium), Siete Colinas 1772, Independencia, ☏ +52 33 3637 0563. It's in Colonia Independencia, and can be reached by taking any bus along the Calzada Independencia and asking for the Estadio Jalisco. You will almost definitely see it if you look out, it will be on your left as you come from the center. Here the football team Atlas plays. Chivas used to play on this stadium until 2010, when Estadio Omnilife was completed. During the season there are league games every other Saturday. If Atlas is playing as a visitor, then you can look for a Chivas game at Estadio Omnilife. A big game to watch out for is Atlas vs. Chivas, which has an incredible atmosphere, though most games are worth experiencing. If you are of a nervous disposition, perhaps avoid the upper stands when there is a large crowd as it's known to shake when the crowds begin to jump.  
• 3 Estadio Tres de Marzo (March 3rd Stadium), Patria 1201, Villa Universitaria, Zapopan, ☏ +52 33 3610 1834. The Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara's football stadium in the north of the city, where "Los Estudiantes" play, is named for the date of the founding of the university in 1935. The Estudiantes play in the Primera Liga along with the other Guadalajara teams, Atlas and Chivas.  

Baseball

Guadalajara hosts teams in both of Mexico's major professional leagues. Both play in the Estadio los Charros de Jalisco in the suburban municipality of Zapopan. The stadium was built in 2011 for the Panamerican Games and is often referred to as Estadio Panamericana, though it was purchased by the Charros.

• 4 Estadio Los Charros de Jalisco (Estadio Panamericano), Calle Sta. Lucía 373, Tepeyac, Zapopan (use bus or taxi (no on-site parking)). Modern, state-of-the-art baseball stadium that is home field for both the Charros de Jalisco (Pacific League, winter) and the Mariachis de Guadalajara (Mexican League, summer). The stadium is modern with unobstructed sight lines. Small, intimate park seating just 8,000 fans. Very clean and comfortable. Beware: Inconvenient, fan-hostile payment policies. The stadium requires you to buy their own payment card and use it for any purchases in the stadium. (updated Mar 2023)

Bullfighting

• 5 Nuevo Progreso Bullring (Plaza de Toros Nuevo Progreso), Montes Pirineos 1930, Monumental, ☏ +52 33 3651 8378. It's right across the road from the Estadio Jalisco, just off Calzada Independencia. Bullfights take place at the Plaza Nuevo Progreso every Sunday at 16:30. Those arriving by bus might not be able to see the bullring from the street, as it's hidden behind some trees, so get off when you see the Estadio Jalisco and go in the opposite direction. 

Performing arts

• 6 Filharmonica de Jalisco (Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra), Teatro Degollado, Centro, ☏ +52 3614 4773. One of Mexico's top professional orchestras, the Jalisco Philharmonic celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2015. The orchestra performs a full season of classical music from January to June each year under the direction of Maestro Jesús Medina. The orchestra frequently tours abroad. The concert hall is a showcase of opulence. 

Holidays and events

Spring

• 7 Guadalajara Film Festival (Festival Internacional del Cine de Guadalajara), Nebulosa 2916, Jardines del Bosque, ☏ +52 33 3121 7461. The biggest film festival in Latin America and one of the most important showcases for Mexican and Latin American cinema on the world stage, the Festival Internacional del Cine de Guadalajara takes place annually in early March. A bevy of awards are given in all categories of film, and it also serves as a forum for education and creative interchange among Latin American cineasts.  

Summer

• International Mariachi and Charrería Conference (Encuentro Internacional del Mariachi y la Charrería). Mariachi bands from all over Mexico and the world meet the last week of August and the first week of September, usually at Teatro Degollado and the surrounding area, to play and compete for the delight of fans. You won't witness anything like this unique event anywhere else. 

Autumn

• Independence Day (Día de la Independencia). Visitors who find themselves in Guadalajara on 16 September are in for a festive and patriotic treat. One traditional way that Tapatíos enjoy celebrating this holiday is with a reenactment of the "Cry of Pain" (Grito de Dolores), the incident that, in 1810, kicked off the war that ended with Mexico's independence from Spain. At the stroke of midnight, locals go to the main square and shout out in unison: half yell "Viva" and the other half "México", going on to the names of important heroes of Mexican history: "Viva Hidalgo", "Viva Morelos", and so on. 
• Pilgrimage of Our Lady of Zapopan (Romería de la Virgen de Zapopan). Celebrated in Guadalajara on 12 October, this event honors the local Virgin Mary figure of the Guadalajara area, the Virgen de Zapopan. On this day, over a million people parade the famous statuette from the downtown cathedral to its home in the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Zapopan. This festival is only celebrated in the Guadalajara area, and is one of the largest examples of a romería outside Spain. 
• International Book Fair (Feria Internacional del Libro). The "FIL" takes place every November in Guadalajara. Companies and delegations come from all over the world to exhibit their books and see books from other places. Every year a country or region serves as the guest of honor, presenting books that represent its particular literary tradition. 

Winter

• Christmas (Navidad). A Tapatío Christmas tradition that you may witness if you're in Guadalajara over the holidays is known as "Las Posadas" (The Inns). Children parade through the neighborhood recreating the passage of Joseph and Mary through Bethlehem, asking for shelter and being refused. Generally nowadays this is a celebration for family and friends, but if you know a Mexican, it's a great way to experience Mexican culture firsthand. Regular appearances include piñatas, mariachi bands, Mexican beer, tequila and general merriment. 
• Foundation of Guadalajara (Fundación de Guadalajara). Held on February 14th, this is a celebration to commemorate the foundation of the city of Guadalajara on that day in 1542. 

Out of town trips

• 8 Tequila – 65km in the west. Situated in a picturesque countryside setting, it's perhaps the quintessential Guadalajara side trip, and is the best place to sample Mexico's favorite liquor. The Jose Cuervo distillery has a packaged tour that will pick you up from your hotel, take you to an agave farm, then to the distillery for a tour with free samples and a gift shop, then gift you with vouchers for a free margarita and 10% off at a local restaurant. The city itself is also quaint and worth exploring. Tequila is easily accessible by bus (about 90 minutes one-way), and many hotels organize excursions there for their guests. However, perhaps the most charming way of getting to Tequila is the Tequila Express, a charming tourist railroad complete with tequila shots and roving mariachis. The train leaves Guadalajara's train station Sa & Su 10:00, returning the same evening.}}
• 9 Laguna de Chapala – 50 km in the south. It's the main regional vacation spot, a lovely lake surrounded by picturesque towns such as Chapala and Ajijic (the latter of which has a sizeable gringo expat community). To Chapala goes a direct bus from the Old Bus Station (Antigua). The 'directo' bus has A/C and takes 1 hour. It costs M$58 (Dec 2021) and departs every full hour from Guadalajara. On the way back the bus departs hourly 15 min after the full hour from Chapala.

Guachimontones

• 10 Guachimontones. 65 km in the west. A pre-Columbian archaeological site near the town of Teuchitlán, about an hour west of Guadalajara, that dates to the period between 300 BC and 900 AD and is known for its unique circular stepped pyramids. This complex of more than 40 hectares was only discovered in the 1970s (updated May 2018)
• 11 Parque Bicentenario Puente de Calderon (off Route 80 east of Zapotlanejo). 07:00-18:00 daily. 45 km in the east. This 17th-century stone bridge was the site of the key Battle of the Bridge of Calderón in 1811 in the Mexican War of Independence. (updated Dec 2020)

Learn

The Universidad de Guadalajara, often referred to simply as "U de G", is the most important institution of higher learning in western Mexico, and the second most important in the country after Mexico City's mammoth UNAM. The University also serves as a center of cultural activity enjoyed by residents and visitors alike, such as the Ballet Folclórico and the 1 Cineforo Universidad.

Guadalajara offers many language schools for the fast growing need for learning Spanish.

• 2 Guadalajara Language Center, Francisco I. Madero #160a San Pedro Tlaquepaque Jalisco, ☏ +52 33 3635-2535, [email protected]. M-F 8AM-9PM, Sa 9AM-Noon. (updated Mar 2023)
• 3 IMAC, Donato Guerra 180 (Historic Downtown Area), ☏ +52 33 3614-1414, fax: +52 33 3613-4621, [email protected]. M-F 9AM-8PM, Sa 9AM-3PM. (updated Mar 2023)

Buy

In the centro are ATMs of BanCoppel, Banjercito, BanBajio and Citibanamex.

In the Americana district are an Banca Inbursa ATM inside the Sanborns, BanBajio, Banca Mifel and Santander.

In the centro and Americana neighborhood are some stores of Oxxo and 7eleven as well as some minimarkets. On the Av Juárez is the 1 big supermarket Soriana Súper.

The shopping scene in Guadalajara is centered around two opposing faces of Latin American culture: traditional open-air markets (tianguis) and the modern shopping plazas and malls that, more and more, are sprouting up around the outskirts of town. The latter can be found in particular proliferation southwest of the Centro Histórico in Sector Juárez, as well as in suburban municipios such as Zapopan.

A refreshing exception to this rule is the historic downtown district of Tlaquepaque, southeast of Guadalajara proper. This area is characterized by a lively collection of shops centered on the pedestrian-only streets, Calle Independencia and Avenida Juárez. Emphasized in these charming shops are arts and handicrafts of all kinds: one-of-a-kind handmade furniture, textiles, jewelry, paintings, sculptures, glassware, home decor, and even chocolate.

Tianguis

These temporary open-air street markets or bazaars are a Mexican tradition dating back to the Aztec days, and are a great way to get up close and personal with local culture at its most real—and score some bargains in the process. Some of the biggest tianguis in Guadalajara include:

• 2 Guadalajara Cultural Tianguis (Tianguis Cultural de Guadalajara), Plaza Benito Juárez, corner Av. Wáshington and Av. 16 de Septiembre, Zona Centro. Sa 07:00-19:00. Popular especially with young people, the Tianguis Cultural is not only a great place to buy clothes and music, but also to catch free open-air concerts, mingle, see and be seen. 
• 3 Liberty Market (Mercado Libertad), Javier Mina 52, San Juan de Dios, ☏ +52 33 3618 0506. Daily 06:00-20:00. Known by locals as Mercado San Juan de Dios because of the river that used to pass through the area, the Mercado Libertad is a very busy, multi-story enclosed market; with hundreds of vendors, it's the largest market in Latin America. The market also houses a very popular and very good food court featuring everything from seafood to local favorites like birria (goat stew) and pozole (hominy and pork stew). It's a great place to get souvenirs. Unfortunately, it isn't the safest place in town, so make sure to always keep on the lookout for purse-snatchers. 
• 4 Tianguis el Baratillo, Calle Juan R. Zavala 38, Santa María. Su 07:30-15:00. The largest tianguis in Guadalajara, this market sells anything and everything—tools, furniture, food, clothes and accessories, kitchenware, toys, and all manner of other articles—with an emphasis on used items sold at great bargains (hence its name El Baratillo, which roughly translates as "The Flea Market"). 

Malls and shopping centers

• 5 Centro Magno, Vallarta 2425, Arcos Vallarta, ☏ +52 33 3630 1113. Located between Avenidas Vallarta and López Cotilla, the Centro Magno has a big, wide, closed space in the middle, surrounded mostly by restaurants, fashion, electronics and bazaar stores, with a cinema on the top floor. It's served directly by bus routes 629A and 629B, and routes 626, 622, 24, 258 and 101 are also nearby. 
• 6 Galería del Calzado, Avenida México 3225, Vallarta San Jorge, ☏ +52 33 3647 6422. M-Sa 11:00-21:00, Su 11:00-20:30. This is an entire mall that contains over 60 shoe stores, great for the dedicated footwear obsessive. As you can imagine, all prices and styles can be found here. 
• 7 Galerías Guadalajara, Rafael Sanzio 150, Residencial La Estancia, Zapopan, ☏ +52 33 3113 9828. Daily 11ː00-21ː00. Guadalajara's biggest mall is at the intersection of Avenidas Vallarta and Rafael Sanzio. It houses Guadalajara's biggest multiplex cinema, with 20 THX projection rooms and 4 VIP rooms. Has multi-level parking ramps as well as more than 1 km² of open parking space shared with a Wal-Mart and a Sam's Club. Served by bus routes 25, 47 and 629.  
• 8 Plaza Andares, Puerta de Hierro 4965, Fraccionamiento Plaza Andares, Zapopan, ☏ +52 33 3648 2298. At the corner of Avenidas Patria and Puerta de Hierro. Designer stores abound here: DKNY, Cartier, Hugo Boss, Mont Blanc, Helmut Lang, Fendi, Alexander McQueen, Versace, Armani, Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Valentino, Diesel, Cavalli, Calvin Klein, Channel and Dior. 
• 9 Plaza del Sol, López Mateos Sur 2375, Ciudad del Sol, Zapopan, ☏ +52 33 3121 5950. This mall, Guadalajara's second-largest, is near the corner of Avenidas López Mateos and Mariano Otero. The mall boasts a multi-story car park and an open layout, with big, open spaces in the middle, surrounded by hallways. Served by bus routes 357, 101, 24, 258, 626, 629, 645 and 701, as well as the longer-distance buses that connect the nearby town of Santa Anita with the metropolitan area. The Torrena Tower, measuring 336.5 m in height, is under construction next to both Plaza del Sol and Plaza Torrena, a smaller, underground mall nearby that can be recognized by its white concrete dome.  
• 10 Plaza Patria, Patria 45160, Altamira, Zapopan. Bounded by Avenidas Patria, Ávila Camacho and Américas, this two-story mall, smaller than many of the others on this list, nonetheless has a sizable assortment of stores. Clothes and electronics can be bought here, and there are also convenience stores and a supermarket. Served by bus routes 24, 25, 604, 622, 632, 634 and 701. 

Eat

In rare cases this may happen towards foreign tourists: For example, when trying to get some tacos or a burger or something from a street food vendor, the vendor will tell you not to worry about the price, and when it's time to pay you will get an inflated bill. Be sure to ask for the price before you order. If the vendor tells you not to worry about the price, say "necesito saber" (I need to know). Of course, do this with a smile and you will not be ripped off.

Local specialties

Birria, tortas ahogadas, and chilaquiles are some of the most traditional Tapatío dishes.

1 Mercado Libertad – The food court is a good place to sample the variety of local specialties. You can go eat here multiple times, as there is a big variety of cooked meals. You can also find Chinese and Japanese dishes. The majority of the food stalls has price tags. Most vendors let you walk through the food court without disturbing you. The prices are low. It's open daily from 8:00-20:00.

• Birria is a savory stew made of roast chiles, spices and traditionally goat meat, though you will usually be given other meat options like mutton or beef depending on the restaurant. For birria, the restaurants in the Nueve Esquinas area (a few blocks south of Templo San Francisco) are popular and reliably good.
• Tortas ahogadas (literally "drowned sandwiches") are elongated sandwiches on birote bread, akin to submarines or po' boys, smothered in a savory chile and tomato sauce. Numerous restaurants in the Centro Histórico specialize in these.
• Pozole is a hearty soup of pork and hominy topped with fresh cabbage, radish, onion and cilantro. There are some very good pozole stands in the food court of the Mercado Libertad.
• Mollete. Popular for breakfast among locals, this is a French-style roll split and covered with refried beans, then topped with ham or chorizo and cheese and toasted.
• Tamales consist of pockets of masa (a starchy dough of corn flour) filled with mole (a sauce or gravy made from any of an infinite combination of chili peppers, spices, and chocolate) and the choice of chicken or pork. Most people make tamales for holidays such as Christmas, the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), Independence Day, or New Year's Day.
• Enchiladas are a corn or flour tortilla rolled around and filled with meat, cheese, vegetables and/or potatoes and covered with spicy chile sauce, dressed variously in sour cream and/or cheese.

Restaurants

In addition to traditional Mexican specialties, Tapatíos seem to be especially fond of Italian food—a considerable number of restaurants of that type can be found around Guadalajara. If you miss American fast food, worry not: in addition to the restaurants listed here, Guadalajara has 14 McDonald's outlets.

Budget

In the centro and Americana district you find several low priced restaurants and eateries, even more in the streets around the eatery El Vegano Urbano (in the west of the Centro and in the east of Americana). To find a low priced place to eat near your accommodation, you can search in Google Maps for "cheap restaurant" and filter by price ('$' symbol).

Between Centro and the Americana neighborhood

• 2 El Vegano Urbano, Calle Juan Cumplido 14, Col Americana. M-Sa 19:00-22:30. It looks and tastes like actual meat, but it's vegan. Served are delicious tacos for M$15, gringas, hamburgers and more. Tasty sauces that you can add by yourself. (updated Sep 2024)

• 3 Taquería Reforma, Calle Escorza 50, Col Americana, ☏ +52 33 1201 9369. Daily 11:00 - 22:00. It's a simple traditional eatery. The meat is fried right which means it's without burnt black meat. They serve daily 10:30-22:30. You get very good tasting: taco bistek or pastor (M$11), taco size quesadilla (M$11), sopes (M$20), or hamburguesa (M$30). (updated Sep 2024)

In the Americana neighborhood

• 4 Taco's Pepes. M-F 07:30-16:00, Sa 07:30-15:00. They have a big variety of tasty meat and sauces. Tacos for M$12-14, Gringas vampiros for M$25. (updated Nov 2021)

In multiple locations

• 5 Sticks Pedro Moreno. In the Americana neighborhood. In the west of the Zona Centro is the 6 Sticks Parque Rojo and there is the 7 Sticks Centro Histórico You get tasty:Japanese fried rice yakimeshi with chicken or beef for M$25-46a rather small portion of pasta for M$39-43a stick with cheese and salami, plantain, ham, shrimps or surimi for M$16-18a sushi roll for M$39-57. (updated Dec 2021)

Mid-range

Centro Histórico and nearby

• 8 Birrería Las Nueve Esquinas, Cristóbal Colón 384, Zona Centro, ☏ +52 33 3613 6260. M-Sa 09:00-22:00, Su 09:00-19:30. Well known for its lamb birria, a specialty of Jalisco, this popular place is in an old part of the Centro Histórico called "Las Nueve Esquinas" (Nine Corners), for its unusual street layout. 
• 9 La Chata, Corona 126, Zona Centro, ☏ +52 33 3613 1315. Daily 07:30-00:00. Very popular and very crowded. Traditional food the way mom used to make it, or so they say. The prices are higher here than in other places serving the same fare—but still pretty reasonable. 

Chapultepec, Minerva, Zapopan, and west of the Centro Histórico

• 10 Chop, México 2328, Ladrón de Guevara, ☏ +52 33 3630 3557. Su-Th 08:00-00:00, F Sa 08:00-01:00. Lovely deli midway between Chapultepec and Minerva and owned by a local chain of coffeehouses. Salads, sandwiches and wraps, paninis, calzone and pizza are on the menu, as well as a large selection of breakfasts served daily. Kids' menu. 
• 11 Goa... Un Sabor de la India, López Cotilla 1520, Americana, ☏ +52 33 3615 6173. M 16:00-22:00, Tu-Sa 13:00-00:00, Su 13:00-19:00. A restaurant specializing in North Indian cuisine served in a lovely and exotic environment. 
• 12 Kamilos 333, José Clemente Orozco 333, Santa Teresita, ☏ +52 33 3825 7869. Daily 08:00-01:00. Unpretentious, traditional Mexican fare reigns supreme here—Kamilos' menu goes heavy on meat dishes, which are juicy and delicious. Breakfast served daily. Those who don't speak Spanish well may have trouble with the (intentionally) misspelled words on the menu—"camarones" becomes "kamaronez", "quesadilla" is rendered "kezadya", etc. 
• 13 Tacos Providencia, Rubén Darío 534, Lomas de Guevara, ☏ +52 33 3641 6049. The tacos this place serves up—particularly the tacos al pastor, the specialty here—have been described as the best in Guadalajara. Quesadillas are also served. 

Tlaquepaque

• 14 El Parián, Corner of Calles Juárez and Progreso, Tlaquepaque Centro, Tlaquepaque. This central square of Tlaquepaque's historic downtown boasts several restaurants with a bandstand in the center. It's a nice place to sit and have a drink or enjoy a meal, with numerous mariachis who will play for you for a small fee and also public performances that begin at 21:30. 
• 15 TlaquePasta, Reforma 139, Tlaquepaque Centro, Tlaquepaque, ☏ +52 33 3635 7522. M-Th 17:00-22:00, F-Su 14:00-22:00. It's in the Quinta Don José Boutique Hotel, and offers a nice mix of cuisines, with traditional Tapatío dishes rubbing shoulders on the menu with the only Italian specialties available in Tlaquepaque. Great tasting food, attractive setting, and reasonable prices. 

Splurge

Chapultepec, Minerva, Zapopan, and west of the Centro Histórico

• 16 Almacén del Bife, Plaza Andares 4965, Puerta de Hierro, Zapopan, ☏ +52 33 3611 2668. Daily 13:00-00:00. "Beer and wine, our passion" (in translation) is the motto of this Argentinian restaurant in Plaza Andares. In addition, a wide selection of chicken dishes, pastas and a daily seafood special are offered. M$120-800. 
• 17 El Sacromonte, Pedro Moreno 1398, Americana, ☏ +52 33 3825 5447. M-Sa 13:30-00:00, Su 13:30-18:00. The food here is traditional Mexican served a little more artfully for a more well-off clientele. Subdued, violin-centered mariachis play here in the early afternoon. 
• 18 Il Duomo, de las Américas 302, Ladrón de Guevara, ☏ +52 33 3615 4952. Daily 13:30-00:00. Creative Italian cuisine at reasonable prices including pastas, meat dishes and fine wines, served by polite and attentive (but not over-attentive) waitstaff. 
• 19 Suehiro, La Paz 1701, Americana, ☏ +52 33 3826 0094. M-Sa 13:30-17:30 and 19:30-23:30, Su 13:00-19:00. Laid-back Japanese restaurant whose gargantuan menu encompasses excellently prepared cuisine in the teppanyaki, nabemono, and tempura cooking styles, as well as a huge selection of sushi and sashimi. Quality and service are beyond compare. Outside is a beautifully landscaped garden complete with koi pond. 

Drink

Guadalajara has a vibrant nightlife that's spread out all over the city, from the touristy places in the Centro Histórico (Plaza de la Liberación is a good place to start your search) to the college bars in Zapopan. However, perhaps the most active bar district in Guadalajara is centered along Avenida Chapultepec between Hidalgo and Niños Héroes, about 2 km west of the Centro Histórico. This is the place where GDL's hipster crowd makes the scene, with bar after bar lining the sides of the streets. Many of these places double as popular live music venues.

A good suggestion is to search out a bar with a large collection of tequilas and taste a great blanca, reposada and añejo. If you ask for a traditional tequila from Los Altos, you will almost certainly get something good. Los Altos is the region northeast of Guadalajara where the best tequila in the world is made, bringing up images of tradition, patriotism and individualism.

Centro Histórico and around the Universidad de Guadalajara

• 1 Los Famosos Equipales, Juan Álvarez 704, Zona Centro, ☏ +52 33 3614 1500. M-Th 10:00-00:00, F Sa 22:00-02:30. One of its famous drinks here is named "Las Nalgas Alegres" (Happy Buttocks), which is a delicious pink-colored but deceptively strong concoction. A jukebox plays music constantly, and snacks are available too. (updated Jul 2017)
• 2 El Primer Piso, Pedro Moreno 947, Americana, ☏ +52 33 3825 7085. Tu-Sa 19:30-01:00. A lively and fun jazz bar with good music, good food and a red upholstered ceiling are trademarks. (updated Jul 2017)

Chapultepec, Zona Rosa and Minerva

• 3 Barba Negra, Justo Sierra 2194-A, Ladrón de Guevara, ☏ +52 33 3808 8650. W Th 13:00-02:00, F 13:00-03:00, Sa 19:30-03:00. Features live rock music. 
• 4 Salón del Bosque, José Guadalupe Zuno 2200, Americana, ☏ +52 33 3616 4297. M Tu Sa 13:00-23:00, W-F 13:00-01:00. Upscale, laid-back atmosphere featuring live jazz and bossa nova. 
• 5 Grand Fiesta Americana Guadalajara Country Club, Av. de las Américas 1551, Providencia, ☏ +52 33 3648 3535. Try the rooftop bar here if you feel like something unique. (updated Dec 2020)

Zapopan

• 6 Mayas Bar, Prol. 20 De Noviembre 351, Zapopan, ☏ +52 33 3633 4684. Su-Th 10ː00-01ː00, Sa Su 10ː00-03ː00. This laid-back place in downtown Zapopan features food, drink and occasional live music. 

Sleep

If you plan to spend much time downtown, don't get a hotel farther away—it's much more convenient to be within walking distance of your daytime activities.

Budget

There are many inexpensive hotels available in the city center, especially around the old bus station (Central Vieja / Antigua).

in the Centro Histórico and around:

• 1 Hostel Hospedarte Guadalajara Centro, Maestranza 147, Zona Centro, ☏ +52 33 3562 7520. This youth hostel is in a stately National Heritage building from the 19th century. Reading room, common area with TV, free wireless Internet. Organized tours to Tequila leave regularly from the hostel, including two distilleries. (updated Dec 2021)

in Minerva, Chapultepec, Zapopan and west of the Centro Histórico:

• 2 Hostal Casa Colores, Calle Efraín González Luna 1844, Col Americana, ☏ +52 33 2688 8523. Has sun deck, garden, movie nights, shared kitchen, walking tours, bar crawls, a library, and wifi. M$301. (updated Dec 2021)
• 3 Hostel Hospedarte Chapultepec, Calle Efraín González Luna 2075, Col Americana, ☏ +52 33 3615 4957. The counterpart to the downtown Hostel Hospedarte; if you stay at this one, you'll be close to the Chapultepec venues. This hostel includes a free breakfast. M$341. (updated Dec 2021)

around the Old Bus Station (Antigua) south of the Centro Histórico:

The stated prices here are as of December 2021 for two persons per night and only when reserved directly at the hotel. All listed hotel rooms are with private bathroom, hot water and without A/C.

• 4 Hotel Costa Brava, Calz Independencia Sur 739. M$320. (updated Dec 2021)
• 5 Hotel Flamingos, Calz Independencia Sur 725. M$350. (updated Dec 2021)
• 6 Hotel Canada, Av. Miguel Alemán 911. M$320. (updated Dec 2021)
• 7 Hotel Susy, C. Analco 791, Las Conchas. M$250. (updated Dec 2021)
• 8 Hotel Royal, C. Los Ángeles 115-B. M$275. (updated Dec 2021)
• 9 Hotel Union, Av. Dr. Roberto Michel 218. M$270. (updated Dec 2021)

Mid-Range

in the Centro Histórico and around:

• 10 Real Maestranza Hotel, Calle Francisco I. Madero 161, ☏ +52 33 3613 6101. A boutique hotel with some old world charm such as interior murals and arches. It has a breakfast buffet and restaurant and bar. around M$1,000. (updated Dec 2021)
• 11 Hotel de Mendoza, Venustiano Carranza 16, Zona Centro, ☏ +52 33 3942 5151. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 13:00. At the Hotel de Mendoza, guests can stay in a peaceful, airy ambience within walking distance of all Centro Histórico destinations. Rooms (including suites) include free WiFi, 32-inch flat screen TVs, and charming colonial decor; the hotel also has a business center, gym, restaurant and outdoor pool. around M$1,000 (Dec 2021). 
• 12 Hotel San Francisco Plaza, Degollado 267, Zona Centro, ☏ +52 33 3613 3256. Check-in: 12:00, check-out: 14:00. In operation since 1986, this colonial-style hotel is a few blocks from the storied Teatro Degollado and is centered on two covered courtyards. There are some awful rooms, so it's worth talking to the person you reserve with to see what it will cost to get a room on one of the courtyards, on an upper floor, and away from the north side of the building where there is quite a bit of traffic. Merced is a good guy to talk with about this or anything else. Although he denies being "el jefe", he seems to be in charge. Air conditioning, full baths, free WiFi. Suites available. Personal laundry available for a small fee. Breakfasts at the hotel restaurant ("Don Quijote") are very good. Beatriz, the usual morning waitress, is a bundle of sunshine. around M$900(Dec 2021). 

in Minerva, Chapultepec, Zapopan and west of the Centro Histórico:

• 13 Fiesta Americana, Av, Calle Aurelio Aceves No. 225, Vallarta Poniente, ☏ +52 33 3818 1400. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 13:00. The Fiesta Americana is in a quiet yet hip residential area in the shadow of the Glorieta de la Minerva monument. Its lively nightclub attracts its share of hip young locals. It's a business hotel, minutes from the World Trade Center Guadalajara and has the city's second-largest convention center. Each room has a coffeemaker, minibar, and cable television, with deluxe rooms also have individual sofas with footrests and phones. Business center and room service operate 24 hours a day. The hotel offers a fitness center, laundry, dry cleaning and ironing service, gift shop, currency exchange, concierge, restaurant, airport shuttle.. There's free high-speed wireless Internet all over the property. Parking comes with complimentary valet service. 
• 14 Hotel NH Guadalajara, Sao Paulo 2334, Providencia, ☏ +52 33 3648 9500. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. A luxury business hotel next to Country Club Guadalajara in the heart of one of the city's financial districts, this high-rise hotel has 137 guest rooms with contemporary decor, amenities, and, in many cases, views over the city. Free WiFi, fitness center, restaurant ("Nhube") and garden bar, conference center, concierge services and complimentary shoeshine. Suites available. M$1083/night. 
• 15 IbeuroHotel, Mariano Otero 3235, Fraccionamiento Valle Verde, ☏ +52 33 3134 3230. Check-in: 13:00, check-out: 12:30. Decent prices here, but you get what you pay for. For a large business hotel—one directly next to the Expo Guadalajara convention center, no less—this place skimps on the amenities. Still, the rooms are clean and all the basics are covered: color television, air conditioning, telephone, free wireless Internet, laundry and dry cleaning. Adequate if unimpressive food is served in the cafeteria. Private covered parking lot. around M$700 (Dec 2021). 
• 16 La Mansión del Sol, Moctezuma 1596, Ciudad del Sol, Zapopan, ☏ +52 33 3647 4762. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. "Modern yet unmistakably Mexican" is a good way to describe the decor of this luxury boutique hotel in Zapopan. Manicured exterior with sitting areas, a fountain, palm trees and ubiquitous hummingbirds surround this lovely property whose airy rooms boast all the modern amenities: 32" LCD flat-screen TV's, CD stereo system, alarm clock, hair dryer, workspace, free wireless Internet, ironing board, and dessert minibars. Other amenities include an on-site bar and restaurant ("Los Colibríes"), laundry and dry-cleaning service, sauna and steam room, business center, gym, complimentary continental breakfast, and room service. around M$1,000 (Dec 2021). 
• 17 Del Marqués Hotel and Suites, Victoriano Salado Álvarez 72, Ladrón de Guevara, ☏ +52 33 3630 3048. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. An all-suite property near the charming Minerva district. The living areas, kitchenettes, and work areas all have modern decor and amenities such as air conditioning and free WiFi. Some suites also have full kitchens. There's also a fitness center, an outdoor pool, and complimentary breakfast. around M$700 (Dec 2021). 
• 18 Villa Ganz, Calle Manuel López Cotilla 1739, Col Americana, ☏ +52 33 3120 1416. In the heart of the Zona Rosa. A 1930s mansion-turned-boutique hotel. Villa Ganz's ten suites are named after Jalisciense author Juan Rolfo's literary creations. Amenities include air conditioning, cable TV, hair dryers, and free WiFi, antique furnishings and decor, custom-designed toiletries, designer bathrobes and slippers, bedding and duvets containing imported goose, bookcases containing a wide-ranging selection of literature, and elegant French doors looking out either onto the peaceful garden or lively Avenida López Cotilla. A concierge is on staff. Guests at Villa Ganz also receive complimentary access to the Kristal Century gym, one block away from the hotel—this includes yoga, Pilates, and dance classes. Complimentary breakfast is served, as well as wine and appetizers in the evening. M$1062/night. 
• 19 Hotel Velvet Plaza, Av. Ignacio L. Vallarta 2477, Arcos Vallarta, ☏ +52 33 3882 4500. Rooftop pool for relaxing and city views and a restaurant that serves breakfast are some of the perks at this mid-city hotel. M$842. (updated Dec 2020)
• 20 Casa Venezuela, Calle Venezuela 459, Col Americana, ☏ +52 33 3826 6590. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. This charming B&B a few blocks off hip Avenida Chapultepec has three rooms decorated in Old Mexico style. Guest rooms have hair dryers, and TVs with DVD player. The breakfast offers American and Mexican specialties served on locally-produced crockery. Complimentary cocktails are served on the terrace each evening. The American-born owner, George, has an encyclopedic knowledge about everything Guadalajara and the surrounding vicinity have to offer. 

in Tlaquepaque and east of the Centro Histórico:

• 21 Hotel La Calandria, Estadio 100, Las Conchas, ☏ +52 33 3619 6579. What this hotel lacks in luxury, it more than makes up for in old-Mexico charm. A very clean and generally very nice property for very reasonable prices. Bilingual staff, WiFi available in public areas. It's a short distance south of the Centro Histórico, near Parque Agua Azul and the old bus station, where buses leave regularly for popular regional destinations such as Cocula and Tequila. On-street parking, but there are many free parking lots available (including Walmart, which is also nearby). 
• 22 Quinta Don José, Reforma 139, Tlaquepaque Centro, Tlaquepaque, ☏ +52 33 3635 7522. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Charming 19-room boutique hotel in the heart of Old Tlaquepaque. Amenities include high-speed WiFi, cable TV, air conditioning, complimentary continental breakfast (a full breakfast featuring traditional Mexican favorites is also available for an extra fee), an onsite tequila bar and restaurant (TlaquePasta). Landscaped exterior, tiled pool, manicured gardens, and a leafy terrace. Airy, sun-drenched rooms decorated with Old Mexican traditionalism and contemporary simplicity. The hotel organizes group tours of the artisan workshops that have made Tlaquepaque famous, and excursions to the Laguna de Chapala, Guachimontones, Tequila, and downtown Guadalajara (20 minutes away by car). 

Stay safe

Guadalajara is known as one of the safest cities in Mexico. Nonetheless, as in any large city, the usual precautions should be taken. Crimes against tourists and foreign students are quite infrequent and mostly take the form of purse-snatching. Criminals usually work in teams and target travelers in outdoor restaurants, bars and other busy places. Should anyone spill something on you, be alert to your surroundings and step away—accidental spills are a common method of distracting their marks.

Never carry illegal substances with you; Mexican police are very strict regarding these cases.

Football

Due to the intense rivalry between local club Chivas and Mexico City-based Club América, you should avoid wearing Club América jerseys in Guadalajara unless you want to risk getting singled out for harassment or worse by local fans.

Emergency numbers

• Emergency: 066
• Police: +52 (33) 3668 0800
• Fire: +52 (33) 3619 5155 or +52 (33) 3691 0510
• Air and Land Ambulance: +52 (33) 3616 9616
• Green Angels (road assistance): +52 (33) 3668-1800 ext. 31489

In an emergency, it's also a good idea to get in contact with the embassy or consulate of your country of origin.

Cope

Consulates

• Romania, Torre Cube, Blvd. Puerta de Hierro 5210 Piso 12 –C, Colonia Puerta de Hierro, Zapopan, ☏ +52 33 334 35 100, + 52 33 334 35 200, [email protected]. Honorary Consulate (Does not provide consular services. Instead, Romanian citizens in need of assistance should contact the embassy in Mexico City.) 
• United States, Progreso 175, Americana, ☏ +52 33 3268 2100, fax: +52 33 3826 6549, [email protected], [email protected]MULTIPLE-EMAIL. M-Th 09:00-13:00. 

Go next

Your next destination for staying can be...:

To the east

• Guanajuato – 275 km. A beautiful mountain colonial town and an UNESCO World Heritage Site. A variety of mines are there to be visited. In the evening you can join traditionally dressed Mexicans singing and walking through the old-town.
• San Miguel de Allende – 340 km. A city known for relaxing. There are thermal pools just outside the city. The old town is also an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Querétaro – 360 km. Capital of the state Quéretaro. A big aqueduct goes through the city. You can taste a Gordita Queretana. The old town is – you guess it – an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

To the north-east

• San Juan de los Lagos – 145 km. The second-most visited pilgrimage site in Mexico (after the Basílica de Guadalupe in Mexico City).
• San Luis Potosí – 330 km. The capital of the state of San Luis Potosí. The historic center displays a great mixture of different artistic styles and is a major example of colonial architecture in Mexico. The historical center is an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

To the west

• Puerto Vallarta – 330 km. Nearby are the coastal villages Bucerias, Sayulita and San Francisco (Mexico)

To the north-west

• Tepic – 205 km. The capital of Nayarit
• Mazatlan – It's recommended to take a flight into and out of the city.

By air

Guadalajara has low-cost flights for example to:

• Cabo San Lucas and La Paz on the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula.
• Oaxaca
• Tuxtla in Chiapas
• Puerto Vallarta and Puerto Escondido at the Pacific coast
• Cancún and Mérida on the Yucatan peninsula
• Mexico City

Routes through Guadalajara

Tepic ← Tequila ←

W  E

→ San Luis Soyatlán → Zamora de Hidalgo