Guadalajara

Travel Guide
Metropolitan Cathedral which includes heritage architecture, night scenes and religious elements
Intriguing architecture, mariachi music and mouthwatering food will have you falling in love with one of Mexico’s largest cities.

Many praise Mexico’s second-largest city for having produced mariachi and tequila, for being a modern, cultural city with malls and urban parks and for its grand historical buildings.

Guadalajara is the capital of the central Mexican state of Jalisco and the sprawling metropole is home to about 4.5 million people. The highly developed city has wide avenues and modern offices, but also reveals a rich cultural identity.

Many of the city’s historic plazas and cathedrals have been preserved and can be found in the Centro Histórico and surroundings. A small metro network connects the major sites. Visit the 17th-century Catedral Metropolitana (Catedral Basílica de la Asunción de María Santísima), adorned with neo-Gothic towers.

Take a seat on the Plaza de Armas just to the south of the cathedral or admire the Rotonda de los Jaliscienses Illustres on the opposite side of the cathedral. To the east is the Plaza de la Liberación, where you can see the statue of Miguel Hidalgo, commemorating the abolishment of slavery. Don’t miss the plaza’s neoclassical Teatro Degollado, where folk dancing is still performed today.

The huge, covered Mercado Libertad (Liberty Market) is a good place to try authentic Mexican food. Snack on tamales stuffed with meat and cheese or sit down for a bowl of birria stew, a local delicacy. To see the contemporary side of the city, admire the artistic fountain on Plaza Tapatia or shop at the Plaza del Sol.

Use one of Guadalajara’s many affordable buses to explore the edges of the city. Don‘t miss the expansive Zoológico Guadalajara and its rare Mexican wolves.

Guadalajara’s climate is relatively mild due to its location at 5,200 feet (1,585 meters) above sea level. The days are mostly sunny and evenings are cool. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit.

Guadalajara sits between central Mexico City and Puerto Vallarta on the west coast. Guadalajara’s international airport is 9.9 miles (16km) south of the city center from where regional buses can take you all around Mexico.

Where to stay in Guadalajara

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Downtown Guadalajara

3/5(1 area review)

Consider exploring the abundant dining options in Downtown Guadalajara. If sightseeing is on the list, Plaza de Armas is a top attraction. Hop on the metro at Plaza Universidad Station or San Juan de Dios Station to see more of the area.

Downtown Guadalajara
Degollado Theater showing interior views, heritage architecture and theatre scenes

Guadalajara Centro

Architecture, historical sites and shopping highlight some notable features of Guadalajara Centro. Make a stop by Plaza de Armas or Guadalajara Cathedral while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Plaza Universidad Station or Juarez Station to get around town.

Guadalajara Centro
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Zona Expo

4/5(2 area reviews)

Zona Expo is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Plaza del Sol or Galleries Theater.

Zona Expo
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Colonia Americana

If you're spending time in Colonia Americana, check out sights like Avienda Chapultepec or Templo Expiatorio del Santisimo Sacramento and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Juarez Station or Mexicaltzingo Station.

Colonia Americana
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Providencia

Providencia is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Punto Sao Paulo Shopping Center or Guadalajara Country Club.

Providencia
La Minerva featuring a hotel, a statue or sculpture and a pond

Zona Minerva

Zona Minerva is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Applicant Service Center and Avienda Chapultepec while you're in town.

Zona Minerva
Barceló Guadalajara
Barceló Guadalajara
4.5 out of 5
Avenida De Las Rosas 2933, Guadalajara, JAL
The price is HK$538 per night from 30 Mar to 31 Mar
HK$538
per night
30 Mar - 31 Mar
Stay at this luxury hotel in Guadalajara. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,222 reviews)
"Close by"

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2024

Barceló Guadalajara
Hotel Riu Plaza Guadalajara
Hotel Riu Plaza Guadalajara
4.5 out of 5
Av. Lopez Mateos 830 Col. Chapalita, Guadalajara, JAL
The price is HK$755 per night from 30 Mar to 31 Mar
HK$755
per night
30 Mar - 31 Mar
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Guadalajara. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (3,037 reviews)
"Was a little thrown off with the electrical outlets and no USB outlets near bed . Wall outlets appears universal...but maybe I'm a little "dusty". 😂😂😂"

Reviewed on 26 Mar 2024

Hotel Riu Plaza Guadalajara
Hard Rock Hotel Guadalajara
Hard Rock Hotel Guadalajara
4 out of 5
Av. Ignacio L. Vallarta 5145, Camino Real, Zapopan, JAL
The price is HK$969 per night from 10 Apr to 11 Apr
HK$969
per night
10 Apr - 11 Apr
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Zapopan. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 bars/lounges, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,285 reviews)
"The staff was very attentive and quick with every request. We had a couple of technical issues with the iPad that controls the entire room (AC, lights, drapes etc) and they came right away at 7:00 AM. The waitress Araceli at Seasions Restaurant was fantastic. We would definitely stay there ..."

Reviewed on 24 Mar 2024

Hard Rock Hotel Guadalajara
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
European Life Style Executive Suites & Gallery
European Life Style Executive Suites & Gallery
3 out of 5
Av Guadalupe 4885, Zapopan, JAL
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly aparthotel in Zapopan. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,568 reviews)
"Great place to call home"

Reviewed on 26 Mar 2024

European Life Style Executive Suites & Gallery
Demetria Bungalows
Demetria Bungalows
3.5 out of 5
General San Martin No. 177, Col. Lafayette, Guadalajara, JAL
Stay at this 3.5-star spa aparthotel in Guadalajara. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (251 reviews)
"Private, spacious. Very nice sitting area in the living room. Could use power outlets for use with laptop. Thou there was an outlet at the desk in the bedroom, the living room had none. I would have loved spending the time I worked in the living room."

Reviewed on 7 Mar 2024

Demetria Bungalows
Apartamentos Buenos Aires
Apartamentos Buenos Aires
3.5 out of 5
Avenida Hidalgo 1792, Colonia Ladrón de Guevara, Guadalajara, JAL
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Guadalajara. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and onsite parking. Popular attractions Akron Stadium and Applicant Service ...
9/10 Wonderful! (68 reviews)
"Lots of room but close to the road. Plenty of space and had everything we needed. Only thing we didn’t like is the bathroom was in bad shape."

Reviewed on 6 Jun 2023

Apartamentos Buenos Aires
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Guadalajara

3.7
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
0
" "5 - Excellent 0%
4 - Good
2
" "4 - Good 66.66666666666667%
3 - Okay
1
" "3 - Okay 33.333333333333336%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
3 Feb 2020

A vibrant large city. The Tlaquepaque area was particularly lovely.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
22 Jul 2019

The zoo was great! Animals generally had good enclosures (especially the orangutans) and I didn't see any signs of poor animal welfare (stereotypy or misdirected behaviours)

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
16 Mar 2019

Driving there is a nightmare , you have to know exactly where you are going and be prepared to sit in traffic jams...…..