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Guadalajara

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At a glance

Country
Mexico
Region
Jalisco
Population
1.4 million
Best time to go
November to April
Main airport
Guadalajara International (GDL)
Coordinates
20.68°N, 103.35°W

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Overview

Mexico's second city is the place that gave the country mariachi, tequila and the broad-brimmed charro hat. Its colonial centre is a run of handsome plazas and churches, while the leafy neighbourhoods to the west are full of good coffee, mezcal bars and restaurants.

It feels less hectic than Mexico City and is easy to enjoy at a slower pace: a morning with the murals, a long lunch, and an evening listening to mariachis in Tlaquepaque.

Things to see

  • Hospicio Cabañas
    Photo: ProtoplasmaKid, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Hospicio Cabañas

    A vast former orphanage whose chapel ceiling is covered in José Clemente Orozco's fiery murals, including the famous Man of Fire.

    Tickets and tours
  • Guadalajara Cathedral
    Photo: Isacdaavid, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Guadalajara Cathedral

    Twin yellow-tiled spires rise over the historic centre, surrounded by four plazas that form the shape of a cross.

  • Teatro Degollado
    Photo: Adrián Cerón, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Teatro Degollado

    A neoclassical theatre with a gilded, frescoed auditorium; try to catch a performance by the Jalisco Philharmonic.

  • Mercado Libertad
    Photo: Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain

    Mercado Libertad

    Also called San Juan de Dios, this huge three-storey market sells everything from leather boots to birria at the food counters upstairs.

  • Tlaquepaque
    Photo: Luca Galuzzi ( Lucag ), CC BY-SA 2.5

    Tlaquepaque

    A former village of brightly painted streets, galleries and pottery shops, with mariachis playing in El Parián in the evenings.

Things to do

  • Day trip to Tequila
    Photo: Gabriel Saldana, CC BY-SA 2.0

    Day trip to Tequila

    Tour the blue agave fields and distilleries of the town that gave the drink its name, about an hour and a half away.

    Find tours
  • Eat a torta ahogada
    Photo: Felipe Rodrigo Hernandez Ruiz ( en:User:Ozopozo ), Public domain

    Eat a torta ahogada

    The city's signature sandwich, a crusty roll filled with pork and drowned in tomato and chilli sauce.

  • Lake Chapala
    Photo: Gil Garza, CC0

    Lake Chapala

    Mexico's largest lake is an easy trip south, with lakeside walks and lunch in the villages of Chapala and Ajijic.

Where to stay

  • Centro Histórico

    Close to the main sights and museums, though quieter after dark.

    Hotels in Centro Histórico

  • Colonia Americana

    Leafy streets, old mansions and the city's best cafés and bars; ideal for a longer stay.

    Hotels in Colonia Americana

  • Chapultepec

    Busy with restaurants and nightlife along Avenida Chapultepec, and well placed between the centre and the west.

    Hotels in Chapultepec

Getting around

The light rail lines and the Mi Macro bus route cover the main corridors, and the historic centre is easy on foot. Ride-hailing apps are widely used for everything else.

The airport is south of the city; a taxi or ride-hail car to the centre takes around 30 to 40 minutes depending on traffic.

When to go

November to April is dry and sunny with warm days and cool evenings. June to September brings afternoon storms. The International Mariachi Festival usually takes place in late summer, and the big book fair fills the city in late November.

Plan your trip to Guadalajara

Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.

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