Guadalajara

Travel Guide

Palacio de Gobierno showing heritage architecture, a square or plaza and an administrative building
Metropolitan Cathedral which includes night scenes, a church or cathedral and heritage architecture
Guadalajara
Guadalajara
Guadalajara which includes street scenes and a city

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

4/5(95 area reviews)

Consider a visit to Plaza de Armas and take some time to enjoy the abundant dining options during your time in Downtown Guadalajara. If you want to see more of the city, jump on the metro at Plaza Universidad Station or San Juan de Dios Station.

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

Guadalajara Centro

4.5/5(11 area reviews)

Architecture, historic 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(7 area reviews)

Travelers come to Zona Expo for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like Plaza del Sol and Galleries Theater while you're in town.

Zona Expo
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Colonia Americana

While you're in Colonia Americana, take in top sights like Avienda Chapultepec or Templo Expiatorio del Santisimo Sacramento, and hop on the metro to see more the city at Juarez Station or Mexicaltzingo Station.

Colonia Americana
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Providencia

4/5(11 area reviews)

Providencia is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Punto Sao Paulo Shopping Center and Guadalajara Country Club while in the area.

Providencia
La Minerva which includes a statue or sculpture, a pond and a hotel

Zona Minerva

Travelers come to Zona Minerva for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like Applicant Service Center and Avienda Chapultepec while you're in town.

Zona Minerva
Hotel Riu Plaza Guadalajara

Hotel Riu Plaza Guadalajara

5 out of 5
Av. Lopez Mateos 830 Col. Chapalita, Guadalajara, JAL
The price is CA $149 per night from Aug 3 to Aug 4
CA $149
CA $179 total
Aug 3 - Aug 4
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Guadalajara. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (3,862 reviews)
"The hotel is averpriced and a lot of stuff was rude"

Reviewed on Jul. 15, 2025

Hotel Riu Plaza Guadalajara
Hotel Plaza Genova Centro

Hotel Plaza Genova Centro

3.5 out of 5
Av. Juarez 123 Zona Centro, Guadalajara, JAL
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is CA $48 per night from Jul 31 to Aug 1
CA $48
CA $58 total
Jul 31 - Aug 1
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Guadalajara. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,367 reviews)
"Hotel is old but served its purpose. We were on the 5th floor facing the street at first and the vehicles didn’t let us sleep. In the morning the construction started right on top of our room. Went and asked for a different room and they switched us right away. The other room was better."

Reviewed on Jul. 13, 2025

Hotel Plaza Genova Centro
Hotel Antré Chapultepec

Hotel Antré Chapultepec

3.5 out of 5
1390 Avenida Ignacio L Vallarta, Guadalajara, Jalisco
The price is CA $73 per night from Aug 3 to Aug 4
CA $73
CA $91 total
Aug 3 - Aug 4
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Guadalajara. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,807 reviews)
"Great stay"

Reviewed on Jul. 13, 2025

Hotel Antré Chapultepec
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.
Hotel Mutuo Vive

Hotel Mutuo Vive

3.5 out of 5
2600 C. Justo Sierra Arcos Vallarta, Guadalajara, Jal.
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Guadalajara. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions Andares Shopping Center and Minerva ...
9/10 Wonderful! (167 reviews)
"The loft concept was well thought out, design is incredibly efficient and the finishes are lovely. It's a comfortable accommodation that is very unique and a pleasant surprise"

Reviewed on Jul. 11, 2025

Hotel Mutuo Vive
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 in our ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,938 reviews)
"Really cool decor, big room, I’ll reserve again when I return to Guadalajara"

Reviewed on Jul. 6, 2025

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. Popular attractions Andares Shopping Center and Avienda ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (343 reviews)
"We come back every year. Great value. The staff, especially the woman at the desk, is great! Thank you."

Reviewed on Jul. 9, 2025

Demetria Bungalows
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

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
36
5 - Excellent 38%
4 - Good
50
4 - Good 53%
3 - Okay
7
3 - Okay 7%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
1
1 - Terrible 1%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Beautiful,safe,very clean. People were welcoming and lots of good eats and shopping.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

We were only there for one night on our way to San Miguel De Allende. Our time was spent in your wonderful hotel.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Great historical zone with many pleasing squares and walkable paths. Loved that the theatre is so close.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Guadalajara is a lovely city with so much to see and do. We love it!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Beautiful city, lots of history, young & lively, safe and walkable

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Nice city ti visit. I will say safe, just don’t forget take cautions

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