Tlaquepaque

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 and one of the "Big Three" artists of the muralism period. 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.

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, handic

Getting there

By plane For more information, see Guadalajara International Airport.

1 Aeropuerto Internacional de Guadalajara Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (GDL IATA) (18 km south of city along the Guadalajara-Chapala Highway). Modern, traveler-friendly airport that is a hub for Volaris with frequent flights to Mexican destinations and a good selection of flights from Canada and the United States. (updated Jan 2017)

By bus Guadalajara has two bus stations:

2 Central de Autobuses Guadalajara – This is the new main bus station in the suburb of Tlaquepaque, which serves all long-distance routes (generally those which leave the state of Jalisco). This is a large, regional bus hub with numerous bus companies and space to load and unload 100 or more buses at a time. It is a clean, modern station with waiting rooms and restaurants. Restrooms are clean but require payment of M$7 (coins only). From this bus station to the Centro Histórico it's particularly convenient by subway (MiTren). If you arrive by bus and want to use the train, look across the parking lot as you exit the terminal. Note the location of the red Kentucky Fried Chicken sign. Walk towards KFC, to the left of the parking lot, then turn left in front of KFC and cross the street. You will be in the train station. A trip anywhere the train goes will cost 10 pesos (9.50 per ride if you buy a card). 3 Central Vieja - Just south of downtown, a few blocks from the San Juan de Dios marketplace, the Central Vieja is served by regional second-class bus lines to nearby pueblos such as Tequila, Mazamitla, Sayula and Chapala. There are many bus lines serving almost every corner of the state of Jalisco. The buses themselves are often clean and very comfortable, and are sometimes indistinguishable from the first-class buses operated on long-distance routes. Fares are very reasonable, for example M$80 (US$4) to Chapala, M$100 (US$5) to Mazamitla. It is advisable to use an Uber or taxi to and from the station as the surrounding area has quite a bit of crime and is regarded as dangerous for outsiders.

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.

Getting around

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 bike Guadalajara integrates bike rentals in its urban transportation plan. Racks of sturdy rental bikes, most painted green and emblazoned with "Mi Bici" logos, are located in high traffic areas including many city parks, Metro stations, and bus stops. The Mi Bici web site provides a site map showing the locations of bike rental kiosks. Bikes can be rented via an annual subscription (about M$470) or on a temporary basis. Traffic can be chaotic on city streets, but the local government is making good progress in setting aside dedicated traffic lanes for bikes.

By bus For finding connections, Moovit and Google Maps cover the city including the subway. Regular buses are green or red and have a "Mi Transporte" logo on the side, they cost M$9.50 (Dec 2023) and cover almost every city street. 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. Most 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). Route numbers and final destinations are shown on a lighted display on front of the bus and next to the door. When you wait for a bus, check the destination screen, the windshield and on the left of the front door, to be sure it's your bus line. It might be good to always ask the bus driver if he goes to your destination. Metropolitan Area Mass Transit System (Sistema de Transporte Colectivo de la Zona Metropolitana) is the local transit authority. Check their web site for maps, schedules, and fare information. Alternatively, try Busca Tu Ruta (Search for Your Route). One particularly useful method for getting back and forth between the Centro Histórico and the Zona Rosa/Minerva area is the Guadalajara Trolley Bus ("Mi Trole"). 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-dec

See

Centro Histórico and nearby

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 temporary exhibits by local artists. The museum's star attraction is a lecture hall with a backdrop of a famous mural by Jose Clemente Orozco. (updated Nov 2024) 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 f

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).

Conventions Guadalajara is Latin America's top destination for business conventions with the city's Expo Guadalajara convention center hosting many of the country's largest trade shows.

1 Expo Guadalajara, Av. Mariano Otero 1499, Verde Valle, ☏ +52 333 343 3000. Largest event venue in Mexico. Hosts major industrial trade shows throughout the year. (updated Dec 2024)

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.

2 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, The stadium will host games for FIFA's 2026 World Cup. The stadium's home team, 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

Buy

In the centro are ATMs of BanCoppel, Banjercito, BanBajio and Citibanamex. In the Americana district there is a 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.

Eat

Guadalajara has a wide range of restaurants with outstanding street vendors selling regional specialties (particularly birria, tortas, and various tacos). The city also has a mind-boggling variety of outstanding restaurants with dozens of 5-star restaurants offering an upscale experience and a wide range of international flavors. 2024 saw the famed Michelin Guide make its first pass through Mexico and its initial list of recommended Mexican restaurants included 25 outstanding 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 plenty of American fast-food franchises.

Budget Birria, tortas ahogadas, and chilaquiles are some of the most traditional Tapatío dishes. In the Centro and Americana district you find several low priced restaurants and eateries. In the Centro area you can find many Chinese buffet restaurants offering inexpensive, quick meals.

Centro Histórico 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

Drink & nightlife

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, the most active bar district in Guadalajara is in Colonia Americana 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 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)

Colonia Americana 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) 3 Cerveceria Loba, C. Gregorio Dávila 76, Col Americana, ☏ +52 332 035 6401. M-Sa 14:00 - 01:00, closed Su. Taproom and craft brewery producing several styles of both ales and lagers with stouts, IPAs, goses, and more. (updated Dec 2024) 4 Bar Américas, Av. Chapultepec Sur 507, Col Americana, ☏ +52 333 060 3773. Th-M 12:00 - 07:00, W 20:00 - 00:00. Popular techno nightclub that doesn't really get rolling until after 2am. Young, trendy crowd. (updated Dec 2024) 5 Salón del Bosque, José Guadalupe Zuno 2200, Col. 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. 6 Hudson Bar, C. Miguel Lerdo de Tejada 2055, Col Americana, ☏ +523336152054. Tu-Th 13:00 - 01:00, F-Sa 13:00 - 02:30, closed Su. Cool, old-school style bar with live music and a rooftop bar. (updated Dec 2024) 7 Urban Live, Esq. con Libertad, Av. Chapultepec Sur 177-2do piso, Col Americana, ☏ +52 331 328 8482. F-Sa 20:30 - 03:00, closed Su-Th. Lively club playing with live bands playing rock in both Engl

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 Colonia Americana: 2 Hostal Casa Colores, Calle Efraín González Luna 1844, Col Americana, ☏ +52 33 2688 8523. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Has sun deck, garden, movie nights, shared kitchen, walking tours, bar crawls, a library, and wifi. M$300. (updated Feb 2025) 3 Hostel Hospedarte Chapultepec, Calle Efraín González Luna 2075, Col Americana, ☏ +52 33 3615 4957. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. 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$340. (updated Feb 2025) 4 Bohostel, Calle Efraín González Luna 2097, Col Americana, ☏ +52 33 2832 2469. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. Clean, comfortable rooms in a friendly atmosphere. Rooftop lounge area and a cafe on the ground floor. Has private rooms but bathrooms are shared. Mature clientele. M$400. (updated Feb 2025) 5 Casa Irake, Calle Francisco I. Madero 1038, Col Americana, ☏ +52 33 1902 1140. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Attractively decorated home with comfortable private rooms as well as beds in a dorm with shared bath. Common areas include a rooftop terrace. M$700. (updated Feb 2025)

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. Be mindful of security as this neighborhood is sketchy at the best of times.

6 Hotel Costa Brava, Calz Independencia Sur 739. M$320. (updated Dec 2021) 7 Hotel Flamingos, Calz Independencia Sur 725. M$350. (updated Dec 2021) 8 Hotel Canada, Av. Miguel Alemán 911. M$320. (updated Dec 2021) 9 Hotel Susy, C. Analco 791, Las Conchas. M$250. (updated Dec 2021) 10 Hotel Royal, C. Los Ángeles 115-B. M$275. (updated Dec 2021) 11 Hotel Union, Av. Dr. Roberto Michel 218.

Go next

Your next destination for staying can be...:

To the east Guanajuato – 275 km. A beautiful mountain colonial town and a 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 a 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 – a 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 a 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