Guadalajara is after Mexico City the second-largest city of Mexico. It is the capital of the state of Jalisco, in western Mexico. The population of Guadalajara is around 4,500,000 inhabitants. Get the most out of your Guadalajara trip with the Guadalajara Travel Guide with all the Guadalajara Travel Tips you need.
Travel to Guadalajara
There are many flights from the USA to Guadalajara. The most common way to travel to the city from Europe is with a stop in Mexico City. The flight from Mexico City is only a 45 minutes ride. At the moment Aeromexico also offers a direct flight from Madrid. The best way to travel from the airport to the city is by taxi. Just before you exit the terminal building you can buy a taxi ticket. Make sure you know your address and you pay immediately for your trip. This can be done in cash or with your credit card. A one-way ticket to the city costs around 14 euros. When I travel in the city I always use the Uber service. It’s safe, cheap and quick.
Information Guadalajara
Guadalajara is not a city where you see a lot of tourists. I really like that. The city has moved with the times, because when I came here 15 years ago, a lot of young girls wanted to make a picture with me. A tall blond boy, they don’t see him often. With the advent of social media, that has changed. Another thing I always like when you walk through the city is the music. Music is everywhere and preferably as loud as possible.
Guadalajara Cathedral
Guadalajara’s cathedral is one of the region’s most iconic landmarks. The Construction begun in 1558 and finally completed in 1618, it didn’t get its signature neo-Gothic towers until the 19th century after an earthquake damaged the structure. Aside from its fusion of architectural styles, some of the treasures housed inside include richly adorned vaults, one of the largest organs in Mexico and stained-glass windows imported from France. A personal tip is to take a look at night when it is beautiful illuminated.
Centro histórico de Guadalajara
Yes this is such a nice area to visit during the day. Just walk around in the old center and you will be surprised by everything you see. Here you will also find the cathedral.
Just like other cities as Amsterdam there is a city logo to take a picture.
San Juan de Dios Market
Tapatíos (Guadalajara natives) like to say that their San Juan de Dios Market – also called Mercado Libertad – is the world’s largest indoor market, but whether that’s true or not, the Mercado’s modern building is filled with traditional treasures that are worth a perusal. Handfuls of stalls hawk everything from Paracho guitars to leather goods to scrumptious foods like gorditas and candy.
Visit Tlaquepaque
The full name is San Pedro Tlaquepaque and located around 10 kilometers from the Guadalajara city center. It was originally a detached city, but today it is actually a suburb of Guadalajara. The name comes from Nahuatl and means “place above clay land”. Tlaquepaque is known for its pottery and glassworks. It’s a cozy place to walk around and easy accessible from the city center by taxi.
What is the best time to Travel to Guadalajara
Guadalajara has a privileged climate. The average maximum temperature in the year is 27 °C and the minimum is 11 °C. The rainy season begins in late June and ends in early October. Don’t think that it rains every day, but when it rains it’s heavy. I love to visit the city in the European winter (December till April). Because the city is built 1500 meters above sea-level is it cooler at night. Check the weather in Guadalajara today.
Plaza Andares Guadalajara
The city has many different faces. It goes from poor to rich and from new to old. A completely new part is Plaza Andares. Here you will find nice eateries and shops. The well-known brands but also the luxury. One of my favorite restaurants is Lolo.
Cerro Del Tesoro Guadalajara
When you are not afraid of heights and love to hike this is one of the nicest things to do. Cerro Del Tesoro is a mountain with the best view around town. If you visit this place do it during the day. The park where the mountain is located closes in the evening around 5:00 PM. That’s what I found out when I was there. Luckily I got a lift back to the entrance. Bring some food and drink and just sit on the top of the mountain. It’s lovely there.
Av Chapultepec (bars and restaurants)
Guadalajara’s Chapultepec neighborhood is highly favored by foreign travelers and international students. With the presence of many restaurants and bar. This part of the city is always bustling. The tree-lined streets, the fountains, and the wide boulevard add to the inviting atmosphere of the Chapultepec neighborhood. A personal tip is to walk over the boulevard in the evening. With a little bit of luck you will see a lot of dancing people.
Tequilla (day trip)
The famous village Tequila is only an 1 hour ride from Guadalajara. You can book a tour to Tequila, but I booked a regular taxi for a day (around 60-70 euros). You can visit several breweries and my advice is to book this in advance and check the times. Also take an hour to walk through the town. It’s really beautiful.
