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Mexico’s second-largest city is a fun-loving travel destination of wide-brimmed sombreros, tequila shots and mariachi music. Along with being a financial and tech hub in Latin America, Guadalajara is a crowd-pleaser, thanks to its year-round cultural festival and sports events.

Horse-drawn carriages will take you around the city’s historic centre, replete with neoclassical structures. You can visit Teatro Degollado, a venue for international and traditional Mexican performances. As you make your way through the plazas, you’ll spot the Guadalajara Cathedral, designed in Spanish Renaissance-style with neo-Gothic spires. Hop off your carriage to explore curious installations, sculptures and fountains speckled around the different squares in this district.

The capital of the state of Jalisco is dotted with several museums, trailing the cultural and historical legacy of the city. On your Guadalajara trip, stop by Hospicio Cabañas to admire José Clemente Orozco’s modernist murals spread over the UNESCO-listed hospital complex. You can browse through the archeological exhibits and artworks depicting the Spanish conquest at the Regional Museum of Guadalajara. To trace the artistic journey of the city through breathtaking murals, paintings and exhibitions, visit the Museum of Arts of the University of Guadalajara.

This upbeat Mexican city is the homeland of tequila. You can board the Jose Cuervo Express® and enjoy a train journey to La Rojeña, one of the oldest active distilleries in Latin America. Through this experience, you’ll get to visit agave fields and sip on some tequila-based cocktails.

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Most popular time to visit October-December
Cheapest time to visit January-March
Local currency USD
Language Spanish
Average weekend price $68 per night
Average weekday price $65 per night
Average stay 2 nights

Guadalajara reviews

What other travelers say about Guadalajara

10

It is a beautiful in and around Guadalajara.

May 8, 2025

It is a beautiful in and around Guadalajara. The tours were great but I recommend taking the tour to Tequila the day before or two days before you leave and wait to buy your “jarito” on the last stop. It’s a great way to end a vacation. I’m not a drinker and I enjoyed it!!! Find the Tequila sign, there’s a 10/12 year old boy that takes magnificent pictures.

Chrstina
Chrstina United States
8.0

Guadalajara is a large city.

May 3, 2025

Guadalajara is a large city. The colonial, historic central area we have walked many times. Lots of shops and stores to browse and shop. There are plenty of hotels in the area. But, the Hotel de Mendoza is best for the historic district in my estimation. The Hotel Morales is also a nice choice. Across from Morales is a wonderful taqueria! The Mendoza is next to the Degollado Theatre where world class talent is staged in a beautiful, stone-quarried Greco-Roman-like structure The Degollado Theatre Restaurant is a magnet for fine dining. It has an extensive menu that is quite appealing! Very pleasing to eat there and watch the pantomimes, clowns, etc on famous Plaza Tapatia.

JaHawk
JaHawk United States
2.0

Guadalajara used to be a beautiful town in the 1960s, it was...

May 1, 2025

Guadalajara used to be a beautiful town in the 1960s, it was all the rage when it started growing around that time. The colonial and modernist contrasts made it an excellent destination for leisure and business alike. However, it is now a hellhole. The ample avenues and roads built in the 60s are now in disrepair, there's construction everywhere, and the sewage system can't keep up with the demand during the rainy season. People drive fast and furiously, without much regard for traffic laws. The once beautiful colonial downtown is now a mess of traffic and buildings covered in smoke, dirt, and some sort of goo. It breaks my heart to see how Guadalajara went from being a flourishing metropolis to a chaotic mess of traffic and pollution.

Luis
Luis United States
10

Tlaquepaque is so nice, the restaurant have fresh delicious...

April 29, 2025

Tlaquepaque is so nice, the restaurant have fresh delicious foods, the people are so caring and attentive, it's all so peaceful, fun and a great atmosphere, hotels are affordable, clean, and near everything you need. I can keep on going. I just love it, it's a great place to visit.

maria
maria United States
8.0

The hotel, for the price was good, but the hotel becomes a...

April 28, 2025

The hotel, for the price was good, but the hotel becomes a hip hop place from Thursday to Sunday. It had been such a quiet place and we hardly slept Thursday. We complained and we were moved to lower floor and it became bearable. The staff was fantastic, the room was clean and the bed comfortable. The place was good for walking around. I would highly recommend for young adults.

Chrstina
Chrstina United States
10

A wonderfully vibrant city full of culture, art and history.

April 25, 2025

A wonderfully vibrant city full of culture, art and history. It was very easy to get around, mostly with Uber and the Metro train system. We particularly loved the many churches and Cathedrals and the MUSA Museo de las Artes was the best Art Museum we have ever been to. And if you are in the area, I highly recommend a side trip or tour to the Lake Chapala area and the communities of Chapala and Ajijic.

Steven
Steven United States

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