Visit Guadalajara Jalisco in 4 days.

Located in the Northwest of Mexico, Guadalajara is the capital of Jalisco State, is the second-largest city in Mexico. Founded by the Spanish in 1531, it is a beautiful city with stunning Spanish buildings and modern areas.  Due to the rapidly economic growth, in the las decades, the adjacent municipalities such as Tonalá, Tlaquepaque, Zapopan, Tlajomulco de Zúñiga, among others, integrated a Metropolitan Area Network known as Zona Metropolitana de Guadalajara (ZMG).

In the last decades, many transnational companies that operate along with LATAM have changed their headquarters from Mexico City to Guadalajara. This makes ZMG a modern and beautiful city full of history, traditions, and culture and a modern cosmopolitan city with a multicultural environment.

Weather

The weather is dry warm most of the year, around 28 Celsius degrees. The rainy season is from June to September, with prevalent afternoon storms. Winter is around 25 degrees.

How to get there from Puerto Vallarta

Getting to Guadalajara

ZMG is close to 200km from Puerto Vallarta.

Depending on the season, you can get to Guadalajara in 30 minutes or 4-6 hours by car.

There is a wide range of Mexican airlines that have many options for direct flights from Puerto Vallarta to Guadalajara from around $3,000 – $5,000 MXN. (Aeromexico, Volaris, Viva Aerobus, Aeromar).

You can also get by bus with very secure local bus companies like Futura or Primera Plus. The ticket is around $1200.00 MXN, and you can arrive at downtown or Zapopan Bus Station, choose the closest to your accommodation.

Our first recommendation is to take the Tapatío Tour, a two with two touristic circuits.  Tickets can be purchased online.  Due to Covid’19, it may operate in restricted conditions. Check all information before calling 33 3613-0887  or at https://www.tapatiotour.com.mx

Day one

Downtown

Walk in the main square and discover one of the most beautiful downtowns in Mexico.

The Cathedral was completed in 1618 is a beautiful gothic church. This Cathedral combines baroque, neoclassical, and gothic elements. (Av. Alcalde No. 10, Col. Centro, Guadalajara)

Hospicio Cabañas was built in the beginning of the 19th century as a children orphaned, but it became one of the iconic cultural spots in the city. Admire the finest frescos of the international recognized most important Jalisco´s artist José Clemente Orozco. UNESCO designed World Heritage in 1997. (C. Cabañas  No. 8, Las Fresas, Zona Centro, Guadalajara)

Teatro Degollado is a neoclassical theater from the middle XIX century, is one of the largest and most ornate neoclassical buildings in LATAM. 

there are classical ballet and Mexican folk dances performances, classical music, and mariachi concerts as well. (C. Degollado s/n, Zona Centro, Guadalajara). Billboard is available at https://sc.jalisco.gob.mx

Palacio de Gobierno houses the Government offices, was built in 1743, a beautiful example of Spanish architecture in Mexico. There are also murals of José Clemente Orozco inside the building. (Av. Ramón Corona No. 32, Zona Centro, Guadalajara).

Mercado San Juan de Dios is the largest flea market in LATAM. Find souvenirs for your friends and family. (C. Dionisio Rodríguez No. 52, Zona Centro, Guadalajara).

Day two

Chapultepec neighborhood is the trendiest area in the city, full of hipster coffee shops, bookstores, restaurants, and most of the best nightlife.

Walk through the old streets and admire the mix of early 20 century and modern architecture, fountains, and churches. This is the favorite area for the local youth.

Basilica del Santísimo Sacramento, known by local people as Templo del Expiatorio, is a catholic church that is the main Neo-gothic style church in the country. Italian mosaics, German carillon bells, and French stained glass as part of this magnificent church. (C. López Cotilla 935, Col. Americana, Guadalajara).

Los Arcos de Vallarta is a monument built as an entrance of the city in 1938.  Two arches of neoclassical style.(Ignacio L. Vallarta No. 2485, Arcos Vallarta, Guadalajara).

Day three

Zapopan

Zapopan is the largest municipality of ZMG. Basilica of our lady of Guadalupe was built in 1730 in honor of Zapopan’s Virgin. Every October 12, Catholics honor the virgin in a pilgrimage to Guadalajara Cathedral (Eva Briseño 152, Zapopan).

Art contemporary museum (MAZ) is the largest contemporary art museum in ZMG. Normally you will find expositions of recognized LATAM artists. (Andador 20 de Noviembre No. 166, Centro Histórico, Zapopan)

Museo Huichol, a museum dedicated to the Jalisco Huichol community “Wixárica,” will find a permanent exposition with this fantastic community’s history, culture, handcraft, clothing, and jewelry. (Eva Briseño No. 152-1, Centro, Zapopan).

Andares Shopping mall is an outdoor and indoor modern mall, where you will find a gastronomic corridor and the fanciest and recognized brands of clothes, shoes, technology, jewelry, international designers, and more.

In the main floor you will find a nice gastronomic corridor.  There is a Steak House called El Almacén and a delicious  Italian restaurant called La Moresca (Blvrd Puerta de Hierro 4965, Puerta de Hierro, 45116 Zapopan).

Providencia is one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Guadalajara, is full of boutiques, cafes, and restaurants.

Bosque de Los Colomos is a beautiful forest inspired by Japanese gardens of more than 300 acres. Take a walk in this beautiful place, crossing their bridges, feeding the wild squirrels, and visiting the tinny castle, an art school. (El Chaco 3200, Providencia, Guadalajara).

Located in the financial zone, there is another gastronomic corridor called Punto Sao Paolo, with exquisite options for lunch and dinner. One of the most popular is La Estancia Gaucha, a Steak House (tel. 333817 1808). There is also an NH hotel in the complex. https://puntosaopaulo.com/corredor-gastronomico/

Day four

Tlaquepaque

A Charming little town full of art galleries, and Mexican furniture, and fine crafts.

The touristic downtown corridor offers its visitors beautiful art galleries, furniture, and fine pottery. (Independencia No. 238, Centro, Tlaquepaque).

A beautiful store restaurant is Adobe Fonda is a must to buy some fine art craft, furniture, or art pieces and enjoy a wonderful Mexican lunch in a beautiful traditional restaurant. ( Calzada del Ejercito No. 42, Tlaquepaque. Tel. 33 3657 2792).

Consulates

United States Consulate

C. Progreso 175, Col Americana, Americana, 44100 Guadalajara, Jal.

Emergencies From Mexico 52 33 8526 1444/

Emergencies from United States 1-844-528-6611

https://mx.usembassy.gov

Canada

Consulate of Canada

World Trade Center

Av. Mariano Otero #1249

Piso 8, Torre Pacífico

Col. Rinconada del Bosque

44530 Guadalajara, Jalisco

Mexico

From Guadalajara

From Canada 33 1818 4200

https://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/mexico-mexique/offices-bureaux/gdl.aspx?lang=eng

Extend more days your trip to visit Tequila and Chapala

Chapala is a small village with a lake. 30 minutes by car from the city is one of the favorite destinations for Americans and Canadians retirement destination. A beautiful town with Mexico’s most extensive lake, and fine restaurants, galleries, and cafes.

Tequila is a beautiful antique village located less than an hour by car from Guadalajara. This magical place offers their visitors’ local factories tours to see the whole process of Tequila production.  Once you arrive in town, in the main square, you can hire local tours.

We highly recommend going to Tequila with José Cuervo Express. A day visit on their train with stunning landscapes to Tequila José Cuervo Factory. Tour is one day trip, includes food, beverages, mariachi, and Mexican folklore performances.

Due to Covid-19, please check availability and restrictions calling at 52 374-742-6729 or at  https://www.mundocuervo.com/eng/jose-cuervo-express

Tips

• Use Uber is cheaper than city taxis and safer.

• Avoid using cashiers at night in lonely places.

• Leave your jewelry, passport, and other valuable items in the safe box at the hotel.

• If you plan to visit Chapala, start your trip there, which is less than 30 minutes from the airport.

Guadalajara and its Metropolitan Zone are one of the main cultural places in Mexico.

Many internationally recognized cultural events are held, such as Guadalajara Film Festival, the International Book Fair (FIL), among others.

If you want to make this paradise of Mexico your new home, please contact one of our experts at Ryan Donner y Asociados. We will help you to find the property of your dreams. https://ryandonner.com