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Guadalajara was the first Mexican city to be accepted as a member of the International Association of Educational Cities due to its strong character and identity, potential for economic development through culture. Guadalajara was designated as the World Book Capital for 2022 by UNESCO.
- Planning Your Trip to Guadalajara
- Etiquette in Guadalajara
- Health and Safety in Guadalajara
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Plan on (at least) a four-day stay
Sure, you can see Guadalajara’s highlights in a couple of days – most are in the historic center – but stay awhile to check out the city’s colonial-to-hipster neighborhoods, wander through dazzling art museums and outdoor markets, take in some live music and maybe even find your favorite late night taco stand. Check out the tourism office’s cartelera, a comprehensive calendar of events, before you head to town.
Book early for October
The city brims with visitors every October when Guadalajara hosts Fiestas de Octubre, a month-long celebration featuring spectacular live performances, pop-up amusement parks and parades. A long-standing annual pilgrimage to theBasílica de Zapopan, also held in October, adds fuel to the fire when millions of Catholic faithful hit the streets in honor of the venerated icon La Zapopanita. Book your hotel early!
Bring layers
Guadalajara is known for its temperate daytime temperatures, hovering in the 70s and 80s year-round. Evenings are another story. In winter, bring warm clothing and a jacket for the sometimes frigid air. In summer, a light sweater will do. Add an umbrella to your summer packing list, especially in July and August, when afternoon showers are a daily occurrence.
Call locals tapatíos
Be in the know and use tapatío to refer to someone or something from Guadalajara. The word is derived from tlapatiotl, meaning "bartering system" in Nahuatl, the language spoken by the region’s original inhabitants.
Greet people
Tapatíos, and Mexicans in general, value pleasantries. Before any interaction – even just entering a shop or restaurant – say "buenos dias" (good morning), "buenas tardes" (good afternoon) or "buenas noches" (good evening). When you leave, "adios" (goodbye), "gracias" (thank you), or "con permiso"(excuse me) is customary. Even if that’s all you say in Spanish, it’ll be deeply appreciated.
This Catholic city isn't as conservative as you'd expect
Despite its history and reputation as a conservative Catholic city, Guadalajara is also one of the most accepting and inclusive places in Mexico for LGBTIQ+ people. Pride parades and gay bars, openly-owned LGBTQ+ businesses and cultural events are common.
Avoid tap water
Don’t drink the tap water or even use it to brush your teeth. While it’s purified at the source, it can become contaminated as it travels through aging water lines. Instead, use bottled water. That said, there’s no need to worry about ice in restaurants or bars – it’s purchased from commercial ice factories.
Opt for Uber over taxis
Though taxis are easy to hail in the city center, they’re known for ripping off passengers, refusing to use their meters and quoting inflated flat rates. Use Uber instead, which provides reliable service at cheaper rates. If you must take a cab, be sure you agree on the price before you get in – if it seems high, try bargaining or just wait for another taxi.
Be alert for pickpockets
Like most big cities, pickpocketing is a risk on crowded buses and subway trains, markets, and busy streets and plazas.Mercado San Juan de Diosand the post-clubbing scene on Avenida Chapultepec are notorious for petty theft. Stay alert to your surroundings, remembering that pickpockets often work in teams, crowding their victims to distract them. To lessen the risk of being targeted, leave flashy jewelry at home and place your valuables in the hotel safe.
Learn what to expect, do and avoid in Guadalajara, a vibrant city with colonial and modern attractions, rich culture and cuisine. Find out how to get around, when to visit, what to wear and how to greet the locals.
The inland city of Guadalajara is bursting with history and culture. Many attractions are in the city's historic center and in the neighboring city of Zapopan. Museums, parks and churches flourish alongside bullfights, rodeos and soccer (futbol).
Things to Do in Guadalajara, Mexico: See Tripadvisor's 143,153 traveler reviews and photos of Guadalajara tourist attractions. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in July. We have reviews of the best places to see in Guadalajara. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions.
- Cathedral. The main church for the Archdiocese of Guadalajara, the cathedral is edged by four plazas that form a cross shape. This monument has come through all kinds of catastrophes, including no fewer than seven earthquakes.
- Hospicio Cabañas. A World Heritage Site, this immense complex was established in 1791 as a hospital, almshouse, orphanage and workhouse. With a large rectangular footprint, it has the same kind of format as Madrid’s El Escorial or Les Invalides in Paris.
- Templo Expiatorio del Santísimo Sacramento. A shining piece of neo-Gothic architecture, this church was built over 75 years between 1897 and 1972. With dainty tracery, crockets, a rose window and mosaics in its tympana, it’s almost indistinguishable from a European Medieval building.
- Tlaquepaque. Once a city of its own, Tlaquepaque was engulfed by the conurbation in the 20th century, and is set just six kilometres southeast of the centre of Guadalajara.
Guadalajara is the capital of the central state of Jalisco in Mexico, and the second-largest city in the country, with about a million and a half citizens (known as "Tapatíos"). It is considered a colonial city, though much of its architecture dates from the independence period.
Discover the cultural and historical attractions of Guadalajara, Mexico's second-largest city and a Unesco World Heritage site. Find tips on the best time to visit, the top things to do, the neighborhoods to explore and the local experts to plan your trip.
Book Hotels in Guadalajara, Jalisco. Browse Reviews & Photos. Compare Great Options. Browse the Photos and Get Inspired. Start Planning Your Next Getaway.
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Top 10 Most Beautiful Guadalajara Hotels 2022. 5 Star, Boutique, Small Luxury Hotels.
