Hotels in Guadalajara

Guadalajara: Mexico's Second City, Tapatío at Heart

Guadalajara, capital of Jalisco state, sits 1,566 metres above sea level in western Mexico, roughly 550 km northwest of Mexico City. Founded in 1542, it is the birthplace of mariachi music, tequila culture, and the Mexican Hat Dance (jarabe tapatío). The historic centre clusters around four interconnected plazas — Plaza de Armas, Plaza de la Liberación, Plaza Tapatía, and Plaza Fundadores — anchored by the twin-spired Guadalajara Cathedral, completed in 1618.

Where to Stay in Guadalajara

Hotels concentrate in several distinct zones. Centro Histórico suits travellers who want colonial architecture and museums within walking distance. Chapultepec and Colonia Americana offer tree-lined streets, craft cocktail bars on Avenida Chapultepec, and independent restaurants. Zapopan, a neighbouring municipality 8 km northwest, hosts the Basílica de Zapopan and a growing creative district. Upscale properties cluster in Puerta de Hierro and Andares, near the corporate and shopping corridors of the metropolitan area.

Practical Tips

• Getting around: The Tren Ligero (light rail, Lines 1 and 2) connects the centre to southern suburbs; a single fare costs under MXN 10.
• Climate: Elevation keeps temperatures moderate — highs around 26 °C year-round, with a rainy season from June through September.
• Airport access: Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla International Airport (GDL) sits 17 km southeast; taxis and ride-share apps reach the centre in 25–35 minutes.
• Local market: Mercado San Juan de Dios, one of Latin America's largest covered markets, occupies a full city block on Calle Javier Mina.