Guadalajara
Mexico · Country profile
Guadalajara is the great cultural capital of the west of Mexico, a proud, energetic metropolis of the highlands that gave the world the mariachi, the tequila and the charro tradition, and that still runs on the strong regional identity of the Tapatios. Its historic centre is one of the handsomest of the country, with the twin cathedrals, the grand plazas, the museums and the bars of the long colonial streets arranged around the plazas of the city. The nearby town of Tequila and the blue agave fields of the valley, and the famous market of the San Juan de Dios with its tequila museum, extend the legends of the region, while the lake of the Chapala and the arts cities of the surrounding highlands make the excursions of the capital. Fiercely proud of its own food, its music and its lore, it is the very definition of the Mexican heartland capital.
About Guadalajara
Guadalajara is a city in Mexico. The city's documented population is around 1,385,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the Mexican Peso (MXN) and Spanish is spoken; the dialling code is +52. It is served by 1 airport in our guide: Guadalajara International Airport.
The Proud Cultural Capital of the Mexican West
Guadalajara is a proud, cultured and thoroughly Mexican city where the colonial plazas, the twin-towered cathedral, the tequila and the mariachi set the whole character of a stay. The visitor walks the handsome centre, rides the tasteful tourist tram between the plazas, eats the birria and the tortas of the region at the markets and takes the day trips to the agave valley and the lakes and the arts towns of the west. It is a big, busy, safe-in-daylight metropolis with a distinctly different accent and tempo from the capital, at once modern and deeply rooted. It is the perfect base for the cultural west of the country.
The Dry Highlands Sun, the Peso and the Late Nights of the City
The climate of the western highlands is mild and dry, with the warm sunny days of nearly all the year and the short afternoon rains of the summer months. The peso is the currency and the Spanish the language, with the English useful in the tourist districts but thinner than in the border cities. The essentials are the centre, the markets, the tequila town and the lake trips, and the trams and the metro of the city make the distances easy. The dress is urban and the nightlife famously late, and the priority-taxi apps keep the evening runs easy and safe.
The Plaza of the Twin Cathedrals, the Tequila Town and the Lakes of the West
The twin cathedral towers and the four great plazas of the historic centre anchor the most handsome square of the west of the country, and the museum of the arts and the gallery of the regional art carry the serious culture of the city. The great market of San Juan de Dios, one of the largest of the country, fills a morning of the crafts, the food and the spiritual souvenirs, and the nearby town of Tequila with its agave fields and its distilleries makes the classic pilgrimage of the region. The mariachi music of the plaza, the lake of the Chapala and the two arts towns of the highlands complete the picture of the proud western capital.
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- Country
- Mexico
- Population
- 1,385,000
- Coordinates
- 20.5218, -103.3112
- Capital
- Mexico City
- Region
- North America
- Currency
- Mexican Peso (MXN)
- Languages
- Spanish
- Calling code
- +52
- Country code
- MX
Entry requirements for Mexico
Visa status for travellers from common origins visiting Mexico for tourism.
Getting to Guadalajara
Airports we list for Guadalajara:
Other airports in the area:
Cities in Mexico
Other cities we cover in Mexico:
Frequently asked questions
Is Guadalajara the capital of Mexico?
No — the capital of Mexico is Mexico City.
What currency do I need in Guadalajara?
The local currency is the Mexican Peso (MXN). Languages spoken in Mexico include Spanish.
What is the dialling code for Mexico?
The international dialling code for Mexico is +52.
Which airport should I fly into for Guadalajara?
Guadalajara International Airport (GDL) is the airport we list for Guadalajara.
How far is Guadalajara from the nearest airport?
Guadalajara is about 459 km from Mexico City International Airport.
Do I need a visa to visit Mexico?
It depends on your passport. Among the origins we track, travellers from Australia, Canada, France, Germany and Italy currently enter Mexico visa-free for tourism. Use the entry requirements tool to check your own nationality and purpose of travel.
Flying out of Guadalajara? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.