15 things to know before traveling to Guadalajara

Thinking of traveling to Guadalajara, Mexico? I've known the city my whole life, traveling here regularly to visit extended family since the year I was born, so I'm happy to share my tips for those visiting for the first time.

When I was a little girl, Guadalajara was a place of orange-flavored sodas and chili-covered lollipops, mariachi serenades for my 20-something tías (aunties who always swooned on the balcony), and hours spent making tortillas. The city’s historic center was a place to run and play, to cool off in the Catedral de Guadalajara or under a mural in the Instituto Cultural de Cabañas, or to fill up on chocolate-stuffed cuernos (horn-shaped pastries) from our favorite bakery, Croissants Alfredo.

When I began visiting as an adult with my American friends, I started to see Guadalajara through different eyes and appreciate its depth and complexity. It’s a richly colonial city wrapped inside a modern metropolis, complete with traffic jams, pickpockets and bustle. It's a place steeped in tradition yet standing up for inclusion, a city where a night out could include world-class cuisine or bacon-wrapped hot dogs, a symphony concert or a raucous lucha libre (wrestling) match.

Guadalajara today is all of this and more (chili-covered lollipops included). Here are 15 travel tips to help you make the most of your first trip to Guadalajara.

1. Plan on (at least) a 4-day stay

Sure, you can see Guadalajara’s highlights in a couple of days – most are concentrated in the historic center. But a longer trip gives you time to check out the city’s reinvented colonial neighborhoods, wander through dazzling art museums and outdoor markets, take in some live music and maybe even find your favorite late-night taco stand.

Give yourself at least 4 days to soak up the city's best experiences. Guadalajara is one of Mexico's most popular tourist destinations, and its blend of cultural experiences rivals that of other big Mexican tourist destinations such as Mexico City and Puerto Vallarta. The city is also largely untroubled by the cartel crime that has impacted parts of Jalisco state.

Foodies take note – Guadalajara is a culinary haven with options for every taste. For authentic Mexican cuisine, visit Restaurante Alcalde, a Michelin-feted eatery that celebrates local ingredients with contemporary flair. Craving street food tacos? Head to Tacos de Barbacoa Arturo. If international flavors are more your style, the Colonia Americana neighborhood is home to respected spots such as Xokol and Cafe PalReal.

Local tip: Check out the tourism office’s cartelera, a comprehensive calendar of events, before you head to town to round out your itinerary and savor everything this vibrant city has to offer.

2. Book early for festival-filled October

The city brims with visitors every October when Guadalajara hosts Fiestas de Octubre, a monthlong celebration featuring spectacular live performances, pop-up amusement parks and parades. On October 12, a longstanding annual pilgrimage to the Basílica de Zapopan draws millions more visitors as devout Catholics hit the streets in honor of the venerated icon La Zapopanita.

Book your hotel early for travel anytime in October, particularly if you plan to stay in popular neighborhoods such as the Centro Histórico, Colonia Americana, Tlaquepaque or Tonalá. Flights and buses can also be busy at this time.

3. Bring layers (and sometimes an umbrella)

Guadalajara is known for its pleasant daytime temperatures, with daytime highs staying above 24℃ (75℉) for much of the year. Evenings are another story, however. In December and January, 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.

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4. Make sure your stay includes a Sunday

Sundays are for local culture in Guadalajara. Plazas bustle with street vendors and performers, major streets are closed to cars to make room for walkers and bikers (free bikes are available for loan at Parque Revolución), and the city’s largest open-air crafts market fills the streets of Tonalá. Carry some smaller bills for impulsive purchases and snacks.

For a treat, consider taking in an afternoon charreada, a traditional Mexican rodeo where skilled riders showcase their horsemanship through events like bull riding and roping, often accompanied by lively music and a festive atmosphere. If you’re up for something more energetic, don’t miss a lucha libre wrestling match for an unforgettable evening – Arena Coliseo de Guadalajara is the main venue for bouts.

5. Save pesos by taking the bus to and from the airport

The cheapest way to get between the center and Guadalajara’s international airport is by city bus. It can get crowded and makes frequent stops, but fares are a steal. Look for the bus stop in front of the Hotel Casa Grande, around 50m from the terminal, and catch either a “Ruta 176” or “Atasa” bus; both run to the center of town in about 45 minutes, with services every 15 minutes from morning until night.

If you have lots of luggage, rideshares are an option, but you must arrange to be picked up away from the terminal building, for example at the Glorieta roundabout.

6. Walk or take public transport instead of renting a car

There’s no need to rent a car in Guadalajara. The traffic can be crushing, and walking is often the quickest option for getting around in the center. For places further afield, several bus lines and an expanded metro system crisscross the city, charging fares from 11 Mexican pesos (M$). Use the Moovit app to navigate your way around town.

7. Opt for Uber over taxis

Though conventional 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. Uber is an easy, affordable option, and its drivers provide a 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.

8. Haggle with kindness

Negotiating prices, especially in markets, is common practice in Guadalajara, and the city's markets are piled high with neat souvenirs. As you gently go back and forth, the prices may shift slightly, or the merchant might throw in a bonus knick-knack. But before you dig in your heels over a few pesos, remember they likely mean a lot more to the vendor than they do to you. Carry some smaller bills for market trips, as vendors may not have change.

9. Call locals tapatíos

Be in the know and use the word 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 before the Spanish colonial period.

10. Greet people the Mexican way

Tapatíos (and Mexicans in general) value pleasantries, and doubly so when visitors make the effort to speak the local language. Before any interaction – even just entering a shop or restaurant – say buenos días ("good morning"), buenas tardes ("good afternoon") or buenas noches ("good evening").

When you leave, saying adios ("goodbye"), gracias ("thank you") or con permiso ("excuse me") is customary. Even if that’s the extent of your Spanish vocabulary, making an effort to cover the basics will be deeply appreciated.

11. This Catholic city isn’t as conservative as you’d expect

Despite its history and reputation as a deeply Catholic city, Guadalajara is also one of the most accepting and inclusive places in Mexico for LGBTIQ+ people. The city has a big annual Pride celebration, as well as plenty of gay bars and queer-owned businesses. Check local listings for queer film festivals, gay parties and other LGBTIQ+-oriented cultural events.

12. Save your shorts and flip-flops for the beach

Unless you’re a kid, wearing shorts or flip-flops (thongs) in town will mark you out as a tourist in Guadalajara. Even on the hottest days, local adults just don’t wear such casual items outside their homes. Stick to pants or skirts and wear leather sandals or closed-toe shoes instead. For a night out on the town, dress to impress; locals tend to wear their best outfits for trips to bars and nightclubs, upmarket restaurants or the theater.

13. Lean into street food

Guadalajara’s early morning street food favorite (and sworn-by hangover cure) is the torta ahogada (literally “drowned sandwich”) – a baguette-like roll stuffed with slow-roasted pork and drenched in hot sauce. Trying it is an essential piece of initiation into Guadalajara culture.

While you’ll be tempted to eat this huge creation with a fork and knife, tapatíos use their hands – so do like locals do and lean over your plate, like it’s a trough, to avoid splattering yourself. Go the extra mile and tuck a few napkins into your shirt front. It’s not exactly elegant, but you’ll fit right in.

For a sweet treat, try jericallas – a creamy custard dessert native to Guadalajara. You can find this treat at traditional markets such as Mercado Libertad in the San Juan de Dios area. Don’t miss the chance to sip on tejuino, a refreshing fermented corn drink served with lime and salt – a local favorite.

14. Avoid tap water

While Guadalajara’s tap water is purified at the source, it can become contaminated as it travels through the city's aging water pipework. So don’t drink it or even use it to brush your teeth; stick to bottled water, and drink juices, bottled drinks and coffee while you're out and about exploring. This said, there’s no need to worry about ice in restaurants or bars because it's purchased from commercial ice factories that use purified water to make it.

15. Put toilet paper in the wastebasket

The antiquated plumbing in Guadalajara means that flushing toilet paper can often clog the system. If you see an open wastebasket in a stall or hotel bathroom, use it for your TP. Carry your own supply in case there is none in the stalls.