Jalisco · Mexico

Guadalajara and Tequila

The land of mariachi and tequila: Guadalajara’s historic center, Orozco’s murals, the crafts of Tlaquepaque, the agave fields of Tequila, and Lake Chapala.

Jalisco, Michoacán and Riviera Nayarit

In the photo: Agave landscape in Tequila

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Guadalajara is the capital of the state of Jalisco and the second largest city in Mexico. It was founded in 1542 and has a historic center of plazas in a cross layout around the cathedral, with the Teatro Degollado, the Government Palace, and the Hospicio Cabañas, which houses José Clemente Orozco’s murals and is a World Heritage site.

Jalisco is the land of mariachi, tequila, charrería and the jarabe tapatío—symbols the world associates with Mexico. Mariachis play in the square that bears their name in Guadalajara and at the Parián in Tlaquepaque, the neighboring town with cobbled streets, pottery workshops and craft shops.

About 60 km to the northwest, the village of Tequila sits amid the blue agave landscape, a World Heritage site since 2006, with blue-tinted fields, old distilleries and the tequila museum. To the south, Lake Chapala, Mexico’s largest lake, includes the towns of Chapala and Ajijic, with mild weather year-round.

This destination brings together 4 cities: Guadalajara, San Pedro Tlaquepaque, Tequila, Ajijic.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Guadalajara and Tequila is

Boundaries: INEGI / geoBoundaries (CC BY 3.0 IGO). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Guadalajara and Tequila

✈ Aeropuerto Internacional Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (GDL) · 17 km to Guadalajara

Confirm before purchasing. Guadalajara International Airport (GDL) is about 17 km south of downtown, on the road to Lake Chapala.

Suggested arrival point: Guadalajara

Jalisco · Guadalajara and Tequila Capital Suggested arrival point

Guadalajara

Guadalajara is the capital of Jalisco and the second largest city in Mexico, at about 1,560 meters of elevation. The historic center features the cathedral with yellow towers, surrounding squares, the Teatro Degollado, the Government Palace and the Hospicio Cabañas, with murals by José Clemente Orozco. The city is the birthplace of mariachi and has neighborhoods of cafés and restaurants, such as Colonia Americana.

Jalisco · Guadalajara and Tequila

San Pedro Tlaquepaque

Tlaquepaque is a municipality in Greater Guadalajara with a center of colorful mansions, pedestrian streets, galleries and shops selling handicrafts, ceramics and blown glass. At the Parián, a group of restaurants around a courtyard, mariachis play all day. It is also known for its award-winning ceramics tradition.

Jalisco · Guadalajara and Tequila

Tequila

Tequila is the town that gave its name to the drink, about 60 km northwest of Guadalajara, at the foot of the Tequila volcano. It sits in the middle of the blue agave landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2006, with agave fields, century-old distilleries and a town centre with a plaza, stone church and the National Museum of Tequila. It holds the title of Pueblo Mágico.

Jalisco · Guadalajara and Tequila

Ajijic

Ajijic is a village on the shore of Lake Chapala, Mexico’s largest lake, about 50 km south of Guadalajara. It has cobblestone streets with colorful murals, galleries, restaurants and a lakeside malecón, and is known for a large community of foreign retirees drawn by the mild year-round climate. A few kilometers away is the town of Chapala, with its own malecón and pier.

The local experience

Things to do in Guadalajara and Tequila

Guadalajara · Jalisco · Cathedral

Catedral de Guadalajara

17th-century cathedral with yellow neo-Gothic towers, surrounded by four plazas in the heart of the historic center.

San Pedro Tlaquepaque · Jalisco · Historic center

Centro de Tlaquepaque e El Parián

The pedestrian center with galleries, handicraft shops, Jardín Hidalgo and the Parián, a restaurant courtyard with mariachis.

Ajijic · Jalisco · Lakeside promenade

Malecón de Ajijic

Lakeside malecón on Lake Chapala, with a pier, gardens, and views of the mountains across the water.

Tequila · Jalisco · Cultural landscape

Paisaje Agavero de Tequila

Blue agave fields between the Tequila volcano and the Santiago River canyon, a World Heritage site since 2006.

See 6 more places in Guadalajara and Tequila

Tequila · Jalisco · Historic centre and museum

Centro de Tequila e Museo Nacional del Tequila

The town centre, with the stone church of Santiago Apóstol, the plaza and the museum that tells the story of the drink.

Guadalajara · Jalisco · Museum

Hospicio Cabañas

19th-century former orphanage, a World Heritage site, with 57 murals by José Clemente Orozco in the chapel, including the Man of Fire.

Ajijic · Jalisco · Lakeside promenade

Malecón de Chapala

Chapala’s promenade, with a pier, boats to Isla de los Alacranes, and early 20th-century summer houses.

Guadalajara · Jalisco · Theatre

Teatro Degollado

Neoclassical theatre from 1866 in downtown Guadalajara, with a sculpted pediment and a horseshoe-shaped auditorium, home to the Jalisco Philharmonic.

Guadalajara · Jalisco · Market and plaza

Mercado San Juan de Dios e Plaza de los Mariachis

The large covered downtown market, with three floors of food, handicrafts and clothing, next to the Plaza de los Mariachis.

Guadalajara · Jalisco · Basilica

Basílica de Zapopan

18th-century basilica in Zapopan, in the Greater Guadalajara area, housing the image of the Virgin that draws a large pilgrimage in October.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

October through May is the dry season, with sunny days and pleasant temperatures. April and May are the warmest months. From June to September it rains in the afternoons. In September the International Mariachi Encounter takes place, and in October the pilgrimage of the Virgin of Zapopan.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Four days allow two in Guadalajara and Tlaquepaque, one in Tequila, and one at Lake Chapala. With five or six days, there's time left for Zapopan and the museums.

Which city to stay in

In the Historic Center, hotels in older buildings put the cathedral and Hospicio Cabañas within walking distance. Colonia Americana and Chapultepec have cafés and nightlife, and Providencia and Zapopan have modern hotels. In Tlaquepaque there are inns in large traditional houses, and Ajijic has small lakeside hotels.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Guadalajara and Tequila

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Guadalajara and Tequila

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

The cities on this trip