Tourism in Guadalajara
Guadalajara is a highly cultural city, known for the kindness of their habitants and its traditional great foods. It is a city that represents the Mexican culture in an excellent way.
This city counts with traditions known in the entire world: the Mariachi, the tequila, and the "charrería" sport.
Interesting touristic places:
- Historic Zone:
Here, the foundation of Guadalajara took place. This place is distinguished by its beautiful buildings that have been built in the past. Between these are: “La Catedral” (a very representative symbol of this city), “Instituto Cultural Cabañas” (was an orphanage before), and the “Teatro Degollado” (decorated with painting of the most valued Mexican artists through the History). It is also surrounded by interesting public squares, like the “Plaza de Armas”.
- Metropolitan Zone:
This city is known as “The city of the Roses” due to the beauty that shines from its streets. It is the second most important in Mexico because of its great industrial and commercial development. It is a city that has a lot of entertainment, such as malls (some of the biggest ones in the country), parks, public squares, museums, and zoos.
- Tlaquepaque:
Only 20 minutes far from the downtown of the city, you will find San Pedro Tlaquepaque, the most important potter centre of the country, also known as “Craftsmen’s Land” or “Mexican Soul”. In this place, you will be able to shop handicrafts made from ceramic, clay, blown glass and brass. You will also find all kinds of rustic furniture, fabrics, jewelry, fine gold and silver, leather goods, regional candies, and an endless quantity of national handicrafts.
- Tonalá:
Tonalá is another recognized and important craft center that is located 14 kilometers far from the downtown of the city. This place is known because of its arts, customs, traditions and music. Its handicrafts are highlighted by the fact that they are made with perfect ceramic. The artisans of this “Potter Cradle of Jalisco” use 11 different ceramic techniques.
- Tequila:
The town of Tequila is located at the north-central region of the state Jalisco, covering a territorial extension of 1,364 km2. Its land presents different reliefs, with very few flat lands and some valleys. Its climate is dry/warm. The rivers Grande or Santiago, Chico and Bolaños cross through here, including several streams and springs. You will find as a part of his plants: pine, oak, arbutus, mezcal, mesquite, nopal, banana, mango, lemon, huizache, plum and avocado; and as part of its wildlife: deer, coyotes, badgers, fox, skunk, squirrel, armadillo, rabbit, raccoon, reptiles and birds in general. Tequila has a big number of important religious centers (churches, temples, etc.), squares and museums.
Currently, there’s the possibility of taking a tour to the town of Tequila by a train that leaves from Guadalajara on Saturdays in the morning and comes back at night. In this tour, you will be able to taste wines and tequilas, as well as visit the touristic interesting points of this town and live a day full of attractions, entertainment, and fun. Note: it is necessary to book your place for this train with a lot of anticipation, due to the big demand that it has.
- Zapopan:
It is one of the biggest towns of the state Jalisco, and the leader in corn production. It is locates at only 8 kilometers far from the city of Guadalajara. This place is the most important religious centre of all de west side of Mexico, since in the famous “Basilica de Zapopan” (an important gorgeous building of this town) the Virgin of Zapopan is venerated. You will find in here, the Income Arc (Arco de Ingreso), a striking construction, and the “Andador 20 de Noviembre” which connects the arc with the Americas square and then with the “Basilica”. Zapopan counts with a varied list of foods deriving from corn: tortillas, Pozole, tamales, gorditas, sopitos, chalupas, enchiladas, quesadillas and tejuino, a very tasty drink made of corn-based. Also, the habitants of this region have the ability of making figures using the “Olote” and dried corn leaves, as well as the carved quarry, wooden furniture and, also, Huichol handicrafts.
- Downtown:
It is the oldest zone of the city, where all kinds of buildings (colonial, postcolonial, from the age of the French invasion, and the “Porfiriato”) as well as modern buildings. In this zone, you will find the famous Liberty Market (Mercado Libertad). You will be able to see beautiful constructions, for example: the “Expiatorio” Temple (with a neogothic style), the University of Guadalajara building, as well as several temples that it’s worth visiting. Between those, the most remarkable is The “Refugio” Temple, since it is located in the middle of the street Calzada Federalismo; this is the result of a curious modern style.
For further information, visit the following websites:
