GUADALAJARA
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- GENERAL INFORMATION
- TOURIST SERVICES
- MUSEUMS
- HISTORICAL ARCHITECTURE
- OTHER INTERESTING PLACES TO VISIT
- OTHER ACTIVITIES
- SURROUNDING AREAS, TOURING AND NOTABLE PLACES
Located 540 km (335 mi) northwest of Mexico City, Guadalajara is the proud state capital of Jalisco and the second most populated city in Mexico. Jalisco borders the states of Nayarit, Zacatecas and Aguascalientes to the north, Colima and Michoacán to the south, and Guanajuato to the east. Guadalajara is blessed with excellent temperatures ranging from 11º to 26º C (52º to 79º F), Guadalajara ranks among Mexico’s three most important cities and it is home to some of the nation’s most important cultural symbols (mariachi, tequila, the hat dance and Mexican rodeos). Among its main draws is the magnificent architecture of its historic and religious buildings, in particular that of the Hospicio Cabañas, which houses murals of artist Jose Clemente Orozco and was declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. The city is also known for its beautiful parks and surrounding natural areas, such as el Bosque la Primavera (the Primavera Forest), often referred to as the city’s lungs. In addition, there’s the Parque Metropolitano, where you can do camping and ecotourism outings, as well as all kinds of sports activities. Finally, Guadalajara stands out for its warm hospitality, well earning its reputation as the Pearl of the West.
In the downtown historic center you can visit the cathedral, known for its emblematic towers. Behind the cathedral lies the Teatro Degollado (Degollado Theater), a monumental 19th-century building and one of the city’s main cultural arts venues. Near Guadalajara is Zapopan, the most important religious center in Mexico’s western region. Or you can visit nearby Tonala, the pottery capital of Jalisco and the only city in the nation where more than 10 traditional techniques are used to make various crafts. Also relatively close is the magical Lake Chapala, and the picturesque town of Tequila, where Mexico’s most famous drink is produced. And in Guadalajara you’ll always find a vibrant nightlife in the various bars and restaurants, where you can also enjoy a delicious torta ahogada (a roll filled with pork and bathed in hot sauce), pozole and the traditional sounds of mariachi music.
Guadalajara, which lies about 540 km (335 mi) from Mexico City, is linked to the nation’s capital by highways 15 and 57. Highway 54 connects Guadalajara to Colima and Highway 80 leads to Leon and Guanajuato. The city has a bus station with service from bus lines ETN, Omnibus de Oriente, Flecha Amarilla and Estrella del Pacifico. The following airlines operate out of Guadalajara’s international airport and offer direct flights to Mexico City, Monterrrey, Morelia, Hermosillo, Toluca, Guanajuato, Puerto Vallarta and Tijuana: Mexicana, Aeromexico, Aviacsa, Lineas Aereas Azteca and Magnicharters. Continental and United Airlines have service to numerous cities in the United States.
Aeropuerto Internacional Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (airport) – Located at Km 17.5 on the Chapala Highway. Tel. (333) 688-6484
Central de Autobuses (bus station) – Located in Tlaquepaque off the modulo 4 exit on the Mexico-Zapotlanejo Highway. Tel. (333) 600-0495 or (333) 600-0066
Here is a link to the Tapatio Tour: http://www.tapatiotour.com/ Buses leave from the “Rotonda de los Hombres Ilustres” Located between Avenida Alcalde, Avenida Hidalgo, Independencia and Liceo.
EMERGENCY NUMBERS AND INFORMATION
Guadalajara Tourism Office – Tel. (333) 616-9150 and (333) 615-1182
Cruz Roja (Red Cross) – Tel. 065
Tourist Police – Tel. (333) 818-2200 ext. 3730
Emergency highway road service – Tel. 078 and (333) 668-1600 with extensions 1487, 1488 and 1489
Guadalajara is considered the cultural capital of the Americas, as it has numerous museums where you can admire everything from history exhibitions to the most interesting displays of contemporary art.
Museo de Cera – Located on Avenida Morelos, this wax museum exhibits more than 150 statues of important figures in history, politics, entertainment and popular culture. Open daily from 10:00 to 9:00.
Museo de la Ciudad – Has eight showrooms where you can learn about the city’s urban, historical, ethnographic and artistic development. Located at 684 Calzada Independencia between Mariano Barcenas and Contreras Medellin. Open daily from 10:00 to 10:00.
Casa Museo Jose Clemente Orozco – The property where painter Jose Clemente Orozco once lived is now a place where you can see some of his personal possessions and paintings, such as photos of his murals. Open Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 3:00. Located on Avenida Vallarta.
Museo Regional del Occidente – It is considered one of the most valuable historical and architectural structures in downtown Guadalajara. The museum houses a permanent collection of art focusing on pre-Hispanic cultures of Mexico’s western region. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 to 6:00, and Sunday from 9:00 to 3:00. Located at 60 Liceo Street, between Hidalgo and Independencia.
Museo de Arqueologia del Occidente de Mexico Lic. Jose Parres Arias – Located on Calzada Independenica Sur in the Parque Agua Azul neighborhood. Offers a general panorama of the western region’s pre-Hispanic history. Of particular interest are ceramic figurines of pot-bellied dogs from Colima. Open daily from 10:00 to 6:30.
Museo de las Artes de la Universidad de Guadalajara – Housed in the university’s rectory, this museum offers temporary exhibitions of diverse art forms. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 to 10:00, and Sunday from 12:00 to 8:00. Located at 975 Juarez Street.
Museo del Periodismo y las Artes Graficas – Has two showrooms where objects, machines and tools related to printing and graphic arts are on display. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 to 6:00, and Sunday from 12:00 to 8:00. Located in the downtown area at 255 Avenida Alcalde.
In Guadalajara’s downtown Historic Center you can admire the magnificent religious and civic buildings, allowing you to discover the architectural richness of one of Mexico’s most beautiful cities. Among the most important buildings are:
Teatro Degollado – Located on Degollado Street between Morelos and Av. Hidalgo. This is a neoclassical-style building built between 1855 and 1866. The portico has 16 Corinthian-order columns supporting a tympanum depicting Apollo and the Nine Muses. The theater is 20 meters (66 feet) long and 18 meters (59 feet) wide and it can hold 1,453 spectators. The theater’s dome has a Canto IV fresco of Dante Alighieri’s The Divine Comedy.
Instituto Cultural Cabañas – Located on the western end of Plaza Tapatia at No. 8 Paseo del Hospicio, between Avenida Hidalgo and Plaza Lopez Portillo y Weber. This project was conceived by Manuel Tolsa, built by Jose Gutierrez and finished by architect Manuel Ibarra. The neoclassical-style construction was completed in 1843. The building has a rectangular form and the main entrance has an elegant portico with Tuscan-order columns; its chapel is of the neoclassical-eclectic style. In addition, it has 23 patios surrounded by Herrerian-style corridors. Originally, this building was an orphanage; today, it is a cultural center that offers various art workshops and holds diverse cultural events.
Palacio Municipal – Located on Avendia Hidalgo between Pedro Loza and Avenida Alcade. Architect Vicente Mendiola designed this neoclassical-style building built between 1949 and 1952. It has two floors with the lower level surrounded by various portals. In addition, it has five panels with beautiful paintings by Gabriel Flores. The Palacio Municipal is the city government’s main office building.
Catedral Metropolitana –Dedicated to the Virgin of Assumption, this structure was built between the 16th and 18th centuries. Although it blends various architectural styles, the Gothic style stands out. Inside, there are nine altars and three chapels with neoclassical altarpieces. Near the vestry you’ll find La Purisima Concepcion, an important painting by Bartolome Esteban Murillo. Located on Avenida 16 de Septiembre, between Hidalgo and Morelos.
Rotonda de los Jaliscienses Ilustres – This circular monument dates back to 1951 and it has 17 striated columns without a base or a capital. It has 98 urns, but only a few are actually used. In a special crypt lies the mummified body of military leader Ramon Corona. In addition, statues of 11 illustrious Jaliscan figures watch over the monument. Located between Avenida Alcalde, Avenida Hidalgo, Independencia and Liceo.
5 OTHER INTERESTING PLACES TO VISIT
Mercado San Juan de Dios. Guadalajara's San Juan de Dios market, also known as Mercado Libertad, is today a sprawling complex of food stalls, produce stands, crafts vendors of all types, and an enormous food court, making this market a must-see destination for foodies headed to Guadalajara. Located near the Parque Morelos, the market offers visitors a sampling of all the regional dishes for which Jalisco is famous, including the hominy stew called pozole; the meat stew called birria, made with roasted chiles, spices, and either goat, mutton or beef; the chicken dish known as pollo a la valenciana; and tortas ahogadas, literally meaning "drowned tortas" because these pork sandwiches on French rolls are liberally doused with tomato sauce and chile sauce.
There is also a variety of antojitos (appetizer or snack foods) sold in the market, including tamales, sopes, tacos, and enchiladas tapatíos, named for the people of Guadalajara, who are called tapatíos. (People from Jalisco in general are also commonly called tapatíos, a word whose origins are unclear, although Fray Alonso de Molina, a Colonial-era Franciscan, suggested that it came from an indigenous word meaning "the price of something purchased.")
Plaza de los Mariachis This historic plaza, which thrived as a center for mariachi bands in the 19th century, still sees the occasional appearance of bands. It is located at Calzada Independencia y Javier Mina Zona Centro Guadalajara 44100 (Right next to the Mercado San Juan de Dios.)
The Basilica of Our Lady of Zapopan and the abbey of Our Lady of Expectation of Zapopan are a Franciscan sanctuary built in the heart of Zapopan in the state of Jalisco, México. The church belongs to the Franciscan province of Sts. Francis and James (Francisco y Santiago) that covers Jalisco, Monterrey, Guanajuato and Zacatecas.
The abbey is made up of members of the Franciscan 'Order of Friars Minor, though it is also used by the Capuchin, Third order, Society of Saint Francis, the Clarisse, and Franciscan sisters. It has also worked with the Dominicans and the Franciscan Youth (JuFra) of Roch. Affiliated with the church is a retirement home of the Valle de la misericordia (Valley of Mercy). It is one of the most visited sanctuaries in Western Mexico, and it preserves a wooden Virgin that is considered a valuable relic of medieval origin, which came from Spain to New Galicia in the 16th century.
http://www.visitmexico.com/wb/
7 SURROUNDING AREAS, TOURING AND NOTABLE PLACES
Touring near Guadalajara – As you’re leaving Guadalajara on Highway 44 headed south, you’ll find two towns, which form part of the city’s metropolitan area, where they make crafts that are exported throughout the world. Tlaquepaque, considered one of Latin America’s most important handicrafts centers, has hundreds of galleries promoting local artists’ works. The artists there work with such materials as corn husks, forged steel, copper, galvanized lamina, wood, leather and papier-mâché. They make ceramics, such as Petatillo pottery, and hand-blown glass objects, just to name a few of the items produced. In Tonala, located 7 km (4.3 mi) east of Tlaquepaque, you can visit a famous outdoor market that is held from Thursday through Sunday. There are also many stores selling crafts. If you continue south along Highway 44, about 48 km (30 mi) ahead is Lake Chapala, considered Mexico’s largest lake. Chapala is an ideal place to take a walk, a bicycle ride or a boat tour. You can even visit nearby ranches. If you head west along the main highway, you’ll run into the town of Ajijic, which is 48 km (30 mi) south of Guadalajara. This picturesque town is known for its adobe constructions with red-tiled roofs and white walls. While you’re there you can visit El Manglar, the country house of former Mexican president Porfirio Diaz.
The road to Tequila – Departing from Guadalajara, as you head northeast along Highway 15, you’ll discover some of the region’s most important agricultural areas, where they specialize in the production of Mexico’s world famous tequila and agave-based drinks. Just 60 km (37 mi) northwest of Guadalajara is Amatitan, where you can visit the San Jose del Refugio Hacienda, which has the reputation of being one of the best tequila distilleries since it was founded in 1870. After that, continue along the same highway until you reach one of Mexico’s most emblematic towns: Tequila. Tequila, which has a nearby volcano of the same name, is a region that has the ideal ecological conditions for the cultivation of Agave Tequilana Weber, a blue agave variety that has domination of origin status in the production of the authentic national drink. On weekends in Tequila you can take a tour of the distilleries on the Tequila Bus, or the Tequila Express, as it’s called. The tour includes a visit to the Jose Cuervo factory, which is a lovely colonial-style construction. http://www.villamex.net/Tequila/main.htm
Along Jalisco’s 280 km (173 mi) of coastline, you’ll discover fascinating beach destinations, including Puerto Vallarta and Costalegre. There you can enjoy top-notch hotels and excellent services offered at the spas and exclusive golf courses.
