Guadalajara

Guadalajara, the capital of the Mexican state of Jalisco, is both an elegant and festive city. Among its streets you can admire magnificent colonial buildings like the Catedral Metropolitana, Teatro Degollado, and the Instituto Cultural Cabañas where you can find the priceless mural works of José Clemente Orozco. It’s also where you’ll find mariachi groups, displays of the Mexican charro tradition, and lively bars where tequila takes center stage.

The areas that surround the Historic Center are just as interesting. To the north, the conurbation of Zapopan is a municipality where you can find modern museums, restaurants, and hotels, as well as forested areas and one of Mexico’s foremost religious pilgrimage sites: La Basílica de Zapopan. Tlaquepaque lies to the east, famous for its ceramics and traditional food and drink. To the southeast, Tonalá is the perfect place for picking up fine quality handicrafts.

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The Villa de Guadalajara was founded on January 5, 1532, by Cristóbal de Oñate and 42 neighbors, though it had a total of three different locations. In 1542 it was founded at its current site. The city played a major role in the Independence of Mexico. It’s where Miguel Hidalgo declared the abolition of slavery. At the end of the war of Independence, and with the proclamation of the free and sovereign state of Jalisco, Guadalajara became the state capital.

What’s Typical

Guadalajara is one of Mexico’s biggest handicrafts centers. Here you can find pottery, glasswork, leather products, silver jewelry, and regional clothing. We recommend Mercado Libertad. Then, there’s Tlaquepaque with its many stores and galleries of blown glass and fine leather goods. Meanwhile, Tonalá is famous for its rustic furniture and clay utensils and decorative items.