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Tourism guide

Sites of interest

Tlaquepaque

Birth place and home of artists and artisans; it is known as the main crafts center of the country. Great artists such as Sergio Bustamante and Jesús Guerrero Santos display their works in their monumental mansions on the main avenue in Tlaquepaque. Some of those ancient and monumental mansions are now gallery-boutiques or typical restaurants. Tlaquepaque is a colorful and charming little town intensely enjoyed by visitors.

Cultural Center El Refugio

This lovely XIX century construction was a hospital and a place for spiritual exercise until 1979. In 1985, it was restored, respecting its architecture of vast and ventilated halls and endless and beautiful corridors.

Parían

A symbol of folklore and joy where the body rests and the spirit awakes to the sound of Mariachi music, the best tequila and a delicious chabela.

Tonalá

This is an area rich in handicrafts and where polychromed clay, “petatillo” ware and those called “bandera” and “cinnamon” ware are produced. You will also find useful objects beautifully decorated called “things of light” and wonderful papier maché figurines, the famous red glass and leather items. Its artists master the difficult work of drawing with a small paint brush, combining colors, molding and enamel. This city is famous for its art “tianguis/market” on Thursdays and Sundays where some merchants set-up displays offering their colorful merchandise to visitors from all over Mexico and abroad. The Cerro de la Reina is located in Tonalá and it can be seen from any cardinal point of the Valle de Atemajac.

National Ceramic Museum

It offers samples of various types of ceramic and their techniques. It also displays handicraft pieces from different states and has a room full of miniatures.

Tequila

An Attractive Magical Town whose name alone describes its attributes. Visiting and witnessing its natural, historic and architectural richness is a guarantee of astounding pleasure.

Chapala

In the east part of Jalisco, 48 km. south-east of Guadalajara is where you’ll find Chapala. Some authors say it means “soaked place” and others say it means “grasshoppers on the water”. Its origin date back to approximately 1510 and it is without doubt the most important town of the lakeshore and continues to be one of the favorite recreation places for the population of Jalisco and most especially Guadalajara.

The Chapala lakeshore reached its greatest splendor at the beginning of the XX century when Septimus Crow and Leonel Garden spurred the society’s interest in converting the fishermen’s villa into an ideal vacation spot bringing to mind the extraordinary climate, the beauty of the landscape, the colorful population and typical gastronomy. The lakeshore has been a refuge for National and International tourism.

San Martín de las Flores

A locality that celebrates two holidays in particular; Semana Santa – Mexico’s Easter week – and the celebration of its patron saint: San Martín

Toluquilla

Celebrates in October along with Guadalajara

Santa Anita

Holds its patronage festivals in February

Tapetosco

Holds its festivals in March

San Pedro

Its annual festival starts at the beginning of June and ends at the beginning of July.

Zapopan

A suburban municipality 8 km. from Guadalajara. Its main attractions are the Basilica de la Virgen de Zapopan “Guadalajara’s patron saint” and the Huichol Ethnographic Museum.

Basílica de nuestra señora de Zapopan

This Baroque style basilica, dating back to the XVII century is the sanctuary of the Zapopan Virgin, a figure created out of corn cane around the year 1550. Each 12^th of October, some two million parishioners come here to celebrate their Virgin.

Guadalajara Cathedral

Its architecture is a mixture if Gothic, Baroque, Moorish and Neo-classical influences creating a striking structure that for centuries, dominated the horizon of the Historical Center.

Degollado Theater

Elegant Neo-classical building built during the Porfiriato era. It is now host to the Philharmonic Orchestra de Jalisco and Folklorical Ballet de la Universidad de Guadalajara amongst many others. It is a daily scene of concerts, operas, ballets and many more artistic presentations.

Belén Cemetery

This place is filled with legends and can be toured during the day or at night. Innumerable political, economic and religious personalities of Guadalajara and Jalisco have been buried here. This Cemetery was closed to public use in 1896 because it was filled to capacity.

Jalisco’s Handicraft Institute

Founded with the intention of protecting, conserving and propelling Jalisco’s handicrafts. At this Institute, you can acquire a great variety of artistic products such as pottery, ceramic, blown glass, brass, “papier mâché” items and much more.

Plaza de Armas

Since the middle of the XX century this beautiful esplanade has been the most representative reunion point of Guadalajara. A fantastic view of the Palacio del Gobierno as well as the beautiful French Art Nouveau style stand dating back from 1909 can be seen from its comfortable benches.

Palacio de Gobierno

Of the XVII century, with an interior that displays murals from José Clemente Orozco (1883-1949). Its front facade antique clock still shows the bullet hole shot by the legendary Francisco “Pancho” Villa.

Guadalajara Plaza

At its front, there is a cylindrical body representing Guadalajara’s nickname “The Western Peal”. The plaza offers simple café-restaurants and some commercial hallways below ground.

Municipal Palace

Edifice of erected stones from 1952 with classical Jalisco architectural details. Inside, a mural by Gabriel Flores (1930-1993) depicts the founding of the city.

Journalism and Graphic Arts Museum

This is where the first printing company in Guadalajara was and where, in 1810, the first independent newspaper called: “El despertador Americano (The American awakener)” was edited. Known as the “House of Dogs” for the sculpted Pointer dogs that flank it, it exhibits machinery related to printing and the graphic arts.

Santa Mónica Temple

Built in 1730, it exhibits a Baroque character with its beveled and ornately decorated vegetation motif façade. It is one of the best examples of Colonial architecture.

City Museum

Of the XVIII century, it was part of a Capuchin convent. It has eight rooms displaying the historic, urban, ethnographic and artistic evolution of the city between the XVI century and the end of the XX century. Library and auditorium

Museum-House López Portillo

Dating back to the XIX century, it is where the distinguished López Portillo family lived. It displays ornamental objects and antique furniture collection of Louis XV, Louis XVI and Victorian style.

Popular Art Museum of Jalisco

The artisans’ technique is displayed in their works of blown glass, clay, leather, stones and obsidian.

Rotunda of illustrious Jalicienses

Circular monument composed of 17 columns dating back to 1952. A tribute to prominent figures of the arts, science, writing and principal libertarians.

Regional Museum of Guadalajara

Built during the XVII century with a stone base. In its 14 permanent and temporary exposition halls, it exhibits archeological and paleontological interest items featuring a mammoth skeleton. It also displays historic, ethnographic and pictorials from the XVII to the XIX century.

Cabañas Cultural Institute

Designed during the XIX century as an orphanage. Today, it acts as an important cultural center where various artistic activities take place. It houses works of the muralist José Clemente Orozco.

San Juan de Dios Market

Officially named Liberty Market and declared an artistic patrimonial heritage of the Nation. It was built in 1958 and is one of the largest in Latin America.

Plaza de la Liberación

Dedicated to Miguel Hidalgo, chief leader of the Mexican Independence. A bronze statue of him stands as homage to his achievements. From this plaza you can see some of the most important buildings of the city such as the Cathedral, Palacio de Gobierno and the Degollado Theater.

Temple of Atonement

This construction, initiated at the end of the XIX century, presents a precious gothic style stone façade.

Los Arcos Monuments

Imposing architectural work of 1942 that welcomes you to the heart of the city.

Guadalajara Expo

This is where all sorts of top level conventions, expositions and congresses take place. The facilities are modern and of high quality. The International Book Fair is one its most important activity and is recognized world wide.

Guadalajara World Trade Center

Its two towers offer the businessman the necessary infrastructure for National and International commerce. They are the best choice for important corporations’ headquarters.