Guadalajara (population 4,000,000) is Mexico's second largest city, after Mexico City, and is a vibrant, colorful cauldron of people, historic and modern architecture, traffic, museums, theaters, cultural centers, shopping, restaurants and everything else found in a teeming 21st-century city. Founded by a Spanish explorer in 1521, Guadalajara is the capital of the State of Jalisco and the birth place of tequila and mariachi music. It is also home to a burgeoning high-tech community. Its mild climate (thanks to an elevation of 5,200 ft.), plenty of good Guadalajara hotels and resorts and never a shortage of things to do make this city a must on any Mexico vacation travel itinerary.
Tourists on a Guadalajara vacation find the best of old Mexico and modern Mexico interwoven in this bustling city. Much of the city's past can be seen in its churrigueresco (Spanish baroque), neo gothic and Colonial architecture. Yet amenities and infrastructure, including roads, hotels and resorts, are modern and in good shape. The bustling Plaza Tapatía, in the city's center, is a beautiful pedestrian mall lined with grand government buildings, museums, art galleries, stores, cafes and impressive modern sculpture. Always crowded and pulsating with life, this is the place to go to experience the real Guadalajara.
Nightlife is a little on the quiet side, but dining options are plentiful and quite good. The local cuisine is delicious, from carne en su jugo, a meat soup, to tortas ahogadas, a bread with pork and beans, but restaurants featuring international dishes (American, Japanese, Italian, etc.) are found throughout the city. Guadalajara also has eight golf courses (five 18-hole courses and three 9-hole courses) and lots of pretty parks, fun festivals, lovely churches and even horse drawn carriages. Just outside of the city are the towns of Tlaquepaque and Tonala, both renown for their pottery, ceramics, copper and blown glass artwork. They are definitely worth a trip while on a Guadalajara vacation.
Guadalajara hotels and resorts come in a wide variety of shapes and price ranges. Nearly all are on the European plan, meaning that only the room is included in the price - everything else is extra. There is one all-inclusive Guadalajara hotel, the Presidente Guadalajara, a modern, gleaming glass property in the city center. This Guadalajara hotel boasts 400+ rooms, butler service, spectacular city views and a 24-hour fitness center.
La Mansion del Sol is an exclusive Guadalajara boutique hotel that is exquisitely decorated with richly textured furnishings, dark woods and muted colors. Subdued elegance, lush gardens and just 21 rooms make this a wonderful place to stay when on a Guadalajara vacation. No minors under 16 are allowed on the property.
The Quinta Real is a true treat, expensive but worth every peso. This Guadalajara boutique hotel has 152 luxurious rooms, each with tapestry bedcovers, exposed beams, marble bathrooms, fine art, stone fireplaces and stucco ceilings. An ornate restaurant, waiters in tuxedos, an enticing pool and lush, colorful grounds all add to the Quinta Real's considerable appeal.
