For the full Guadalajara experience, stay in Zona Centro, the city’s tourist centre. Considered the historic heart of the city, this area is jam-packed with many of the tourist highlights including Catedral de Guadalajara and Plaza de Los Mariachis. Plus, its outstanding selection of bars and restaurants spoil you for choice after a day of sightseeing.
If you’d prefer a youthful atmosphere to a historic one, you might prefer Colonia Americana, the city’s biggest university hub. As well as its cool independent shops, this area is renowned for its ever-exciting nightlife.
Providencia, located close to the city centre, is another trendy locale. However, rather than artsy students, it is populated with suave businessmen who dine in some of the city’s best restaurants. Chapultepec is also highly rated amongst locals for its top bar and dining scene.
Those who want to enjoy the city in style will find the most luxurious hotels and apartments in the Zapopan hills, the most upscale part of Guadalajara’s adjoining city. As it’s smaller it’s somewhat less busy than its bustling neighbour, which is really easy to reach by light rail.
Chapalita, meanwhile, is one of the cities most affordable areas within easy reach of the historic centre. It also has its own enticing selection of restaurants that allow for a chilled evening of tacos or tapas.
To see a quainter side of Guadalajara, opt for Tlaquepaque, a quiet and charming outer neighbourhood lined with traditional Mexican pueblo-style buildings. This area offers a rich taste of Mexican culture through its swathe of artists and craftsmen that make everything from Mexicana portraits to ceramics and textiles.
To experience Guadalajara like a local, make your way to Mexicaltzingo. This modest district is one of the oldest in the city and it has undoubtedly embraced its old-school charm. Here, you’ll undoubtedly make friends with locals and find some of the best local food.
With a light rail system running across Guadalajara and its neighbouring cities, it’s easy to explore the city whether you decide to stay in the centre or on the outskirts.
