Guadalajara

Guadalajara Travel Guide

Mexico's second-largest city has plenty to offer. Although not the most colorful of colonial capitals, its carefully preserved Centro Histórico is lined with many beautiful buildings. The rest of the city is thoroughly modern, which means it can be just as chaotic as its big sister, but it offers many of the same urban diversions, in particular good restaurants and nightlife. Guadalajara is the birthplace of Mexico's most famous traditions: tequila (here you can sample more than 200 kinds), charredas (the ubiquitous Mexican-style rodeo), and mariachi music. The suburbs of Tonalá and Tlaquepaque have some of the country's best crafts. Guadalajara is about a four-hour drive from the beach resort of Puerto Vallarta.