anonymous
To see a list of all the great authors who have contributed to this article, as well as previous versions of this article, visit the page history.
License
edit
Guadalajara Travel Guide
Guadalajara is the capital city of the state of Jalisco in Mexico.
edit
Highlights
edit
Background
edit
Getting Here
By plane
By train
By car
By bus
By boat
edit
Getting Around
The Centro (downtown) is mostly accessible by walking, assuming you are capable of bearing your own weight. Most attractions lie within an area of about 3/4 of a mile long by 1/4 mile wide. For longer trips or to get in and out of the Centro, use the bus, subway, or a taxi. There are also horse drawn carriages (calandria) for those who want to travel in a previous century's style. In colonial times one could also hire an indigenous gentleman to carry one about. This service is no longer available. Even NAFTA has its limits. (As Sub-comandante Marcos has said "Our stomachs may have to endure your corn, but our backs need not bear your decadent obesity.")
Dozens of bus routes provide transportation around the city. Most buses cost 4 pesos and 50 cents; there are also luxury buses (air-conditioned) costing 8 or 9 pesos. Look on the front window of the bus to see where it will go, and ask the driver if you're uncertain. You can also purchase a route map (the Guia Roji Red Vial Ciudad de Guadalajara). Riding the bus also provides a good chance to see different parts of the city and get your bearings. Note that bus drivers will make change within limits, though after even a day in GDL you will find more 10 peso pieces in your pocket than you can dispose of.
If you know a bit of Spanish, try using this page . It has most of the bus routes.
One particularly usefull route for getting back and forth between the Centro Historico and the Zona Rosa - Minerva area is the Par Vial Route. Westbound it travels along Av Vallarta and Eastbound along Av Hidalgo. In the Centro Historico you can catch it on Hidalgo up to the East side of the Plaza Liberación, where it makes the turn to head up to Independencia and back West.
There is also an open top double-decked tour bus that leaves from the Rotunda and will take you past all the main sites and will also allow you to ride it all day, getting on and off as you will.
Taxis are another option if you don't want to try to figure out the buses. City trips can be rather expensive, costing usually between $40 pesos for a short trip, up to $250 for longer trips, usually more expensive when going to a mall. As always, be sure to ask the fare before you get in. Cabs cost more at night or when they have to cross the outer ring. Fares for the airport are set. If arriving at the Guadalajara airport, a taxi monopoly provides the service (about $20 for service to the Centro Historico). Pre-purchase your taxi ride at the booths outside of the arrival halls
A simple subway network can be useful if you happen to want to travel along its currently limited path. There are two lines that join at the Western edge of the Centro Historico. One runs North-South to the edges of the city in both directions. The other runs East through the Centro Historico to the Eastern suburbs. Fares are similar to a bus ride. The subway is very clean and pleasant to ride; you'll enjoy being away from the hot midday sun. The subway closes at 11pm.
A new bus service named 'Pre Tren' (Pre Train) goes from the main (Juárez) subway station through the Zona Rosa to the west Outer Ring at a 50% discounted fare for subway card users and provide a good service with new, air-conditioned, red colored units. The service is better than the smaller 'camiones' (bus) service.
By bus
Dozens of bus routes provide transportation around the city. Most buses cost 4 pesos and 50 cents; there are also luxury buses (air-conditioned) costing 8 or 9 pesos. Look on the front window of the bus to see where it will go, and ask the driver if you're uncertain. You can also purchase a route map (the Guia Roji Red Vial Ciudad de Guadalajara). Riding the bus also provides a good chance to see different parts of the city and get your bearings. Note that bus drivers will make change within limits, though after even a day in GDL you will find more 10 peso pieces in your pocket than you can dispose of.
If you know a bit of Spanish, try using this page . It has most of the bus routes.
One particularly usefull route for getting back and forth between the Centro Historico and the Zona Rosa - Minerva area is the Par Vial Route. Westbound it travels along Av Vallarta and Eastbound along Av Hidalgo. In the Centro Historico you can catch it on Hidalgo up to the East side of the Plaza Liberación, where it makes the turn to head up to Independencia and back West.
There is also an open top double-decked tour bus that leaves from the Rotunda and will take you past all the main sites and will also allow you to ride it all day, getting on and off as you will.
By taxi
Taxis are another option if you don't want to try to figure out the buses. City trips can be rather expensive, costing usually between $40 pesos for a short trip, up to $250 for longer trips, usually more expensive when going to a mall. As always, be sure to ask the fare before you get in. Cabs cost more at night or when they have to cross the outer ring. Fares for the airport are set. If arriving at the Guadalajara airport, a taxi monopoly provides the service (about $20 for service to the Centro Historico). Pre-purchase your taxi ride at the booths outside of the arrival halls
By subway
A simple subway network can be useful if you happen to want to travel along its currently limited path. There are two lines that join at the Western edge of the Centro Historico. One runs North-South to the edges of the city in both directions. The other runs East through the Centro Historico to the Eastern suburbs. Fares are similar to a bus ride. The subway is very clean and pleasant to ride; you'll enjoy being away from the hot midday sun. The subway closes at 11pm.
A new bus service named 'Pre Tren' (Pre Train) goes from the main (Juárez) subway station through the Zona Rosa to the west Outer Ring at a 50% discounted fare for subway card users and provide a good service with new, air-conditioned, red colored units. The service is better than the smaller 'camiones' (bus) service.
