Many experienced travelers would agree that the fun of a trip starts with the planning. To plan well, it helps to know more than the attractions the city offers. You also need some essential local information that will help you get the most out of your visit to Guadalajara.
Guadalajara geography
The Guadalajara Metropolitan Area is the most populous urban area in western Mexico and the second largest in the country after Mexico City. It is made up of the municipalities of Guadalajara, Zapopan, Tlaquepaque, Tonalá, Tlajomulco de Zúñiga and El Salto. According to official 2010 census figures, almost 4.5 million people live in the metro area.
The Guadalajara Metropolitan Area (known locally as the ZMG) sits in the Atemajac Valley, which is surrounded by hills: the La Primavera forest to the west, the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt to the east and south, and the Huentitán canyon to the north.
Lake Chapala, the largest freshwater lake in Mexico, lies 46 km (28 miles) south of Guadalajara and is the city’s main source of water.
Plan your trip with hotels near Guadalajara Airport, a convenient choice for early-morning flights.
Guadalajara weather
Guadalajara has a subtropical climate, with dry, mild winters and hot, humid summers. Although temperatures are mild all year, rainfall varies a lot, with heavy rain during the summer months. In the rainy season, afternoon storms are common and sometimes bring hail, especially in August and September. Despite the city’s altitude, winters are fairly mild, with daytime highs of 25°C (77°F) in January and lows of 10°C (50°F) at night. On the outskirts of the city, especially near the La Primavera forest, temperatures can be a few degrees lower than in town.
Accessibility in Guadalajara
In recent years the city has become friendlier to visitors with special needs. In the core of downtown Guadalajara, streets are level with the sidewalks, which makes it easier to get around for wheelchair users, cyclists and pedestrians alike. In the rest of downtown and most tourist areas, sidewalks have ramps. As for public transportation, all Tren Ligero (light rail) stations and trains are fully accessible. Buses with ramps run on the main routes across the city, but since there are still few of them, a taxi is sometimes faster.
Taxes and tipping in Mexico
Mexico’s value-added tax (IVA) is 16%, but you do not need to add it to the listed price because it is always included. Basic groceries and patent medicines are taxed at 0%. International visitors can get a VAT refund through TaxBack when they shop at participating stores. The company has an office at Guadalajara Airport, where you can claim the tax back on your purchases, minus a fee they charge.
As for tipping, in Guadalajara, as in most of Mexico, 10% for your server at a restaurant is the norm. If you feel the service deserves it, you can raise it to 15% or 20%. Keep in mind that tips make up most of a server’s income. For a taxi driver, a tip of MXN $20-30 is appropriate, although tipping taxis hailed on the street is not a widespread custom. With a taxi de sitio (a taxi from an official stand) or when you put luggage in the trunk, the driver is more likely to expect a tip. At hotels, a bellhop expects USD $2-5 per bag, depending on the hotel.
Is Guadalajara safe?
Guadalajara is known as one of the safest cities in Mexico. Even so, it is wise to take the same precautions you would in any other large city. Crime against tourists is uncommon, and when it happens it is mostly bag snatching. These thieves usually work in teams and look for travelers in crowded places, such as open-air spaces and restaurants. If someone spills a drink on you, stay alert to your surroundings: this kind of “accidental” spill is a common way to distract the victim. Another method that has been reported is stealing wallets or cell phones from distracted people on the street using motorcycles. The thief rides up, grabs the belongings and gets away quickly through traffic.
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