Books’ row in Mexico City

In the south of Mexico City, where Miguel Angel de Quevedo avenue crosses Avenida Universidad —about five minutes from the Bohemian hangout of Coyoacán— is a mini paradise for bookworms.

Three major bookstores, Gandhi, El Sotano, and Fondo de Cultura Economica, and a dozen or so smaller ones, line both sides of the street. Outside are wooden trays with books at throw-away prices, and inside you’ll find special offers on those less likely to be thrown away.

Mexico City remains the place where the widest selection of books and bookshops can be found, and some well-known chains have most of their branches in the capital.

Bookshops are still popular in Mexico

But while in many developed countries bookshops have been closing, Mexican chains have been opening new stores. Like bookshops everywhere, they have also added small gifts, toys, games & puzzles, and other paraphernalia to their offerings to make the business work.  This may annoy some purists, but somehow it’s hard to get worked up about a model that means the book business can continue going.

• Cafebrería El Péndulo —coffee shop-bookstore— boasts several branches in Mexico City, including in trendy neighborhoods such as Polanco, Condesa, Roma, and San Ángel.
• Librerías Gandhi has expanded with new stores in Mexico City, and also has branches in 24 of Mexico’s 32 states.
• El Sótano and Casa del Libro have more than a dozen branches.
• Gonvill Librerías is the biggest chain in Guadalajara, Mexico’s third most populated city and which is also host to a major international book fair each year.

These chains tend to stock the best selection of books, often beyond the capacity of the shelves so that many are neatly piled up.  You can find most books in Spanish at these stores.

And while many, especially Gandhi and El Péndulo, have one or two shelves of books in English and French, here it tends to be hit and miss.  You might find occasional books of interest, but you are less likely to find a specific title. (For some you can check availability online.)

Buying eBooks in Mexico

Since eBooks are virtually borderless, there are as many options in Mexico as anywhere else.

Amazon’s Mexico shop sells Kindles, and you can usually find almost any book published in English or Spanish in the local Kindle store.  Apple Books are an option for those who use Apple devices —iPhone or iPad— although they don’t have a dedicated eReader like the Kindle.

There’s no accounting for taste, and online reviews show some people are impressed with the Apple Books app, others not so much. For those using Android, Google Books is an option, and again, it has the disadvantage of not having a dedicated eReader.

In Mexico, the Gandhi and Porrúa book chains have an agreement with Kobo Books and sell Kobo eReaders, which are popular in Canada and parts of Europe like France and Italy. (The Canadian digital bookseller Kobo was acquired by Japan’s Rakuten Group in 2012, so the app says Rakuten Kobo, although people still widely refer to Kobo books).

Both Gandhi and Porrúa sell eBooks on their own websites, which can be downloaded onto the Kobo reader or using the Kobo app installed on devices, and you can also download eBooks directly from the Kobo website.

Depending on how budget conscious the reader is, it can be advantageous to keep open several options, as sometimes a title will be available on one platform and not another, or cheaper on one than another.

The Kindle, Kobo, and Google Books apps are available on Apple and Android, but the Apple Books app isn’t available on Android.

Finding books not published in Spanish

When you are looking for a particular physical copy of a book not published in Spanish —such as a new release— the options are to stock-up on a trip abroad, or order it from a book seller online—most of which will ship books to Mexico with no problems, but not necessarily that quickly. If you want a particular book right now, eBooks are the way to go.

Mexico’s department stores and big box stores have book sections, but these vary widely in selection and quality. There are about 150 Sanborns stores with magazine sections offering international titles published in English, but not much in the way of books published in English beyond current best-sellers.

Fancy browsing

Even the most bourgeois of us like to dig around for books in a bohemian atmosphere, and for that there are plenty of elegant bookshops—although that isn’t where most Mexicans go to buy reading material.  This collection of independent bookshops lists a selection of niche bookstores in the capital, curated by a local expat blogger.

The sweeping landscape of Mexico’s central highlands (also known as the Mexican Altiplano) is home to some of the country’s most picturesque and agreeable colonial towns and cities which offer an abundance of character and culture—and the benefits of mountain living.

The benefits of mountain living in Mexico

Living at elevation —typically, Mexico’s inland colonial towns and cities are situated at elevations of at least 4,000 feet above sea level— offers several benefits:

Ideal climates

Many places situated at elevation in Mexico offer the benefit of year-round temperate, low-humidity, climates created by a combination of the locations’ latitude and an average elevation around 6,000 feet above sea level which make it a pleasure to live and be outdoors, and an ideal location to enjoy active outdoor activities.

Enjoy plenty of daylight all-year

Year-round and especially during the winter, you benefit from at least ten hours of daylight every day of the year, with no shortage of daylight hours in the winter, and you also enjoy extended light into the evenings during the late spring and summer months.  You can learn about climates through the seasons in Mexico here on Mexperience.

Fresh highland air and breathtaking views

Enjoy crisp, fresh, mountain air which complements the magnificent views from local vantage points, and elevations that can aid your good health and general well-being without being too high so as to become uncomfortable.

Access to good local infrastructure and amenities

Many of Mexico’s popular colonial highland towns and cities offer provincial living with plenty of local fresh food and produce markets, (much of it grown locally), independent shops and boutique traders, with accessibility to popular big-brand stores, outlets, and supermarkets as well as specialized stores offering foods and homewares foreign residents often seek out when living here. Most colonial cities also have adequate-to-excellent healthcare facilities locally; in smaller towns, more extensive facilities are available in larger nearby cities.

Well-connected to transport links

You’ll discover that the highland towns are well connected by modern roads, most are serviced by frequent intercity bus services, and some also have airports nearby. High-speed internet access is available in your home, as well as wireless data over advanced mobile networks which form part of Mexico’s extensive communications infrastructure.

Integrate into genuine local communities

Many of the colonial towns and cities offer you the opportunity to participate and integrate in local communities.  Here you can discover authentic neighborhoods and real local community spirit, and if you choose to, you can integrate with local lifestyles and community groups, and forge long-term friendships.

Considerations for mountain living in Mexico

Mountain living isn’t for everyone.  Some people yearn to be near the ocean with year-round warmth, whereas highland towns tend to be cooler—and may even get cold at times during the winter months.  A very small number of people find that they can’t adjust to living at higher elevations, while others find the mountain towns too remote, rural, or provincial for their lifestyle preferences or intentions.

If you’re unsure, visit for an extended stay

An ideal way to determine if mountain life in Mexico will suit you is to invest in a trial period —perhaps six months to a year— and see how you respond to the experience.  When you take the time to explore, you’ll discover thriving communities where, when you’re prepared to integrate, local people will come to know and greet you by name, you’ll cultivate appreciable relationships, you’ll give and receive value as you trade at the local markets through transactions which feel human and personal… and over time, you become the community you seek.

When you look with care you’ll also find the very best of Mexico in these places—people, culture, climate, food, amenities, and real local communities. For some, Mexico’s highland towns and cities become exceptionally special places to live.

Choosing between urban and (semi) rural settings

Other than Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey, Mexico’s highland towns and cities are situated in provincial (rural or semi-rural) settings and we recommend your consider whether living in the Mexican countryside would suit you, as well as giving careful thought to your lifestyle needs as a whole as you short-list potential places to live instead of looking at certain aspects in isolation.

As with other places you may consider moving to in Mexico, you’ll need to plan and prepare for your new lifestyle, you might need to acclimatize to the higher elevation, and you’ll need to be prepared to forge your own story here. Hundreds of thousands of foreign residents enjoy a good life in Mexico; with some considered choices and forward planning, you could as well.

Explore highland towns and cities in Mexico

Here are some of the more popular colonial towns and cities foreign residents have settled in, as well as some which are less well-known and gaining attention in recent times.

Mexico’s colonial heartland

Querétaro, Guanajuato and San Miguel de Allende for traditional colonial highland cities; Aguascalientes for a more contemporary living lifestyle; and Zacatecas if you’re seeking a mountain city off-the-beaten-track and on the edge of a mountain frontier.

South-central highlands

Cuernavaca, Tepoztlán, and Puebla.  These traditional provincial highland places are situated conveniently close to Mexico City and yet are far enough removed from the congestion of the capital to enjoy a genuine provincial atmosphere and feel.  For a more rustic option off-the-beaten track in this area, consider Taxco.

In the mountains west of Mexico City

The highland lakeside towns of Chapala, and Ajijic are home to the largest community of foreign residents in Mexico; the city of Morelia offers old-world colonial elegance, and the ancient highland town of Pátzcuaro offers an attractive blend of colonial indigenous cultures amidst an intimate colonial setting. If you’re seeking an urban lifestyle at elevation, Guadalajara offers vibrancy, culture, and all the benefits of a large metropolitan city, and is close to Ajijic, Chapala, and Jocotepec—small towns settled along the northern shoreline of Lake Chapala and home to tens of thousands of foreign residents, most from the US and Canada.

Further south, to Oaxaca and Chiapas

Oaxaca City remains one of the most authentic and cultured colonial cities in Mexico; and further south, in the breath-taking state of Chiapas, you’ll find the highland mountain town of San Cristobal de las Casas—somewhat off-the-beaten-track and close to the traditional indigenous mountain communities of San Juan Chamula and Zinacatán.

Discover more places to live in Mexico

Discover interesting and charming locations to live, work or retire in Mexico, and articles with helpful insights about choosing a place to settle here.

Resources for Living & Lifestyle in Mexico

Mexperience offers you a comprehensive online resource of information and local knowledge to help you discover Mexico, explore choices, find opportunities and plan a new life in Mexico.  Our resources include:

• Detailed knowledge about planning a move in Mexico
• Insightful articles about living and lifestyle in Mexico
• Detailed insights about retirement in Mexico
• Practical insights for planning your Mexico lifestyle
• A regular Mexico Newsletter you can subscribe to for free

Place is personal, subjective, and important—and as you consider places to live in Mexico, Mexperience helps you to consider your choices and shortlist locations that may suit your lifestyle needs.

Discover places to live, work or retire in Mexico

To help you discover and explore potential places to live here, Mexperience publishes a curated list of locations to consider for living, working or retirement in Mexico—organized by popularity and notoriety and classified by the location type.

Our articles introduce you to key places where many foreign residents live now, emerging locations that are becoming increasingly popular with foreign residents, as well as those places that are less well known, or situated off-the-beaten path. We also publish a selection of detailed guides of places to live in Mexico:

The most popular places to live in Mexico

Discover locations that have for a long time, or in recent times, garnered considerable popularity with foreign residents (retirees and others) and have active communities of interest established at the location.

Emerging locations to live in Mexico

Discover locations that have, in recent years, been catching the attention of foreign residents and have fledgling or developing communities of interest present there.

Underexplored locations to live in Mexico

Discover places that do not have significant numbers of foreign residents already established and are generally ‘off-the-beaten-path’ for most foreigners considering Mexico for living and retirement. These places can offer attractions that may be of interest to some potential foreign residents and retirees seeking someplace more traditional, unusual, and with a lower concentration of foreign residents living there.

Detailed living guides

For detailed guides to selected places to live and work or retire, connect to our section with Guides to Living Places in Mexico

Marianne Carlson founded an art festival that seeks to raise awareness for genuine Mexican art and the Master Artisans who bring it into being. Feria Maestros del Arte, now in its fifteenth year, has become an important stage for genuine Mexican art.

Mexican art has a long and rich history that stretches back to pre-Hispanic times, with artists applying techniques and styles to their works which have been handed-down through countless generations: these are the works which retain and reflect an authenticity that only hand-made original art can convey.

Marianne and her team scout all of Mexico seeking the best art and artisans, and invite them to Feria Maestros del Arte. The artists have their expenses covered by the organization, and are not charged any fees for attendance, so they keep every peso in income from the sales they make at the fair.

The fair is unique. This is an art market where you’ll find a carefully curated collection of Mexican art works, crafted and sold in-person by the country’s finest living artisans, and where you can be assured that the art you purchase is hand-made in Mexico, and authentic in every sense.

Over 100 artisans will be present this year, offering an abundance of high quality and diverse art pieces for buyers to choose from, including:

Panama hats, the classic and timeless hat, made in Bécal, in the state of Campeche on Mexico’s Gulf coast

Handmade footwear, including fashionable ethnic shoes from Oaxaca

Kitchen utensils, including knives from the famous José Ojeda family

Wooden art works, including Alebrijes which are hand-carved wooden animals, individually painted and every one unique

Catrinas, skeleton dolls, hand-made in plaster and individually painted. They are one of the most traditional artwork displays for celebrations around Day of the Dead

An abundance of ceramics, including barro betus, barro canelo, barro bruñido, black ceramics, and high-fire ceramic

Unique Mexican jewelry, including silver Yalalag crosses, pieces made from recycled aluminum, cloth, and other materials

Woven art including beautiful rebozos, huipiles, blouses, and more

Straw art, including papier-mâché, hand-made paper amate, and hand-made hammocks using traditional materials

Furniture made of chuspata (a type of reed), and equipales (traditional Mexican furniture)

See Also: Tips for Spotting Genuine Mexican Artwork

Image above shows two artisan women from the San Mateo del Mar cooperative in Oaxaca, Mexico.

Spotting an opportunity to open an authentic colonial-style hotel in the area, Arturo Magana and his wife left Los Angeles in 2001, moved their family to Tlaquepaque, and opened the Quinta Don José with the intention to provide a local oasis, where guests enjoy a comfortable stay as well as a base to explore the locality.  It has since become known as one of the most welcoming and friendly hotels in the area.

This family-run boutique hotel is situated in the heart of Tlaquepaque’s historic district, close to the town’s principal attractions and amenities. Stepping-in from the colonial street to Quinta Don José feels like stepping into an authentic colonial Mexican home. The hotel’s staff treat guests with the kind of personal attention that makes you feel immediately relaxed and at home.  Every one of the 17 rooms are individually appointed, each with its own character, and perfectly in-keeping with authentic Mexican colonial style décor.

The central colonial courtyard is marked by a beautiful pool area and surrounding gardens, with seating flecked in nooks and crannies where you can find cool shade in the afternoon sun, or relax under soft lamplight while enjoying the tranquility of a warm evening.

The intimate and friendly bar is well stocked and offers an opportunity to mingle and socialize with other guests, or simply enjoy a quiet cocktail.  Arturo also opened an Italian-themed restaurant on the property—Tlaquepasta—which is well-regarded by locals and guests for its handmade pizzas and fresh pasta dishes.  The wonderful home-cooked breakfasts, which include freshly-baked breads and traditional Mexican favorites, can be taken at your leisure in the restaurant or in the central courtyard amidst the beautifully manicured gardens. The hotel welcomes families and is also pet friendly.

As your local hosts and experts about the region, the staff at La Quinta Don José can arrange trips and activities using known-good local guides and operators—including city tours of Guadalajara, trips to visit the agave-growing region around Tequila, nearby archaeology sites, as well as other nature/adventure activities.

The value of any art work is, ultimately, in the eye of the beholder: how we perceive art, and how we respond in the presence of any art piece presented to us is a very personal matter.  Genuine art works you purchase in Mexico will carry a woven narrative that describes the elements which brought the work into being — for example, the materials employed, the artisan’s technique, the traditions, its history and symbolic meaning — and all these formed through the hands of an individual artist who acts as a conduit between the elements.  Art that means something to you personally is the kind of art you will never tire of enjoying.

When you’re purchasing art works in Mexico, it makes good sense to be forearmed with some knowledge about how to spot genuine Mexican art, so that you will take home something that embodies the elements of a true art piece and not a mass-produced reproduction masquerading as true Mexican art.

Ask questions that reveal provenance

When you’re in the market to purchase Mexican art works, ask questions about how the pieces you are offered came into being, and who the artist is. If the artist is not the seller, ask about how the seller is connected to the artist and listen carefully to the response you’re given. In some cases it could be a friend, fellow artisan, or family member.  True art has a narrative that leads back to the elements, described above, which made it so.  Imitations and mass-production faux art lacks this narrative.

Look for a signature

Check the piece for a signature, which is a form of branding in the Mexican art world. Note though, that the piece may not actually have been made by the person who signed it. Juana Gómez Ramírez, famous for her jaguars (pictured above), is the maestra in her family and even though she does not read or write she has her own signature. She may also sign the work of her brother, husband, and others in her family whose work meets her stringent requirements. This is a very common practice among families who work together, or in talleres (workshops) where there is a maestro teaching his techniques and designs to the apprentices.  The signature is only one part of the overall revision process and should not be taken in isolation, because, for example, there are unscrupulous artists out there who sign Juana’s name to their copies.

Buy from the source, if you can

If you purchase direct from the artist’s home, you can be pretty certain that the work will be genuinely theirs. If it’s not signed, ask them to sign it. If an artist will not sign the piece it could be because they don’t write or because they didn’t actually make it. When you purchase art works at Feria Maestros del Arte, you can be almost certain that the work being sold has been made by the artist represented. The Feria is very strict when selecting its artists and if an artisan is discovered not selling their own work, he or she is dropped from the program.

A note about pottery

When pottery is manufactured in bulk, a process known as slip-casting is used—to learn more about the tell-tale signs of slip-casting, read this article. The sought-after thin-walled pottery of Mata Ortiz is all hand-coiled; if a pot offered to you in her name has been slip-cast, it is not an original Mata Ortiz pot. Collectors of Mexican pottery might not purchase pots with colored pigment because those pigments are a fairly recent addition; earth tones were used centuries ago when the pottery was first made by the Paquimé Indians. Some artists stay true to the old way, some decide to add a contemporary feel with some additional color.

See Also: Buying Handicrafts in Mexico

A little less than 250 miles northwest of Mexico’s capital is Mexico’s second largest city, Guadalajara, situated in the state of Jalisco. With 5 million inhabitants, it’s less than a quarter of the size of Mexico City, but nevertheless, Guadalajara is an important city: colorful and vibrant, it’s also one of Mexico’s colonial treasures.

Guadalajara is often described as the “most Mexican of all Mexico’s cities”, partly because the culture here is traditionally Mexican in so many ways, and also because several products firmly associated with Mexico emanate from here.

Mariachis are the traditional Mexican musicians with their black velvet dress and unmistakable large Mariachi hats. Where their name derived from is a bit of mystery; various theories abound, but it was in Guadalajara that Mariachis first appeared. Mariachis play melodies and sing traditional Mexican folk songs, usually in plazas, at parties, restaurants, weddings, birthday celebrations, and the like. The original ‘orthodox’ Mariachis play only stringed instruments and sing only traditional folk music from the state of Jalisco. Today, many Mariachi groups also incorporate a trumpet in their music, (an English import, which actually sounds really great when properly combined with the strings) and sing a variety of Mexican folk songs from across the country’s regions.

Another great Mexican product—and one of Mexico’s most successful exports: Tequila—also began life in Guadalajara. Tequila is made from the Blue Maguey plant and, not surprisingly, Guadalajara is still one of the main Tequila producing areas in Mexico today. Connect to the Mexican Bar on Mexperience for more information about Tequila.

Guadalajara also gave Mexico its famous wide-rimmed hat (the famous Mexican Sombrero), introduced the Mexican Hat Dance and pioneered Charreadas—today more commonly known as the Rodeo. Many of the key images associated with Mexico were bequeathed to the nation by one city—Guadalajara.

Guadalajara, like many cities of its size, offers all of the benefits that come with being a large, cosmopolitan city, but without the nuisances and stresses that are often part and parcel of a huge megalopolis. The distinction between Mexico City and Guadalajara is a case in point.

Guadalajara has all the amenities you would want from a large city in Mexico: Colonial center, great art and culture, good shopping, great restaurants serving a huge variety and choice of delicious food, excellent choice of accommodation options, and a vibrant nightlife— without the pollution, severe traffic headaches and other associated side-effects of Mexico City. In fact, if you want big-city life, but don’t want to visit Mexico City, then Guadalajara can offer you a worthwhile alternative.

If you’re on the Pacific Coast, especially in Puerto Vallarta or Manzanillo,Guadalajara can make a convenient and very worthwhile visit which will enable you to experience inland Mexico and one of its great cities.

Just south of Guadalajara is Chapala, and its large lake, Lake Chapala, which is Mexico’s largest natural lake. This area has been adopted by expatriates who have come to Mexico to retire, mostly from the USA and Canada. They have come here looking for a slower pace of life, good facilities, nice people and excellent food. The area is pleasant and makes a nice side trip from Guadalajara, being just over 20 miles south of the city.

As one of Mexico’s major cities, Guadalajara has a lot to offer you when you make a visit here. If you’re on a tour of Colonial Cities, you should include Guadalajara, especially given that it is relatively close to other colonial attractions such as Morelia, Zacatecas and Aguascalientes.

As a city attraction, you’ll find that Guadalajara provides authentic and very worthwhile experiences of Mexico and Mexican culture; whether you chose to come for a day or two, or get to know the city and its surrounds better and stay for longer, you won’t be left disappointed.

Key Attractions

Colonial Center

Guadalajara’s colonial center has five main plazas, the main one in the middle of the city hosts the city’s amazing twin-tower cathedral, with the other four plazas surrounding it in all directions. There are several historical buildings that center around the five plazas, and Calzada Independencia, which is the main road that runs north-south through the city.

The two main plazas are the Plaza de las Armas (the most attractive) and Plaza Tapatía. The Palacio de Gobierno (Government Palace) is the seat of Government here, at times in Mexico’s history, like Queretaro, served as the nation’s capital when Mexico City was under siege.

North of the cathedral is one of Guadalajara’s big landmarks: Rotunda de los Hombres Ilustres (Monument to the Illustrious Men), which include a writer, a composer, a poet and an architect, among others.

On the north side of the Plaza de los Laureles (directly in front of the cathedral) is the Presidencia Municipal (City Hall).

Other attractions in Guadalajara’s Colonial Center include Palacio de la Justicia (Palace of Justice, or State Court House) and Instituto Cultural de la Cabañas, which is one of Guadalajara’s greatest colonial buildings. Plaza de los Mariachis offers you the opportunity to eat and drink while Mariachis play and serenade you (for a small fee per song).

Tlaquepaque

Just 4 miles (7 km) southeast of Guadalajara’s city center is Tlaquepaque, an old craft center and colonial village.  Discover Tlaquepaque with Mexperience for full details about this colonial enclave.

Churches

Guadalajara is home to some of Mexico’s most attractive colonial churches, in addition to the city’s cathedral. Some notable ones include Templo de la Merced, near the cathedral, which was built around 1650; Santuario de Nuestra Señora del Carmen, which includes gold decoration and some nice murals in its dome; Templo de Aranzazu, which was completed around 1752.

Parque Agua Azul

This is Guadalajara’s main park and offers green serenity and relaxation away from the hustle and bustle of Guadalajara’s city life. There’s a children’s play area here as well as a train ride. The park also features an aviary and nearby is the city’s Anthropology Museum. There is a small admission fee.

Plaza del Sol Area

This area of the city hosts all of the city’s fine restaurants, glossy shopping areas and malls, luxury hotels and is the main commercial area in downtown Guadalajara.

Learn Spanish in Guadalajara

As “the most Mexican of Mexico’s cities”, Guadalajara is an excellent venue for people who want to attend a Spanish School in Mexico. Take the opportunity to mix learning and pleasure when you visit this cosmopolitan city by attending one of the Spanish Schools here; there’s no better way to learn Spanish than by becoming immersed in it at a language school in Mexico.

Museums and Art in Guadalajara

Museo Regional de Guadalajara (Regional Museum of Guadalajara) – is hosted by the a former seminary of San José, built in the 17th century. The architecture alone makes it worth a visit. The museum itself hosts a collection of work depicting the history of western Mexico, from pre-Columbian times through to the Spanish invasion and conquest.

Museo de Arqueologia del Occidente de Mexico (Archaeology Museum of Western Mexico) – Houses a selection of pre-Hispanic pottery.

Museo de la Ciudad (City Museum) – Covers the city’s past, from its origins in Zacatecas (where Guadalajara was to be in the first place – but later moved… once again) to the invasion and conquest by the Spanish.

Museo de las Artes de la Universidad de Guadalajara (Guadalajara’s University Art Museum) – Has a permanent collection from the University and also hosts many major traveling exhibitions.

Lake Chapala, Ajijic, & Environs

Because of the stunning scenery, great climate and attractive ambiance at Lake Chapala and its picturesque lakeside towns of Ajijic, Jocotepec and (of course) Chapala, many foreigners, especially from the USA and Canada, decide to sell up and move to this great area for a complete change of lifestyle, to retire, or both.

When you visit here, it’s not hard to see why they do. The climate is absolutely great all year round; the lake is wonderful and flanked by majestic mountains in the background; the people here are friendly and inviting; and the whole place is just over 20 miles away from Guadalajara, making the area accessible and convenient for amenities when you need them.

Chapala is the main commercial center: You can change money, buy things and generally get in touch with the world from here. If you want to stay in the area, then nearby Ajijic is the best place to enjoy the lakeside, shop, relax and find comfortable accommodations. Ajijic has some good craft and curio shops in which to browse and buy.

Much of the area’s prosperity derives from the foreign residents living here; you’re likely to see quite a few of them, and they’re really friendly, so don’t be shy if you want to meet and chat with them about the area. English is spoken in most places, and many of the local signs in commercial areas are also in English.

Being so close to Guadalajara, Lake Chapala is an excellent opportunity to leave the hustle and swing of the city and experience some of Mexico’s most serene and attractive rural life.

Learn more: Guide to living and lifestyle in Lake Chapala

Golf in Guadalajara

The climate in Guadalajara ideal for golf, and the sport is a major pastime with the locals here; there are a number of fine golf courses in the city to choose from.

Getting There & Around

By Air – You can fly to Guadalajara from the US and other points in Mexico including Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta, and Monterrey. The airport is a 10 mile (16.5 km) drive south of Guadalajara, and it will take about 45 minutes for your taxi or ground transportation to get into the city center from there. For detailed information about flights and flying, see the Mexperience guide to Air Travel in Mexico.

By Bus – You can travel to Guadalajara on a luxury bus from Mexico City – the trip takes around 7-8 hours. Luxury buses drop people off at the new bus station in Guadalajara, which is near Tlaquepaque, about a 15 minute taxi ride away from the city center. For detailed information about bus transportation read the Mexperience guide to Bus Travel in Mexico.

By Car – Driving to Guadalajara is very fast and efficient using the many high-speed roads that connect the region. See additional information about Driving in Mexico and Mexico’s Toll Roads on Mexperience.

Car Rental – To explore Mexico independently, consider renting a car for your visit. Having your own car will give you more flexibility than using public transport options and, in some cases, offer you access to places which are otherwise difficult to visit without the use of a car. Read our guide to Car Rental in Mexico to learn what you need to know about car rental in Mexico and connect to the Mexperience Travel Center to reserve your Rental Car.

Taxis – Guadalajara’s taxis are officially metered, but taxis here have been known not to use them. Either insist that the meter be activated (or find another taxi) or agree your price before you get in. Taxi travel is very affordable in Mexico, in comparison to the USA, Canada and Europe, and so provides a viable means of public transportation in Mexico. Your hotel can arrange taxis for you; some post their rates on a board in the lobby; taxi hotel rates are usually higher than cabs you hail off the street. If you speak Spanish, you will have a distinct advantage in your negotiations with local taxi drivers. For detailed information, read the Mexperience guide to Taxi Travel in Mexico.

Buses – Bus trips to local areas (within about 50 miles of Guadalajara) depart from the old bus station, which is in the city center. You can take a local bus to nearby places including Lake Chapala (Chapala, Ajijic, Jacotepec). Long distance buses arrive and depart from the bus station near Tlaquepaque, about 15 minutes from the center of the city.

Guadalajara Essentials

Telephone: Connect to the guide about Communications in Mexico on Mexperience for detailed information about keeping in touch and the latest table of national dialing codes.

Exchanging Currency: Banks with ATM machines are found throughout the city center in Guadalajara. During business hours, they and the local Casas de Cambio will buy traveler’s checks and cash from you as well. For detailed information about exchanging and managing your money, read the Mexperience guide to Money in Mexico.

Travel Insurance: We recommend that you are adequately covered with travel medical insurance and/or travel assistance insurance when you are visiting Mexico. Read the Mexperience guide to Travel Insurance in Mexico for full details and links to specialist insurance suppliers.

Internet Access: Internet cafes can be easily found in towns and cities across Mexico and WiFi is increasingly commonplace–from cafes, shops, hotels, and some cities even offer free WiFi in some defined public spaces.

Your Dress Choice: Guadalajara, like Mexico City, is a ‘conservative dress’ city. Beach clothes, high-cut shorts and sandals are best kept for the beach.

What to Buy in Guadalajara

For arts and crafts, Tonala and Tlaquepaque are the two top destinations for serious arts and crafts lovers. Guadalajara itself has a selection of shopping centers, markets and craft centers in which to browse and buy. Two recommended shopping destinations are the Centro Historico and the maze-like Mercado Libertad, which has a bit of everything from everywhere, but prepare to jostle elbows with other hard-core shoppers and to bargain with hard-driving vendors.

Local Climate

Guadalajara’s climate is spring-like all year-round. The winter months become cooler in the mornings and evenings – so bring a sweater with you if you’re traveling at these times. The warmest times are April, May and June. The rainy season runs from June through to September. Rains tend to come in the afternoon, are relatively short and fierce and leave the evenings dry and cooled off.

Weather & Climates in Mexico

Learn more about the weather and climates through the seasons and regions by connecting to the Mexperience guide about Weather and Climates in Mexico