Downtown Guadalajara (Zona Centro) is the beating heart and historic core of Mexico’s third-largest city. Wander the atmospheric streets of a neighborhood replete with architectural masterpieces and celebrations of notable figures from the state of Jalisco. Visit Downtown Guadalajara to catch ballets, mariachi performances and philharmonic concerts. Find solitude amid this busy urban area at leafy parks and plazas.
Get a feel for the city’s colonial past at Plaza de Armas, a popular gathering place for local friends and families. Framing the square is the monumental baroque-style Palacio de Gobierno and Guadalajara Cathedral, which is notable for its Neo-Gothic façade. Impressive works by Mexican painters are on a display at the cathedral’s Museum of Sacred Art. A short walk away you can peruse thousands of tomes at the 16th-century Biblioteca Octavio Paz.
Enjoy a peaceful ambiance at the Rotonda de los Jaliscienses Ilustres. This park features statues and a 17-column rotunda dedicated to people that have made an impact on the culture and society of Jalisco. Journey through the city’s history at the Museo de la Ciudad and browse exquisite art pieces at the University of Guadalajara Museum of the Arts. Learn about the Mexican media at Museo del Periodismo y las Artes Gráficas and spot waxwork models of Mexican celebrities at the Museo de lo Increíble Ripley.
Guadalajara is Mexico’s shopping capital and a great place to purchase ceramics, leather goods and woven baskets. Haggle with the market stall vendors at San Juan de Dios Market (Mercado Libertad). Rest a while at Plaza Guadalajara and Plaza de la Liberación, where a statue of Miguel Hidalgo marks the abolishment of slavery.
Don’t miss the chance to attend a show at the 150-year-old Degollado Theater. Here everyone from ballet companies, the Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra and mariachi bands grace the stage. Take a behind-the-scenes tour to discover more about this elegant performing arts venue.
Guadalajara’s metro runs along the main avenues of Downtown Guadalajara. With major attractions grouped closely together, the neighborhood lends itself to exploring on foot.
