|
Located
540 km northwest of Mexico City (and 339 km from Puerto Vallarta)
stands Mexico´s second largest city, Guadalajara, capital
of the state 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, and
is also one of Mexico's colonial gems. Guadalajara is often
described as the most Mexican of all cities; partly because
the culture is traditionally Mexican in many ways and also
because several Mexican products came into existence here
like the Mariachis (traditional Mexican musicians), tequila,
crafts, la charrería, and the ´jarabe tapatío´
(dance).
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 - often a capital city - and the distinction
between Mexico City and Guadalajara is an example of this.
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.
As
one of Mexico's Major Cities, Guadalajara has a lot to offer
you when you make a visit here. If you are 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 will give you some great experiences;
whether you chose to come for a day or two, or get to know
the city and its surrounds better and stay for a week; you
won't be left disappointed.
|
