Jalisco is the state that gave Mexico many of its best-known symbols. Mariachi music, tequila and the charro horsemen all come from here. About 8.3 million people live in the state, most of them around Guadalajara, Mexico’s second city, while the west reaches the Pacific at Puerto Vallarta.
Why visit Jalisco
For a big, lively capital with colonial monuments and famous murals, tequila distilleries among blue agave fields, lakeside towns, Pacific beaches and the traditions of the Altos de Jalisco highlands.
Top places to visit in Jalisco
Guadalajara
The cathedral and the historic centre, the Hospicio Cabañas with José Clemente Orozco’s murals (UNESCO), the Mercado San Juan de Dios and the craft shops of Tlaquepaque.
Tequila
The town and the agave landscape around it are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with distillery tours about an hour from Guadalajara.
Lake Chapala
Mexico’s largest lake, with the lakeside towns of Chapala and Ajijic, popular for their mild climate.
Puerto Vallarta
A resort on the Bay of Banderas, with a seafront promenade, a cobbled old town and beaches backed by green mountains.
San Juan de los Lagos
A town in the Altos de Jalisco built around a basilica that draws millions of pilgrims every year.
Best time to visit Jalisco
November to May is dry and sunny; December to April is best on the coast. June to October brings rain, and hurricanes are possible on the Pacific coast.
Getting to and around Jalisco
Guadalajara airport (GDL) has national and international flights, and Puerto Vallarta (PVR) serves the coast. Comfortable long-distance buses link the towns; Guadalajara has a light rail network.
What to eat in Jalisco
Birria (spiced goat or beef stew), tortas ahogadas drowned in chilli sauce, pozole, carne en su jugo and, of course, tequila.
Jalisco travel tips
- Book distillery tours ahead at weekends.
- Bring a jacket for the highlands: nights in the Altos can be cold.
- Check the pilgrimage calendar before visiting San Juan de los Lagos.
Jalisco FAQ
Is Tequila a day trip from Guadalajara?
Yes, it is about an hour away by road.
Where does mariachi come from?
From western Mexico, especially Jalisco; UNESCO lists it as intangible cultural heritage.
