Welcome to Guadalajara

To find your way around Guadalajara if you moved here for work.

Data reviewed as of October 2026.

The weather, season by season

Most of the municipality of Guadalajara has a semi-warm, semi-humid climate, with an annual average of 21.7 °C, according to the IIEG. It’s pleasant most of the year, but you feel the change of seasons.

Hot: April to June. May is the hottest month, with average highs of 32 °C. The hot season runs from April 9 to June 11. Source: WeatherSpark, clima promedio en el Aeropuerto Internacional de Guadalajara (datos 1980-2016).

Dry: February or March to May. The dry season comes before the rains. Depending on the source, it starts in February or in March, and both agree it ends in May. Source: Azteca Jalisco, temporada de estiaje 2025 (May 27, 2025) · WeatherSpark, clima promedio en el Aeropuerto Internacional de Guadalajara (datos 1980-2016).

Rainy: June to September. Most of the rain falls from June to September. July is the rainiest month, with about 90 mm (90.09, IIEG) on historical average in the municipality. Forecasts quoted in the press put the start in mid-June. Source: IIEG, Guadalajara. Diagnóstico municipal (August 2021) · Azteca Jalisco, temporada de estiaje 2025 (May 27, 2025).

Cold mornings: November to February. The cool season runs from November 23 to February 7. In January, the average low at the airport is 6 °C, even though the average high is 24 °C. Source: WeatherSpark, clima promedio en el Aeropuerto Internacional de Guadalajara (datos 1980-2016).

Storms that flood the underpasses. The ones on López Mateos flooded again in the storm of May 31, 2026. Winds reached up to 54 km/h downtown. Source: Azteca Jalisco, tormenta severa en Guadalajara (May 31, 2026).

Ozone days. The state Ministry of Environment and Territorial Development (SEMADET) issues ozone pre-contingency alerts: in October 2025, one covered Guadalajara, Tlaquepaque and Zapopan. Ozone can irritate your eyes and airways. Source: Azteca Jalisco, precontingencia por ozono (October 21, 2025) · Azteca Jalisco, temporada de estiaje 2025 (May 27, 2025).

Avenues and traffic

Once you can place these avenues, you’ll understand half the directions people give you.

Anillo Periférico. The ring road of the metropolitan area: it runs through Zapopan, Guadalajara, Tonalá, El Salto and Tlaquepaque. Mi Macro Periférico runs along it. Source: Wikipedia, Anillo Periférico Manuel Gómez Morín · ITDP, entrevista a Diego Monraz, secretario de Transporte de Jalisco (June 23, 2026).

López Mateos. One of the main arteries. It runs from Glorieta Colón to La Minerva and continues south to San Agustín: about 18.8 km. Since 2024 it has its own transit corridor, the Ruta López Mateos. Source: Wikipedia, Anillo Periférico Manuel Gómez Morín · Azteca Jalisco, condiciones de López Mateos (September 30, 2026) · Wikipedia, Ruta López Mateos.

Javier Mina, Juárez and Vallarta. One single axis with three names. Vallarta crosses López Mateos at La Minerva. Source: Wikipedia, Principales vialidades de Guadalajara · Wikipedia, Glorieta La Minerva.

Calzada Independencia. It starts at Avenida Washington and ends at Parque Mirador Independencia, in the northeast. Source: Wikipedia, Calzada Independencia.

Avenida de las Américas. It runs through Guadalajara and Zapopan. The statue of Columbus stands where it meets López Mateos Norte and Circunvalación. Source: Wikipedia, Avenida de las Américas.

Carretera a Chapala. Eight of the nine stations of Line 5 Macro Aeropuerto are on it. Source: La Crónica, inauguran la Línea 5 Mi Macro Aeropuerto (June 4, 2026).

López Mateos. The spots with the heaviest traffic: Bugambilias The intersection with Periférico Sur Near Las Fuentes The Las Conchitas area The intersection with Lázaro Cárdenas Source: Azteca Jalisco, cómo se encuentra López Mateos (July 4, 2026).

Heavy intersections. At rush hour: López Mateos and Mariano Otero Federalismo and Ávila Camacho Revolución and Río Nilo Intersections in the historic center Source: Azteca Jalisco, las esquinas más caóticas del tráfico (September 12, 2025).

Emissions test (verificación vehicular). The 2026 calendar works in two-month periods and depends on the last digit of your plate: from 1 (January-February) to 0 (November-December). In October it’s the turn of plates ending in 8 (September-October) and 9 (October-November). With the refrendo (annual vehicle fee) paid, the test is free. Source: Motorpasión, calendario de verificación vehicular Jalisco 2026 (January 7, 2026) · Milenio, verificación vehicular en agosto de 2026 (August 5, 2026).

If you don’t pass the first time. There’s no immediate fine: you have 30 calendar days to make repairs and a second attempt at no extra cost. Source: ADN40, multas de verificación vehicular en Jalisco (February 6, 2026).

We found no official rush hours or traffic counts; the above is what the press reports.

Getting around on public transportation

If you transfer between Tren Ligero (light rail) lines within 15 minutes, you don’t pay again.

11 pesos per ride. The general fare in effect since April 1, 2026. Tren Ligero, Mi Macro and buses all charge it. Source: Azteca Jalisco, tarifa del transporte público desde el 1 de abril de 2026 (March 31, 2026) · ADN40, nuevas tarifas del transporte público en Jalisco (April 4, 2026) · SITEUR, tarifas y transferencias.

Reduced fare: 5.50 pesos. With a Mi Pasaje card you pay 50% of the current fare. Source: SITEUR, tarifas y transferencias.

How to pay and transfer. With a single-ride ticket or with the Mi Movilidad smart card (Tarjeta Inteligente Mi Movilidad). With the card, the second ride charges you 50%. Source: ADN40, precio del Tren Ligero y Línea 4 (February 3, 2026) · SITEUR, tarifas y transferencias.

Line 1. From Periférico Sur to Auditorio, with 20 stations. Source: Wikipedia, Tren Ligero de Guadalajara.

Line 2. From Juárez to Tetlán. Source: Wikipedia, Tren Ligero de Guadalajara.

Line 3. From Arcos de Zapopan to the Central de Autobuses (bus terminal), with 18 stations. Source: Wikipedia, Tren Ligero de Guadalajara.

Line 4. From Las Juntas to Tlajomulco Centro; it connects Tlajomulco, Tlaquepaque and Guadalajara. It opened on December 15, 2025. Source: Wikipedia, Tren Ligero de Guadalajara · La Crónica, arranca la Línea 4 del Tren Ligero (December 14, 2025).

Mi Macro Periférico. More than 49 km connecting Guadalajara, Zapopan, Tlaquepaque and Tonalá, says the state Secretary of Transportation. Source: ITDP, entrevista a Diego Monraz, secretario de Transporte de Jalisco (June 23, 2026).

Mi Macro Calzada. It covers 16.6 km along Calzada Independencia and Gobernador Curiel. Source: Wikipedia (inglés), Guadalajara Mi Macro.

Line 5 Macro Aeropuerto. It opened on June 4, 2026. It connects Guadalajara, Zapopan, Tlaquepaque, Tlajomulco and El Salto, and runs Monday to Sunday from 3:30 to 22:30. Source: La Crónica, inauguran la Línea 5 Mi Macro Aeropuerto (June 4, 2026) · ADN40, recorrido y conexiones de la Línea 5 Macro Aeropuerto (June 11, 2026).

What to do on the weekend

For getting outside, going to a soccer game, saving the dates of the big events and eating.

Vía RecreActiva. Every Sunday and on holidays, streets and avenues close to cars for six hours so you can get out and bike, skate or walk. Bien de Noche (Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 19:00 to 23:00) included a nighttime Vía. Source: Players of Life, Vía RecreActiva Guadalajara (September 6, 2024) · The Guadalajara Reporter, dos décadas de Vía RecreActiva (September 12, 2024) · La Crónica, Guadalajara se vive de noche (October 3, 2026).

Bosque Los Colomos. An urban eucalyptus forest with a Japanese garden donated by Kyoto. Entry is free, parking costs 35 pesos with no time limit (August 2026) and it opens from 7:00. On Saturdays and Sundays there are free workshops for kids. Source: The Guadalajara Reporter, cuatro escapes verdes gratuitos (August 6, 2026) · Tus Buenas Noticias, horario del bosque Los Colomos (March 29, 2024).

Parque Metropolitano. In Zapopan: jogging and cycling tracks, playgrounds, an aquatic and tennis complex, a BMX track and a skating rink. Source: Wikipedia, Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara.

Parque Agua Azul. On Calzada Independencia, in the historic center. Inside there’s an orchid house, an aviary, a butterfly house, a band shell and a sports complex. Source: Wikipedia, Parque Agua Azul.

Bosque La Primavera. A Flora and Fauna Protection Area of 30,500 hectares. Source: Gobierno de Jalisco, primer informe de actividades 2018 (Bosque La Primavera) (2018).

Atlas. The Jalisco team: it plays its home games at Estadio Jalisco. Source: Wikipedia, Estadio Jalisco.

Chivas. Its home is Estadio Akron, which the club itself owns. During the 2026 World Cup it was called Estadio Guadalajara and hosted four matches. Source: Wikipedia, Estadio Akron · Forbes México, Guadalajara después del Mundial (September 14, 2026).

FIL Guadalajara. The 2026 International Book Fair (Feria Internacional del Libro) runs from November 28 to December 6 at Expo Guadalajara (Av. Mariano Otero 1499). Italy is the guest of honor. Source: FIL Guadalajara, información general · Telediario, cuándo es la FIL Guadalajara 2026 (July 20, 2026).

International Film Festival (FICG). The 41st edition opened on April 17, 2026, with more than 200 films. For the 42nd, Panama is the guest of honor; dates to be confirmed. Source: The Hollywood Reporter en Español, FICG 41 (March 30, 2026) · Palomaynacho, FICG 2026 (March 12, 2026) · Festival Internacional de Cine en Guadalajara, sitio oficial.

Encuentro Internacional del Mariachi y la Charrería. The international mariachi and charrería gathering. Edition XXXIII ran from August 26 to September 6, 2026, at venues such as Teatro Degollado and Auditorio Telmex. Source: La Crónica, Encuentro Internacional del Mariachi 2026 (August 28, 2026).

Torta ahogada. A bolillo roll filled with carnitas and drenched in tomato sauce. Source: Azteca Jalisco, los mejores platillos típicos de Guadalajara (June 29, 2024) · México Desconocido, platillos tapatíos.

Birria. Goat or beef, seasoned with chiles and spices. Source: México Desconocido, platillos tapatíos · Matador Network, los 7 platillos más típicos de Guadalajara (October 12, 2018).

Carne en su jugo. Beef in small pieces, cooked with lime and broth. Source: Azteca Jalisco, los mejores platillos típicos de Guadalajara (June 29, 2024) · México Desconocido, platillos tapatíos.

Tejuino. A drink made of fermented corn masa and piloncillo (unrefined cane sugar). Source: México Desconocido, platillos tapatíos · Matador Network, los 7 platillos más típicos de Guadalajara (October 12, 2018).

Jericalla. The tapatío dessert: milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon. Source: Azteca Jalisco, los mejores platillos típicos de Guadalajara (June 29, 2024) · Matador Network, los 7 platillos más típicos de Guadalajara (October 12, 2018).

Pozole rojo. The Jalisco version stands out for its red color, which comes from ground chiles. Source: México Desconocido, platillos tapatíos · Azteca Jalisco, los mejores platillos típicos de Guadalajara (June 29, 2024).

Areas and services

When people say “Guadalajara,” they usually mean the whole metropolitan area: between 9 and 10 municipalities, depending on the count, with 5,268,642 inhabitants in 2020.

Zapopan. The most populous municipality in the metropolitan area: 1,476,491 inhabitants. Source: IIEG, Análisis General del Área Metropolitana de Guadalajara 2020.

Guadalajara. The central municipality: 1,385,629 inhabitants. Source: IIEG, Análisis General del Área Metropolitana de Guadalajara 2020.

Tlajomulco de Zúñiga. 727,750 inhabitants. Source: IIEG, Análisis General del Área Metropolitana de Guadalajara 2020.

San Pedro Tlaquepaque. 687,127 inhabitants. Source: IIEG, Análisis General del Área Metropolitana de Guadalajara 2020.

Tonalá. 569,913 inhabitants. Source: IIEG, Principales resultados del Censo 2020 Jalisco.

El Salto. 232,852 inhabitants. Source: IIEG, Principales resultados del Censo 2020 Jalisco.

And the rest of the area. The IIEG adds Acatlán de Juárez, Ixtlahuacán de los Membrillos, Juanacatlán and Zapotlanejo, for a total of 10. An employment indicator from MIDE Jalisco (2019 data) uses 9, without Acatlán. Source: IIEG, Análisis General del Área Metropolitana de Guadalajara 2020 · IIEG/MIDE Jalisco, ficha del indicador DST3062 (data reported as of June 29, 2019).

Water: SIAPA. SIAPA is the intermunicipal water and sewer utility (Sistema Intermunicipal de los Servicios de Agua Potable y Alcantarillado). For any procedure they ask for an official ID and your CURP. Changing the name on the bill requires the property tax receipt (predial) or the deeds. It costs $157.57 plus VAT (IVA) per change. Source: SIAPA, trámites y servicios · SIAPA, registro y/o cambio de propietario.

Emergencies. Nationwide numbers: 911: to report emergencies or request help. 089: to report a crime anonymously. Source: Gobierno de México (SSPC), diferencia entre 088, 089 y 911 (August 10, 2021).

Driver’s license. You get it from the Jalisco Secretariat of Transportation (Secretaría de Transporte de Jalisco): book an appointment in their online system and pay online. For a first license they ask for a valid INE or passport and a CURP printed this year. The proof of address must be no older than 3 months and match your ID. Car (B2): $913 new, $766 renewal. Motorcycle (A2): $600 new, with a mandatory road safety course. Reference prices from the official website. Source: Secretaría de Transporte Jalisco, requisitos y módulos de licencia.

Getaways, plazas and seasons

Mazamitla, Tapalpa, Vallarta, Chacala, El Parián and the Fiestas de Octubre.

Settling in and have questions about your rent or your lease?

Tell us your situation and we’ll reply.

Sources

Data reviewed as of October 2026.

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