Located in Mexico’s western region along the Pacific coast, Jalisco borders the states of Nayarit, Zacatecas and Aguascalientes to the north, Colima and Michoacan to the south, and Guanajuato to the east.

Throughout most of the state you’ll get a mild climate, however the coastal region is hot and humid. The first place you can visit is Guadalajara, the state capital, where you’ll enjoy a festive atmosphere full of art and culture. Some of the most important religious and civic buildings there are the Cathedral, Palacio de Gobierno, Teatro Degollado and Instituto Cultural Cabañas, declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. Near Guadalajara you can visit the cities of Tlaquepaque and Tonala, famous for their ceramics products. You can also check out important religious centers such as San Juan de los Lagos and Zapopan, which receives thousands of pilgrims each year. At Lake Chapala and Ajijic you can take long walks, go horseback riding, or play golf and various water sports.

Heading toward the coast, be sure to visit Tapalpa and the picturesque town of Tequila, where blue agave grows for the production of Mexico’s world-famous tequila.

Along Jalisco’s 280 km (173 mi) of coastline, you’ll discover fascinating beach destinations, including Puerto Vallarta and Costalegre. There you can enjoy top-notch hotels and excellent services offered at the spas and exclusive golf courses.

Costalegre
Costalegre is a spectacular 160-km (99-mi) coastline spanning from the port of Manzanillo, in Colima, to Puerto Vallarta, in Jalisco. It lies 950 km (589 mi) from Mexico City and 400 km (248 mi) from Guadalajara. The average year-round temperature ranges between 25º and 27º C (77º and 81º F).

Costalegre consists of the bays of Barra Navidad, Tenacatita, Careyes and Costa Majahuas, as well as numerous beaches, such as Cuastecomates, Barra de Navidad, Melaque, El Tamarindo, La Manzanilla, Boca de Iguanas, Los Angeles Locos de Tenacatita, El Tecuan, Cuixmala, Careyes, Playa Rosa, Playa Blanca, El Negrito, Chamela, Ferula, Las Alamandas, Chalacatepec, Peñtas, Majahuas, Cruz de Loreto and Punta Peñtas.

Costalegre is a unique paradise where you can enjoy countless recreational activities, including fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling at places like Barra de Navidad and Bahia de Tenacatita; ecotourism outings at original places such as Hotelito Desconocido; golfing on some of the world’s best courses; or you can get a relaxing massage at one of the modern spas. What’s more, Costalegre offers gorgeous scenery, including an interesting variety of plant and animal species, various lakes, lagoons, dams and estuaries. The natural diversity will leave you fascinated.

Guadalajara
Located 540 km (335 mi) northwest of Mexico City, Guadalajara is the proud state capital of Jalisco and the second most populated city in Mexico. Blessed with excellent temperatures ranging from 11º to 26º C (52º to 79º F), Guadalajara ranks among Mexico’s three most important cities and it is home to some of the nation’s most important cultural symbols (mariachi, tequila, the hat dance and Mexican rodeos). Among its main draws is the magnificent architecture of its historic and religious buildings, in particular that of the Hospicio Cabañas, which houses murals of artist Jose Clemente Orozco and was declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. The city is also known for its beautiful parks and surrounding natural areas, such as el Bosque la Primavera (the Primavera Forest), often referred to as the city’s lungs. In addition, there’s the Parque Metropolitano, where you can do camping and ecotourism outin