Jalisco Travel Guide
Your Ultimate Guide to Jalisco Mexico
Jalisco travel GUIDE CONTENTS
Location | Getting There | Where to Stay | Things to Do | Tours | Safety Tips | FAQ
Jalisco travel guide
Jalisco Travel: At a Glance
Beauty and culture abounds in Jalisco, one of the most unique states in Mexico.
It has some of the top Mexico travel destinations — like Guadalajara, the second largest city in Mexico, and Puerto Vallarta, one of the best beaches in Mexico.
There’s also great Jalisco hidden gems, like Tequila, Yelapa and Cabo Corrientes, among others.
Jalisco travel guide
Jalisco Mexico: Know before you go
- ✈️ Airports: Puerto Vallarta International Airport (code: PVR), and Guadalajara International Airport (code: GDL)
- ⏰ Time Zone: Central Daylight Time (GMT-5)
- 💰 Currency: Mexican Peso
- 🗣 Language: Spanish, though English is common, and you may even hear some indigenous languages
- 🎫 Mexico Visa: The vast majority of travelers do not need a visa for Mexico — this includes Americans, Canadians, Japanese and most Europeans. Head here to see if you need a Mexico travel visa.
- 🔌 Electricity Socket: You’ll mostly find Type A (two-prong) and Type B (three-prong) — the same as used in the United States. For visitors from other countries, you’ll need this universal travel adaptor.
- 📲 Mexico SIM Card: Wondering, Do I need a SIM card for Mexico? The answer is yes, every traveler will want a one for the reasons explained in this article all about the best Mexico SIM cards.
- 🚙 Car Rentals: The Mexico rental car process can be a bit daunting, and many people are apprehensive to drive in a foreign country. I get it! Check out this guide to Renting a Car in Mexico for info on the process.
Jalisco travel guide
Where is Jalisco Mexico located?
Jalisco state is located in south-central Mexico, one of the Mexico Pacific States that sit on the Pacific Ocean.
These states have some of the best beach towns in Mexico, including Puerto Vallarta and Yelapa, as well as Jalisco’s capital, Guadalajara, and the the pueblos magicos (magic towns) of Tequila, Ajijic and San Sebastian del Oeste.
Jalisco Map
Jalisco travel guide
What’s the best airport for Jalisco Mexico?
This depends on where you’re headed. For travel in the northern part of the state, like Guadalajara, Ajijic and Tequila, you’ll want to fly into Guadalajara International Airport (code: GDL).
If you’re visiting the Jalisco beaches, like Puerto Vallarta, Yelapa or the Coast Alegre, use Puerto Vallarta International Airport (code: PVR).
🚙💨 Visiting both the cities and the Jalisco coast?
The best way to get from Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara (or vice versa, Guadalajara to Puerto Vallarta) is by renting a car in Mexico and driving, or taking the bus. This is a safe drive when done during the day, and will take about five hours.
What’s the best time to visit Jalisco Mexico?
🏝 Jalisco Beaches
November to April is the time to visit the Jalisco beaches, when the temperatures are mild, and the humidity and mosquitoes are at bay.
This is also during the annual January to March whale migration in Mexico, when pacific gray, humpback, orcas and other species swim along the coast of Jalisco en route to their breeding grounds.
💒 Northern Jalisco state
The best time to visit northern Jalisco is from October to April during the dry season.
The northern part of the state, including the popular pueblo magicos (magic town) of Tequila, and Ajijic, and the state’s capital, Guadalajara, take on Central Mexico’s Eternal Spring climate.
This means you can expect mild springtime temperatures all year, though you will see heavy rains during the Mexico rainy season.
Jalisco travel guide
Best Places to Visit in Jalisco Mexico
The vast majority of visitors stay in either Puerto Vallarta or Guadalajara, the two biggest cities in Jalisco. In recent years, the lakefront town of Ajijic (pronounced ah-hee-heek) has become a popular town for expats in Mexico, retirees and travelers alike.
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco Mexico
This amazing Pacific coastal city, located on Banderas Bay, welcomes millions of visitors each year. In fact, Puerto Vallarta is among the most visited Mexico destinations, and one of the most popular for LGBTQ+ travel.
Is Puerto Vallarta worth visiting? Unlike many popular Mexico beaches, Puerto Vallarta still has strong ties to its cultural roots. It is unique in that it offers visitors a nice combo of beaches, culture, and posh Puerto Vallarta resorts!
Guadalajara, Jalisco Mexico
There are so many amazing things to do in Guadalajara! From exploring Centro Historico’s famous Plaza Guadalajara, Guadalajara Cathedral and Hospicio Cabanas, to shopping for artesanias (artisanal crafts) in the San Juan de Dios market.
Is Guadalajara worth visiting? As the second largest metropolitan city in Mexico, behind Mexico City, those who appreciate historic cities will love traveling to Guadalajara, Mexico. Though a large city, it has a much smaller town feel and calmer vibe than Mexico City.
Ajijic, Jalisco Mexico
Part of the Chapala Riviera, Ajijic (ah-hee-heek) sits on Mexico’s largest freshwater lake, Lake Chapala. It is famous for charming cobblestone streets lined with bougainvillea and colorful buildings, lakefront restaurants and cafes, tropical weather and lush vegetation.
Is Ajijic worth visiting? For those who want to escape the crowds, head 35 miles south of Guadalajara to the Ajijic pueblo magico (magic town). It is a popular place for Mexico expats, and ranks among the best places to live in Mexico.
Jalisco travel guide
Best things to do in Jalisco Mexico
Jalisco travel has so much to offer! The coastal cities of Puerto Vallarta and Yelapa have both beautiful beaches to one side and mountains to the other, whale watching in winter, a lively party scene and gorgeous resorts.
The inland cities, like Guadalajara, Tequila and Ajijic, offer culture, amazing food (and tequila!), history, colorful architecture and more.
Jalisco travel guide
Best Jalisco tours
Tours in Jalisco are a great way to see the main cities and their surrounding areas — and unless you’re planning to rent a car in Jalisco, this is the best way to get around because taxi fees add up quickly!
🚙💨 Note: If you do want to have a car in Jalisco, make sure to check out this guide to Renting a Car in Mexico.
Below, you’ll find the most popular and best tours in Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara and the surrounding areas — including the Mexico hidden beach at Islas Marietas Islands, and more.
Jalisco travel guide
Is Jalisco safe for travelers?
According to experts, you are statistically quite safe while visiting Jalisco if you stick to the popular places like Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara, and the Jalisco pueblos magicos (magic towns) of Ajijic, Tequila, San Sebastian del Oeste.
Millions of Americans go to Mexico on vacation every year, so if we play the numbers game, the number of incidents is very small… When I’m asked if Mexico is a safe place to go travel on vacation, my response is yes.
—Carlos Barron, FBI Veteran (source: Forbes)
That’s not to say bad things still don’t happen in those parts of Jalisco; they do. As with traveling anywhere, follow general travel safety like not walking home alone at night, watching your alcohol consumption and staying aware of yourself and surroundings.
For an added safety measure, pack these travel safety items, dress in a way so your Mexico outfits blend in with the locals, and buy a Mexico SIM card.
What’s the best travel insurance for Mexico?
This is a question I get a lot as a Mexico travel writer and Mexico expat. To determine which Mexico travel insurance is best for you, consider factors like the policy’s total cost, your deductible, the coverage you need, your medical benefits, etc.
🏆 In general, I only ever recommend three companies to purchase Mexico travel insurance from:
- World Nomads — For general travelers and adventure travelers.
- SafetyWing — For general travelers and digital nomads in Mexico.
- Travel Insurance Master — Mexico travel insurance search tool, for those who want to compare policies.
- 👉 Click on any of the links above to get a FREE quote on your policy!
Jalisco & Sayulita Blogs 🇲🇽
Jalisco Travel: Frequently Asked Questions
Can you drink the water in Mexico?
No — Unfiltered Mexico tap water is not safe for human consumption. However, you will need to keep drinking water and to stay extra hydrated, as Mexico is quite close to the Equator. In fact, dehydration is one of the most common ways people get sick in Mexico.
So what can you do?
- If you’re renting a home with a kitchen, you can boil the water before drinking it.
- You can keep buying bottled water — Though this gets expensive, and is horrible for the planet!
- Use the Water-To-Go Filterable Bottle. This refillable bottle not only keeps you hydrated, but also filters your water so you don’t get sick in Mexico, and is good for the planet ♻️ Get 15% OFF with code SOLO15!
The Water-To-Go Bottle has a built-in, three-stage filtration system that removes 99.9999% of all water-borne contaminants. These include bacteria, microplastics, viruses, heavy metals, chemicals and more. I personally own one, as you can drink Mexico water from any source (even the tap), and be completely safe.
🧳 Mexico Packing list
Wondering what else you need on your packing list for Mexico? Check out this guide — Ultimate Packing List for Mexico + FREE Checklist Download!
Jalisco travel guide
Is Jalisco expensive?
It Depends — The big name destinations like Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta definitely have posh options, and Puerto Vallarta has some of the best resorts in Mexico.
There are also budget friendly accommodations in both cities, so if you’re traveling to Mexico on a budget, opt for budget hotels and hostels, and stick to street tacos.
What’s the Jalisco weather like?
Jalisco and all Central Mexico has what is known as the Eternal Spring climate. This means you can expect mild springtime temperatures all year, though it’s on the hotter side in summers.
The best time to visit Jalisco Mexico is from October to March, during the dry season. The rainy season is from April to September, and it can rain quite a bit.
☀️ Puerto Vallarta weather
☀️ Guadalajara weather
Is Jalisco worth visiting?
Yes — Jalisco is a unique Mexico destination that many types of travelers will love. Nature enthusiasts will adore horseback riding in the Sierra Madres, whale watching in the winter and snorkeling at Los Arcos National Park.
For history buffs, there’s no shortage of amazing things to do in Guadalajara, one of the Mexican culture capitals.
How many days do I need in Jalisco Mexico?
If you’re headed to Puerto Vallarta, check out this article, Puerto Vallarta Itinerary: 3, 4 or 5 Days in Puerto Vallarta. It offers several itinerary options for shorter trips, though you could spend months on the beautiful beaches of Puerto Vallarta and the surrounding Banderas Bay, Nuevo Vallarta, Punta Mita and Riviera Nayarit.
In Guadalajara, you’d need at least four full days to fully explore this city, the second largest in Mexico after Mexico City. If you want to do all the best day trips from Guadalajara, like Ajijic, Tequila and Tlaquepaque, you’ll want six full days for proper Jalisco travel.
🗣 Mexico Language
Mexico Fun Fact: There’s actually no official language of Mexico!
Spanish is the most widely-spoken, so some mistakenly say Spanish is the official language of Mexico. However, the government actually recognizes 68 national languages, including the Nahuatl Aztec language, and the Maya language.
💰 Mexico Currency
Mexican Peso — Exchange rates vary, but have hovered around $18-21 pesos to $1 USD for about the last decade. You will find some places that take U.S. dollars, but usually at an unfavorable rate, so stick to using pesos in Mexico.
☀️ Mexico Weather
Mexico is a big country — the 7th largest on Earth, in fact! It’s hard to generalize the weather in Mexico, because it will vary greatly by where you’re traveling.
In general, temperatures are mostly mild everywhere all year long, though summers on the coast are hot and humid, and winters in Central and Northern Mexico are on the colder side. Throughout the whole country, the rainy season runs from (about) April through September.
✈️ Mexico Busy Season & Slow Season
• Mexico Busy Season: The busy season in Mexico runs October to March, as this is the dry season and you’ll get the best weather. December is the busiest month for tourism in Mexico.
• Mexico Slow Season: If you don’t mind some rain, you’ll often find the best travel deal during the Mexico slow season of April to September. Do keep in mind that June 1-November 1 is Hurricane Season, and Mexico beaches are all susceptible.
• Mexico Shoulder Season: The shoulder season is that magical time when prices are still low and the weather is good. The Mexico shoulder season is from about mid-October to November and January to early-April.
🧳 Download your FREE Mexico Packing Checklist here!
Check out this Ultimate Packing List for Mexico — so you know what to pack and what NOT to pack for Mexico! This article offers advice on packing for Mexico cities, and packing for a Mexico beach vacation.
Beyond what Mexico outfits and clothing you’ll want to bring, here are a few extra things to consider:
• Filterable Water Bottle: Mexico is close to the Equator, so you’ll need to stay extra hydrated. In fact, dehydration is one of the most common ways people get sick in Mexico.
A filterable, refillable water bottle not only keeps you hydrated, but also filters your water so you don’t get sick in Mexico.
The Water-To-Go Bottle has a built-in, three-stage filtration system that removes 99.9999% of all water-borne contaminants. These include bacteria, microplastics, viruses, heavy metals and chemicals.
• Mexico SIM Card: Want to be able to use your phone in Mexico?! Of course you do! Pick up a TELCEL Mexico SIM card before your trip, and swap it out on the plane while you’re waiting to exit, so you have phone and data service the second you arrive in Mexico.
• Anti-Hangover Meds: Planning to party hardy?! Make sure you’re not wasting any of your precious travel time with a hangover. Liquid I.V. has about 70,000 reviews on Amazon, and is considered the best defense against a hangover.
• Sun Hat: No matter if you’re headed to the beach or a city, you’ll want to wear a hat to shield yourself from the strong Mexican sun. This cute sun hat is the perfect stylish and practical accessory for your Mexico vacation.
• Sunscreen: As you’ll want to reapply a few times throughout the day, a light, Mineral-Based Sunscreen is ideal.
Headed to the beach? Do your part to practice responsible tourism in Mexico by only using an eco-friendly reef safe sunscreen while swimming. You can even ditch the sunscreen altogether and opt for a long sleeve swimsuit (AKA rash guard) instead.
• Bug Repellent: Mosquitoes are common throughout Mexico — especially on the beaches! REPEL Insect Repellent is an eco-friendly brand that’s DEET-free and plant based, with a pleasant lemon and eucalyptus scent. Don’t want to use a spray? Pick up some Mosquito Repellent Bracelets.
The vast majority of travelers do not need a visa for Mexico — this includes Americans, Canadians, and most Europeans. Head here to see if you need a Mexico travel visa.
🤔 What is the mexico FMM?
When you go through Customs & Immigration to enter the country, you’ll receive your Forma Migratoria Multiple, or FMM Tourist Card (sometimes listed as FMT). If you’re coming by plane or cruise ship, there is no charge; for those driving across the border, the FMM costs about $30USD.
In most circumstances, all visitors get a 180-day (six month) visa — so you can legally stay up to six months!
🚨 Have your FMM on you at all times
Keep in mind that though it’s called an FMM card, it’s actually just a small piece of paper. Keep your FMM on you at all times in your wallet, as this proves your legal status in Mexico. It’s rare, but if an officer stops you, they can ask to see your FMM.
🎫 Don’t lose your FMM!
You need to have your FMM on you at all times, as proof of your legal status in the country.
Be sure to keep track of your FMM, as you’ll have to give it back to an Immigration officer at the airport, cruise port, or land crossing when you’re leaving the country.
If you lose your FMM, there is a $600 peso ($30 USD) cost to replace it, and some paperwork you’ll need to fill out before you can leave the country.
If you’re flying home, plan to arrive at the airport about one hour earlier than you normally would to do the paperwork and pay the fine.
As this question doesn’t have a yes/no answer (I wish it did!), I do my best to answer it in depth in this article, Is Mexico Safe for Travelers Right Now? However, for the most part, Mexico is actually statistically quite safe for all travelers — including solo travelers.
Check my Solo Female Mexico Travel page for more info.
💃 Mexico solo travel guides
Mexico is a big country, and it has plenty of amazing solo female travel destinations — like the ones featured in this article, Mexico Solo Travel: 20 Safe Destinations for Female Travelers.
In it, you’ll get recommendations of places to visit in Mexico, from solo travelers who have actually been to them.
🎧 solo travel podcasts
• Ep. 34 | Planning your first Mexico solo trip
• Ep. 40 | Tips for safe solo travel in Mexico
• Ep. 53 | 30 Solo female travel tips, Pt. 1
To answer the question, Is it safe to drive in Mexico? — YES, it’s considered safe to rent a car and drive in Mexico.
As the country is quite large, road trips are a great way to see a lot in a little time, and especially popular in the Yucatan Peninsula and Baja California Peninsula.
The one caveat to Mexico driving safety is that you’ll be in a foreign country, unfamiliar with their laws and customs. Head here for a complete guide to Renting A Car in Mexico: Everything You Need to Know, where you’ll also get 10 useful Mexico driving tips!
🚙💨 Looking for the best Mexico car rental company? Discover Cars works with both local Mexican companies and international companies to get you the best rates. Not only do I recommend them — I also use them!
As a general rule, you’ll want to know at least a few words of Spanish when visiting anywhere in Mexico. This is both a sign of respect, and will also help you have a better, smoother trip.
If you stick to the more touristic places in Mexico, you should be fine with basic Spanish. For those planning to venture off the beaten path, be advised most people in pueblos (small towns) speak little to no English.
🗣 Here are some options:
- Brush up on your Spanish: Use a language-learning program like Rocket Spanish, so you’re confident, and conversational, before your trip.
- Download the Google Translate App: For this to work at all times, you’ll need a Mexico SIM card with data — as the app won’t work when you’re off-WiFi.
- Travel with a Mexico phrasebook: This Lonely Planet Spanish Phrasebook is an Amazon best seller, and a great non-digital language assistant!
- Save this infographic an image on your phone. This way, you have access to these common words, phrases and questions, even when you’re off-WiFi.
