Guadalajara is the capital of the state of Jalisco. The city has retained a a Spanish colonial atmosphere, although it is the agricultural, commercial and industrial centre of the western highlands. Guadalajara celebrated its 450th anniversary in 1992. Throughout the centuries, the city has become rich in history, and to this day, many of the historic buildings still stand as reminders of the significance the city. One of the main attractions in town is the Cathedral which has a number of altars and a big art collection. There are also a lot of parks, the Parque Agua Azul and the Parque de las Armas are most noteworthy. Around the Cathedral there are two more parks, the Parque de los Laureles and the Parque de la Revolución.

If you want to go shopping you should head for the the Plaza Libertad. It has a colourful market with a wide range of locally produced goods. If you are looking for tradional handcrafted items (including clothes) visit San Juan de Dios, an outdoor/indoor market located near Parque Morelos were you can find delicious tradional ice cream (raspados). There you will find a vast array of colorful items. In October a big harvest festival takes place. Bullfights are organized as well as other activities.