Where to Stay in Guadalajara, Mexico [Ultimate Guadalajara Neighborhoods + Accommodations Guide]

Mexico City, step aside. It’s time for Guadalajara to shine. This landlocked city in the state of Jalisco, long been known as the home of mariachi, tequila, and some of Mexico’s most famous foods, is increasingly enticing the savvy visitors who are hearing whispers of its booming bar scene, award-winning restaurants, and impossible cool cache of hotels and boutique hideaways.

Curious about how to enjoy Guadalajara best? Read on for the best places to stay in Guadalajara, including the Guadalajara neighborhoods you won’t want to miss and the coolest and most convenient hotels transforming the city into one of Mexico’s most vibrant new destinations for travelers.

Best Places to Stay in Guadalajara

Our guide to where to stay in Guadalajara is brimming with information about the best neighborhoods in San Juan for visitors and specific hotel recommendations across the city – but perhaps you’re just looking for a few quick recommendations of the best of the best. These are our top recommendations for where to stay in Guadalajara ~

• Best Boutique Hotel in Guadalajara | Casa Habita ($$ – $$$)
• Best Resort-Style Hotel in Guadalajara | JW Marriott Guadalajara ($$$)
• Best Hotel in Guadalajara for Families | Quinta Don Jose Boutique Hotel ($$)
• Best Hotel in Guadalajara for Business Travel | Hotel Indigo Guadalajara Expo ($$)

Read on for more, including recommendations at every price point for Guadalajara’s most vibrant neighborhoods.

Guadalajara Neighborhoods

• Colonia Americana | Colonia Americana is where to stay in Guadalajara for all the cool cafes, restaurants, and bars that are drawing an increasing number of visitors to the city. Shady streets and walkability hide the hip side of Guadalajara and strip away any remnants of hustle and bustle.
• Centro Histórico | The centro histórico, or, historic center, is where to stay in Guadalajara for walkability to the city’s main historic attractions. It’s a top pick for first-time travelers to the city or those on a short itinerary.
• Tlaquepaque | Tlaquepaque is where to stay in Guadalajara for a small-town feel in the heart of the city. This designated pueblo mágico (magic town), once outside of the city, has been surrounded by sprawl but retains its colorful, laidback tranquility and is a home for artisans, cool boutiques, and small, intimate places to stay.
• Chapalita | Also known as Zona Expo for its massive expo center, Chapalita is where to stay in Guadalajara for business travelers. While traffic can make it feel a bit far from other areas of the city, it’s well-located for convenience, and stylish hotels like Hotel Indigo make it more appealing than ever.

While these are the four main areas we recommend to visitors planning a stay in Guadalajara, there are other areas worth considering as well.

Park-filled Zapopan, famously home to a basilica that is considered one of the most important religious sites in the country, can be a great choice for visitors who appreciate green space. Ritzier residential areas like Providencia near the Guadalajara Country Club are popular for more city resort-style stays, especially at the JW Marriott Guadalajara.

Colonia Americana

Colonia Americana is my top recommendation for the best area to stay in Guadalajara – hands down! Don’t just take my word for it; Colonia Americana was named by Time Out Magazine as the coolest neighborhood not just in the city, but in the entire world!

Colonia Americana is cool, certainly, but it’s also ideal for travelers. The walkability of the neighborhood makes it supremely convenient for checking out the best of the best of Guadalajara’s food, shopping, and entertainment. Located between the Centro Histórico and the financial center, Colonia Americana is just a quick drive to wherever you’re headed.

The best part about this Guadalajara neighborhood? Its quiet, tree-lined streets and charming mix of architectural styles that each hold on to its unique history will make you forget you’re in the heart of one of Mexico’s biggest cities. Here, you’re free to stroll the streets, pop into shops and cafes, and enjoy some of the buzziest spots in the city, far from the hustle and bustle. Enjoy it.

Best Places to Stay in Colonia Americana

• Bohostel Guadalajara Chapultepec | ($ – $$) One of the best hostels in the city, this property has a communal kitchen, the option of shared dorms or private rooms, and a friendly vibe.
• Krystal Urban Guadalajara | ($$) A comfortable, quiet hotel in the heart of the neighborhood makes this a solid, affordable option in the city’s best area. While slick and modern, it’s no frills.
• Casa Habita | ($$ – $$$) Our pick for the best boutique hotel in Guadalajara. The sleek, stylish design screams understated luxury; the rooftop pool is just an added bonus at this new, newsy favorite.

Centro Histórico

The Centro Histórico – the historic center – is where to stay in Guadalajara for walkability to the city’s main historic attractions. It’s a top pick among Guadalajara neighborhoods for first-time travelers to the city.

Unlike historical centers in other cities in Mexico, Guadalajara’s Centro Histórico has just a smattering of well-preserved spots, rather than a dense concentration of exclusively historic buildings and monuments. Most historic churches, theaters, and government buildings are clustered around the Catedral de Guadalajara, as well as in the neighborhood’s main squares, but you’ll find a mix of architectural styles here – not all the most visually appealing.

However, the neighborhood’s walkable and convenience are key. It also offers proximity to Colonia Americana if you want to check out the city’s increasingly cool culinary options, with slightly more affordable places to stay and outposts from larger hotel chain options, good for travelers who are paying with points.

Best Places to Stay in Guadalajara’s Centro Histórico

• DoubleTree by Hilton Guadalajara | ($$) A convenient location and a recognizable name make this our top choice for travelers in Guadalajara with the family in tow. The rooftop restaurant is more than just convenient; it wows with its cocktails and cuisine, but the Cathedral views are beyond breathtaking.
• Casa Pedro Loza | ($$) A stunning boutique hotel located in a restored historic mansion. Individually-decorated rooms feature handpicked furnishings highlighting the building’s history, making this a real gem.

Tlaquepaque

Tlaquepaque is much more than just a charming neighborhood in Guadalajara. Tlaquepaque is actually considered one of Mexico’s select pueblos mágicos – magical villages, designed as such by the government of Mexico for their immense cultural and historic value. This makes it the best place to stay in Guadalajara for a small-town feel in the heart of the city.

Despite being engulfed on all sides by Guadalajara’s sprawl, Tlaquepaque retains its richness and unique feel. Home to countless makers and artisans, it’s now filled with small shops and art galleries, along with an array of restaurants and cafes known for trendy design and inspired menus.

While Tlaquepaque is around a 25-minute drive from the heart of Guadalajara, visitors staying in this neighborhood will love the walkability of its center and be contented with all there is to do without leaving the neighborhood.

Best Places to Stay in Tlaquepaque

• Quinta Don Jose Boutique Hotel | ($$) This family-run boutique hotel is our top choice among family-friendly places to stay in Guadalajara. Travelers with kids in tow will love the pool, walkability to town, and the laidback, family-friendly feel.
• La Villa de Ensueno | ($$ – $$$) A colorful twenty-room boutique hotel boasting gardens, pools, and plenty of space to explore. It’s another favorite with families visiting Guadalajara.
• Casa Morales Hotel Boutique | ($$$) A beautiful bed-and-breakfast-style boutique property housed in a colonial-era building in the heart of Tlaquepaque. Gardens, terraces, and handpicked furnishings make this spot extra special.

Chapalita

With one of the largest expo centers in Latin America, Guadalajara has long been among the most important cities in the region when it comes to business travel. Visitors looking for a convenient stay will love Chapalita – also known as Zona Expo – which manages more of a neighborhood feel while in the heart of the city’s financial and business center.

While traffic can make Chapalita feel a bit far from other areas of the city, it’s conveniently located to everything business travelers could want and need. Newer hotels like the surprisingly stylish Hotel Indigo Guadalajara Expo, an IHG Hotel make it even more appealing for visitors looking for just a little more personality from their accommodations.

Best Places to Stay in Chapalita

• Hotel Indigo Guadalajara Expo, an IHG Hotel | ($$) The best place to stay in Guadalajara for business travelers. Convenient location meets unexpected style and personality, with perks like delicious breakfast and massively oversized suites that will tempt you to stick around.
• Riu Plaza Guadalajara | ($$ – $$$) A modern skyscraper towering over one of Guadalajara’s most iconic avenues, this 550-room city resort has a spa, heated outdoor pool, 24-hour gym, and plenty of amenities in addition to its central location in the business expo district.