Jalisco Travel Guide

Before you book your vacation to Cancun or to another beach in Mexico, you should definitely take a good hard look at the great state of Jalisco. With an extensive coastline, Jalisco has plenty of great beaches to visit and plenty of places to stay. Some of the best beaches to visit in Jalisco are around Puerto Vallarta on Banderas Bay. Puerto Vallarta not only offers fantastic beaches like the Los Muertos beach and Las Glorias beach, but it also has plenty of great hotels, amazing bars and fine dining restaurants. Many of these facilities sit close to the ocean so you will also be able to catch a stunning view from your room window or seaside table.

If you’re not planning on staying on the coast of Jalisco, you should definitely consider staying in the capital city of Guadalajara. Not only are there plenty of historical sites to see in the downtown area but there are also many other attractions such as bars, restaurants, museums and a theatre. Should you venture just outside of town, you can go on one of the most popular tours in the state, the Tequila Express tour.

Not only can you find great local tours both in the city and out of town, you can also take your taste buds on a tour of their own. Stay close to the coast for some great regional seafood dishes or move inland and sample some of the state’s famous local specialties. If you want something that reminds you of home, spend some time in Puerto Vallarta or Guadalajara and try some of the international restaurants you can find on almost every corner. No matter where you are, you’ll be able to find something that will make your mouth shout with joy.

When you’re not sure where you want to stay, don’t worry: there are plenty of great accommodations almost every town. If you’re not sure how to get where you want to go, you can use one of the three main international airports scattered around the state. These airports also offer services like rental cars, taxis and shuttles so you don’t need to worry about getting stuck at the airport. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even charter a plane at one of the several smaller airports and fly where you need to go.

Sometimes it’s not about where you’re staying; it’s about how long you want to stay. Whether you’re only looking to stay a few days or you want to stay several months, there are thousands of vacation rental properties available. Stay a few weeks at the beach then move inland to one of the major cities. Stay at a resort, a villa, a condo, an apartment or a hotel for as long as your heart desires.

Jalisco Weather and Best Time to Visit

There are two general seasons rule Jalisco and make up the year: the rainy season and the dry season. The rainy season goes from June until October but the majority of the rain falls from June to August. Although it is called the rainy season, it is very rare to have several days of rain. Most of the time, there are showers that move in and move out, but there is always a bit of sun.

If you are staying on the coast, be prepared for the most comfortable temperatures in Jalisco. These temperatures range from the low 70s to low 80s. While the temperatures are most comfortable by the coast, there is generally more rain in this area so make sure you bring an umbrella. The best time to visit the coast is during the rainy season as the rates can drop up to 20% of their normal levels.

The most popular time to go to Jalisco is during the winter months. The temperature is most comfortable during these months and most of the major holidays and festivals fall within this time frame. Be prepared to book in advance and possibly pay a bit more for a room should you choose to go during any of the major holidays like Carnival, Spring break, Easter and Christmas.

Experience Jalisco

To really experience Jalisco, be prepared to do some traveling. From the coast to the center of the state, there are many amazing things to see and do. One thing you’ll want to make sure you either rent a car or catch a bus to one of the many other towns in Jalisco. Be sure to visit Jalisco’s capital city of Guadalajara to see some of the most important historical sites in the state as well as to get in some great shopping.

If you’re going to stick to the coast, make sure you do rent a car and visit all of the beaches along the coast. While some beaches are great for swimming, others have waves that are perfect for surfing. There are even a few areas where you’ll want to spend more time on the sand than in the water due to the heavy undertow. If you want to try a lot of water sports, be sure to visit Manzanillo beach. If you’re into photography, be sure to take a guided tour with one of the many nature tours.