WHEN TO GO

Although any time is a good time visit Guadalajara, for some people, certain seasons may be more ideal than others. For example, if you want to join in the fun of Guadalajara festivities, arrive during the May Fiesta Cultural de Mayo or during the Fiesta de Octubre, which peaks around the October 12 festival of the Virgin of Zapopan.

For others, weather may be a major consideration. Guadalajara visitors enjoy a generally mild-to-warm, two-season climate (a mostly dry winter-spring and a rainier summer), similar to (but a bit wetter than) some areas of Southern California. Days are warmest during the late spring, typically peaking around 90°F (32°C) by midafternoon. Winter days are cooler, with very comfortable highs around 70°F (21°C). During July, August, and September it rains moderately, with summer daytime highs at an ideal 80–82°F (27–28°C). Frost is rare in Guadalajara, with winter (December, January, and February) lows averaging a cool, but not cold, 40–45°F (5–7°C).

So, when to go? Well, you can avoid most midday heat by visiting during late summer, fall, or winter. If you especially enjoy balmy evenings, visit during spring, summer, or fall. The best of all possible times to visit may be during the balmy, dry months of October and November when you can largely avoid the rain of summer, the hot days of spring, and the cool nights of winter.

GETTING THERE

Most foreign visitors travel to Guadalajara via flights from one of many North American gateway airports, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Tucson, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, New York, Atlanta, Miami, and a few others.

For travelers on a budget, battalions of daily buses roll south from the border gateway towns of San Diego and Calexico, California; Nogales, Arizona; and El Paso, Laredo, and McAllen, Texas.

Driving your car or RV to Guadalajara may be a viable option, especially for those who are planning on a long trip or intend to do lots of camping in outlying areas. From the western U.S., best go via Nogales, Arizona; from the central or eastern U.S., go via El Paso or Reynosa, Texas. Allow at least two days at the wheel from El Paso or a day and a half from Reynosa.

WHAT TO TAKE

“Men wear pants, ladies be beautiful” was once the dress code of one of western Mexico’s classiest hotels. Most men vacationing in casual Guadalajara can get by easily without a jacket, women with simple skirts or pants and blouses. Business travelers, however, should probably bring along a light suit for more formal business functions.

What you pack depends on how mobile you want to be. If you’re staying the whole time at a self-contained resort, you can take the two suitcases and one carry-on allowed by airlines. If, on the other hand, you’re going to be moving around a lot, it’s best to condense everything down to one easily carried bag with wheels that doubles as luggage and soft backpack. Experienced travelers accomplish this by packing prudently and tightly, choosing items that will do double or triple duty (such as a Swiss army knife with scissors).

Balmy Guadalajara makes it easy to pack light. Loose-fitting, hand-washable, easy-to-dry clothes make for trouble-free Guadalajara traveling. Synthetic or cotton-synthetic-blend shirts, blouses, pants, socks, and underwear will fit the bill for most every occasion. For breezy or winter nights add a medium-weight jacket, a light sweater, and/or a stuffable windbreaker. Wear your heavy layer on the plane to save room.

In all cases, leave showy, expensive clothes and jewelry at home. Stow items that you cannot lose in your hotel safe or carry them with you in a sturdy zipped purse or a waist pouch on your front side.

Pack light enough to take an extra suitcase for bringing your goodies home (or you can have one of the many local agents ship your goods home).