The birthplace of mariachi music and tequila, Guadalajara is a lively city of plazas, churches, museums and gracious hospitality. With easy public transportation, friendly locals and a unique city center, Guadalajara offers a pleasant reprieve from the action-packed Mexico City. Plus, you'll find some of the best arts and crafts in Mexico in nearby Tlaquepaque and Tonala.

There's so much to see and do, and with a mild climate and year-round temperatures averaging about 70 degrees Fahrenheit, you can do it all any time of year.