Guadalajara is the capital city of the state of Jalisco. It is divided into several districts. The main areas of interest to tourists are the Centro Historico and the Minerva, Chapultepec and Zona Rosa areas. These are located on an east-west axis centered on Av. Vallarta (named Av. Juárez in the Centro Historico) and stretch from the Plaza Tapatía/Plaza Mariachis on the east side to the Fuente Minerva/Arcos Vallarta on the west side. Outside of the downtown area are three areas also of interest to the tourist: Tlaquepaque, Tonalá - located south-east of the centre and known for its handicraft shops and markets, and Zapopan - located north-west of the centre - famous as a site of pilgrimage and for its old-town charm. Conveniently the 275-diagonal bus route runs from Tlaquepaque through the centre to Zapopan, providing convenient access to all of these sites.

Sightseeing
The Guadalajara zoo is a modern zoological park worth visiting both for its collection of animals, its safari ride, and its views of the Barranca de Oblatos. Highlights include a reptile house, a nocturnal environment exhibit, a tropical forrest simulated environment, and more. The east of Calz Independencia, about 1.5km south of the centre, holds open air concerts, has a butterfly enclosure, an aviary and plenty of greenery to enjoy. This is a good place to take a break from the often dry, dusty and crowded environment of the city. The 1.5 km from the centro to the park is quite walkable, but it is also accessible via the 62A and 62D buses along the Calz Independencia.

Getting there
The new main bus station is in the suburb of Tonalá. The old bus station, just south of the centre, is served by bus lines going to nearby pueblos like Tequila and Chapala. Libertador Miguel Hidalgo International Airport (GDL) is located south of the city along the Guadalajara-Chapala Highway. It is served by Mexico's main domestic carriers.

Getting around
A simple subway network can be useful if you happen to want to travel along its currently limited path. There are two lines that join at the western edge of the Centro Historico. One runs north-south to the edges of the city, in both directions. The other runs east through the Centro Historico to the eastern suburbs. Fares are similar to a bus ride. The subway is very clean and pleasant to ride; you'll enjoy being away from the hot midday sun. The subway closes at 11pm.