Getting to the Centro Hotels

Guadalajara is the second largest city in Mexico with over 5 million people. Mexico City is the largest city in Mexico and in the world.  If you are a first timer you will probably get lost even if you have a map. Go there with the clear understanding that it is a busy large city with lots of traffic. Your goal, if you drive, is to spot the blue signs with a church and follow the signs to “Centro.”

Toll Highway 15 will end and you will pass a military checkpoint. Continue straight. You will continue straight pass the ring road and continue straight past a Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club and Costco on your right. Shortly afterwards you will see signs and take a right fork towards Centro.  

If you get lost pull over and flag a cab. Ask him to take you to the Hotel Francis or any other Hotel you have arranged. It will cost less than $5 and be worth it to your nerves and spouse.

Our Recommendation - Hotel Francés

The Hotel Francés is the oldest Hotel in Guadalajara and very central for your stay. You can park your vehicle right outside the door and they will park your vehicle for you. It makes life easy. The Francés has a number of room sizes and prices from $64 (for a simple 2 bed room with washroom) up to just over $100 (for the penthouse suite with 2 bedrooms, kitchen and washroom.) The Hotel is NOT for the light sleepers. It can be so noisy in the “center suites” that you cannot hear your TV. Ask for a quiet room.  

Built in 1610, the Hotel reflects the charm and personality of the city. The 16ft ceilings and quiet ever circulating fans make the rooms comfortable in both winter and summer. Each room has terracotta floors and clean tiled bathrooms and showers.

The lobby leads to a central open core that is used as a bar and to the left, a small inexpensive restaurant. It has high charming arches, large stone pillars with a grand staircase leading to the next and then next level. As an alternative you can take the ancient elevator to the side, although you should quickly summarize the combined weight of your passengers and suitcases. You can see up to all 3 floors from the lobby area. The bar is open from the early afternoon with a piano musician playing mood music and live mariachi music begins about 7. A variety of local musicians play here, from a single pianist to a full fledged mariachi band. Beer is only 20 pesos and a whole night of entertainment can be had for the price of your drinks. But no matter what the temptation, you should venture out with a good map, walking shoes and camera to take advantage of this remarkable city.

Walking Tour of Guadalajara

Walking tour from the Hotel Francés -1 hour of walking and add 2 hours for snooping/shopping around.

Start out early to get the best light for taking pictures. You can grab a coffee and bun at one of the many bakeries along the walk for breakfast or stop at one of the many restaurants that line the streets.

Leaving the Hotel Francés  make a left as soon as you leave the lobby and walk to the end of the block. Make your next left and walk down the Moreno – a large pedestrian thoroughfare that will take you down one of the most interesting streets in all of Mexico. Every other store sells wedding dresses and accessories. The dresses are beautifully crafted and made of the most luxurious materials. They are truly amazing in all styles and prices. Take pictures and enjoy the street ambience.

At the end of the street is a pedestrian overpass that leads you to Libertad Market and Mariachi Square.

Guadalajara is the birthplace of the Mariachi genre of music and Mariachi Square is the center of the action. It is a simple small open square surrounded by restaurants. Teams of Mariachis play here, practice here, get work here. You will see all sizes and shapes, males and females, young and old if you sit long enough. It is worth a coke or beer to sit and listen or if you would like – 3-4 songs cost approximately $20 us. Mariachi Square is best enjoyed in the late afternoon or evening.

Libertad Market is right next door. It has three levels of glorious shopping that flows out onto the street and plazas beside it. You can get everything from DVD’s to live exotic birds. Electronic equipment to leather goods. This is Mexico’s second largest City but first largest market.

Special Note: It is very crowded so make sure your wallet is in your front pocket or inside your shirt in a money belt. We would make this same recommendation in congested area in any large city.

After the market walk over to your left and you will see chair sculptors with strange and wonderful legs and other “body parts.” Sit down and relax a moment. Take a few pictures. Laugh out loud.

The historic building at right beside the chairs is the Institute Cultural Cabanas. This is the Sistine Chapel of Mexico. Murals by the artist José Clemente Orozco are painted in the ceiling of this once nunnery, orphanage. It costs only 5 pesos to enter. No photos are allowed though! (DRAT)

After the Cabanas walk right up Morelos past interesting stores, fountains, sculptures and historic statues. Take your time. Saunter. There are many works of art, sculptures and fountains to admire as well as artisan stalls and large department stores to browse and shop. Watch clowns sell balloons. Buy an ice cream cone for only 3 pesos.

After 5 blocks or so you will see a large open Liberation Plaza to your right. Watch street signs for Maestanza and turn left. You have returned to the Hotel Francés .

Contact info Hotel Francés 35 Maestranza Tel: (52) 33 36 13-1190 Email  gerencia@hotelfrances.com  or click here: http://www.webtapatio.com/hotelfrances/ingles.swf