Guadalajara, Mexico can be held responsible for the mixed blessings of mariachi music, tequila, the Mexican Hat Dance, broad brimmed sombrero hats and the Mexican rodeo. Part of the city's huge appeal is that the attractions of Guadalajara are similar to Mexico City, a vibrant culture, fine museums and galleries, handsome historic buildings, exciting nightlife and good places to stay and eat, but few of the capital's problems.

It's a bright, modern, well organized and unpolluted place, with enough attractions to please even the pickiest visitor.

Highlights include the giant, twin-towered cathedral and the lovely plazas that surround it, the Instituto Cultural de Cabañas and its frescoes by José Clemente Orozco, the Plaza de los Mariachis, and the twin handicraft filled suburbs of Tlaquepaque and Tonalá.