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Cradle of the mariachi, tequila, and the Jarabe Tapatío, or Mexican hat dance, for many, the state of Jalisco is the essence of Mexico.
Colonial cities with architectural jewels, Pueblos Mágicos, quiet alpine towns, sophisticated urban centers, and the pre-Hispanic site of Guachimontones with its circular pyramids vie with tropical beaches along Jalisco’s Pacific coast. Towns in the highlands are a mecca for religious tourism, while Guadalajara’s shopping, educational centers and medical facilities are second to none.
The north shore of Chapala — Mexico’s largest natural lake — is home to many people from the USA and Canada, and more reside in the area of Puerto Vallarta.
Here is a sampling of some of our principal articles on the state of Jalisco. Click on “See all articles in region Jalisco” at the top of the page just beneath the navigation bar that runs its entire width. Or search by town or city name.
Jalisco Maps
Guadalajara
Lake Chapala Region
Places in Jalisco
Guadalajara
Guadalajara is the capital of Jalisco, a mecca of art, culture and commerce.
Puerto Vallarta area
Once a sleepy coastal village, Puerto Vallarta is a popular Pacific resort that hasn’t lost its charm.
- Puerto Vallarta: where the art of life thrives!
- Puerto Vallarta: escape to paradise
- The mystical and magical pleasures of Puerto Vallarta
- Boomers in Paradise: Living in Puerto Vallarta
- Rincon de Guayabitos
- Drama & Diplomacy in a Sultry Mexican Beach Town
Lake Chapala region
With residents from all over the world, the north shore of Mexico’s largest natural lake is one the most unique areas in the country.
Magdalena, Tequila and Amatitan
This is tequila country with traditional towns set in fields of blue agave. Jalisco’s Agave Landscape is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Obsidian in Mexico: gift of the gods
- Did tequila originate in the Mexican town of Amatitan, Jalisco?
- Mexican fire opals
- Tequila, more than just a margarita
- Tequila dates from the sixteenth century
- Tequila: not just Mexico’s national drink!
- Did you know? Diamonds from tequila
- Did You Know? Some tequila is priced at $225,000
Tapalpa, Mazamitla and Sayula
With their fragrant pine forests, the mountain towns of Tapalpa and Mazamitla are often described as “alpine.” Sayula is located near a prehistoric lake bed popular for kite boarding.
- Tapalpa: Land of colors
- Mazamitla: its scenery, kitchens and customs
- Sweet secrets of Sayula
- El Pozo: Legends of a historical ranch in Sayula, Mexico
Melaque and the Southern Coast
Jalisco’s southern coast is popular with eco-tourists and its small beach towns are charming.
- Good morning, Melaque: one day in a small Mexico beach town
- Barra de Navidad: the sand spit is slipping
- Beautiful Bay of Tenacatita
- Skimboard kids on a Mxican beach
Talpa de Allende
Talpa is best known for the beloved image of the Virgin of the Rosary. It is also home to a maple forest and site of eco-tourism.
Los Altos: The Jalisco Highlands
Los Altos is known for skilled horsemen, beautiful women, and a deep religious faith.
- San Juan de Los Lagos: The Virgin, her basilica, her pilgrims, and their exvotos
- Cristero Rebellion
- Independence battle map is upside down
Off the beaten path
Good highways make Jalisco perfect for exploring off the beaten tourist track.
- The remarkable road to San Marcos, Jalisco
- Yaqui in exile: the grim history of Mexico’s San Marcos train station
- Las Piedras Bola: the great stone balls of Ahualulco
- Historic hacienda inns: hidden gems of Jalisco
- El Bramador: once a bustling colonial mining town
- Railroads in western Mexico: the next train to arrive….
- The road to San Sebastian
- Winter flying: paragliding Mexico’s skies
Tequila: Mexico’s fiery gift to the world
Mexico’s quintessential drink has its origins in pre-Hispanic times.
- July 24 is National Tequila Day: A tequila resource page
- Did tequila originate in the Mexican town of Amatitan, Jalisco?
Jalisco History, Geology and Geography
- Guachimontones: unearthing a lost world near Teuchitlan, Jalisco
- Did tequila originate in the Mexican town of Amatitan, Jalisco?
- Cristero Rebellion
- Steamboats on Lake Chapala in the 19th century
- The Iztepete archeological site
- El Bramador: once a bustling colonial mining town
- Independence battle map is upsidedown
- Sixteenth century indigenous Jalisco
- The geology and geography of Lake Chapala and western Mexico
- The Magic Circle: Mexico’s five ecosystems meet around Guadalajara
Art, tradition, cuisine, handicrafts and folklore
The state of Jalisco boasts some of Mexico’s oldest traditions. Yet seven universities in the capital alone bring contemporary interpretations to the arts for the best of both worlds.
Art, crafts, architecture and music
- Uncovering Tonala’s history at the National Ceramic Museum
- Chapala’s Feria Maestros del Arte: Guardians of the Folk Art Tradition
- Maria Izquierdo: monumento artistico de la nacion
- The art of Javier Zaragoza, Lake Chapala artist
- The landscape art of Enrique Velazquez
- The Lake Chapala artistic and literary scene in the 1960s and early 1970s
- Mexican master ceramist Jorge Wilmot
- Mexican equipales, seated through the ages: Zacoalco de Torres
- Mi Pullman: remodeling a Mexican Art Nouveau townhouse
- Mexico’s Mariachi Museum needs music
- Consuelo Velazquez and “Besame Mucho”
Cuisine
Many of Mexico’s signature dishes evolved on its vast haciendas. Today, five culinary institutes turn out chefs with a nouvelle touch.
- The cuisine of Jalisco: La cocina tapatia
- Cooking with Tequila: Mexico’s national drink moves into the kitchen
- Warm up the winter with pozole
- Tortas ahogadas: Tortas with tomato sauce
- Jalisco style enchiladas: Enchiladas tapatías
- Jalisco style flan: Flan de Jalisco
- Swiss chard tamales: Tamales de acelgas con salsa verde
Tradition and folklore
Ethnic groups
- Mexico’s Huichol resource page: their culture, symbolism, art
- The Huichol of Jalisco and Nayarit
- Yaqui in exile: the grim history of Mexico’s San Marcos train station
- Sixteenth century indigenous Jalisco
Jalisco’s Virgins: religious tourism
Three beautiful Virgins in the state of Jalisco attract thousands of visitors each year.
- San Juan de Los Lagos: The Virgin, her basilica, her pilgrims, and their exvotos
- Pilgrimage with La Virgen de Zapopan from A House in the Sun
- Legend of the Virgin of Talpa
- The Virgin of Talpa comes calling
- Virgin hair for the Madonna’s new wig
Jalisco in literature
- The few, the proud: the work of Juan Rulfo (1917-1986)
- Mariano Azuela
- Three Tamales for the Señor
- Sacred Lake Poems
Picture galleries of the state of Jalisco
What better way to get acquainted with the state of Jalisco than through these eloquent photographs? Only a personal visit!
- The remarkable road to San Marcos, Jalisco
- Did tequila originate in the Mexican town of Amatitan, Jalisco?
- Yaqui in exile: the grim history of Mexico’s San Marcos train station
- Mazamitla in the pineclad mountains of Jalisco
- Pleasures of Puerto Vallarta
- San Sebastian
- Mexico’s endless Pacific beach: sun, surf, sand, seafood and solitude
- Good morning, Melaque: One day in a small Mexico beach town
- The beaches of Nayarit and Jalisco
- Tapalpa, land of colors
- Tenacatita
- Day of the Charro
- Obsidian in Mexico: gift of the gods
- Las Piedras Bolas: the great stone balls of Ahualulco, Jalisco
- Guachimontones: unearthing a lost world near Teuchitlan, Jalisco