Where is Jalisco located in world: What to do, What to visit and must-see places in 2027
Discover where Jalisco is located in Mexico, what its capital is and what to visit in 2027: Guadalajara, Tequila, Puerto Vallarta, Ajijic, Chapala, towns and beaches.
Jalisco is one of those Mexican states that many travelers know even before they've located it on a map. Tequila, mariachi, Guadalajara, and Puerto Vallarta are part of its identity, but the territory is much larger and more diverse: it has historic cities, towns nestled among agave fields, forested mountains, archaeological sites, Lake Chapala, and an extensive Pacific coastline.
Jalisco is located in western Mexico, and its capital is Guadalajara . It borders Nayarit, Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, Guanajuato, Michoacán, and Colima, and has a coastline on the Pacific Ocean. According to INEGI, it represents approximately 4% of Mexico's land area.
For a first trip, the best places to get a feel for the state are Guadalajara, Tequila, Puerto Vallarta, Tlaquepaque, Ajijic, and Lake Chapala. But those with more time can add Guachimontones, Mazamitla, Tapalpa, or one of the other Pueblos Mágicos (Magical Towns).
Where is Jalisco on the map of Mexico?
Jalisco occupies a strategic position in the west of the country. Guadalajara is located inland, while to the west rise the mountains of the Sierra Madre Occidental and, finally, the Pacific coast.
This geography explains why a trip through Jalisco can completely change its scenery in just a few days. It's possible to start among the museums and historic buildings of Guadalajara, travel through agave fields towards Tequila, and end up on the beach in Puerto Vallarta.
To understand the distances, it's also important to clarify something: Jalisco is not a city. It's one of the 32 states that make up Mexico , and Guadalajara is its capital.
Guadalajara: the best starting point to explore Jalisco
For those visiting Jalisco for the first time, Guadalajara is probably the best base. The Historic Center boasts some of the city's most recognizable buildings: the Cathedral, the Government Palace, the Degollado Theater, and the Cabañas Museum. You can also explore the San Juan de Dios Market and combine your visit with neighborhoods that showcase a more contemporary side of Guadalajara.
The Jalisco Tourism Secretariat includes the Historic Center, the Cathedral, the Hospicio Cabañas and the San Juan de Dios Market among the main points of the city's tourist routes.
At Para Viajar Por El Mundo we already have a specific guide with what to do in Guadalajara, useful for expanding this part of the trip.
Guadalajara also works well as a gateway because from there relatively short trips can be arranged to Tequila, Tlaquepaque, Chapala, Ajijic and Guachimontones.
Tequila and the agave fields
If there is one excursion that can summarize a good part of the identity of Jalisco, it is the one that leads to Tequila.
The town is surrounded by blue agave fields and distilleries where the Mexican beverage that bears its name is produced. Here, the experience is not just about tasting: it also allows you to learn how agave cultivation has shaped the landscape, economy, and regional culture for centuries.
The Agave Landscape and Ancient Industrial Facilities of Tequila has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 2006. The protected area comprises agave fields, old haciendas, distilleries and towns such as Tequila, El Arenal and Amatitán.Beaches and islands
In 2027, it remains one of the essential day trips from Guadalajara. Visit Mexico even includes a specific tourist route through Guadalajara, Tequila, and Puerto Vallarta.
In the town it is worth combining a visit to a distillery with a walking tour of the center and, if time allows, contemplating the agave landscape outside the urban area.
Tlaquepaque: crafts, gastronomy and mariachi
You don't have to go too far from Guadalajara to find another of the state's great attractions.Local and city guides
San Pedro Tlaquepaque is part of the metropolitan area and also holds the designation of Pueblo Mágico (Magical Town). Its identity is especially linked to artisan workshops, galleries, gastronomy, and mariachi music.
It's a good option for an afternoon or evening, especially for those who have only a few days and don't want to add another long journey.
From Guadalajara there are tourist routes that directly connect the city center with Tlaquepaque and allow you to visit its galleries and traditional spaces.Tourist destinations
You can see: Flights from Guadalajara to Barajas, Madrid
Puerto Vallarta: Jalisco facing the Pacific
Jalisco changes completely when you arrive in Puerto Vallarta. Here, the agave fields and large cities give way to beaches, tropical vegetation, and mountains that reach almost to the Pacific.
One of the classic routes is a stroll along the Malecón, a pedestrian promenade facing the sea where sculptures, galleries, restaurants, and shops coexist. The Romantic Zone, with its cobblestone streets, and beaches like Conchas Chinas and Las Gemelas are also worth exploring.Travel guides and journals
Puerto Vallarta works both for a complete vacation and to close an itinerary through Jalisco after Guadalajara and Tequila.
We have a specific guide of what to do in Puerto Vallarta with beaches, walks and excursions to extend your trip.
Ajijic and Lake Chapala
A completely different landscape appears south of Guadalajara. Ajijic is located on the shores of Lake Chapala, the largest lake in Mexico, and is one of Jalisco's Pueblos Mágicos (Magical Towns). Cobblestone streets, colorful houses, murals, galleries, and restaurants are a big part of its charm.Travel and transport
The plan can be as simple as walking along the boardwalk and having lunch overlooking the lake, although there are also boat trips and outdoor activities.
Visit Mexico estimates approximately one hour's travel time from Guadalajara, depending on your departure point and traffic. For someone spending several days in Guadalajara, Ajijic and Chapala are among the easiest day trips to incorporate.
Guachimontones: one of the most unique places to visit in Jalisco
Not everything in Jalisco revolves around tequila and colonial cities . In Teuchitlán lies the Guachimontones archaeological zone, known for its distinctive circular structures and conical bases. It is one of the most interesting pre-Hispanic sites in western Mexico.Demographic groups
The National Institute of Anthropology and History explains that the settlement reached its peak between approximately 100 BC and 450 AD, and highlights its unusual circular architecture. Furthermore, Guachimontones is part of the area designated by UNESCO as the Tequila Agave Landscape.
In 2026, INAH reports that the area is open from Thursday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., although it is advisable to double-check the hours before traveling because they may change.
Mazamitla and Tapalpa: mountain Jalisco
Anyone who imagines that Jalisco is only tequila and beaches is in for a surprise when they venture into its mountains.Beaches and islands
Mazamitla is located in the Sierra del Tigre mountain range and is one of the state's most popular mountain destinations. Forests, cabins, and adventure activities account for much of its appeal. The Ministry of Tourism highlights options such as hiking, mountain biking, rappelling, and zip-lining.
Tapalpa offers a similar profile and works particularly well as a weekend getaway.
These destinations are different from Guadalajara or Puerto Vallarta and are especially attractive for those who want to combine cities with nature during the same trip.Travel guides and journals
You can see the cheapest flights from Mexico City to Barcelona .
The 12 Magical Towns of Jalisco
Jalisco will have 12 Pueblos Mágicos (Magical Towns) in 2026, one of the highest numbers among Mexican states. The official list includes:
- Ajijic
- Cocula
- Lagos de Moreno
- Pet
- Mazamitla
- San Pedro Tlaquepaque
- San Sebastián del Oeste
- Sayula
- Talpa de Allende
- Tapalpa
- Tequila
- TemacapulÃn
Cocula, Sayula and TemacapulÃn were the last three to join, in 2023.Local and city guides
It's not necessary to try to see them all in one trip. For a first visit, Tequila, Tlaquepaque, and Ajijic are the easiest to combine with a trip to Guadalajara.
What to eat in Jalisco
Traveling through Jalisco also means encountering dishes that have transcended state borders. Birria, torta ahogada, and carne en su jugo are among the preparations most associated with Guadalajara and its surrounding areas. And, inevitably, there's tequila.Travel and transport
But there are regional differences. On the coast, for example, fish and seafood take center stage, while the various Pueblos Mágicos (Magical Towns) maintain their own unique dishes.
For those who want to better understand agave beverages , our explanation of the difference between tequila and mezcal may be a good internal link.
How to get to Jalisco
The two main air entry points for travelers are Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta. Guadalajara is more convenient for exploring the interior of the state, especially Tequila, Tlaquepaque, Chapala, Ajijic, and Guachimontones.Tourist destinations
Puerto Vallarta is the logical starting point for a beach-focused vacation. It's also possible to explore Jalisco by road from other Mexican states. Within the state itself, the distances make it advisable to plan your itinerary by region rather than always trying to return to Guadalajara.
How many days does it take to get to know Jalisco?
For a first visit, 5 to 7 days allows you to put together a fairly complete tour, although Jalisco has enough variety to dedicate much more time to it.Demographic groups
With five days, a balanced combination could dedicate two or three days to Guadalajara and Tlaquepaque, one to Tequila and another to Chapala-Ajijic or Guachimontones.
Adding Puerto Vallarta to your trip makes sense after a week or more. Official tourism promotions even propose itineraries in 2027 that connect Guadalajara, the Tequila region, and Puerto Vallarta.
If the main objective is the beaches, it's best to reverse the logic: fly to Puerto Vallarta, explore the coast and leave Guadalajara for another trip or a second stage.
Is Jalisco worth visiting?
Yes, especially if you're looking for a trip that combines culture, gastronomy, nature and beach without leaving the same state.
Jalisco brings together some of the most internationally recognized Mexican symbols, but reducing it to mariachi and tequila would be missing a small part of the experience.
Guadalajara offers the urban dimension; Tequila, the landscape and tradition; Puerto Vallarta, the Pacific; Chapala and Ajijic, a lakeside getaway; and places like Mazamitla or Guachimontones demonstrate that there is still much to discover beyond the most obvious circuits.
