The city of Guadalajara known as "The Pearl of the West", is a metropolis that offers all kinds of shows and entertainments; splendorous architecture; museums and galleries of art and history; picturesque parks and plazas; markets and shops full of arts and crafts; and hotels and restaurants where you can enjoy international food as well as Mexican food, while listening to the "mariachis".

Guadalajara is a very accessible city because of its highways, airports, and railroads. Because of all this, there are many international fairs and festivals held in Guadalajara, such as the International book Fair and the famous October Annual Fair.

Many U.S. and Canadian citizens have chosen to retire in Guadalajara and nearby Chapala, where there are English church services and clubs. There are two great medical schools and hospitals with bilingual staff.

Tlaquepaque, just 5 miles from the downtown area of Guadalajara is famous for its shopping. Most of the major shops are located in Calle Independencia, which is closed to traffic, so people can walk and shop without a problem. Tonala, Tlaquepaque's neighbor, 30 minute drive from downtown Guadalajara, is a small artisan town dedicated to pottery and some of the finest china is sold there. There are six thousand artisans living in Tonala. Its Thursday and Sunday street markets are famous, there are more than 2,000 vendors. The town of Tequila is also close to Guadalajara, where you can see how this famous Mexican drink is made. On Saturdays, you can take the Tequila Express to the Herradura distillery. The train includes lots of tequila tasting on board, mariachi music, folkloric dancing and a typical meal.