Flights from Des Moines (DSM) to Guadalajara (GDL) from USD249

Before you depart from Des Moines International Airport, make sure everything is in order for a smooth journey.

• Documentation: Ensure your valid U.S. passport is ready. For trips to Mexico under 180 days, you'll need to complete a tourist card (FMM), typically provided by your airline during the flight.
• Check-in and Boarding: Volaris recommends online check-in 72 hours before departure. Arrive at the airport at least two hours early for domestic connections and three hours for international flights to allow time for security and boarding procedures.
• Baggage: Review Volaris baggage policies before packing. Your fare may include a personal item, with options to add carry-on and checked luggage during booking or at the airport.
• What to do before your flight: Free WiFi is available throughout the terminal to stay connected.
• Weather: Guadalajara doesn’t swing wildly between seasons, which makes planning easy. You’ll usually get warm afternoons, cooler evenings, and a clear pattern of summer rains that show up later in the day. Late spring is often the hottest and driest-feeling window, while winter stays mild with noticeably cooler nights.

Your flight lands at Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla International Airport (GDL), located in Tlajomulco de Zúñiga, approximately 17 kilometers south of downtown Guadalajara.

Transportation from the Guadalajara airport includes authorized taxi services available at counters inside the terminal where prices are clearly listed. Apps for ride-sharing offer competitive rates depending on your destination zone. For budget-conscious travelers, airport shuttle services connect the terminal with various points in the city.

Accommodation options span the entire city. The historic center offers proximity to major attractions and colonial charm. Colonia Americana appeals to those seeking a trendy, artistic vibe with boutique stays and vibrant nightlife. Zapopan provides a more residential feel with access to shopping and cultural sites.

Guadalajara's culinary scene welcomes you with its signature dish, the torta ahogada—a pork sandwich drenched in spicy tomato sauce and served with diced onions and lime. Street vendors and established restaurants alike serve up authentic flavors that define the region.

Guadalajara bursts with history and culture, offering museums, parks, churches, bullfights, rodeos, and soccer alongside the sounds of mariachi music.

• Guadalajara Cathedral and Historic Center The Centro Histórico is flanked by four beautiful plazas, each with its own atmosphere, featuring some of the most architecturally delightful structures in the city, including the Cathedral and Teatro Degollado.
• Instituto Cultural Cabañas This World Heritage-listed Neoclassical former hospital and orphanage, built in the early 19th century, houses the Cabañas Cultural Institute and features 57 magnificent frescoes painted by José Clemente Orozco.
• Tlaquepaque Just outside Guadalajara, the small village of Tlaquepaque is a shopper's and art-lover's paradise, packed with galleries, boutiques, and restaurants, with a history rooted in pottery and sculpture tradition.
• Guadalajara Zoo The zoo is a top family attraction, known as one of Mexico's largest with over 2,000 animals from 360 species, boasting the biggest herpetarium in Latin America.
• Tequila Town Tequila was named a "Pueblo Mágico" by the Mexican government in 2003 and is known as the birthplace of the drink tequila. Day trips from Guadalajara allow you to tour distilleries and learn about the production process.

Guadalajara rewards those who take time to explore its layers. Here's a three-day plan to experience the city's highlights.

Day 1: Historic Immersion

• Visit the Government Palace to see Orozco's powerful murals depicting Mexican independence.
• Explore the Rotonda de los Jaliscienses Ilustres to learn about Jalisco's most famous figures.
• Wander through Mercado San Juan de Dios for local crafts, produce, and authentic street food.

Day 2: Art and Tradition

• Spend the morning at MUSA (Museo de las Artes) to appreciate contemporary and classical Mexican art.
• Take a stroll through Parque Colomos for a peaceful escape with forest paths and green spaces.
• Experience an evening of lucha libre wrestling for a taste of Mexican popular culture.

Day 3: Nearby Treasures

• Journey to Lake Chapala, Mexico's largest lake, for scenic views and waterfront dining.
• Explore the archaeological site of Guachimontones with its unique circular pyramids.
• Return to the city for a farewell dinner featuring regional specialties and live mariachi.

• Download offline maps before your trip to navigate Guadalajara's neighborhoods without relying on constant data connection.
• Learn basic Spanish phrases for ordering food and asking directions—locals appreciate the effort and it enhances your experience.
• Visit Tlaquepaque on weekdays to avoid weekend crowds and enjoy a more relaxed shopping experience.
• Guadalajara's tap water is purified at the source but can become contaminated through aging water lines, so stick to bottled water.
• Take advantage of Volaris's online check-in to save time at the airport and select your preferred seat in advance.