The Brooklyn
of Guadalajara is
Colonia Americana.

See the 24 venues →Where to stay
Coffee culture Nightlife Street food Galleries Walkable Emerging
The case for Colonia Americana

Colonia Americana is the coolest neighborhood in Guadalajara for after-midnight mezcal on Calle Marsella, corner elotes, and slow morning coffee.

Tree-lined streets full of early 20th-century mansions converted into mezcal bars and coffee shops. Colonia Americana keeps a different clock: nothing worth doing happens before 11am, and the real action on Calle Marsella starts after midnight. The architecture is gorgeous, the sidewalks are cracked, and every other corner has someone selling elotes.

Avenida Chapultepec runs half a mile through Colonia Americana, lined with mezcal bars and cocktail rooms - El Gallo Altanero anchors the strip, and natural-wine spots fill in between the converted mansions.
Close contenders

Other cool neighborhoods in Guadalajara.

Colonia Lafayette

Lafayette bleeds into Americana so seamlessly you won't know you've crossed over. Quieter residential streets, better bakeries, same walkability.

Santa Teresita

Santa Teresita is where tapatíos actually live. Saturday mornings at the tianguis are worth setting an alarm for. Real-deal neighborhood energy.

Chapultepec

Chapultepec centers on its long pedestrian avenue lined with bars and weekend street performers. Louder and more commercial, but the people-watching is unbeatable.

See the full shortlist, ranked →
Three sides of the neighborhood

Where to go in Colonia Americana.

01
Stay in Colonia Americana

Colonia Americana's best hotels are converted mansions on tree-lined streets where jasmine comes through the window at night.
02
Eat & Drink in Colonia Americana

Guadalajara drinks mezcal the way other cities drink wine.
03
Do & Shop in Colonia Americana

Start at MUSA for Orozco murals in a neoclassical building, free to enter and genuinely first-rate.
All 24 spots mapped out

Colonia Americana, corner to corner.

Open in Maps →
Our 24 top picks

The Colonia Americana guide.

Practical info

Good to know.

The boring numbers that decide whether you stay three days or four.

CurrencyMXN
LanguageSpanish
Cost level $$Moderate
Best monthsOctober to November and March to early May
Local time UTC-6
Plug type US plug · 127V/60Hz
Emergency911
Local tip
Go to Mezonte on Calle Argentina before hitting any mezcal bar. It'll change what you order for the rest of your trip.
Latin America · Mexico

If you like Guadalajara, try one of these.

Mexico City — Roma Norte
The Brooklyn of
Mexico City
Roma Norte
Mexico · Latin America
Buenos Aires — Villa Crespo
The Brooklyn of
Buenos Aires
Villa Crespo
Argentina · Latin America
Oaxaca — Barrio de Jalatlaco
The Brooklyn of
Oaxaca
Barrio de Jalatlaco
Mexico · Latin America
Málaga — Soho
The Brooklyn of
Málaga
Soho
Spain · Europe
Head to head

How does Guadalajara stack up?

All comparisons →

Guadalajara vs Mexico City

Latin America

Guadalajara vs Oaxaca

Latin America
Common questions

Things to know about Colonia Americana.

What is the Brooklyn of Guadalajara?
The Brooklyn of Guadalajara is Colonia Americana. Tree-lined streets full of early 20th-century mansions converted into mezcal bars and coffee shops. Avenida Chapultepec runs half a mile through Colonia Americana, lined with mezcal bars and cocktail rooms - El Gallo Altanero anchors the strip, and natural-wine spots fill in between the converted mansions.
What is the coolest neighborhood in Guadalajara?
Colonia Americana is widely considered the coolest neighborhood in Guadalajara. Tree-lined streets full of early 20th-century mansions converted into mezcal bars and coffee shops. Colonia Americana keeps a different clock: nothing worth doing happens before 11am, and the real action on Calle Marsella starts after midnight. The architecture is gorgeous, the sidewalks are cracked, and every other corner has someone selling elotes.
Where should I stay in Colonia Americana, Guadalajara?
The best boutique hotels in Colonia Americana include La Perla Hotel Boutique B&B, Ramë Hotel Boutique, and Monraz House, Hotel Boutique & Gallery. Five-room adults-only B&B on a calm stretch of Calle Prado, two minutes from Templo Expiatorio, with hosts Lars and Memo running things with obsessive personal care.
Is Colonia Americana in Guadalajara safe at night?
Yes, it's one of the more walkable and watched neighborhoods in Guadalajara, with steady foot traffic on the main avenues until late. Use normal city caution at night on quieter side streets, keep your phone out of sight when walking, and use Uber or Didi after midnight rather than hailing taxis off the street.
Is Guadalajara expensive?
Guadalajara sits in the mid-priced range, and Colonia Americana is comfortable without stretching a budget. Boutique hotels in converted mansions run roughly 2,000 to 4,500 pesos a night, and a nearby cafe breakfast costs 120 to 200 pesos. An Uber from the airport runs around 250 to 350 pesos.
When is the best time to visit Guadalajara?
Aim for October and November or March through early May, when days hold a dry 22-27°C under clear skies. Skip June to September, when heavy afternoon storms roll in, though you can still use the mornings. December and January nights turn cool, dropping toward 8°C, and April can spike into the low 30s right before the rains break.

Last updated

The dispatch

Want more cities like Guadalajara?

New cities and updated guides. Nothing else.