Handbook - Campus Guadalajara

Campus Guadalajara
Student Handbook
and Guide
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Index
1. Welcome
2. Getting to Mexico
a. Coming from the airport
b. Coming from the bus station
c. Check list
d. What to bring
e. Luggage
f. Housing
3. Official Procedures
a. Visa
b. Insurance
c. Driver’s License
d. Bank Information
4. Communications
a. Mail
b. Telephone
c. Cell Phones
5. About Mexico
a. Life
b. People
c. Hospitality
d. Weather
e. Religion
f. Holidays
g. Money/Expenses
h. Greetings
i. Tipping
j. Bargaining
k. Annual Events
6. About Guadalajara
a. Safety
b. Superstores
c. Convenience Stores
d. Malls
e. Markets
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f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
k.
l.
Cinema
Theatre
Museums
Restaurants
Traditional Food
Sports Events
Concerts
7. Getting Around
a. City Layout
b. Asking for directions
c. City Bus
d. Taxi Cabs
e. Subway
f. Expreso Tec
8. TEC Campus Guadalajara
a. How to get to Tec Campus Guadalajara
b. International Programs Office
c. Campus facilities
d. Offices
e. Cultural activities
f. Sports activities
g. Eating
9. Tourism and Travel
a. Places to visit
b. By Bus
c. By Airplane
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Welcome
Dear International Student,
The purpose of this handbook is to provide you with general information about your stay in
Guadalajara, Mexico and the ITESM University (also known as Tec de Monterrey, or just
Tec).
You will find not only information about school procedures and regulations, but also general
tips for adapting to the Mexican culture and the city’s customs. You will find tips about how
to travel throughout the city, how to understand people and deal with them, and where to
go if you need help. You will learn about places to visit, Mexican holidays, weather, safety
tips, etc.
First, we suggest you to take an overall look at the handbook so you know what info you
may find in it. It is better to read it completely before you get to Mexico since you will find
tips about the preparation for your journey and you can also get an idea of what you will
have to deal with in the near future. If you are already in Mexico, it will help you adapt
faster to the city, and also give you ideas for your everyday life. After you read it, keep it as
a reference in case you come across a situation in which the handbook can prove useful (a
trip, school procedures, places to hangout, etc.). In addition to this handbook, remember
you can always count with the International Programs Office staff in case you need help.
Remember to keep an open mind during your stay in Mexico, since this is the best way of
learning the most about new cultures. Be respectful to people and you will always find a
helping hand around here.
Good luck in your new adventure!
Sincerely,
International Programs Office Staff
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Getting to Mexico
Remember you must attend the Orientation Week
Coming from the airport
If you chose the Home Stay Program as your housing option, a member of your
host family will go welcome you at the airport.
Taxi
Otherwise, the fastest way to come from the airport is by taxi, although it can be a little
expensive since it is located 16 kilometres from the city of Guadalajara. The transfer time
from the centre of Guadalajara to the terminal is 35 minutes approximately.
If you decide on this option, remember to buy the ticket at the taxi stands inside the airport.
They are located both at the national and international arrivals exits.
The approximate rates for a car (up to 4 persons) are:
Airport to TEC, rate is approx. $350 (south to north) pesos
Airport to Midtown rate is approx. $280 pesos
Bus
Rates: from 7 to 12 pesos, according to the type of bus you take. These buses pass each
half hour in front of the airport.
An alternative option can be "Shuttle Gdl". This company offers shared ground
transportation from the Airport to the Minerva area.
The approximate rate for a one-way trip is $90.00 pesos per person.
From the airport, shuttles depart every 30 minutes from 5:00 am to 00:30 am
From the Minerva area, shuttles depart every 30 minutes from 4:30 am to 00:00 am
The meeting point at the airport is located at the national arrivals exit, beside the restaurant
“Wings”.
The meeting point at the Minerva area is located in Av. López Mateos Norte #337,
intersection with Av. México, beside a radio station.
Coming from the bus station
The best option is to request a taxi cab or an Uber.
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Checklist
Do not forget
 Passport & visa
 Letters of acceptance from the school
 Home/hotel/residence hall/family address and phone number
 School phone number
 Personal Items
What to Bring
Clothes
 June – September
Light clothes, an umbrella or raincoat.
 December – March
Sweaters and jackets.
The rest of the months have a perfect weather, not too hot, not too cold.
Items
 Laptop – If you have one (there is Wi-Fi all around campus)
 Electricity adapter (110 V) – If you don’t have an adapter, you can buy it in
Guadalajara at Wall-Mart, Steren, or Radio Shack.
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Traditional items from your home country – If you’re taking a Spanish course, since
there will be a project involving them.
Luggage
We suggest you verify with the airline the allowed number of baggage, weight and
dimensions in order to avoid paying overweight – believe us, you’ll want to bring lots of
souvenirs back home.
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Housing
Housing in Guadalajara is not as difficult as some may think. You just need to be aware of
certain aspects in which to base your decision when choosing a place to live.
We offer two different options for housing international students:
1. The Home Stay Program.
2. Student dorms inside the Campus or off Campus (just in front).
Otherwise, you’ll have to look for housing on your own.
Home Stay Program
It is designed for students who wish to stay within hosts that have met the requirements of
the International Programs Office and share their customs and values.
It is also the most convenient option for practicing your Spanish.
To find out more about this program, please contact: ip.gdl@servicios.itesm.mx
Residence Hall
Tec de Monterrey Campus Guadalajara, offers student dorms (called “Residencias”).
 You can choose to pay one semester or a year at an acceptable price.
 If you decide to cancel the contract after being enrolled to Residencias, you will
have to pay a fine.
ATTENTION: There are some important regulations that you must be aware of before
applying to the Residence Hall:
1. It is forbidden to introduce alcohol or drugs even inside the rooms (except for
cigarettes, but you cannot smoke indoors),
2. Or entering the building under the effects of any drugs or in a state of inebriation.
You may get a misbehaviour report, and if you get two of these you may be expelled
from the residence hall.
3. Men and women are separated into two buildings and there is always a person
guarding the entrance, as well as security cameras inside the elevators and in the
hallways – it is not allowed to introduce people of opposite genders to your room.
If you can deal with these rules you can have a comfortable stay at the Residence Hall. If
not, we suggest you look for housing outside of campus.
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To check prices, enrolment process, regulations, and more information, please check out
the Residence Hall web page at: http://www.gda.itesm.mx/residencias/
Self-housing
Because of the closeness to TEC and its security, we suggest finding a place in zones 1, 4 and
5 (follow the link on the map). TEC is located in zone 5, and most of the city’s cool day and
nightlife happen in these three zones.
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We strongly recommend you NOT to live near downtown NOR the Chapultepec area, since
the ride can last around 1 hour. Consider classes may start as early as 7:00 am and finish as
late as 10:00 pm.
The following neighbourhoods are located in nice areas of the city where you can find a nice
apartment or house. We recommend you look into this list due to commodities, location,
prices, accessibility and security.
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Autónoma
Camino Real
Colinas de San Javier
Country Club
Jardines Guadalupe
La Estancia
Lomas del Bosque
Lomas Universidad
Plaza México
Prados Tepeyac
Providencia
Rinconada Santa Rita
Valle Real
Atlas Colomos
Hacienda de Tepeyac
Lomas de Zapopan
Solares
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Arcos Vallarta
Chapalita
Colomos Providencia
Jardines del Bosque
Jardines Universidad
Ladrón de Guevara
Lomas del Valle
Los Cubos
Gran Plaza
Prados Vallarta
Puerta de Hierro
Univa
Altamira
Cuidad Granja
Jardín Real
Seattle
 Examples of search engines:
www.roomslikehome.com
www.guadalajarastudenthousing.com
Costs
A regular apartment
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two bedrooms
one bathroom
kitchen
dining room
living room
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= $5,000 to $7,000 Mexican pesos.
Take into consideration that:
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 These prices may vary according to the area, number of rooms, if it is unfurnished,
etc.
 Most owners ask for a one or two months deposit, which has to be paid by the time
the contract is signed. This deposit will be given back at the end of the contract,
unless there were damages previously unregistered in the building.
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Tecnológico de Monterrey cannot be involved in any kind of negotiations between
the landlord and the tenant, nor can we serve as co-signer for the rental agreement;
we can only give a written proof of the student’s enrolment in the Institute.
Keywords
Amueblado – Furnished; we recommend you to always look for a furnished apartment
Arrendar, Alquilar – Same as “rentar”: To rent
Bonitos Acabados – Materials inside the place like wood, paint, steel well done
Cochera – Garage
Cocina Integral – Kitchen with all facilities included
Col. / Colonia – Neighbourhood
Comparto – I share
Coto – Enclosed neighbourhood, usually very expensive
Cuarto de Servicio – Laundry room
De lujo – Luxury
Dep. / Departamento – Apartment
Esq. / Esquina – Corner
Estacionamiento – Parking Lot
Flete – Freight
Inlcuye servicios – Electricity, water and gas are included in the rent price
Jal. / Jalisco – State of Jalisco
Rento – I rent
Tanque Estacionario – Gas tank installed. It’s recommended to have these types of tanks
Tel. / Teléfono – Telephone, device or number.
Vigilancia – Place that has special security hired for surveillance over the neighbourhood
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Official Procedures
Visa
Please verify your visa requirements with the Mexican Consulate or Embassy in your country
and on the following link, since the National Immigration Institute (INM) could modify those
requirements without previous notice and because regulations might vary per country:
http://www.inm.gob.mx/index.php/page/Tramites_LM
You can search for the closest Consulate or the Embassy in the site of the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs (Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores) at: http://www.sre.gob.mx/
When you contact the Consulate or Embassy, please ask for a STUDENT visa even if you’re
coming for less than 180 days. This will facilitate the extension of your stay in case you
decide to study another semester with us; otherwise, you’ll have to leave the country and
come back again.
If you’re coming for more than 180 day you absolutely need a Student Visa.
The Mexican Consulates and Embassies around the world are the only immigration
authorities that can issue this kind of visas; you cannot obtain the student status once
you’re in Mexico.
The Mexican government requires that all international students have a valid FMM (Forma
Migratoria Múltiple / Multiple Immigration Form), while studying in Mexico.
This is the document you will get in the airport at the immigration point regardless you
already have a visa or not. The law states that you must retain this document and present
it at your departure from the country.
Upon arrival to México, the Multiple Immigration Form (FMM) has to be filled in correctly,
as indicated in the image below.
Each time it asks for the “Tipo de Viaje / Purpose of trip” please be sure to select the option
“Otro/Other” and when the migration officer asks you why other, just say you are a
STUDENT and show your acceptance letter.
Please be sure that you do not select the option Turismo / Tourism because this might
cause some troubles with further administrative processes.
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After verifying everything is right, the immigration officer will grant you access to our
country and give you back the detachable part of the form. Please verify that the officer
has checked the option “Visitante Actividad NO remunerada” at the Uso Oficial section.
After receiving this document and before 30 days have passed from your arrival, you will
have to change the Student Visa for a Temporary Resident Card at the National Immigration
Institute.
All students must provide the International Programs Office with a photocopy of a valid
migratory document (FMM/FM3/Tarjeta de Residente Temporal) in order to receive a
transcript.
Considerations
Documents you may need to bring:
 Economic solvency proof (in case you didn’t get a Student Visa).
You can bring bank statements or notarized letter from your parents or your
financial aid proof. In this case you’ll also need a copy of your parents official IDs
(passport preferably).
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During the Orientation Week you can ask for advice on immigration processes.
Insurance
At Campus Guadalajara it is MANDATORY for all international students to
be covered by the Health Insurance plan offered by our institution; it is the
only insurance we can accept, WITHOUT EXCEPTION.
The insurance company is Royal & Sun Alliance. They have designed a special policy for our national
and international students that includes: Travel Assistance and Insurance, Emergency Health
Assistance and Insurance, Repatriation of Remains and Civil Liability, among others.
All international students will be insured as a group by the International Programs Office
COST
Semester = $365 US dollars
Students will have to make this payment in Mexican pesos during the first weeks of classes.
COVERAGE
Semester = August 1st – December 12th, 2015
If you wish to be insured from a previous date or remain protected after the initially established
dates, the cost for the extra days will be added to the original price. It is not possible to be insured
for fewer days than the ones already established.
All students will receive a brief guide on how to proceed in case of needing medical
assistance.
Students who wish to remain protected after the initially established date can ask for the
procedure during the Orientation Week.
Driver’s License
Mexican Driver’s License
If you want to acquire a Mexican driver’s license you must go to:
Secretaria de Movilidad
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Av. Alcalde 1351 (at the intersection with Av. Circunvalación División del Norte)
Colonia Jardines Alcalde, C.P. 44290
Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.
You must bring the following documents in original and photocopy:
 FMM (and Student Visa if you have it)
 Passport
 Knowledge of blood type
 A receipt or bill with your Mexican address on it (bank statement, phone bill,
electricity bill, gas bill, departmental store statement).
www.jalisco.gob.mx/es/tramites/4828
Cost
Approximately $452.00 MXN
Tests
 A practical one to test your driving skills,
 A written one to test your knowledge on the traffic laws and common driving
manners (you must prepare for the written exam by reading the traffic laws for the
state of Jalisco),
 A sight test to determine if you must wear glasses when driving.
International Driver’s License
You are allowed to drive in Mexico if you own an International Driver’s License. To acquire
one no test is required, but you must have a valid Driver’s License from your home country
and be 18 years old or over.
Keywords
Pasaporte – Passport
Forma – Form (document)
Trámite – Procedure
Estudiante – Student
Turista – Turist
Visa – Visa
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Oficina – Office
Oficina de Migración – Immigration Office
Licencia de Conducir – Driver’s license
Auto – Car
Recibo – Bill
Bank info
Bank Loans
It’s quite difficult to get a loan to finance your studies here in Mexico if you’re a foreign
student. If you don’t have a working permission you won’t be allowed to have any lucrative
activity.
Bank Accounts
To open an account you will need:
 A student visa
 A proof of a valid address (no receipt will be accepted, only bills as gas or electricity)
Types of accounts you can open:
 Savings account
 Credit Card account
 Checks account (although they’re not very common here)
Exchanging money (rates, institutions/banks, contacts)
You can exchange money in Banks and Exchange agencies.
List of banks with branches in Guadalajara:
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BBVA Bancomer – www.bancomer.com
Banamex / Citibank – www.banamex.com
Banorte – www.banorte.com
Santander – www.santander.com.mx
HSBC – www.hsbc.com.mx
Scotiabank – www.scotiabank.com.mx
IXE – www.ixe.com.mx
Bansi – www.bansi.com
Banco del Bajío – www.bb.com.mx
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Banregio – https://portal.banregio.com/
Inbursa – www.bancoinbursa.com
Banco de México (Central Bank) – www.banxico.org.mx
Keywords
Banco – Bank
Casa de Cambio – Exchange Agencies
Financiamiento – Financing
Cuenta – Bank Account
Tipo de cambio – Exchange rate
Dinero – Money
Tarjeta de Crédito – Credit card
Pago – Payment
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Communications
Mail
Correos de México
National Post Service http://www.sepomex.gob.mx
 It is not very efficient and it is very slow. Its use is recommended only for letters
(not packages), which are not urgent.
 You can buy postal stamps at any Mexican Post Office, most of which are located at
Alcalde Avenue (downtown).
To check more offices go to:
http://www.sepomex.gob.mx/ServiciosLinea/Paginas/copostales.aspx
Courier service
To send packages or any important document, it is always recommended to use a courier
service such as Federal Express (FedEx), UPS, DHL, or Estafeta (only inside Mexico). All of
these are easy to find in malls and commercial areas.
The International Programs Office provides express mail reception services. This is limited
to receiving official documents, envelopes or small packages with emergency purposes
only. To receive mail provide this information:
Mail Address:
<Student’s Name>/ Tec de Monterrey Campus Guadalajara
Programas Internacionales
Av. General Ramón Corona 2514.
Colonia Nuevo México.
45201. Zapopan, Jalisco. México.
Check with the secretary at the International Programs Office to find out if your mail has
arrived. Please note that the International Programs Office is not responsible for damaged
or lost mail.
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Telephone
Local Phone Numbers
Local numbers in Guadalajara are formed by 8 digits. Example: 3621-0244. The number of
digits can change depending on the city you are in.
National Calls
To make a call to other cities or states in Mexico, you must first dial:
 The code for national calls (01),
 Followed by the city code (example: 33 for Guadalajara),
 And finally the local number in the city.
Example, calling from Mexico City to a local number in Guadalajara:
 01-33-3621-0244 (national code + city code + phone number)
Cell-Phone Numbers
All cell-phone numbers in Mexico are formed with 13 digits:
 Land-line to cell-phone
Cell-phone prefix + City Code + Cell-phone number
(example: 044-33-10921908).
 Cell-phone to cell-phone
No need to dial 044
A common practice is to give only the cell-phone number without 044.
 Long Distance land-line to cell-phone
Replace the (044) prefix for the code for national cell-phone calls (045).
Example, 045-33-38441923.
International Calls
 Dial 00 + Country code + Phone Number
Calling Mexico from Other Countries
 Mexico’s Country Code (52) + City Code + Phone
Example: +52-33-36693014
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Calling a Mexican cell-phone number from other countries
 Mexico’s Country Code (52) + 1 + City Code + Phone
Example: +52-1-33-36693014
Public Telephones
In order to make a call from a public telephone you need to buy a prepaid card called
LADATEL. These LADATEL cards can be found in most convenience stores such as Oxxo, 711, Wal-Mart, Soriana, etc.
Cell-phones
Having a local cell-phone number will make your stay in Guadalajara a lot easier.
We recommend you either buy a new cell phone, which will cost from $400 pesos and over,
or just buy a Mexican Chip for your phone, which costs around $150 pesos. The company
that has a better and wider service is TELCEL. Please visit their web page for further
information: http://www.telcel.com
Keywords
Teléfono - phone Number
Marcar – to dial
Teléfono público – Phone booth
Celular – Cell phone
Clave lada –Area code
Paquete –Package
Enviar- To send
Entrega –Delivery
Impuesto – Tax
Estampilla-Postal
Sobre –Envelope
Carta – Letter
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About Mexico
Mexico's culture is rich in history, and is firmly based in family, religion, people and
tradition. Mexicans are very proud people – proud of their heritage and proud of their
accomplishments. They know that there is a lot to be done to make Mexico better, and
they will criticize lots of different things about it, but they are still very patriotic.
Family is a central theme in Mexico, and a cornerstone of their culture. It is not unusual for
3 or sometimes 4 generations of family to meet up for afternoon lunch, sit around the table,
talk, gossip, laugh and joke with each other. This is not a special event: this is the usual
family life. On weekends, parks, museums, and local attractions are packed with families
enjoying their free time together.
Spanish is the official language in Mexico. Unlike other countries, you won’t find much
people who speak English in Mexico. It is always necessary to speak and understand Spanish
when asking for directions to people in the streets, or negotiating prices with taxi cabs for
example.
Life
Generally speaking, Mexico's pace of life is slower than most other countries: especially in
comparison to their major cities. Things are promised, but not always delivered at the
promised time (ranging from the new table you ordered to the gardener showing up!), this
can be frustrating, but once you understand that this is part of the culture you will probably
relax into it. Adjust to the calmer rhythm that exists in Mexico.
People here will rather be absolute diplomats, than to give you a straight "yes/no" answer.
This makes everyday situations, as well as business negotiations, different to those in other
countries: commitment is possible, but not in the way you would get it back home. There
is a saying that in Mexico, 'yes means no and no means maybe'. This is a very good analogy
of the way Mexican culture deals with the concept of truth: things are not immediately clear
cut here.
People
Mexican people are very warm and friendly, especially in smaller communities, where they
will make you feel welcome and help you in any way they can. Guadalajara is no exception.
It will be easy for you to meet many people and make lots of new friends.
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Mexican people love foreign cultures, and they love to hear about different people and
places. The more effort you make to integrate yourself into their communities and their
way of life; the more receptive they will be to you, and they will appreciate the fact that
you have made the effort to do so.
Hospitality
Mexican people are very welcoming to foreign people. You may often be invited for lunch
or dinner to their houses. They will refer to their houses as “your house” as a form of
courtesy. Most of the time, they will be eager to help you in any way they can, and
sometimes you won’t even have to ask for help, because they will offer before you do.
Weather
The city is known for having a great weather, sometimes considered by some as “near
perfect”.
 Summer and winter are very mild.
 Afternoon showers are present almost every day in summer months, from mid-June
to early October.
 May is the hottest month of the year.
 July and August have the strongest storms. Usually, rain only lasts 2 or 3 hours, after
that it becomes sunny again.
Here are Guadalajara’s average temperatures:
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
HIGH °F/°C
75 / 23
79 / 26
85 / 29
87 / 30
90 / 32
89 / 31
80 / 26
83 / 27
83 / 28
82 / 27
74 / 24
73 / 22
LOW °F/°C
41 / 05
45 / 07
50 / 11
54 / 12
55 / 14
61 / 16
61 / 16
59 / 15
59 / 15
59 / 15
50 / 10
49 / 11
http://www.pricetravel.com.mx/guadalajara/clima
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Religion
There is no official religion in Mexico, since the constitution guarantees separation of church
and state. However, Roman Catholicism is practiced by more than 90 per cent of the
population.
The shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe, the nation's patron saint, is located in Mexico City
which is the site of annual pilgrimage for hundreds of thousands of believers.
Mexican people are catholic and yet, tend to have a lot of supernatural beliefs. A large
number of people in Mexico still go to church, and it is common to see the Christian Crucifix
and images of the Virgin of Guadalupe in people's houses, public buildings, offices, cars,
taxis and buses.
Holidays
On Mexican Holidays, most schools, banks, and government offices are closed. So, it is
always advised to keep in mind these days when making plans.
The official holidays are:
January 1 – New Year Day
February 5 – Constitution Day (day off: 1st Monday of the month)
March 21 – Anniversary of Benito Juarez birth (day off: 3rd Monday of the month)
May 1 – Labour Day
September 16 – Independence Day
November 20 – Mexican Revolution’s Day (day off: 3rd Monday of the month)
December 25 – Christmas Day
Expenses
In Mexico, the cost of living can be generally lower than it is in other countries, although a
growing range of items (especially clothing, audio/visual items, technology, software,
cameras, and some luxury goods) are less expensive in the USA.
Food and housing is usually not really expensive, but wages and salaries tend to be lower in
Mexico than in other countries, and big-ticket 'luxury' goods like cars, jewellery, designer
fashion and so on can be the same price and in some circumstances, more expensive than
you would pay back home.
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Sales taxes apply to all products and services; the rate is 16% of the price of the product.
This tax is called I.V.A. (Impuesto al Valor Agregado). As a difference to other countries, you
don’t have to worry about calculating the total tax for the product you are buying since
most prices you see in stores already have the I.V.A. included (unless it says they have not).
Greetings
Mexican people are high contact people. They greet each other by hugging and kissing in
the cheek (women only). When a man greets another man they usually shake hands and
give a brief hug if they are very close friends.
Tipping
Tipping is a common practice in Mexico. At bars and restaurants the usual tip percentage
is 10% or 15%, however, if you are not satisfied with the service, you don’t have to tip. You
may also tip the bell boy at the hotel and at the airport. We don’t usually tip taxi drivers,
but you may if you want to.
Bargaining
In outdoors markets, they announce a price higher than the one they intend to sell for.
People are expected to negotiate a cheaper price which can be up to 30% less than the
original price.
Annual Events
Independence Day takes place the night of September 15. People gather around in bars or
in the downtown plaza, and at midnight the president and local governors climb to the
balconies in many governmental buildings to do what we call ‘El Grito’, which is basically a
representation of when Father Miguel Hidalgo gave the speech that started the
independence movement. Usually this night people drink a lot, so take a little more caution
than usual when traveling at night on the street, this night is about freedom, tequila, and
pure folklore.
Day of the Dead. This event takes place on November 2nd, and it’s celebrated by preparing
‘Altares de Muerto’. These are little altars decorated with flowers, decorative paper in
orange and purple mostly, and food offerings. They are usually dedicated to a member of
the family that passed away, or to a famous person. In Guadalajara, the most important
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venue for this celebration is the ‘Panteón de Belen’, which is located 10 minutes away from
the Degollado Theatre, on the Belen Street, next door to the morgue. Being the oldest
cemetery in the city (closed in 1874), it has a lot of legends. During the month of November,
they offer night tours of the cemetery and its legends, followed by a play about death called
‘Don Juan Tenorio’.
The Cervantino International Festival in Guanajuato is the most important cultural and
artistic event in Mexico and Latin America. It has been held in the same city 35 times and
it gathers over 2,400 artists from 27 countries around the world. It’s an excellent
opportunity to enjoy the best in music, dance, theatre, visual arts and film; as well as to
meet people from all over Mexico and the world and party with them until sunrise. This
Festival is held in October, but if you wish to attend you need to make hotel reservations at
least 2 months beforehand. For more information please visit their official website at:
www.festivalcervantino.gob.mx
The October Festival (Fiestas de Octubre) in Guadalajara is the largest and most important
cultural festival in the city. Its main venue is the Auditorio Benito Juárez, where you will
find handcrafts, rides, games, art displays, an extreme sports section, food court and two
concert halls. The main concert hall, located at the centre of the Auditorio, presents a circus
show two times a day and a free concert by a famous artist every night. The Palenque, hosts
a cock fight and a concert by an internationally famous singer at a cheap price every night.
In additions there are plays and art displays all over the city. For more information and a
calendar of events, please visit the webpage: www.fiestasdeoctubre.com.mx
In December the Feria Internacional del Libro (FIL) takes place, and is the most important
International Book Faire in Latin America. It is organized by the University of Guadalajara.
The goal of FIL is to get the book professionals and exhibitors that are attending an optimum
business environment and a reading public eager to know the authors and acquire the latest
market developments. Since 1993, the FIL has a country or area as the guest of honour, to
show the best of his literary and cultural. Since that time the guests of honour were:
Colombia (1993), USA (1994), Venezuela (1995), Canada (1996), Argentina (1997), Puerto
Rico (1998), Chile (1999), Spain (2000), Brazil (2001), Cuba (2002), Quebec (2003), Catalan
Culture (2004), Peru (2005), Andalusia (2006), Colombia (2007), Italy (2008), etc.
www.fil.com.mx
Keywords
Antro – Night Club
Bebida – Drink
Cena – Dinner
Fiesta – Party
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Aventón (also ride) – Ride
Concierto – Concert
Tocada – Small band concert
Cine – Movie theatre
Película – Movie
Periódico - Newspaper
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About Guadalajara
 Location: west-centre part of Mexico
 Altitude: 1567m above sea level.
 Capital of the State of Jalisco
It is the second largest city in the country.
With an area of more than 500Km2, Guadalajara’s metro area is formed by 4 main
municipalities: Guadalajara, Zapopan, Tlaquepaque, and Tonalá. The city is located within
Central Time Meridian (-6 GMT). It’s only about 500km away from Mexico City, and about
300kms from the pacific coast line.
Guadalajara is known worldwide for its traditional hospitality, with a wide variety of cultural
and recreational attractions and delicious cuisine. But most of all, it is known for its people.
More than just a city, it represents Mexican culture with its folklore, the renowned
Mariachi, handcrafts, tequila and the national sport, ‘Charrería’. Few cities can offer such a
variety of interesting things to see and do, involving the visitors in a cultural, historical and
legendary atmosphere.
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Safety
Guadalajara’s crime rate is relatively low for a city of its size. We recommend taking some
basic precautions. As you would do on any big city, be discreet when wearing expensive
jewellery, keep an eye for people you do not trust, do not walk alone at night especially in
dark or unoccupied areas.
A note about local policemen: There is a wide variety of ways that policemen do their job.
You will find the nicest policeman who is willing to help you, as well as the corrupt police
officer who is trying to take advantage of you. As you drive or walk on the street, if officers
think you look suspicious, they can ask you to stop and check your belongings so they can
be sure you are not carrying drugs, guns, or any illegal stuff. This won’t happen often, in
fact it may never happen to you, but just in case, try to be cooperative and respectful with
the local policemen whenever they approach you.
Superstores
These are big shops where you’ll find all you need: food, clothes, tools and electrical devices,
books and pens, toiletries, etc. The most common and easy to find are:
 Wal-Mart
 Bodega Aurrera
 Superama
 Soriana
 Waldos dollar mart
Special Stores
These are convenience and warehouse stores specialized for example in tools, office
supplies, medicines, body care, etc. Among the best known you will find:
 Farmacias Guadalajara (open 24/7)
 Oxxo
 7-11
 Sam’s Club
 Costco
 Office Depot
 Office Max
 Home Price
 Home Depot
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Malls
These are places where you will find lots of individual boutiques of all types: clothes,
perfumes, shoes, music, movies, fast food, etc. The main “plazas” are:
CENTRO MAGNO
GRAN PLAZA
PLAZA AMÉRICAS
PLAZA AMISTAD
PLAZA PABELLÓN
PLAZA GALERÍAS
PLAZA DEL SOL
PLAZA CORDILLERAS
PLAZA LOS ARCOS
PLAZA MÉXICO
PLAZA PATRIA
PLAZA UNIVERSIDAD
PLAZA ANDARES
PLAZA CIUDADELA
PLAZA TERRANOVA
PLAZA MILENIUM
Av. Vallarta, n°2425
Av. Vallarta n°3225
Av. Las Américas y Manuel Acuña
Av. Patria y Naciones Unidas
Av. Patria y Acueducto
Av. Vallarta y Av. Rafael Sanzio
Av. Mariano Otero y Av. López Mateos Sur
Av. Manuel Clouthier y Av. Patria
Av. Vallarta n°2440
Av. México n°3300
Av. Patria y Manuel Avila Camacho
Av. Patria y Pablo Neruda
Blvd. Puerta de Hierro 4965 Fracc. Plaza
Andares CP 45116 Zapopan, Jalisco
Labna No. 1437 Col. Jardines del Sol CP
45050 Zapopan, Jalisco (33) 36-31-82-71
Manuel Acuña 2929 Col. Providencia CP
44600 Guadalajara, Jalisco Tel: (33) 3642
0773 / (33) 3647 7314
Categoría: Plaza Av. López Mateos Sur 2375
Col. Ciudad del Sol CP 45050 Zapopan,
Jalisco Tel: (33) 3631 4121 / (33) 3631 2852
Markets
These are places in which you will find all you need (especially handcrafts) at very good
prices. The main markets are:
 Mercado Libertad (best known as San Juan de Dios, Downtown)
 Tianguis Cultural (hippie/hipster) only Saturdays from 9 am to 4 pm. (Av.Alcalde and
Washington) next to “Parque Agua Azul”
 Tonalá (handcrafts)
 Tlaquepaque (handcrafts)
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Cinema
If you are looking for the latest Hollywood movie, or most commercial films, Cinepolis
Cinemex or Cinemark are the way to go. You will find them inside almost any shopping mall.
If you’d like to see something more alternative, pay a visit to the ‘Cineforo’, which is the
official cinema theatre of the University of Guadalajara.





Cinepolis http://www.cinepolis.com.mx
Cineforo universitario http://www.cineforo.udg.mx
Cinemex http://cinemex.com/
Cinemark http://www.cinemark.com.mx
Multicinemas http://www.multicinemas.com.mx
Theatre
The two main theatres in Guadalajara are the ‘Teatro Degollado’, and ‘Teatro Diana’. Teatro
Degollado is located at Downtown Guadalajara. It’s the oldest and most important theatre
in Guadalajara. It is often used as a concert hall for different types of events ranging from
classical music to renowned singers concerts.
Teatro Diana is located on Av. 16 de Septiembre, about 10 minutes away from downtown.
It was recently renovated and now hosts a wide variety of events, from Broadway plays to
concerts from national and international performers. Please visit their website for more
information on future events: www.teatrodiana.com
Museums
Museo Regional de Guadalajara:
It became a museum in 1810, after being a military base and a catholic priest’s seminary. It
has 14 rooms with archaeological and rustic art displays. Its most popular display is the
bones of a mammoth found in the area. It’s located downtown at: Liceo 60, in the corner
with Av. Hidalgo.
Museo de Arte de Zapopan:
It hosts various art displays from national and international artist. It was recently renovated
and is quickly becoming one of the people’s favourites. It located in downtown Zapopan,
at: Andador 20 de Noviembre 166.
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Museo Trompo Mágico:
This is an interactive museum for children. It has six exhibition rooms with permanent
displays, where kids are free to touch and play while learning about art, culture and science.
It’s located at: Av. Central 750. Residencial Poniente.
Casa Museo "José Clemente Orozco"
Opened in November 1951, was created by Margarita Valladares in order to show the life
and work of her husband, who lived in this house in her last stay in Guadalajara. In this
museum you can see a legacy of Jose Clemente Orozco's mural "The Good Life" (mural
removable) which was painted in early 1945, for an exclusive French club called "Turf Club".
Casa Museo "José López Portillo"
La Casa Museo Lopez Portillo offers a permanent exhibit of antique furniture, while not
belonged to the family named above, they set ornamental styles of yesteryear. The
museum offers visitors guided tours (by appointment), plays, recitals, exhibitions and book
presentations.
Wax Museum
The wax museum displays more than 100 figures representing historical figures, athletes,
national and international actors. Some of the characters immortalized in wax are: Vicente
Fox, Vicente and Alejandro Fernandez, Salma Hayek, Ana Gabriela Guevara, Juan Francisco
Palencia, Cantinflas, Porfirio Diaz, Benito Juárez, Antonio Banderas, Brad Pitt, Gandhi,
Yasser Arafat and many more.
Restaurants
Since restaurants, bars and night clubs may vary from time to time; our recommendation is
to get in contact with the local students to learn about the current popular restaurants, bars
or night clubs.
Getting in contact with local or international students which have been in Mexico before is
useful. They can share tips about which days you can get discounts at different places,
about what kind of ambient of each place has or simply about where to go.
Traditional Food
The state of Jalisco is gastronomically speaking very rich. There are many Fondas around
Guadalajara, where you should try traditional food, such as:
 Tortas Ahogadas
 Birria
 Pozole
 Tacos
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 Jericalla
 Carne en su jugo
Sport Events
Guadalajara has three major soccer stadiums: ‘Estadio Jalisco’, ‘Estadio 3 de marzo’ and
‘Estadio Omnilife’. Being soccer the main sport practiced all over Mexico, these stadiums
are the main option to enjoy a sport event, which take place many times a month.
Concerts
Guadalajara has recently become a must-stop city for many artists and bands that include
our city in their tours. If you want to check the complete offering we suggest you visit
www.ticketmaster.com.mx
 You will also find other cultural activities in the Ticketmaster agenda.
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Getting Around
City Layout
Guadalajara is divided into 4 sectors: Sector Hidalgo, Sector Juarez, Sector Libertad and
Sector Independencia. They are divided by the avenues ‘Calzada Independencia’ and ‘Av.
Vallarta’ (also known as ‘Av. Juarez’ after crossing Av. Federalismo to the east). These
avenues are very important and we recommend you memorize their names and know their
location. Some other important avenues that will help you understand the city layout are:
North to South avenues (parallel to Calzada Independencia):
 Av. Patria
 Av. López Mateos
 Av. Américas
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


Av. Chapultepec
Av. Federalismo
Av. Alcalde ( Av. 16 de Septiembre in the south part)
West to East avenues (parallel to Av. Vallarta):
 Av. Hidalgo
 Av. México
 Av. López Cotilla
 Av. Mariano Otero
 Av. Manuel Acuña
 Av. La Calma
 Av. Guadalupe
 Av. Lázaro Cárdenas
Downtown Guadalajara (‘El Centro’) is located at the crossing of Av. Juarez with Av. 16 de
Septiembre. Av. ‘Calzada Independencia’ marks the limit between downtown Guadalajara
and the places we do not recommend visiting.
If we could divide the city into the east and the west areas, the avenue that would set this
limit is ‘Calzada Independencia’. Most of your daily activities shall be performed in the west
side of the city, as it is more secure and has more to offer: universities and schools, malls,
museums, theatres, cinemas, etc.
The best point of reference for your daily activities is ‘La Minerva’, which is a fountain
located at the crossing of Av. López Mateos with Av. Vallarta. This spot is crucial to most
people and you can get there very easily by asking local citizens. ‘La Minerva’ is not the
centre of the city, but is taken by reference for many directions you can get, and also it will
be the centre to most of your daily activities.
Asking for Directions
The best option for knowing how to get to a destination is to ask for directions to your
Mexican friends or to local citizens. Sometimes information about local transportation is
not accessible over the internet or is not accurate, so it is better to ask the people who use
the local transportation system. It is always a good idea to do this before leaving your
house, so you already know where your destination is and how you’ll get there. If you are
already on your way and you are not sure which way to take, you can ask people in the
streets for directions; in most cases they will be eager to help you, just keep in mind that
just a very little percentage of the population speaks English so you’ll need to practice your
Spanish before doing this.
City Bus
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There are plenty of bus routes in Guadalajara, you may consult them on this link:
http://rutasgdl.com/
However, the best way to know them is to ask for directions.
Routes that will take you to school
Route 629-B
It goes through Av. Vallarta (starting from ‘Federalismo’ Avenue).
Route 631
It goes through the northern part of Av. Patria, Av. Avila Camacho, and Zapopan.
Cost = MX $7.00
Except for some routes that have a higher cost, like route Premier or Turquesa. This cost
remains the same regardless the distance you travel in the bus.
Transvales
This is a prepaid system to get a 50% discount on local bus routes. Instead of paying cash
when boarding the bus, you’ll give a ‘Transvale’ ticket and show your student id.
Note: You can buy a little guide with most of bus routes in any magazine kiosk. It’s called
‘Rutas”. It is not expensive and it is very helpful when trying to find the best route.
Taxicabs
In Guadalajara it is better to call a taxicab site over the phone rather than take one from the
street. Taxicab sites tend to be more expensive but safer.
If you call them over the phone; specify when and where you want the taxi, and the
destination.
The cost will be stated over the phone so you know in advance how much you need to pay
before accepting the deal.
Taxi express
3637 4525
01 800 002 8294
http://www.taxiguadalajara.com/
One of the most convenient options for transportation is to take a cab from the many stands
that are located within the city. Legally they are supposed to use a taximeter to ensure a
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fair price, but don’t be alarmed if a taxi driver is reluctant to use it and tries to negotiate the
price before the trip.
ALWAYS be sure to arrange the deal before boarding the cab, either that you ask for the
meter or for a fixed price; if you are not satisfied with the deal just take another cab, prices
are negotiable and there should be plenty of cabs.
If you opt for the meter, just be sure you are charged with the correct price rate: 1 one is
for daytime, 2 is for night time (after 9 pm) and is more expensive, and 3 is for going outside
the city (like going to the airport) and is usually really expensive.
If you opt for the fixed price, negotiate it until you are satisfied, with a little practice you
should be able to tell the difference if someone is charging a fair price or not.
NOTE: For your own safety, it is always better to take a cab from an official Taxicab site.
Subway
The subway in Guadalajara is not very useful, as it only has two routes, one that goes
through Av. Federalismo, which runs from north to south, and a route that goes through
Av. Juarez from mid-town Guadalajara to the east part of the city. Its cost is the same as
the standard for local buses, and you can also use ‘Transvales’ tickets to board it.
Expreso Tec
At TEC we offer a school transportation service called ‘Expreso Tec’. It is very comfortable
and useful to go to school every day.
Please visit this website in order to know prices, schedules and routes:
www.gda.itesm.mx/expreso
Keywords
Camión - Bus
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Minibus – Microbus – Small bus
Ruta - Route
Calle - Street
Semáforo - Headlight
Cuadra – Block (side of a block)
Manzana – Block (refers to the complete block)
Tránsito – refers to the Transit Department
Glorieta – Traffic circle, roundabout
Periférico – The highway that runs around the city
Parada de Camión – Bus stop
Tren Ligero – Subway or Light Train
Cambio – Change (having coins)
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TEC Campus Guadalajara
http://www.gda.itesm.mx/virtualtour/
How to get to Tec Campus Guadalajara
Two bus routes can take you to the Campus:
Route 629-B, which goes through Av. Vallarta, starting from Av. Federalismo.
Route 631, which goes through the northern part of Av. Patria, Av. Avila Camacho, and
Zapopan.
The fare for a one-way trip is $7.00 pesos; there is no transfer system. This fare remains the
same regardless the distance you travel in the bus.
Students have access to a prepaid system to get a 50% discount in certain local bus routes;
its name is Transvale.
To obtain this benefit you must first buy the Transvale (reduced ticket) at the school or any
official store. When you board the bus, instead of paying cash you have to give the Transvale
to the bus driver and show him your student id.
Remember you can find the routes you need at: http://rutasgdl.com/
International Programs Office
This office serves as the program direction for international students. It should be your first
contact with your new student life in Mexico. You can go there whenever you need
orientation about academic procedures or your everyday life in the city. Don’t be afraid to
ask for help whenever you need it. We are always willing to help you.
Contact Information:
Programas Internacionales. (International Programs Office)
Location: Administrative Building, 3rd Floor.
Phone: +52 (33) 3669 3000 ex. 5800
Open from Monday to Friday, from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm and from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Website: http://www.gda.itesm.mx/pi/studyinmexico
Campus Facilities
Classroom Buildings (Aulas):
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There are six in total. They are enumerated and you can recognize them by the name ‘Aulas’
along with its number. They are all four floors in height and most of the times have 10
classrooms per floor (at Tec we consider the ground floor as the first floor).
Administrative building:
Situated between the building ‘Aulas 2’ and ‘Aulas 3’, here you will find most of the main
offices.
Library
This building has many useful resources for your everyday life at TEC. Here you can find the
library, computer lab, video archive, group and individual study rooms, amongst others.
Student Centre (Centro Estudiantil):
The gym is situated in this building, alongside with a couple of classrooms for fitness classes,
dress rooms, showers, lockers, and medical service.
Media and Digital Arts Centre:
Inside you can find TV and radio broadcast equipment, as well as computers for multimedia
development and 3D animation.
Residences hall:
This is where students from other cities around Mexico live, and although it is a very good
option for foreign students, most of them rather live on their own because the residence
hall has strict rules (see ‘Housing’).
Sport areas:
These include the pool, the gym, soccer fields, basketball, tennis courts, athletics yard, and
volleyball courts. They are all situated at the back of ‘Aulas 1-4’ buildings.
Cafeteria:
The main cafeteria is located across the parking lot from the Residence Hall. They have
three different menus every day and you can get each starting on $40 pesos.
Cyber-Plaza:
A green area situated at the back of ‘Aulas 1-2’ buildings, which serves as a place to study
and socialize for all the student community. There are a lot of worktables where you can
work online since we have a campus wide wireless network.
Common areas:
Alongside the classroom buildings, you can find many benches where you can rest, work or
study while waiting for your next class or at any time.
Offices
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CASA (Academic Services and Treasury).
Aulas 2, first floor
This is the office to go for general school matters. Think about this office whenever you
don’t know which department concerns your problem; here you will be oriented about
which office you should go after.
Also, this office is in charge of receiving payments related with school procedures.
CEC (Computer Lab)
Library, second floor
This is not an office, but a working place where you’ll find computers with specific software.
Look also for the service module located at the third floor between the buildings ‘Aulas 1’
and ‘Aulas 2’; there you can find help to set-up the wireless network in your laptop or other
mobile devices.
Cultural Activities
You will be able to enrol in cultural activities from a wide variety of courses, like music,
dancing, arts, etc.
Sports Activities
You will be able to enrol in courses for learning and practicing a specific sport. Or you will
be able to use the sport facilities on campus by your own. You can also enrol in the
representative teams as well as internal championships of specific sports.
Eating
Inside the campus, there are many options:
Main cafeteria
Open from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm. You can have complete meals there.
Kiosks
Small kiosks at the Cyber Plaza, which also sell meals, snacks and coffee.
Starbucks
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There are two Starbucks Coffees at campus.
Other options
Also, you can find automatic vending machines all over campus, and one convenience store
(Oxxo).
However, you can always explore the surrounding areas, where you can find different kind
of fast food restaurants.
Keywords
Salón – Classroom
Edificio – Building
Estacionamiento – Parking lot
Clase – Course
Deportes – Sports
Cancha – Field
Alberca – Pool
Calificación – Grade
Tarea – Homework
Maestro – Teacher
Biblioteca – Library
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Tourism and Travel
In Mexico you will find a variety of places
to visit, like beaches, natural resorts,
colonial cities, and big metropolis such as
Mexico City.
The list of places to visit is very extensive
and we would have to make another
handbook just to talk about them; however, you can visit the following website to find out
more about Mexico’s wonders: www.visitmexico.com/en
Traveling By Bus
Since there are very few railroads for passengers in Mexico, travelling by bus is very
common.
There are three bus stations in Guadalajara:
Central Vieja or ‘old bus station’
Mostly used to travel to nearby small towns, in the state of Jalisco. Its buses are rustic and
cheap.
Central Nueva or ‘new bus station’
This bus station is divided in 8 modules, with different bus companies and destinations.
Buses leaving from this station go to most major cities and tourist destinations.
Terminal Zapopan
Located near TEC, this is the newest station in the metropolitan area of Guadalajara, and it
is the closest to zones 1, 4 and 5. Buses leaving from this station may go to the pacific coast,
to the north of the country and some nearby cities.
The best way to get to the bus stations is by taxi; getting by bus is just a little more difficult
because stations are located in the suburbs of the city.
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Suggested Bus Companies
ETN
Primera Plus
Omnibus de Mexico
Turistar
ADO
Traveling By Airplane
The major airline in Mexico is Aeromexico.
Low-cost Airlines
 Volaris
 Viva Aerobus
 Interjet
We suggest checking their websites and book in advance, so you can get super cheap
tickets!
The airport is located outside the city; it is 30 min from a central spot like ‘La Minerva’.
Keywords
Línea – Bus Company
Norte, Sur, Este, Oeste – North, South, East, West
Zona – Zone
Playa – Beach
Pueblo – Town
Central – Bus Station
Camión – Bus
Aeropuerto – Airport
Aerolínea – Airline
Avión – Plane
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Boleto – Ticket
Viajar – To travel
Viaje – Trip
We hope you have found this guide useful.
We look forward to meeting you at Guadalajara!
This Handbook was made under supervision of the International Programs Office at Tec de Monterrey, Campus Guadalajara. It is strictly
forbidden to copy and publish it without authorization of the author. Doing so represents an illegal act prosecuted by Mexican Laws of
Intellectual Property and Copyright.
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