Guide for Colombians heading to the 2026 World Cup in Guadalajara
World Cup fever is approaching, and Guadalajara, one of the official host cities for the 2026 World Cup, is preparing to welcome thousands of fans! If you are Colombian and planning to travel to this vibrant Mexican city, this guide will help you organize your trip with key information on flights, hotels, transportation, food, and more. Plan ahead and live an unforgettable experience.
✈️ Flights from Colombia to Guadalajara
Starting November 2025, the airline Volaris operates direct flights between Bogotá and Guadalajara. The approximate flight duration is 5 hours ⏱️, and fares range from COP 1,300,000 to 2,500,000 (approx. USD 330 to 640 💵), depending on how far in advance you purchase and the season.
If you are traveling from Medellín or Cali, you can find flights with one layover ✈️, usually in Mexico City or Panama, through airlines such as Copa Airlines, Avianca, or Aeroméxico.
We recommend checking flight comparison platforms 🔎 and setting up price alerts 🔔 to find the best fares. Although many tour packages include flights, if you prefer to organize your trip independently, buying 3 to 4 months in advance 📅 can result in significant savings.
Keep in mind that during high season, such as the World Cup ⚽, prices rise quickly.
Additionally, if you are still unsure about the venues or the match schedule, we suggest consulting our complete guide to Colombia and the 2026 World Cup 🌍.
🎟️ World Cup Travel Packages
Several Colombian agencies are already offering complete packages to attend the 2026 World Cup in Mexico. Euroamerican Travel, Viacoop, and Abordando are among those that have launched options specially designed for followers of the Colombian National Team⚽.
These packages usually include 👇
✈️ International flights
🏨 Accommodation
🎫 Match tickets
🚐 Internal transfers
🛡️ Travel insurance and medical assistance
📲 International SIM card or eSIM for data
The average price of these packages ranges from USD 3,900 to USD 4,800 (approx. COP 16 to 20 million 💵), depending on the type of accommodation, the number of matches included, and additional services.
Although the cost may seem high, this type of package offers peace of mind and organization, especially in a city that will be in high demand during the World Cup ⚽🌍.
If you are considering buying tickets on your own, we also recommend checking our article with everything you need to know about tickets for the 2026 World Cup 🎟️.
🏨 Accommodation: quality, price, and location
In Guadalajara, you will find accommodation options for all budgets 💼✨. Hotels with the best value for money include Hotel Portobelo, Dali Plaza, Hotel Francés, and Hotel Morales, located in the historic center or strategic areas of the city.
Rates at these hotels start from MXN 900 per night (approx. COP 200,000 / USD 45 💵).
If you prefer a more modern and vibrant atmosphere, the areas of Chapultepec and Colonia Americana offer boutique hotels 🏨, bars 🍸, restaurants 🍽️, and easy access to public transportation 🚇.
For those attending matches at Akron Stadium ⚽, staying in Zapopan can simplify logistics and reduce travel times 🚗.
🔑 The key: book in advance.
During World Cup dates, mid-range hotels can double in price 📈. You can also consider Airbnb, but it's important to check reviews, location, and proximity to public transport before booking.
🚍 City Transportation
Guadalajara has an efficient and economical public transportation system 🚍. The light rail (Mi Tren) has three lines connecting key points such as the historic center, Zapopan, and Tlaquepaque.
🎟️ Ticket cost: MXN 9.50 (approx. COP 2,500 / USD 0.50 💵).
The system is complemented by SITREN buses and the Macrobús, ideal for traveling along the city's main avenues 🚏.
For greater convenience, Uber and DiDi operate normally and are safe and reliable options for tourists 🚕📱.
A trip from the airport to downtown Guadalajara costs between MXN 250 and 350 (approx. COP 58,000 to 80,000 / USD 13 to 18 💵), depending on the time and traffic.
⚠️ On match days or during massive events, it is recommended to leave early ⏰, as high demand can cause delays. Apps allow you to estimate fares, choose vehicle type, and better plan your transfers.
🚗 Car Rental and Regional Mobility
If you want to explore beyond Guadalajara, renting a car can be an excellent option 🚘. Nearby destinations like Tequila 🍹, Chapala 🌅, or Mazamitla 🌲 are ideal for one or two-day getaways and offer a different experience from the urban environment.
Companies like Hertz, Budget, and Mex Rent a Car have rates starting from MXN 700 per day (approx. COP 150,000 / USD 35 💵), generally with basic insurance included.
📄 Rental requirements:
🛂 Valid passport
🪪 Colombian driver's license (international license not needed)
💳 Credit card
Driving in Guadalajara is similar to Colombia, although during peak hours ⏰ traffic can be dense. To facilitate mobility, use apps like Waze or Google Maps 🗺️ to avoid congestion.
⛽ If you leave the city, consider gas and toll costs. The price of gasoline ranges between MXN 25 and 28 per liter (approx. COP 6,000 / USD 1.30 to 1.45 💵).
🌮 Typical Restaurants and Must-Try Food
Jaliscan gastronomy is one of Guadalajara's great attractions and an experience you cannot miss 🤤🇲🇽. Among the most representative dishes are torta ahogada, birria, pozole, and carne en su jugo.
📍 Recommended Restaurants
🍴 La Chata – Traditional restaurant in the historic center. Its torta ahogada is a must-try.
🥩 Karne Garibaldi – Famous for its carne en su jugo and its quick, agile service.
🎶 Casa Bariachi – Traditional food accompanied by live mariachi music.
✨ La Tequila – Contemporary Mexican cuisine, ideal for special dinners.
Platforms like OpenTable or the restaurants' social media 📲 allow you to make reservations in advance, which is advisable during World Cup season ⚽.
💰 Estimated Budget:
A full lunch costs between MXN 150 and 400 (approx. COP 35,000 to 90,000 / USD 8 to 20).
If you're traveling on a budget, you'll find local eateries and markets where you can eat delicious food for less than MXN 100 (approx. COP 23,000 / USD 5).
🥤 Don't leave without trying tejuino, a refreshing and typical drink from the region that is part of the local identity.
📲 Essential Apps
Leverage technology to optimize your experience:
🗺️ Google Maps and Waze
For navigation and getting around the city.
🚍 Moovit and Mi Transporte
Check public transport routes and schedules.
🚗 Uber and DiDi
Safe and practical private transport.
💱 XE Currency
To convert Mexican pesos (MXN) to Colombian pesos (COP).
🌐 Google Translate
Useful for interacting with other tourists or in museums with English texts.
📶 Conecty
Manage your eSIM and stay connected with data-only plans throughout your trip.
And if you want to stay connected and browse without worrying about roaming, you can count on Conecty.
From Colombia, you can purchase your eSIM or physical SIM card for Mexico in advance, with data-only plans, without queues or complications ✈️📱.
Additionally, Conecty offers support in your language throughout the trip and flexible options so you can choose the plan that best suits your travel style, whether it's a short trip, an intense route, or a longer stay.
💡 Practical recommendations before traveling
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📲 Download essential apps before you leave (transport, maps, payments).
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🔋 Keep your phone charged or carry an external battery.
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🗺️ Activate offline maps in Google Maps in case you don't have data access at some point
(though with Conecty 😉 that shouldn't happen to you).
If it's your first time traveling to Mexico, we recommend reading our essential guide for traveling to Mexico, where you'll find everything from immigration requirements to cultural recommendations to move with confidence from day one✨.
🎁 Crafts and Souvenirs with Identity
To take a piece of Mexico home 🇲🇽, visit Tonalá or Tlaquepaque, two areas renowned for their artisan tradition. There you will find clay crafts, blown glass, embroidered textiles, and artisan jewelry, all pieces with local identity and great cultural value ✨.
These areas are just minutes from downtown Guadalajara 🚍 and are easy to visit by public transport or mobility apps. You will find unique products, ideal for gifts or as souvenirs of your trip.
The San Juan de Dios Market is also an excellent option for buying souvenirs 🎁 like hats, t-shirts, traditional sweets, and decorative items. With an approximate budget of COP 100,000 (approx. USD 25 💵), you can acquire handmade products representative of the region.
📦 Many stores offer special travel packaging, ideal if you buy fragile items. Remember to check your airline's weight and baggage restrictions ✈️ if you plan to take several handicrafts.
🍽️ Gastronomic and cultural tours
Companies like Panoramex offer culinary and cultural tours that include visits to local markets 🛒, tastings of typical dishes 🌮, traditional drinks such as tequila 🍹 and tejuino, and stops at iconic restaurants in Guadalajara.
⏱️ Duration: between 6 and 8 hours
💰 Cost: MXN 1,200 to 1,800 (COP 270,000 to 420,000 / approx. USD 60 to 90), all-inclusive.
You can also find experiences on platforms like Viator or Airbnb Experiences, with options such as:
👨🍳 Mexican cooking workshops
🥃 Tequila tastings
🏘️ Tours of magical towns
🔔 It is recommended to book in advance, especially during World Cup season ⚽. Some tours include transportation, while others require you to get to the meeting point on your own, so it is important to check the details before booking.
🛬 Airport transportation
The Miguel Hidalgo International Airport is located 17 km from downtown Guadalajara. These are the main transfer options, depending on your budget, schedule, and amount of luggage 👇
Authorized taxi
Fixed rate between MXN 400–500 → ≈ USD 23–29
(≈ COP 93,000–116,000 approx.)
Uber or DiDi
Between MXN 250–350 → ≈ USD 15–20
(≈ COP 58,000–81,000 approx.)
Public transport
Route C98, connects with the light rail 🚇
Fare: MXN 9.50 → ≈ USD 0.55
(≈ COP 2,500 approx.)
Private transfers
Contracted with hotel or agency
From MXN 500 → ≈ USD 29
(≈ COP 116,000 approx.)
🌙 At night or if you are traveling with a lot of luggage, it is recommended to opt for an authorized taxi or private transport.
📍 Make sure you have the exact address of your accommodation noted to facilitate arrival.
🎉 Guadalajara awaits you!
Guadalajara will be one of the official venues for the 2026 World Cup, and the star will be the Akron Stadium, home of the Chivas de Guadalajara 🇲🇽⚽. This stadium, with a capacity for more than 45,000 spectators, is located in Zapopan and is recognized for its modern design and excellent visibility from any stand.
📍 Recommendations for match day:
⏰ Arrive early, as access points tend to get congested during high-demand events.
🚇 Prioritize public transport or mobility apps, as parking around the stadium is limited.
🎒 Only bring what is necessary and check entry restrictions (bags, permitted items) in advance.
🍔 Eat or hydrate before entering the stadium to avoid long queues.
The Pearl of Tapatía is much more than a World Cup venue: it is culture, history, flavor, and passion for soccer. Organize your trip in advance, get well-informed, and prepare to live an unforgettable experience.
From the warmth of its people 🤝 to its sunsets to the rhythm of mariachi 🎶, Guadalajara will make you feel at home.
Prepare your passport 🛂, your tricolor jersey 🇨🇴, a good dose of energy ⚡ and a strong desire to enjoy. Whether you travel with friends, family, or alone, experiencing the World Cup in Guadalajara will be an indelible memory.
