Car hire Guadalajara International Airport

Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla International Airport is the official title of the closest airport to Mexico's second-most populated city, Guadalajara. The half-an-hour journey between central Guadalajara and the airport's Tlajomulco location can easily be undertaken with car rental in Guadalajara Airport. The airport's 2005 passenger traffic figure topped 5.5 million.

Guadalajara Airport facilities

Mexico's third-busiest airport first opened in 1966 and its two terminals now greet flights from dozens of direct destinations throughout Mexico and the southern United States. Terminal 1, however, is far larger than Terminal 2, which is mainly used for regional and express flights. The airport restaurant is open 24 hours, as are some car hire companies.

Guadalajara Airport excursions

Guadalajara may be a sprawling city, but most of its attractions lie within two relatively small walkable neighborhoods. Car hire in Guadalajara Airport is strongly recommended, however, for anyone wanting to see Estadio Omnilife, Latin America's most modern stadium. No lover of Mexico's most famous drink will want to pass up a taste-testing excursion to the nearby city of Tequila. It takes just 50 minutes to drive to the serene Lake Chapala from Guadalajara.

Best time to visit

In Guadalajara, daytime winter temperatures are only a few degrees cooler than the hottest summer weather. Winter temperatures, however, do plummet dramatically once the sun sets, meaning winter visitors should pack clothing to suit both hot and cold weather. Guadalajara's high altitude prevents the city from ever getting uncomfortably hot or humid. The city's rainy season begins in June and lasts until September. Guadalajara weather conditions improve once the hurricane season ends.

Car rental in Guadalajara Airport

Motorists who compare car hire often find rates from local companies are lower than those from internationally-known chains. Several of Mexico's biggest motorways meet at Guadalajara's Periférico ring road. One of these modern toll-free motorways links Guadalajara to Lake Chapala, while the beach resort of Puerto Vallarta is a 250-mile journey away along toll roads. Reckless drivers and poorly-placed street signs are Guadalajara's biggest driving hazards.