September, 2011

The Pan-American Games 2011 are getting close and Jalisco has been prepared to show a new face to the country and to the world. Everything is ready to lodge the excitement of the competitions among the touristic destinations full of tradition.

Guadalajara, renowned as a state-of-the-art city and a business center, will be the main venue of the encounter which will gather 42 countries and over 5 thousand athletes. The second most populated city of the country also provides the visitors the typical mariachi, tequila and charrería (Mexican rodeo style), symbols which are representative of the city and the state in general.

The so-called Perla Tapatía (Jalisco’s Pearl) this time is the venue of the XVI Pan-American Games, but it is also the home of two cultural events of great relevance, the International Book Fair of Guadalajara and the International Film Festival of Guadalajara, with which it is consolidated as a host without a pair. The attendants to its encounters and festivals find time to discover its gastronomy, religious traditions, folklore, colonial architecture and an extensive natural territory, which makes anyone to fall in love.

Tapalpa

Another place where Pan-American games will take place is Tapalpa. Named as a Magic Town and located at 118 kilometers from Guadalajara, this town offers ideal natural landscapes for extreme sports. Besides, its gastronomy includes delights as the sheep “al pastor”, rompope (kind of eggnog), fruits punch and pulque.

This municipality which will watch the competitors of Mountain Bike, has architectonic attractions such as the Parrish of San Antonio Tapalpa, the Temple of Nuestra Señora de la Merced and the Temple of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. Besides, the Sierra of Tepalpa, the Waterfall El Molino, El Salto del Nogal, Tapalpa River, among others, turn in the main attractions and interest sites for any tourist to visit them.

Ciudad Guzmán

Ciudad Guzmán, favorite place for the practice of ecotourism, will also be present in the sportive competition which will start on October 14th. The Volcano Nevado 'El Colima', which summit covers in white from December to February, as well as the Ecological Park Las Peñas and the Lagoon of Zapotlán are some of the places which allow the visitor to practice activities to the open sky.

Those which rest a few days in Ciudad Guzmán, will be able to enjoy its main culinary attraction, birria de chivo (goat soup). In the architectonic aspect, the Cathedral of Ciudad Guzmán, the Municipal Market and Palacio de los Olotes are the obliged referrals of the city.

In the competitions, the city will house over 100 athletes that will seek any trophy in Paddle and boating. For that, a track for these disciples is being built in the municipality of Zapotlán el Grande.

Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta which forms part of the beautiful Bahía de Banderas, is one of the beach destinations more frequently visited in Mexico thanks to its tradition, beauty and hospitality. This site will be another sub-venue of the international games.

Warm weather, sand and the sea come together for the Beach Volleyball, Triathlon, Sailing and competitions of Open Waters to be carried out at their fullest.

Likewise, a great quantity of natural beauties, historical monuments and artwork can be seen in the Estuary El Salado, El Faro, located in the Marina Vallarta, Playas Gemelas, Playa de los Muertos, and the Malecón (Jetty).

In order to enjoy its gastronomy, it will suffice to taste any of its typical beverages such as tejuino, posi and the traditional tequila in company of dishes and snacks proper of the zone.

Lagos de Moreno

Another municipality which will form part of the Games is Lagos de Moreno, that was honored by UNESCO in 2010 thanks to its Historical Downtown, acknowledged as a Cultural Heritage of Mankind. This municipality provides a direct encounter to the roots of the Mexican identity.

Parrish of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción of baroque art dating from 1732, the Main Square or Jardín de los Constituyentes, the Bridge of Río Lagos, the Temple of Calvario, the Temple de la Merced, among other constructions, constitute its architectonic treasure and are referrals of the place.

Among its traditions, Lagos de Moreno celebrates the Festivity of Virgen de la Candelaria and the famous Fair of Lagos de Moreno which every year offers exhibits of the traditional charreada, Palenque activities, bull fights, concerts and art exhibits.

The Pan-American Baseball Stadium is one of the complexes of recent creation to house the competitions of this sport. The building located in the highway Lagos de Moreno - San Juan de los Lagos will be able to receive over three thousand observers.

Now that you know the outstanding of the venues of Pan-American Games there is only missing to visit the beautiful jewels of Perla de Occidente (the West Pearl).