While Guadalajara has all the clubs and discos other cities have, it has one place that's special — the Plaza de las Mariachis (Plaza of the Mariachis). Here, you can sit at a sidewalk café and listen to the strolling mariachis play music that was born here or, better yet, hire them to serenade you.

Or perhaps you'll choose to attend a performance at the Teatro Degollado (Degollado Theater), Guadalajara's major cultural center and home of the Filarmónica de Jalisco (Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra) (33-3658-3812), as well as the city operatic and theatrical groups. You'll find performances scheduled almost every night, with tickets starting at about $1. For a real treat, plan to attend a performance of the Ballet Folklórico de la Universidad de Guadalajara on Sunday at 10:00 A.M. or 6:30 P.M. Ticket prices range from $5 to $20 (33-3616-4991, www.ballet.udg.mx). Or see the Ballet Folklórico Nacional del Instituto Cultural Cabañas on Wednesday at 8:30 P.M. at the Instituto Cultural Cabañas for $6 to $8 (33-3626-9280).

A city this size has plenty of clubs and discos. If you prefer to dance to live music, try Maxim's Disco or the Café Tecuba or the salsa rhythms at Copacabana. To see a Mexican show, complete with mariachi and ranchero music and charro demonstrations, go to Mariachi Mexicanísimo. The Ex-Convento del Carmen, near the Centro Histórico, offers cultural events almost every night (33-3614-7184).