Your stay — Motel Riazor
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The Property — Motel Riazor
Motel Riazor feels like a dependable, no-fuss motor lodge from the 1970s, recently freshened up. It’s on Avenida Vallarta, a main drag through Zapopan, so you hear the traffic, but the pool and free parking make it a solid choice for drivers who want an honest bed for the night. Workable for a budget-conscious couple or small family passing through Guadalajara.
Chronicles of Zapopan
Zapopan began as a indigenous settlement, then a Franciscan mission in the 1540s. Its big moment was 1734, when the Virgin of Zapopan was declared patron of the city — the basilica built for her dominates the historic plaza. Today it’s a sprawling, prosperous suburb of Guadalajara, heavy on corporate offices and upscale shopping centres, but the old town retains a colonial soul with narrow cobbled streets.
Best Time to Visit
Full Zapopan guide →Best months
November to January: dry, clear days around 24°C, and fewer tourists than high season in March.
Peak / festival surge
March is peak for Semana Santa, when the basilica draws huge crowds. Hotel prices in Zapopan jump 30-50% over normal. The October fiestas for the Virgen de Zapopan also pack rooms.
Budget shoulder season
May and early June: still hot but before the July rains, discounts of 20-30% off peak rates.
Weather & packing
July is the wet season — expect heavy afternoon downpours most days. Pack a compact umbrella and a light rain jacket, plus sandals that can handle puddles.
Live City Briefing — Zapopan
- Línea 3 of the Guadalajara light rail opened in 2020 and now connects Zapopan centre to the airport — a cheap alternative to taxis.
- A new food hall, Mercado 22, launched in Andares mall in 2025, giving visitors more central dining options near the hotel.
- July 2026 falls in the rainy season, so expect occasional road flooding on Avenida Vallarta — check traffic before driving out.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Motel Riazor, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the upper floors (3rd or 4th) facing away from the main street, toward the interior courtyard if one exists. This reduces street noise.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor, especially those near the reception or any ground-level service areas, as they tend to be noisier and less private. Also skip rooms facing the main street directly.
Best views
The best view is likely from upper-floor rooms facing the interior courtyard or a side street with less traffic, though no major scenic outlook is expected given the 3-star rating and location in Zapopan.
Quietest floors
For a 3-storey building with a lift, floors 3 and 4 (if they exist) are quietest, above street-level disturbances.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from the main road outside Motel Riazor in Zapopan can be significant during daytime. Service vehicles or garbage collection early morning may add noise.
Insider tips
1) If arriving by car, ask about secure parking upon check-in, as street parking can be limited in Zapopan. 2) Request a room away from the lift shaft to avoid mechanical noise from the lift.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Motel Riazor
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms and common areas. Speed approx. 10 Mbps down, adequate for browsing and streaming—login via room number
A single passenger lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections
Complimentary digital access to a few Mexican newspapers through lobby tablets; no physical papers delivered
Standard check-in 15:00 to 22:00; early bag drop allowed from 10:00 free of charge; late check-out until 13:00 costs MXN 350, subject to availability
Free luggage storage at the front desk for same-day arrivals and departures
Step-free entrance via a ramp. Lift to all floors, but bathrooms in standard rooms are not fully wheelchair-accessible (shower curb). No dedicated accessible rooms
On-site free parking for guests behind the motel (uncovered, 20 spaces, first-come-first-served). Nearest public lot is Estacionamiento Los Ángeles on Calle 5 de Febrero, MXN 30 per hour. No EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (Zapopan does not impose a hotel occupancy tax; VAT is included in quoted rates)
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking; a refundable damage hold of MXN 500 per room is placed on your card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Parroquia de San Martín Obispo (942 m · ~12 min walk)
- Church: Parroquia del Señor de la Ascensión (1.5 km · ~19 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Plaza Los Tules — 955 m · ~12 min walk
Parque Pirules — 382 m · ~5 min walk
JOVEM Jorge Vergara Museo — 2.2 km · ~27 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Santander — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Farmacia del Ahorro — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Oxxo — 837 m · ~10 min walk
Estadio Chivas — 1.1 km · ~13 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Mexican Peso, MXN
Avoid airport and tourist bureau kiosks. Use bank ATMs inside shopping centres or branches for best rates. Notify your bank before travel.
Cards widely accepted in chain stores, restaurants, and hotels. Smaller stalls and taxis may only take cash. Contactless is common but always have pesos on hand.
10-15% at restaurants, rounded up. Tip taxi drivers 10-20 pesos. Hotel staff: 20-50 pesos per bag or per night for housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Black coffee from a corner café or street stall: around 25 MXN.
Comida corrida (set lunch menu) at a fondita or small eatery: 70-90 MXN including a drink.
Main dish at a casual taco or torta stand: 40-60 MXN.
Look for taco stands along Avenida Patria or near Plaza del Sol; also around Andares market food courts.
Soriana, Chedraui, and Bodega Aurrera are common budget supermarkets in Zapopan.
Mercado del Mar (fish market area) has clothing stands; also Coppel department store for basics. Tianguis (street markets) rotate weekly.
Bus fare (urban bus): 9.50 MXN per ride. No day pass. From GDL airport, take the light-rail (Line 3) to Zapopan via central Guadalajara (about 30 MXN total).
Eat at mercado food courts instead of touristy plazas. Use the public bus system rather than Uber for short trips. Buy water and snacks at supermarkets, not convenience stores.
Good to know — Zapopan
Type A/B · 127V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ MX$17.41 · MXN
Emergency Contacts
ZapopanFor all emergencies in Zapopan, dial 911. For non-urgent police, call 33-3836-0090. The tourist assistance line is 078 from anywhere in Mexico. Local hospitals: Hospital Ángeles del Carmen (33-3834-3000); Hospital Puerta de Hierro (33-3669-0400).
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Zapopan, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Motel Riazor
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Santander — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia del Ahorro — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Guadalajara International Airport (GDL) → Casa del Retoño B&B, Zapopan
💡 Pre-book at the official airport taxi stand inside arrivals. Avoid unlicensed drivers offering lower fares outside the terminal.
Anywhere in Zapopan or GDL → Casa del Retoño B&B
💡 From the airport, an Uber costs around 300–400 MXN (usually cheaper than official taxis). Always confirm the license plate and driver name before getting in.
Periférico Norte station (nearest line) → Casa del Retoño B&B
💡 The bus stops at Periférico Norte and Avenida Patria. From there, it's a 10-minute walk. Use the prepaid card and tap on/off.
Central de Autobuses station → Zapopan Centro station
💡 Take the airport bus to Central de Autobuses first (20 mins, cheap). Line 3 runs mostly elevated with good views. Get off at Zapopan Centro, then 15 mins walk north-east to the B&B.
About Zapopan
Wikipedia ↗
Zapopan (Latin American Spanish pronunciation: [saˈpopan]) is a city and municipality located in the Mexican state of Jalisco. It is part of the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area. Zapopan is the most populous municipality in the state of Jalisco. Zapopan is notable for the Basilica of Our Lady of Zapopa...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Motel Riazor?
Request a room on the upper floors (3rd or 4th) facing away from the main street, toward the interior courtyard if one exists. This reduces street noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at Motel Riazor?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor, especially those near the reception or any ground-level service areas, as they tend to be noisier and less private. Also skip rooms facing the main street directly.
Is Motel Riazor noisy?
Street noise from the main road outside Motel Riazor in Zapopan can be significant during daytime. Service vehicles or garbage collection early morning may add noise.
Which rooms have the best views at Motel Riazor?
The best view is likely from upper-floor rooms facing the interior courtyard or a side street with less traffic, though no major scenic outlook is expected given the 3-star rating and location in Zapopan.
What are insider tips for staying at Motel Riazor?
1) If arriving by car, ask about secure parking upon check-in, as street parking can be limited in Zapopan. 2) Request a room away from the lift shaft to avoid mechanical noise from the lift.
What time is check-in at Motel Riazor?
Check-in at Motel Riazor is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Motel Riazor have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms and common areas. Speed approx. 10 Mbps down, adequate for browsing and streaming—login via room number
Is there a city or tourist tax at Motel Riazor?
None (Zapopan does not impose a hotel occupancy tax; VAT is included in quoted rates)
Where can I eat cheaply near Motel Riazor?
Comida corrida (set lunch menu) at a fondita or small eatery: 70-90 MXN including a drink.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Motel Riazor?
Bus fare (urban bus): 9.50 MXN per ride. No day pass. From GDL airport, take the light-rail (Line 3) to Zapopan via central Guadalajara (about 30 MXN total).
When is the best time to visit Zapopan?
November to January: dry, clear days around 24°C, and fewer tourists than high season in March.
Top Attractions in Zapopan
💡 Come on a Sunday morning when the square hosts a free dance class (folklorico) and vendors sell cheap local snacks.
💡 Free entry every day, not just Sundays. Check their website for free guided tours in English on the first Saturday of the month.
💡 Visit between 11am and 2pm for the freshest fruit and to see the torta-making action. BYO small bills for stalls.
💡 Arrive before 10am to see the small museum (free) inside the basilica, which opens only until 1pm.
💡 Rent a bike at the park entrance for 20 pesos per hour; the lake loop is 5km and mostly shaded.