Guide To Guanajuato

About Guanajuato

Guanajuato is one of a group of old silver mining cities, which includes Guanajuato and San Miguel, Zacatecas, Querétaro and San Luis Potosí and Alamos. You can discover all these places individually with Mexperience as part of the Colonial Cities section.

These cities all lie northwest of Mexico City. Each has its own unique character, features and atmosphere - but together they make up some of Mexico's best inland travel experiences.

These cities are friendly places; the areas are not overwhelmed with tourists as some of the coastal areas can be. It is in the colonial cities that the real Mexico begins to emerge. You'll experience magnificent scenery, stay at wonderful colonial hotels that offer terrific value for money, savor local foods and flavors as colorful and diverse as the cultures that created them.

The road network in this region is well developed, and traveling through it is fast and efficient in most places. These cities are safe: Crime is low and it's a great region to consider if you want to treat your family to a real cultural experience in Mexico.

Guanajuato (wah-nah-HWAH-toh) is a colonial gem sitting in a valley around 220 miles northwest of Mexico City. If Mexico's Colonial Cities were a crown, Guanajuato would without doubt be it's prime jewel. The town has been named as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

The great architecture of this gorgeous city was built with the enormous wealth generated from the silver mines that enjoyed their heyday during the 17th and 18th centuries. At this time, Guanajuato was the source for one third of the world's silver supply.

Today, you can see Guanajuato in its unspoiled, perfectly preserved splendor. It's like stepping back in time here; the city is incredibly picturesque; make sure you bring a camera with you.

Guanajuato is clean, tidy and very safe. It's cobbled streets twist and turn, so just walking around is an adventure with new things to discover and explore with every new corner. People often get lost in this city - and have hours of fun discovering things they had never planned to see, but are glad they did.

This city has a genuine Spanish colonial in look, style, feel and atmosphere. Cobbled streets, churches, asymmetrical buildings, an amazing tapestry of color, vibrancy and sheer historical splendor await all who visit.

Guanajuato is still largely an undiscovered treasure amongst the foreign tourists to Mexico. It's a very popular weekend getaway for Mexicans and their families, and if you take the time to come here, you're certain to be satisfied.

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Key Attractions

Colonial Center

Guanajuato doesn't have a main square like the other Colonial Cities; but the Jardín de la Unión (Union Garden) a cheese-shaped botanical space is a popular meeting place.

However, Guanajuato does have lots of small plazas, each of which is connected by an intricate and complex series of cobbled streets and narrow alleys. Guanajuato winds and bends all over the place - it's a delight to discover. Get a tourist map at the local tourism office (see below). If you get lost, the locals are very friendly and will point you in the right direction.

Some of the more photogenic plazas are Plaza San Roque, which hosts outdoor theater productions during the Festival Cervantino (see Special Events, below), and Plaza de la Paz, adjacent to the Basilica and surrounded by mansions, owned by former silver magnates who lived here during the boom years.

Teatro Juárez is a major attraction - the architecture outside and the decor inside are both well worth a look.

For great birds-eye view photographs of the city get up to El Pípila; the statue at the top of the hill, commemorating José de los Reyes Martínez, who is said to have given his life opening the doors of the granary where Guanajuato's rich and powerful were sheltering, enabling the rag-tag independence army to take control of the town during the struggle for Independence.

Templo de Cata is a small miner's church, which you'll see up on the mountain to the north of the city. Admission is free and this is another good place from which to take photographs.

The Basílica is the main place of worship in Guanajuato; other main churches include Iglesia de San Diego, Templo de la Compañía de Jesús and Templo de San Francisco.

Callejón del Beso - alley of the kiss - is famous for its balconies, which are so close to each other they nearly touch. Locals will recite an old tale of forbidden lovers for a small tip.

Look up Guanajuato in the mainstream Guidebooks for more information about these colonial attractions, or consult the local Tourist Information Office (see Practical Information).

Museums & Art

Guanajuato's Mummy Museum is situated just outside of the town on the northwest side. The local water supply is so packed full of minerals, that people who drink it all of their lives are effectively preserved naturally when they die. Coupled with the ultra-dry climate, their bodies don't decompose, and those who cannot afford the cemetery's land rents end up cremated or on display at the mummy museum (only about 1% end up here). Glass cabinets house mummified remains of the dead, and a tour guide will happily tell you stories about the people currently on display. Rather macabre, but also a fascinating tour - certainly different.

Those who like art won't want to miss Diego Rivera's birthplace. The house has been restored recently and converted into a museum. Some of Rivera's early works are on display.

Learn Spanish in Guanajuato

Besides being one of Mexico's most beautiful colonial cities, it is also a top venue for people who want to attend a residential Spanish School to mix learning and pleasure in the World Heritage city of Guanajuato. There's no better way to learn Spanish than by becoming immersed in it at a language school in Mexico. Read our guide to Learning Spanish in Mexico for more details and to find a language school in Guanajuato.

Golf in Guanajuato

The climate in this region is ideal for golf - so no wonder there are several golf courses in the area to enjoy.

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Getting There & Around

Getting There

By Air - The closest airport is between León and Silao "Bajio International Airport", and stands about 40km (about 25 miles) from Guanajuato. The closest (main) airport is León.

Connect to the Mexperience Travel Center for Airlines.

By Bus - You can travel to Guanajuato on a luxury bus from Mexico City - the trip takes around 4 hours. There are plenty of buses to Guanajuato, all day, every day.

Connect to the Mexperience Travel Center for National Buses.

By Car - Driving to Guanajuato is very fast and efficient now that many high-speed and safe toll roads connect with the city. It looks longer on the map, but Highway 57, leading to Highway 45D, then Highway 45, and lastly bear east on Highway 110 is the fastest route (tolled, dual-carriageways all the way). See additional information about Driving in Mexico and Mexico's Toll Roads on Mexperience.

Getting Around

From the Airport - The only way to get back and forth to Guanajuato from the airport is by private taxi.

Taxis - Guanajuato's taxis are not metered, so agree your price before you get in. Your hotel can arrange taxis for you; some post their rates on a board in the lobby. If you speak Spanish, you will have a distinct advantage and be able to negotiate a better price! Another good reason to Learn Spanish

Rent a Car - Guanajuato is very accessible by road, and there is plenty to see and do in the surrounding areas. Renting a car would be a smart option if you're thinking about traveling around this region, as it will give you the freedom and flexibility to see more of the area and its surrounding attractions.   Driving in Guanajuato itself is confusing and tiresome. It's best to park the car (leave it at your hotel), and walk around town, taking short taxi rides for longer in-town journeys.

See the Mexperience Travel Center for Car Rental in Guanajuato

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Local Events Calendar

Festival Cervantino: October 7th to October 22nd.
This festival is in celebration of Cervantes (of Don Quixote fame), during which time you can experience exhibitions, arts and performances from artists around the world. This is an incredibly busy time in Guanajuato - so book ahead if you're planning to stay. The weekends of the festival are particularly crowded.

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Practical Information

Telephone: Connect to the Communications in Mexico Page on Mexperience for full information about keeping in touch and the latest table of national dialing codes.

Exchanging Currency: Banks with ATM machines are found throughout the downtown area of Guanajuato. During business hours, they and the local Casas de Cambio will buy traveler's cheques and cash from you as well. Read about currency exchange in Mexperience's Money Section.

Travel Insurance: We recommend that you are adequately covered with travel medical cover and/or travel assistance cover when you are visiting Mexico. Read the Mexperience guide to Travel Insurance in Mexico for full details and links to specialist insurance suppliers.

Internet Access: Internet cafes are commonplace in Mexico - new ones open and old ones close all the time - but you won't have to look too hard to find one downtown and in the main tourist areas.

Cervantes Festival: If you plan to visit and stay in Guanajuato between October 7th and 22nd, book early. Last minute hotel rooms are impossible to find at this time, and most last-minute visitors to the festival end up staying in the nearby towns of Queretaro, Leon or San Miguel, and drive in to Guanajuato during the day.

Local Tourist Office: Connect to the Mexperience Travel Center for details of the nearest Tourist Information office.

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Accommodation

• Find a Hotel in Guanajuato

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Restaurants

Casa del Conde la Valenciana. Mexican food. Carretera, Guanajuato-Dolores Km 5, Opposite La Valenciana church. Tel: (473) 7322550

Chez Nicole. International. Arcos de Guadalupe 3. Tel: (473) 7331148

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When Night Falls

Guanajuato has a selection of good night spots to suit those looking for culture and those looking for a party!

Locally Hosted Parties - Check with yours and other Local Hotels about public parties they may be hosting during your stay. Traditional Mexican theme night parties are popular with the locals, and there's a chance you could join a really special night out - the real Mexican way, and certainly on the eve of September 16th - Mexico's Independence Day! Hosted parties usually include dinner, dancing, a show and / or live music (usually authentic Mexican Mariachis) plus all drinks for a fixed fee and are always excellent value for money! Ask at your hotel to find out what is happening locally.

Nightclub Scene - Mexico's Colonial Cities do have lots of young people living in them, so just because they are steeped in history does not mean that you won't find an all-night club party happening somewhere in town! Some night clubs charge an all inclusive cover fee; some a smaller cover and drinks on top. Drinks are served all night - don't even consider going to a nightclub before 11pm. Nightclubs keep going all morning and most people will start to leave between 5 and 7 am.

Night Bars / Restaurants - There's a good variety of Late Night Entertainment in Guanajuato to keep you happy and entertained into the early hours. Check the Mexperience Travel Center for details.

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What to Buy in Guanajuato

There are several markets, including the Mercado de Hidalgo, which sells fruit, vegetables and fresh meat downstairs, and upstairs, around the edge of the balcony, you'll find arts and crafts and Mexican pottery.

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Local Climate

Guanajuato enjoys year-round, spring-like and very dry weather. The climate is ideal for taking part in a variety of outdoor sports and activities and for taking in the local culture, architecture and scenery. Rain is seldom; the infrequent thunderstorms happen April thru November, and tend to be fierce and brief in the late afternoons, leaving the evenings dry and cooled off. Winter nights can get quite cold - down to freezing, so pack some warmer clothes during these times.

Live Weather Report:

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