Guanajuato

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Guanajuato from La Casa Colorada Restaurant

El Campanero

Downtown Church

Guanajuato is a city in central Mexico and is the Capital city of the state bearing the same name. It is located at 21°02′N 101°28′W, 390 km northwest of Mexico City. The name of the city means "Place of Frogs" in the local indigenous language and therefore the frog is the city's official animal. Guanajuato is a beautiful mountain colonial town. Many tourists and locals consider this city to be the most beautiful in Mexico. It used to be a major silver mining town, and many of the mines are still active. The city is built on very hilly ground, so virtually every point in the city is on a slant. The city has a network of underground tunnels that serve as roads making this place really unique in the world.

[edit] Understand

Unlike other mexican cities that have an exact date of foundation, Guanajuato was the result of miner camping sites after silver veins were discovered between 1540 and 1558 and that eventually lead to a larger settlement. In 1558 a big silver vein was discovered in Guanajuato and produced nearly a third of all silver in the world by the next 250 years. The city was granted its city status in 1741 by Spanish King Philip V. Mining brought wealth to this town that spreaded towards its architecture and lifestyle.

The historic town of Guanajuato and adjacent mines were granted World Heritage status by UNESCO in 1987 and has been ranked by several travel magazines as one of the top travel destinations in the world.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By Plane

[edit] Del Bajio International Airport (IATA: BJX) (ICAO: MMLO)

The "Del Bajio International Airport" (BJX) in Leon is the closest airport serving Guanajuato. It also serves the cities of Leon and Silao, the industrial cities of the state. International airlines serving this airport include Aeromexico (Los Angeles CA, Ontario CA), American Eagle (Dallas, TX), Continental Airlines (Houston, TX), Delta Airlines (Atlanta, GA) and Mexicana (Chicago, IL; Los Angeles, CA, Oakland, CA, Sacramento, CA, San Jose, CA). Airlines serving this airport domestically to many cities across Mexico include: Aeromexico, Aviacsa, Avolar, Mexicana, Viva Aerobus and Volaris. Alternatively if you're flying from Europe, Asia or South America you can fly through Mexico City and take a bus or a flight from there. The bus ride is around 5 hours. You may also consider Queretaro International Airport QRO some 3 hours from Guanajuato.

[edit] By bus

Bus service in Mexico is quite reliable and comfortable. Before the recent start-up of several low cost carriers, Bus was the main mean of transport across Mexico. Several lines serve Guanajuato including ADO and Omnibus de Oriente. Buses are cheap, have air conditioning (except some "economy" ones), and often show movies and have refreshments.

You can take a taxi anywhere in the city to the bus station (Central de Autobuses in Spanish) to catch a bus to San Miguel de Allende (1 hour), Guadalajara (3 hours), Mexico City (5 hours), Acapulco, and other locations.

Tourist Trolley. Photo by Fabz

Tunnel under the Centro (downtown). Photo by Fabz

[edit] Get around

[edit] By foot

• Guanajuato is not very big, and you can walk to most places, a car is really not necessary.
• If you arrive to Guanajuato driving a car, make sure to park your car in your hotel, most offer free shuttle to the city, otherwise, park your car in a lot (Estacionamiento in spanish) Again, your car is useless if you want to know Guanajuato.
• There are lots of taxis and you should be able to get where you're going for around 2 to 4 dollars.
• Also, there are buses that you can ride for very cheap (Sistema Coordinado de Transporte de Guanajuato)

[edit] By tourist trolley

A trolley-like bus makes sightseeing tours of the city departing from Plaza de la Paz in the Centro, next to the Basilica of our Lady of Guanajuato. The rides lasts 1.5 hours and costs $50 pesos. There is a tour guide in Spanish only. Is a great way to know the city.

[edit] By Car

Remember, driving a car is NOT an option to know Guanajuato, however, if you plan to get in and out of the city then you will need to use the underground roads or tunnels, which are one of the main features of the city. The first tunnel was built in the remnants of a river in the late 1960's and new tunnels were later added to the city to speed up car traffic. The last was built around 1990. Many of the city buses run along the tunnels and is safe to take them in the special underground stops. Walking in the tunnels near Centro (downtown) is also safe. If you're driving, take into account that the tunnels are one way only, so taking the wrong tunnel may result in making a big tour around all the city.

Current tunnels:

• El Barretero Runs west-east, southeast of the city and connecting the neighborhood near Presa las Ollas
• La Galereña Runs north-south, south of the city and is an exit of the city
• El Minero Runs east-west, in Centro
• Tunel Noroeste Ponciano Aguilar Runs east to west, northeast of the city
• Tunel de los Angeles Runs west to east, south of the city and is an exit of the city.
• Santa Fe Runs east to west, northwest of the city.
• Miguel Hidalgo The longest of all tunnels. Runs west to east, across the city.
• Tamazuca The only two-way tunnel and the shortest also. Runs north to south and viceversa, west of the city.

[edit] See

[edit] Landmarks

A typical street

Teatro Juarez. Photo by Fabz

Universidad de Guanajuato. Photo by Fabz

• El Pipila, A 28-meter tall statue of an independence hero, atop the San Miguel hill. To reach this place use the funicular (cable car) just behind Teatro Juarez. Juan Jose Martinez, or also known as El Pipila, is the legend of a hero who wore a stone slab on his back to protect himself while burning the Spanish troops holed up in the Alhóndiga, or granary in September 1810. The view is beautiful, particularly at night.
• Jardin de la Union in Centro has several restaurants around the garden.
• Teatro Juarez In the Jardin de la Union. The architecture of this theater is part roman, part greek and part moorish, making it a really beautiful building. Inaugurated in 1903 by President Porfirio Diaz.
• Teatro Principal
• Callejon del Beso (Back alley of the kiss) Next to Plaza de los Angeles, in downtowwn. Two balconies separated by only 69 centimeters is home of an old love legend. For a few pennies some children will tell you the story.
• Temple of the Company of Jesus Built from 1747 to 1765.
• Basilica of our Lady of Guanajuato Built from 1671 to 1696. Inside this church there is a 1000 year old statue donated by Spanish King Charles I who tried to protect it from the arab invasion in Spain.
• Alhondiga de Granaditas Place where the independence revolutionaries burned the spanish troops.
• Escuela Normal Teacher's School.
• Palacio Legislativo (State Congress Palace). Located in Plaza de la Paz near Basilica of our lady of Guanajuato. This building was originally the city hall. It was built in 1903 and inaugurated by President Porfirio Diaz.
• Plaza del Baratillo
• Plaza de la Paz
• Plaza de San Fernando
• Presa de la Olla (Dam of La Olla) Built in 1749 to supply fresh water to the town. In this place you can rent a little boat. There's also a park and a great statue of Miguel Hidalgo casted in Italy also inaugurated by President Porfirio Diaz in the early 1900's. This area is very tranquil and quiet to have a break.
• Templo y Plazuela de San Roque
• Templo de San Diego Alcantara
• Universidad de Guanajuato

• Arquitecture In Guanajuato all the houses are typical and original is a very beautiful thing to see.

[edit] Mines

• Mina de Rayas THe first mine of Guanajuato discovered in 1550.
• Mina de Cata
• Mina Experimental El Nopal
• Mina de Valenciana The richest mine in Guanajuato still in operation today. It supplied enough silver to sponsor the spanish empire and its colonies.

[edit] Museums

• Museo de las Momias (the mummy museum).Explanada del Panteon S/N. A must if you're in Guanajuato. In 1910, due to the overcrowding of the local graveyard, the authorities were forced to exhume several bodies and when they did that they found the bodies turned into mummies rather than skulls. After that they founded this really strange and unique museum. Adults $50 pesos.

• Casa Diego Rivera The birthplace of Diego Rivera, a well-preserved traditional Mexican residence. Be sure to check out the collections of his simple, socialist-inspired works.
• Don Quixote museum. Small, but very well done.
• Casa de las Leyendas (House of Legends) Located in the hill of San Miguel, in the top station of the funicular.
• Casa de la Tia Aura Paseo de la Presa 62. Sort of house of horrors, featuring special effects. Inside this house a woman was buried alive inside the walls.
• Museum of the Town of Guanajuato Positos 7.
• Museo Gene Byron Housed in the Ex Hacienda of Santa Ana in the neighbouring town of Marfil.
• Museo de la Inquisicion (Museum of the Holy Inquisition) Featuring torture instruments. Valenciana street.
• Galeria Mariana Ponciano Aguilar 7.
• Museum of Mineralogy One of the richest collection of minerals in the world. Ex-hacienda de San Matias.
• Ex-convento Diegino Next to Templo de San Diego.
• Museo Alfredo Duges

[edit] Do

• Guanajuato is not that big, you can just walk randomly along the back alleys and steep streets.
• At the University, there is a 3-4 story series of steps that lead up to an auditorium. Climb up the steps and look out over the colonial city. It is, by far and away, the most beautiful view of Mexico I have seen.

• Climb to the top of La Bufa, the mountain that overlooks Guanajuato with a cross on top. There's a trail that goes to the top. It takes at most 1 1/2 - 2 hours to get to the top and there is an amazing view of the city.

• Ride the Funicular to the top of the mountain where the statue of the "Pipila" is located. The Funicular station is just behind the Teatro Juarez. One way $12 pesos Round trip $24.

• Visit Museo de las Momias (Mummy museum) a strange collection of local mummys.
• The central plaza (El Jardín) always has a lot of things going on, even at night.

• In March, Guanajuato and nearby Léon host the Mexican round of the World Rally Championship.

• As you can go clubbing at night museums in the morning etc, theres also nice tracks to exercise for example Nieto Pina located going towards the Pipila from los Mineros.

Nieto Pina Exercise complex

[edit] Buy

Mercado Hidalgo

• Mercado Hidalgo, Juarez Street and Mendizabal. A 2 story indoor market selling from touristy stuff (handcrafts, souvenirs, etc) to groceries (food, confectionery and clothing). It is said, the structure of this market was originally intended to be a train station in Antwerpen, Belgium, but it was brought to Guanajuato by President Porfirio Diaz and completed in 1910, shortly before the start of the Mexican Revolution. The façade of this building is made of pink quarry and bursts a tower.
• El Cubilete Juarez Ave. 188. Across Comercial Mexicana. This is your one-stop store for confectionery. Established in 1955 they sell all sorts of local sweets. The specialties include "Charamuscas" , figures made of caramel resembling the mummies. Try also Cajeta, sort of Dulce de Leche but this is made of goat's milk.

• Embajadoras If you are looking for ripped-off CDs, go this place on a Saturday, and there are some tents set up there.

• Del Sol If you need to get all your basics at once, check out this place which is similar to a Wal-Mart, or right down the road from Del Sol

• Comercial Mexicana On Juarez Avenue, three blocks from the Alhondiga. A branch of the mexican supermaket chain that sells everything from basic groceries to TV's and some clothing.

• If you are looking more for handmade crafts and more touristy stuff, take a bus to San Miguel de Allende, about an hour away from Guanajuato. There is a large open-air artisan market there.

[edit] Learn

• The Academia Falcon[1] is a good school. You can take 2 - 5 hours of instruction daily. Each hour is with a different teacher, on a different subject, and each week you get a new schedule of classes. This might seem confusing, but out of the 4 different language schools I've attended world wide (not counting college and university classes) this school was the best place to learn to speak Spanish, because that's almost all we did, all the time.

[edit] Eat

In Guanajuato the local dish is Miner's Enchiladas. Served almost everywhere.

• Truco 7 is located near the Jardín and features Mexican food as well as American and at a decent price. They have tortilla soup, enchiladas, and hamburgers.

• Try the Cafe that features outdoor seating next to Teatro Juarez. Their prices are affordable, and they might just have the best guacamole in town.

• If you want cheap food and free internet access visit Cafè Santo which is a 5minute walk from Teatro Juarez, avoid eating in the Jardin if you are on a budget, that is the "tourist trap" area of Guanajuato.

[edit] Drink

The nightlife is very active in Guanajuato, especially on weekends. Look for people passing out flyers during the day for drink specials and sometimes free drink coupons.

• To start the night off, stop by one of the little cafes in the Jardín, for dinner and drinks and mariachi band ambience. It is a great place to people watch.

• Capitolio is a favorite both among tourists and local. This club has 2 levels, with a large main room, and a smaller "hip-hop room" in the back. There is a large bar in the middle of the club specifically for dancing. You can order a full set up for mixed drinks where they will bring out glasses, ice, a bottle and a mixer of your choice. There are often specials on drinks. There are 2 bars. The music is well-mixed with a mixture of top 40, reggaeton, rock and pop en espanol, salsa, meringue, techno, and electronic. When there is a special event they will open up the roof and shoot off fireworks. The club is always packed on weekends, mostly with university students, and the party doesn't stop until about 4:30. Since the change owners it has been down. But people are very friendly and good security.

El CAPITOLIO

• Capitolio Light, [2] is a very chill place, karaoke, and exotic drinks. Its one of the most friendly places at night, owner its always there so you'll have a excellent service. Special prices if you talk to the owner "ruben". Its also a great place to go before you go to the capitolio, becuase clubs start after 11:00 pm.

• Guanajuato Grill is another favorite of locals and tourists. It is even bigger than Capitolio and boasts 2 levels. It is always packed on weekends, with the same type of crowd as Capitolio. Although it plays similar music to what you hear in Capitolio, it tends to play more electronic and techno music. It also offers great drink specials, especially on bottles.

• El Bar, now called La Copa is a salsa bar across the street from Teatro Juarez. It offers salsa lessons every night from 9 to 10. It plays mostly salsa and merengue all night and often has salsa shows.

• La Havana is a salsa bar that attracts a more local, late-night crowd.

• Apple is a very chill bar that attracts a young crowd and plays mostly electronic music.

• Why Not is another chill bar that plays unique latino indie-rock and reggae. It's a good place to hang out and play pool. The bartenders are very sociable and entertaining.

• Test your Spanish skills at Don Ole Karaoke, across the street from Teatro Juarez. Don't worry, they have songs in English, too.

• If you are looking for some after-clubbing late-night/early morning food try Cupulas for some delicious quesadillas.

• Alcatraz is located near the Jardín and features great drink specials and a great atmosphere with many locals.

• Try Bar Fly for a younger crowd. The staff is friendly and gets to know their customers. There is regae music as well as lamp shades made out of solo cups. A definite must-see.

• And definitely try Sol a popular Mexican beer similar to Corona.

Hostalito Guanajuato is a nice hostel with both private and dorm rooms, internet access, and a lounge that sells beer and refreshments. The open-air rooftop offers a nice view of the adjacent hillsides from its hammock. The owner, Lupita, will go out of her way to make you feel welcome and at home, but at the cost of the hostel's slightly higher-than-going-rate prices.

[edit] Sleep

• Casa de Pita, : +52 473 73 21532, : guadalupevaltierra@yahoo.com.mx, Website: http://www.casadepita.com/. This Guanajuato B&B has location, location, location and remarkable value; one block from Plaza Baratillo and another block to Plaza Union and Teatro Juarez – the heart of Guanajuato City and easy walking distance to all within-city attractions. Very safe location, clean, friendly, wireless Internet access and great breakfast in a colorful, truly Mexican home. 12 USD per night for a dorm bed. 12 USD per night for a dorm bed

• The Garden Studios in la Presa, : +52 473 731-1922 9am-5pm central time, : byrnes.bill@gmail.com. Located in one of the most elegant neighborhoods of Guanajuato. Walking distance to el Centro Historico. Fastest Wifi DSL in Guanajuato included, feather/down comforters, fresh flowers on arrival and terry bath robes too. Gas space heaters for those chilly evenings and mornings [gas at cost]

USD$39-59/nightly Weekly rates and 20% discount on stays over 4 weeks

[edit] Stay safe

Guanajuato is a really safe city, police are always around, and people are very friendly to tourists. As long as you stay around downtown which is mainly the entire city you are safe.

[edit] Get out

Try also to visit Dolores Hidalgo (about 1 hour from Guanajuato) and San Miguel de Allende (about 1.5 hours from Guajuato), both cities in Guanajuato State. Or, if you love shoes you can go to Leon, "The Shoes Capitol". The shoes and boots are inexpensive, but very good quality.