Description
Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988, the city of Guanajuato is one of Mexico's most visited spots. A former mining town, the influence of Spanish culture in the country can be seen, whether in the streets, the underground roads, alleys, temples, buildings, plazas, and gardens. It is a city wrapped with magic and legends and was at the center of history during the Mexican independence movement.
State: Guanajuato
Coordinates:
21°01'14"N 101°15'24"W
Altitude: 2045 meters above sea level
Area:
km²
Time Zone: Central Standard Time UTC-6
Population: 171,709 inhabitants (INEGI, 2010)
Area Code: 473
Today, the colorful facades, the University, the Pípila Monument, the Alhóndiga de Granaditas (the old public granary building), its churches and underground roads, and the callejoneadas or walking folkloric bands offered by university students form an unmistakable mark on its radiant architecture and folklore.
Wandering through the city of Guanajuato offers a pleasant and magical experience. From the lookout point located at the foot of the pink stone monument dedicated to Pípila, accessible on foot or by cable car, visitors can admire a panoramic view of the city and the valley surrounding it.
Other attractions worth mentioning are the Callejón del Beso or Kissing Alley, the Casa Diego Rivera Museum, Quixote Iconography Museum, the Alhóndiga de Granaditas, the Wax Museum, and the Museum of the Mummies.
The city of Guanajuato is also an important international cultural reference since 1953 when the "Entremeses Cervantinos" began. It’s a university tradition that originated 20 years after the so-called fiesta del espíritu or party of the spirit. The Cervantes International Festival grand annual event was created in honor of the writer Miguel de Cervantes author of Don Quixote. For three weeks renowned national and international artists present in the streets, theaters and auditoriums; the best of the performing and visual arts.
How to get there?
Guanajuato is located in central Mexico in the heart of the state with the same name. It is bordered on the north by San Felipe, Dolores Hidalgo to the east, south to Salamanca, and Irapuato and Silao and León to the west. The closest airport to the city is the Guanajuato International Airport, also known as Bajio Airport, and is located in the nearby city of Silao. National and international flights arrive daily mainly from the U.S. The road leading to Guanajuato is the highway Carretera Federal 45 or Carretera Panamericana and Carretera Federal 57. You can reach the city on a tour bus.
Distance from Guanajuato to other destinations in Mexico
- San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato: 56 km.
- Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato: 63 km.
- León, Guanajuato: 81 km.
- Morelia, Michoacán: 179 km.
- Guadalajara, Jalisco: 284 km.
- Querétaro, Querétaro: 149 km.
- Zacatecas, Zacatecas: 310 km.
- Mexico City, Federal District: 361 km.
- Cuernavaca, Morelos: 440 km.
- Puebla, Puebla: 478 km.
- Monterrey, Nuevo Leon: 679 km.
Climate
The climate in Guanajuato is warm in the south / southwest and sub humid temperate in all other areas.
The annual maximum temperature is 36°C in the summer and a minimum of 3 ° C during the winter.
The annual average is 18°C. Typically the rains come in July.
What to pack?
Comfortable shoes, shorts or pants, short sleeve shirt, light sweater for the evenings, and sneakers.
In the winter wear long pants, boots, scarf, and jacket.
Activities and Attractions in the City of Guanajuato
Cervantes Monument, Pípila Monument, Peace Monument, Don Quixote and Sancho Panza Monument, Hidalgo Monument, Benito Juarez Monument, Miguel Cervantes Saavedra Monument.
The gardens of Jardín Reforma and de la Unión.
Basilica Collegiata de Nuestra Señora de Guanajuato, Temple of Belén, Temple of San Roque, Church of San Francisco, Church of San Diego Alcalá, Santa Casa de Loreto Chapel, Church of the Compañia de Jesús and its art gallery.
Sanctuary of the Cerro del Cubilete.
Callejón del Beso or Kissing Alley.
University students in the Atrium of the Temple San Diego de Alcalá.
Callejoneadas of the Estudiantinas "folkloric music bands" (evening).
Cuesta del Tecolote Hill, Campanero Bridge, Cable Cars of Guanajuato.
Hidalgo Market.
Alhóndiga de Granaditas and its Museum.
Underground streets of Guanajuato.
University of Guanajuato.
Panoramic View of the City from the Pípila Monument.
Museums: House of Legends, Mummy Museum of Guanajuato, Casa Diego Rivera Museum, Wax Museum, Gene Byron Museum, Former Hacienda San Gabriel de Barrera Museum, Quixote Iconographic Museum, Village Museum, Eduardo Villaseñor Sohle (Former Hacienda San Matias) Alhóndiga de Granaditas Museum.
Plazuela de San Fernando, Plaza de la Paz, Plaza San Roque, Plaza del Ropero dedicated to Jorge Negrete, Plaza de Baratillo, Plaza de las Ranas, Plaza Allende, the garden, Jardin del Cantador.
Valenciana Mine and the Temple of San Cayetano, La Valenciana Mine, El Nopal Mine.
Teatro Juarez, Teatro Cervantes, Teatro Principal.
State Auditorium.
Celebrations and Festivals in the City of Guanajuato
March: Guanajuato-Mexico Rally. March-April: Guanajuato Medieval Festival.
May: Organ International Festival, Chamber Music Festival.
July: International Film Festival.
1st Monday in July: Day Celebrations Opening the dam, Presa de la Olla.
July 31: Feast of St. Ignacio de Loyola.
August 8: Feast of Nuestra Señora de Guanajuato.
September (15 and 16): Celebration of Mexico’s Independence.
October: International Cervantes Festival.
October 31 to November 2: Day of the Dead Celebration.
November: Balloon Festival in Guanajuato.
December 12: Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe.