DESCRIPCIÓN
The vibrant and warm city welcomes you with its cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and lively music.
I truly believe that there are magical places on earth that you have to go out and see, and this is one of them. I am so sure that Guanajuato City will capture your heart the way it captured mine.
Guanajuato City, a Spanish Colonial Town
Guanajuato City has always been a prominent and wealthy city since its early days. The Spanish colonial town boasted rich fortune in its abundance of silver and later became Mexico’s richest city. Due to the influx of silver, there were a plethora of men coming from all over the world to strike it rich. The overwhelming wealth that circulated the city resulted in the most awestruck buildings you see today. The architecture is something you can’t overlook when walking around this city. It will literally take your breath away.
What to do in Guanajuato City
There are so many things to do, and you will feel like there isn’t enough time in the world to see it all, no matter how much time you give yourself. I truly believe if you gave yourself as much as a week or even a month, you will still not be able to uncover every single crevice of this city. That’s the beauty of Guanajuato City, though. It will always leave you wanting to come back for more.
See: El Jardín Unión
Consider El Jardín Unión as the central point to your days in Guanajuato City as it’s in the center of town and the hub of all the hustle and bustle. You can spend your mornings eating breakfast at any one of the restaurants that surround the garden, with a perfect view of everything going around that part of town. You can also spend a chunk of your afternoon escaping the heat as it’s significantly cooler there due to the shade the trees give off. It’s also the perfect place to sit down and people watch with some gelato. Lastly, it’s the perfect spot to purchase tickets to take part in a callejoneada.
Experience: Callejoneada
Callejoneadas are romantic, fun, exciting, and the best way to experience evenings in Guanajuato. There is music all around the city that flows through the alleyways and busy streets of Guanajuato. I don’t think there is ever a time when the city is quiet.
A callejoneada is a fun, interactive experience where a group of men dressed up in traditional Mexican pantaloons play traditional Mexican music and take you on a tour around the city. To partake in a callejoneada, it is about 200 Mexican Pesos. It’s an experience you’ll never forget, as you get to see hidden gems of the city and it makes you fall more in love with Guanajuato. They also incorporate stories and legends of the alleys, so brush up on your Spanish, because you’re in for some stories you won’t get anywhere else.
Visit: Museo de las Momias de Guanajuato
The mummy museum in Guanajuato is a must-see. The very soil that lays beneath the colorful buildings and the entire state has phenomenal properties that naturally mummify those who are buried in its soil. Although there are reports of some mummies being embalmed prior to their burial, there are a significant amount of mummies who didn’t go through an embalming process and are naturally preserved.
If you have the stomach for it, a ticket to view the mummies cost 56 Mexican Pesos per person.
See: El Callejon del Beso
If you’re a romantic like myself, you’ll definitely want to check out El Callejon del Beso. This famous alley gets its name from a heartbreaking yet touching love story that (allegedly) happened in the city many, many years ago. Similar to the tale of Romeo and Juliet, the tale involves two lovers who couldn’t bear being away from each other and would meet on their balconies every evening until they were caught. The tale ends tragically, but it’s so romantic you can’t help but feel inspired to find that everlasting love.
This is now a popular destination for lovers and singles alike. They say to kiss your significant other in the alleyway to bring good luck to the relationship. You can also stand on one of the balconies and kiss your significant other on the other balcony. It makes for a beautiful photo for Instagram!
Visit: Museo Casa Diego Rivera
There is art all over Guanajuato. It seems like everywhere you go, someone is creating something new, and you can’t help but feel your creative juices flow as you witness the art come to life. You can drive through the city and pass by people painting on large canvases or walk around during the day and be charmed by the animation of music echoing through the allies. The entire city is a masterpiece, I tell you.
Sounds corny, but perhaps it’s all the color that makes you feel like you’re in a living watercolor palette, and you can’t help but feel influenced to create something new as well.
Perhaps that’s why Diego Rivera came to be one of the greatest painters of all time. He was a product of his own environment. You can visit his childhood home and see his paintings for yourself if you’d like at the Museo Casa Diego Rivera.
See: Teatro Juarez
Across the lush green El Jardín and adjacent to Templo de San Diego de Alcántara is Teatro Juarez. Incorporating French architecture, this work of art is sure to catch your eye while you’re strolling down the streets. You can find both locals and tourists sunbathing on the steps as well as tourists walking in and out of the theater. The interior boasts a beautifully ornamented red and gold design, producing a very lavish vibe for anyone who walks in.
See: Basílica de Nuestra Señora
Situated on the Plaza de la Paz is the ravishing Basílica de Nuestra Señora. Whether you are at the top of a hill looking down at the city or simply walking around, you will always be struck by the presence of this church. Going inside and attending mass was one of my favorite things that I have done in the city. Whether you are religious or not, I think you should take the time to visit and appreciate the beauty of this church.
Just being in there made me so incredibly grateful to be there at that moment.
Plaza de la Paz
My ideal morning would be a morning stroll to Plaza de la Paz, situating myself on a table at one of the outdoor restaurants, and eating a delicious breakfast to start off the day. With a prime view of Basílica de Nuestra Señora, you won’t want to be anywhere else.
University of Guanajuato
This grand university will leave you feeling speechless at first glance. Not just because of its striking beauty, but because of the hundreds of steps it takes to get to class. Could you imagine walking to class every morning and taking those steps?
This is one of the most prestigious universities in Mexico, and it was founded in the 18th century
Explore the Tunnels
There’s so much to explore underneath the city. You’re going to feel like you were transported back in time. These tunnels are nothing like the ones you see in the city. They have been blasted by dynamite hundreds of years ago but were left untouched, giving you a raw, authentic feel of the city.
Mercado Hidalgo
Ah, Mercado Hidalgo. The hub for food, art, and handmade goods that will make you wish you had unlimited space in your luggage. You can easily get lost in the chaos of it all, and that’s a good thing. Just by spending an afternoon here, you will come to appreciate the hustle, the dedication, and the craft that goes into this market.
For the most mouth-watering Mexican meals that are cooked right in front of you, to the wide variety of handmade goods to bring home, you are in for a great afternoon here. You can easily spend hours just walking around this market, trying to soak everything in.
Monument al Pipila
The Monument al Pipila, the war hero of the Mexican War of Independence. This towering monument can be seen all throughout the city, and will always be a beautiful sight to see. You can take el funicular, which is a 2-minute ride up to the base of the monument, or take a strenuous hike up along the neighborhood to see this majestic beauty. I’ve done both, and to be honest, the latter is much more rewarding.
The high you feel from standing at the top of this city is unmatched.
If you couldn’t tell already, there are a plethora of things to do, things to see, things to eat, and just things to appreciate about this marvelous town. Like I said in the beginning, you will never feel like you saw everything that there is to this city, even if you gave yourself a week to a month, perhaps if you lived here all your life, you will always be on the hunt to finding something new.
