Most tourists combine a Guanajuato visit with a San Miguel de Allende one. The differences couldn’t be bigger: picture-perfect colonial San Miguel, with its laidback (did anyone say boring?) vibe attracting American pensioners and expats for ridiculous real estate prices. And vibrant student town Guanajuato, its colorful houses smacked in a narrow stretch in between steep hills, living the vida loca. Which one would you prefer?
(there is also a photo album about Guanajuato)
Morning
Start of course with a walk around town to get a feeling for the city. Head straight to Mercado Hidalgo, a chaotic market in an awe-inspiring domed building. Squeeze your ass in between the locals at the many food stalls, order yourself a fresh juice and something warm and you are good to go.
Turn left hundred metres toward the Plaza de Musico, make a right turn and another right at the Plaza de la Alhondiga into Calle 28 de Septiembre. This will lead back into the centre. A visit to the Museo Casa Diego Rivera is an excellent option here. Further down is also the Museo de Arte Contemporaneo. Head towards the Teatro Principal, you will find excellent options for a coffee and lunch as well here.
Afternoon
Head back west into the centre. Enjoy the way-to-neat Jardin de la Union, pretend as if you didn’t see the Starbucks there and move on to admire the yellow-plastered Basilica. Now it’s time to have your afternoon art dish. The Casa del Ronde Rul was a very pleasant discovery, full of contemporary art. But if you enjoy more traditional stuff, or a history museum, you can find several options within a 500 metre radius.
Towards sunset it is time to catch the funicular or walk 10-15 minutes up the stairs towards the statue overlooking the city. This is the best place to enjoy the colorful houses of Guanajuato, smacked in between the steep hills, being taken over by darkness. Don’t forget to bring your camera, a warm coat and a cold beer.
Evening
There is a thin line between catering for tourists and showing a local tradition. The students who are serenading foreigners in the pedestrianized streets every evening though tend to stay on the good side of that line. It is a truly funny thing to experience, and an excellent start to the evening.
Dinner options abound, but Las Musas is a solid choice. It often has a buffet, good price-value, and is in the city center. It will set you up perfectly for a visit to the Teatro Principal or Teatro Juarez.
Guanajuato is the theatre capital of Mexico, with excellent festivals and these two magnificent buildings to prove it. There are many more small theatres as well of course. If you still have energy left, dive into one of the many student bars on the northern edge of the centre to bring your night to an alcoholic end.
Good to know
- if you don’t have a car, take a long-distance bus from Guadalajara from the western side or San Miguel de Allende or Queretaro coming from the east. Both take a couple of hours
- Once at the bus terminal, the best way into town is to get a taxi. Because the centre is in between steep hills, the terminal itself is a couple of kilometres outside the city. Make sure to agree on the price before you get in
- If you stay within the centre, you can walk everywhere. Otherwise, get a local bus
- Again because of the topography, evenings can get cold quickly here. The sun doesn’t get a free pass here as it does in other parts of the country. Which doesn’t mean it gets really uncomfortable here, but walking around in shorts, flip-flops and a tanktop at night would be begging for problems in winter. Also bring a rain jacket, just in case. Regular rain season (May-September) applies, but in other months there is also the occasional rainshower