Located in Mexico’s central region, Guanajuato lies south of Zacatecas and San Luis Potosi, west of Queretaro, north of Michoacan and east of Jalisco.
This state has a temperate climate and geography that consists of mountains, sierras and nature reserves. During your stay, you can visit the city of Guanajuato, the state capital, which was declared a World Heritage Site due to its beautiful colonial architecture and its lively culture. The best way to check out the city is on foot along the narrow cobblestone streets, which lead to plazas and small squares, where locals just might tell you a story or two about the city’s many legends. One of Guanajuato’s main tourist attractions and a must-see for first-time visitors is the Mummy Museum. Also important is the International Cervantes Festival, a festive cultural event that takes place in October. Nearby, you can visit the town of Dolores Hidalgo, famous for its ceramics, and the magical town of San Miguel de Allende, where you’ll find a serene atmosphere that has inspired many writers and artists. It’s also a popular retirement community. In the city of Leon you’ll find various leather goods including shoes and jackets.
In the surrounding areas, you can visit the famous Cerro del Cubilete, where you’ll find the mystical Santuario de Cristo Rey, which has a large Christ statue at the top of the hill. You can also visit nature areas, such as Valle de Santiago and Sierra de Lobos, the ideal spots for camping, rappelling and observing diverse flora and fauna.
GUANAJUATO
The city of Guanajuato, cultural capital of the Bajio region in central Mexico, is one of the most charming destinations in the nation. It has three varying climates (semi-arid, template and semi-dry) throughout the year and an average temperature of 17º C (62º F).
Declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO, the city’s Historic Center will impress you with its civic and religious buildings, built in the colonial era during the mining boom between the 16th and 18th centuries.
During your stay, you’ll see excellent examples of New Spain Baroque art on such edifices as the Basilica Señora de Guanajuato, the Templo de San Diego, the Alhondiga de Granaditas (a grain depository) and the Monumento al Pipila. The buildings take you back in time to the glorious independence era. As you walk down the streets and alleyways you’ll come across spots that have inspired the creation of myths and legends, such as the famous Callejon del Beso (Alley of the Kiss). You’ll also be able to walk through underground tunnels that connect one side of the city to the other. At the plazas and fountains, you can enjoy the tranquility that you’ll find at such places as the Baratillo, where you can buy the finest regional crafts. Various cultural events also take place in the squares and streets, such as the International Cervantes Festival, which brings together many artists of diverse cultural and artistic disciplines.
Some of the events are also held at the beautiful Teatro Juarez, the city’s most important venue. In museums, such as the Mummy Museum, you’ll discover the secrets and mysteries of the mummification process. To unravel more mysteries, visit the Cristo Rey del Cubilete Sanctuary, where you can also go paragliding. Finally, you can do a culinary tour of the region, starting out in Celaya and moving on to San Miguel de Allende. These areas have some of the best food in Mexico.
SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE
San Miguel de Allende is located in central Mexico, 92 km (57 mi) west of the city of Guanajuato and 276 km (170 mi) northwest of Mexico City, off Highway 110. The average temperature ranges between 16º and 22º C (61&or |
