Things to do in Guanajuato

Best time to visit Guanajuato

• a note or something on   ✦ an occasion worth the trip

• October

  Cervantino festival; book everything far ahead.

• November

  Day of the Dead; atmospheric, busy.

• December to February

  Cool evenings, clear days; pleasant.

• March to May

  Warm and dry; good value.

• June to September

  Rainy afternoons; green and quiet.

What's on

• Festival Internacional Cervantino October

  One of the world's great arts festivals; the city triples in energy and price.

Best things to do in Guanajuato

• Callejón del Beso

  Free

  The famous narrow alley of the kiss legend; go early for crowd-free photos.

• Monumento al Pípila

  $

  Funicular up to the statue for the classic city panorama; sunset is prime.

• Teatro Juárez

  $

  19th-century theatre; tour the interior or catch an evening show.

• Mercado Hidalgo

  $

  Iron-and-glass market; cheapest good food in the centre at the stalls.

• Jardín de la Unión

  Free

  The city's living room; mariachis, benches, and evening callejoneadas.

• Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Guanajuato

  Free

  Yellow baroque basilica on Plaza de la Paz; free entry.

• Museo de las Momias de Guanajuato

  $

  The famous mummy museum; macabre, allow an hour.

• Museo Casa Diego Rivera

  $

  Rivera's birthplace and early-work museum; quick and worthwhile.

Where to stay in Guanajuato

• Centro Histórico

  first-timers, walkers

• Paseo de la Presa

  quieter stays near the centre

• Hillside callejones

  romantic views, small guesthouses

• La Valenciana

  quiet retreat above the city

Think twice about

• By the central bus terminal
• León or Silao as a base
• Steepest alleys with mobility issues

Best restaurants in Guanajuato

• Mercado Hidalgo

  $

  Market stalls for enchiladas mineras and gorditas at local prices.

• La Carreta

  $$

  Mexican classics on the Jardín de la Unión terrace.

• El Truco 7

  $$

  Seafood and a strong mezcal selection; good dinner.

• Mestizo

  $$$

  Modern upscale Mexican; reserve for a nice night.

• Biznaga Café

  $

  Breakfast and coffee in a cafe setting; start the day here.

• Los Huascales

  $$

  Quesadillas and sopa azteca; casual and good.

• Los Campos

  $$

  Mixed salads, elote with jalapeños, chuleta al pastor.

• La Escarola

  $$

  Courtyard restaurant; tacos de frijoles y queso, limonada.

Best bars in Guanajuato

• Black Mamba

  $$

  Cocktails and tapas; the evening drink spot.

Best coffee in Guanajuato

• Café Conquistador

  $

  Coffee house on Positos; the afternoon coffee stop.

Outdoor things to do in Guanajuato

• Templo de San Cayetano

  Free

  Pink baroque church with a gilded interior; 15 minutes from the centre.

• Cerro del Cubilete

  Free

  Hilltop Cristo Rey statue with big views; go in the morning.

• Museo Ex-Hacienda San Gabriel de Barrera

  $

  Restored 17th-century hacienda with gardens; a calm half-day.

• San Miguel de Allende

  $

  Famous colonial city 90 minutes by bus; full-day trip.

• Dolores Hidalgo

  $

  Cradle of Independence plus famous exotic-flavour ice creams.

Best hotels in Guanajuato

• Edelmira Hotel Boutique

  $$$

  Restored historic property with rooftop terrace and pool.

• Hotel Boutique 1850

  $$$

  Art-deco boutique by Jardín de la Unión with a spa.

• Nueve 25 Hotel Boutique

  $$$$

  Design-led luxury with gallery and spa; the splurge.

• Hotel Indigo Guanajuato

  $$

  Modern IHG boutique on Calle Pardo; reliable.

• Casa del Rector Hotel Boutique

  $$$

  Converted 18th-century house with frescoed courtyards.

Is Guanajuato expensive? What a day costs

A day of food, drink, sights and getting around, before the room

What to book ahead

• Mestizo: a few days ahead
• Edelmira Hotel Boutique: weeks ahead
• Hotel Boutique 1850: weeks ahead
• Nueve 25 Hotel Boutique: weeks ahead
• Hotel Indigo Guanajuato: weeks ahead
• Casa del Rector Hotel Boutique: weeks ahead

• Cervantino in October: book hotels months ahead.
• Weekend boutique hotels in high season: weeks ahead.

Is Guanajuato safe?

• Safe for tourists; watch for pickpockets in the market. Wet cobblestones are the real hazard. Emergency number: 911.

Guanajuato travel tips: tourist traps to skip

• Jardín terrace touts: one terrace meal is enough; prices are higher.
• Mummy museum is macabre; skip if it is not your thing.
• Callejoneadas are free to join; just buy your own wine.

Getting around Guanajuato: public transport and more

• The centre is walkable; tunnels carry through-traffic.
• Taxis are cheap; Uber works and is cheaper for longer rides.
• Funicular to El Pípila runs from behind Teatro Juárez.

Who Guanajuato suits

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