Guanajuato, Guanajuato

Exploring the Enchanting City of Guanajuato

By Dorothy Bell

Guanajuato, Guanajuato

Guanajuato is one of my most favorite spots in the world. I love the colors, the pace, and the energy that the city possesses and shares.

Guanajuato is an amazing city, a labyrinth of tiny colonial streets leading into underground tunnels in the belly of the city. Colorful small houses and grand colonial buildings dot the urban landscape and center around a plethora of tiny treed squares that pop out throughout the city.

The best way to explore this city is to park your car and lace up your walking shoes. Start at the top and work your way down to the park. On the first day, just wander. On the second day, take a map and make sure you see everything you want to see.

The earliest name for the area is “Mo-o-ti,” which means “place of metals.” The Aztecs called it “Paxtitlán,” meaning “place of straw.” The name Guanajuato means “Mountainous Place of Frogs” in the indigenous Purépecha language.

Location

Guanajuato is located in central Mexico.

Weather

• Warmer in late spring/summer: May is the warmest month.
• Cooler and drier in the winter.
• Rainy season: May to October.
• January Average Highs: 22.3°C (72.1°F), Lows: 6.9°C (44.4°F)
• July Average Highs: 26.9°C (80.4°F), Lows: 14.1°C (57.4°F)

Population

• 172,000

Elevation

• 2,000 m (6,600 ft)

Founded

In the 1540s, the Spanish found gold. In 1548, a fort was built and called Real de Minas de Guanajuato by Viceroy Don Antonio de Mendoza.

Medical

• Major Medical & Dental services available.

Money

• Major Banks are present.
• 

History

Some of the nomadic tribes worshipped the spirit of the frog and settled in this area where a mountain appeared in a frog-like shape. Situated in a basin of the Sierra de Guanajuato range, the area was constantly flooded from the Guanajuato River, which overflowed from 3 kilometers beneath the earth.

Various indigenous bands inhabited the area prior to the arrival of the Spanish, including the Otomi, the Nahua, the Guamares, and the Purépecha. They settled along the river, and as the population increased, homes and settlements expanded up into the hills following the path of the river.

Today

• High Tourist Season: Mid-December to mid-March, especially Christmas and Semana Santa. July and August are busy with Mexican vacationers.
• Semana Santa: The week preceding Easter.
• Cervantino Festival: Mid-October.
• Industry: Tourism and agriculture.

Getting There

By Car

From Mexico City:

• Take Highway 57D (Mexico-Querétaro).
• Switch to Highway 45D towards Irapuato and then follow signs to Guanajuato.
• The drive takes approximately 4-5 hours.

From León:

• Drive south on Highway 45.
• Turn onto Highway 110D, which will lead directly into Guanajuato.
• The drive takes about 1-1.5 hours.

By Bus

• Several bus lines, including Primera Plus and ETN, operate services to Guanajuato from major cities like Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Querétaro.
• From Mexico City, the bus ride typically takes around 5-6 hours.
• From León, the bus ride is approximately 1.5 hours.

By Air

• The closest airport is Del Bajío International Airport (BJX) near León.
• From the airport, you can take a taxi or a shuttle to Guanajuato, which is about a 30-40 minute drive.

Practical Tips

• Parking: Once in Guanajuato, consider parking your car and exploring the city on foot due to its narrow streets and limited parking options.
• Currency: While major establishments accept credit cards, having some Mexican pesos for small purchases and local markets is advisable.
• Maps: Grab a map from the local tourist office to help navigate the winding streets and discover hidden gems.

By choosing the most suitable mode of transportation, you can enjoy a smooth journey to Guanajuato and fully immerse yourself in the charm and beauty of this vibrant city.