Etat de Guanajuato- Guanajuato

State of Guanajuato- San Miguel de Allende

October 15, 2021

Mexico

WEATHER

Temperatures are pleasant all year round. They range on average from 23 ° (January) to 31 ° (May). The rainiest months are June, July and August.

TRANSPORTS

Sayulita - Guadalajara, 5h with the Pacifico company for 585 pesos (24 euros). Guadalajara - Guanajuato, 4 hours with the ETN company for 615 pesos (26 euros).
The scenery is splendid, that is the cool side of traveling by bus. You can actually explore the country. I see whole fields of blue agave; it is really nice. But the journey will still be long. With Awaina, we left Sayulita at 1:15 p.m. to arrive at 1:30 a.m. in Guanajuato. We had to wait 2 hours in the terminal in Guadalajara to take the 2nd bus. Once in Guanajuato, we took a taxi for 100 pesos to reach the center where everyone had rented on their own. Luckily, our rentals were 5 minutes apart. The first glimpses of the city leave us with a smile on our face, this city is already keeping its promises, great visits are on the way.

To visit

With a population of around 195,000 inhabitants, Guanajuato is the capital of the state of the same name. Former mining town, it is today known for its historic center classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, its mathematics research center, its mummies and its university.

Guanajuato

Top 10 things to do in Guanajuato

Pipila monument located at the top of the funicular which offers the most spectacular view of Guanajuato
Juarez Theater
Idalgo Market: huge covered market where you can find everything
Union Garden
Callejon del beso (the street of the kiss) where tourists from all over the world come to kiss for a souvenir photo
Museum Ex-Hacienda San Gabriel de Barrera
Museum Casa Diego Rivera: born in Guanajuato, we can visit the house in which he grew up
University of Guanajuato
Mummy Museum
Museum Alhóndiga de Granaditas
Don Quixote Iconographic Museum
Basilica of Our Lady of Guanajuato
San Fernando Square

Did you know ?

El Pipila is the huge statue representing the city's hero, Juan José de los Reyes. On September 28, 1810, at the very start of the War of Independence, he launched the assault by burning the entrance to the building in which the Spanish settlers had barricaded themselves, thus offering victory to the insurgents.

Guanajuato: the most beautiful city in Mexico

Old mining town, its natural resources attracted during the colonial period the Spaniards in search of gold, lead, iron, zinc, tin and especially silver! Astronomical amounts of these precious metals were being mined every day, so much so that at its peak, the city supplied two-thirds of the world's silver production. Guanajuato was then the richest and most important city in colonial-era Mexico.

Historically, Guanajuato is very important because it is here that the movement for independence against Spain began. The first battle of the War of Independence took place there.

Cultural city par excellence, there are regularly many theater, music and other festivals ... Every year in the fall, it is the headquarters of the Cervantino International Cultural Festival. Born mid 20th century^th , when plays by Miguel de Cervantes were still playing in the streets of the city. In 1972, with the support of the federal government, more traditional attractions were added to give the festival an international dimension. The festival has grown since then to become one of the four biggest festivals of its kind in the world.

Guanajuato is also the Diego Rivera's hometown,the great Mexican painter and husband of Frida Kahlo and of Jorge Negrete, considered one of the most popular Mexican singers and actors.

Did you know ?
Mummies Museum

At the beginning of the 19th century, a serious cholera epidemic killed so many people that there was no longer enough room in the cemeteries. The authorities therefore introduced a new tax that the families of the deceased had to pay. But if this was not paid, the bodies were dug up! They then noticed that some bodies had mummified. Indeed, the minerals contained in the soil and particularly dry atmospheric conditions have contributed to the conservation of bodies. These were stored in a building, and in the 1900s they began to attract tourists. The gravediggers had the idea of asking visitors a few pesos to enter the said building. The place was later transformed into a museum called Museo de las Momias de Guanajuato. A law prohibiting exhumation was passed in 1958, but this museum still exhibits the original mummies.
From an ethical point of view, I have a problem with this museum, so I will not visit it.

Housing

- Casa de un Artista -

And where does chance take me? Well, in the house where grew up Jorge Negrete. Unbelievable ! There is also, just in front of the house, a statue with his effigy. I booked a room in this house through Airbnb for 350 pesos (15 euros) per night.

Possibility to negotiate the price on site at 270 pesos per night.

Strengths of the establishment

Cheap room, spacious, confortable, and quiet because it overlooks an interior courtyard
Pleasant and well-equipped kitchen
Small sunny balcony
Mario is a kind, friendly host and an artist himself
Located in the center
Possibility to take aerial lessons with Mario

Encounters

I introduce you Awaina. I met this 21 year old girl in Sayulita. She has started a world tour that she intends to do in 16 months. She also started a blog a year ago. Passionate about photography, she likes to share what she sees, what she experiences. Interesting what she can already capture at her age. She decided to join me in going to Guanajuato. We will have a great time together. A great company. But where I have time to stay as long as I want in a place, his world tour project forces him to go faster and therefore to separate us for the rest of our travels. Have a good trip my dear!

This is Mario, the owner of my Airbnb. 35-year-old artist, with his own artistic company, he will never cease to amaze me with the many skills he has. Coming from the circus, he is particularly gifted in aerial work. He creates his shows, animations and makes his own costumes. He sings lyrical. In the house, he designed and manufactured a number of pieces of furniture. We will spend time together. He will give me in particular an aerial lesson in which I rather amazed him haha. Too proud!

Click on a photo to start the slideshow

Assessment

A sunny week to experience the frenzied rhythm of this admirably colorful city. An art of living reigns here giving the city a vibrant and ultra positive atmosphere. A must do in Mexico.

Next destination: San Miguel de Allende. 1h30 by bus with the ETN company for 180 pesos (7.50 euros).