Guanajuato

Guanajuato is a city in central Mexico and is the capital city of the state bearing the same name. It is 390 km (about 250 miles) northwest of Mexico City. The name of the city means "Place of Frogs" in the local indigenous language and therefore the frog is the city's official pet.

Guanajuato is a beautiful mountain colonial town. Many tourists and locals consider this city to be the most beautiful in Mexico. It used to be a major silver mining town, and many of the mines are still active. The city is built on very hilly ground, so virtually every point in the city is on a slant. The city has a network of underground tunnels that serve as roads making this place unique in the world.

Unlike other Mexican cities that have an exact date of foundation, Guanajuato was the result of miner camping sites after silver veins were discovered between 1540 and 1558 and that eventually lead to a larger settlement. In 1558 a big silver vein was discovered in Guanajuato and produced nearly a third of all silver in the world by the next 250 years. The city was granted its city status in 1741 by Spanish King Philip V. Mining brought wealth to this town that spread towards its architecture and lifestyle. The historic town of Guanajuato and adjacent mines were granted World Heritage status by UNESCO in 1987 and has been ranked by several travel magazines as one of the top travel destinations in the world.

• Tourist Information Office, Cantarranas 5 (Centro, +52 473 732 4363. M-F 08:30-16:00.

Tourist Information Office, Cantarranas 5 (Centro, +52 473 732 4363. M-F 08:30-16:00.

• Basilica of Our Lady of Guanajuato, C/ Ponciano Aguilar 7, +52 473 732 0314. Built from 1671 to 1696. Inside this church there is a 1000-year-old statue donated by Spanish King Charles I who tried to protect it from the Arab invasion in Spain.
• Church of the Company of Jesus, Lascuráin de Retana s/n, +52 473 733 9782. Daily 8:00-20:00. Built between 1747 and 1765.
• Templo de San Roque, Plazuela de San Roque. Opening hrs vary. Built in 1726, this was a Jesuit school in the latter half of the 18th century.
• Church of San Diego de Alcalá, Calle de Sopeña s/n, +52 473 732 2990. Daily 08:00-20:00. This is the only surviving building from the original 17th-century convent, with a splendid rococo exterior.
• Saint Francis of Assisi Church, Manuel Doblado 15, +52 473 732 0377. Daily 07:00-20:30. A former Franciscan convent, built between 1792-1828.
• Church of San Cayetano, Salida a Dolores Hidalgo s/n (5km north of the city center; take 'Valenciana' or 'Cristo Rey' bus from the bus stop at the corner of the Alhóndiga and Calle 28 de Septiembre, +52 473 732 3596. Tu-Su 06:30-18:00. Built from 1765-1788 with funding from the rich silver mines, this is considered to be one of the best examples of Mexican Churrigueresque architecture. Particularly noteworthy are the finely-carved, elaborate altars covered in gold leaf.

Basilica of Our Lady of Guanajuato, C/ Ponciano Aguilar 7, +52 473 732 0314. Built from 1671 to 1696. Inside this church there is a 1000-year-old statue donated by Spanish King Charles I who tried to protect it from the Arab invasion in Spain.

Church of the Company of Jesus, Lascuráin de Retana s/n, +52 473 733 9782. Daily 8:00-20:00. Built between 1747 and 1765.

Templo de San Roque, Plazuela de San Roque. Opening hrs vary. Built in 1726, this was a Jesuit school in the latter half of the 18th century.

Church of San Diego de Alcalá, Calle de Sopeña s/n, +52 473 732 2990. Daily 08:00-20:00. This is the only surviving building from the original 17th-century convent, with a splendid rococo exterior.

Saint Francis of Assisi Church, Manuel Doblado 15, +52 473 732 0377. Daily 07:00-20:30. A former Franciscan convent, built between 1792-1828.

Church of San Cayetano, Salida a Dolores Hidalgo s/n (5km north of the city center; take 'Valenciana' or 'Cristo Rey' bus from the bus stop at the corner of the Alhóndiga and Calle 28 de Septiembre, +52 473 732 3596. Tu-Su 06:30-18:00. Built from 1765-1788 with funding from the rich silver mines, this is considered to be one of the best examples of Mexican Churrigueresque architecture. Particularly noteworthy are the finely-carved, elaborate altars covered in gold leaf.

• El Pípila, San Miguel hill (take the funicular (cable car) just behind Teatro Juarez. A 28-meter tall statue of an independence hero. Juan Jose Martinez, or also known as El Pípila, was a legendary hero who wore a stone slab on his back to protect himself while burning the Spanish troops holed up in the Alhóndiga, or granary, in September 1810. The view is beautiful, particularly at night. Free.
• Teatro Juárez, Sopena S/N (Jardin de la Union, +52 473 732 0183. The architecture of this theater is part Neoclassical and part Moorish, making it a really beautiful building. Inaugurated in 1903 by President Porfirio Díaz.
• Jardín de la Unión. This space was built as the atrium for a 17th-century convent, of which the Templo de San Diego is the sole surviving building. It now functions as the central plaza, and always has a lot of things going on, day and night. There are a number of restaurants surrounding the garden, and in the afternoons and evening there free concerts are often given from the central gazebo.
• Teatro Principal.
• Callejon del Beso. Two balconies separated by only 69 centimeters is home of an old love legend. For a few pennies some children will tell you the story.
• Alhóndiga de Granaditas, Mendizábal 6, +52 473 732 1112. T-Sa 10:00-14:00, 16:00-18:00; Su 10:00-15:00. This building is where the independence revolutionaries burned the Spanish troops, and now houses a museum devoted to the history of the region, as well as an important photographic library. M$49 (adults), free (students/teachers/seniors/children under 13).
• Escuela Normal Oficial de Guanajuato, De La Presa. Teacher's school. The building also houses an English language lending library open Tuesday and Thursday.
• Palacio Legislativo, Plaza de la Paz (near Basilica of our lady of Guanajuato. This building was built as the city hall in 1903 and inaugurated by President Porfirio Díaz.
• Plaza del Baratillo.
• Plaza de la Paz.
• Plaza de San Fernando.
• Presa de la Olla. Built in 1749 to supply fresh water to the town. In this place you can rent a little boat. There's also a park and a great statue of Miguel Hidalgo casted in Italy also inaugurated by President Porfirio Díaz in the early 1900s. This area is very tranquil and quiet to have a break.
• Universidad de Guanajuato, Calzada de Guadalupe. There is a 3-4 story series of steps that lead up to an auditorium, offering good views over the colonial city.

El Pípila, San Miguel hill (take the funicular (cable car) just behind Teatro Juarez. A 28-meter tall statue of an independence hero. Juan Jose Martinez, or also known as El Pípila, was a legendary hero who wore a stone slab on his back to protect himself while burning the Spanish troops holed up in the Alhóndiga, or granary, in September 1810. The view is beautiful, particularly at night. Free.

Teatro Juárez, Sopena S/N (Jardin de la Union, +52 473 732 0183. The architecture of this theater is part Neoclassical and part Moorish, making it a really beautiful building. Inaugurated in 1903 by President Porfirio Díaz.

Jardín de la Unión. This space was built as the atrium for a 17th-century convent, of which the Templo de San Diego is the sole surviving building. It now functions as the central plaza, and always has a lot of things going on, day and night. There are a number of restaurants surrounding the garden, and in the afternoons and evening there free concerts are often given from the central gazebo.

Teatro Principal.

Callejon del Beso. Two balconies separated by only 69 centimeters is home of an old love legend. For a few pennies some children will tell you the story.

Alhóndiga de Granaditas, Mendizábal 6, +52 473 732 1112. T-Sa 10:00-14:00, 16:00-18:00; Su 10:00-15:00. This building is where the independence revolutionaries burned the Spanish troops, and now houses a museum devoted to the history of the region, as well as an important photographic library. M$49 (adults), free (students/teachers/seniors/children under 13).

Escuela Normal Oficial de Guanajuato, De La Presa. Teacher's school. The building also houses an English language lending library open Tuesday and Thursday.

Palacio Legislativo, Plaza de la Paz (near Basilica of our lady of Guanajuato. This building was built as the city hall in 1903 and inaugurated by President Porfirio Díaz.

Plaza del Baratillo.

Plaza de la Paz.

Plaza de San Fernando.

Presa de la Olla. Built in 1749 to supply fresh water to the town. In this place you can rent a little boat. There's also a park and a great statue of Miguel Hidalgo casted in Italy also inaugurated by President Porfirio Díaz in the early 1900s. This area is very tranquil and quiet to have a break.

Universidad de Guanajuato, Calzada de Guadalupe. There is a 3-4 story series of steps that lead up to an auditorium, offering good views over the colonial city.

• Mina de San Juan de Rayas, Panorámica Carretera panorámica s/n, Mellado. The first mine of Guanajuato, discovered in 1550.
• Mina de Cata.
• Mina el Nopal, Panorámica San Javier s/n, San Javier, +52 473 732 1036.
• Mina de Valenciana. The richest mine in Guanajuato still in operation today. It supplied enough silver to sponsor the Spanish Empire and its colonies.

Mina de San Juan de Rayas, Panorámica Carretera panorámica s/n, Mellado. The first mine of Guanajuato, discovered in 1550.

Mina de Cata.

Mina el Nopal, Panorámica San Javier s/n, San Javier, +52 473 732 1036.

Mina de Valenciana. The richest mine in Guanajuato still in operation today. It supplied enough silver to sponsor the Spanish Empire and its colonies.

• Museum of the Mummies, Explanada del Panteón Municipal S/N, +52 473 732 06 39. M-Th 09:00-18:00, F-Su 09:00-18:30. A must if you're in Guanajuato. In 1910, due to the overcrowding of the local graveyard, the authorities were forced to exhume several bodies and when they did that they found the bodies had turned into mummies rather than fully decomposing. After that they founded this really strange and unique museum. M$55 (adults), M$36 (students, teachers, children 6-12), M$17 (seniors, Guanajuato residents), M$6 (disabled); 20 pesos (camera fee).
• Museo Casa Diego Rivera, Positos 47, +52 473 732 1197. Tu-Sa 10:00-19:00, Su 10:00-15:00. The birthplace of Diego Rivera, a well-preserved traditional Mexican residence. Be sure to check out the collections of his simple, socialist-inspired works. M$25 (adults), M$10 (students).
• Don Quixote Iconographic Museum, Manuel Doblado 2 (near the Plaza de la Paz and Teatro Juarez, +52 473 732 3376. Tu-Sa 09:30-18:45, Su 12:00-18:45. Small, but very well done. M$30 (adults), M$10 (students, children under 13), free on Tuesdays.
• House of Legends, Subida del Molino y Panorámica s/n (on San Miguel Hill by the uppermost funicular station, +52 473 731 0213. Daily 11:00-18:00. M$40 (adults).
• Casa de Tía Aura, Paseo de La Presa 62, +52 473 731 1824. Daily 11:00-18:00. Sort of house of horrors that's sweet in its corniness. Inside this house a woman was buried alive inside the walls. The tour is conducted (appropriately enough) in Spanish and will be difficult to understand for those not fairly fluent, though the sights are self-explanatory and the gasps and screams comprehensible in any language.
• Museum of the Town of Guanajuato, Positos 7, +52 473 732 2990. Tu-Sa 10:00-19:00, Su 10:00-15:00. M$25 (adults), M$10 (students).
• Casa Museo Gene Byron, Calle Real de Marfil s/n, Marfil (Ex Hacienda de Santa Ana, +52 473 733 1029. M-Sa 10:00-15:00, last admission 14:30. From 1962 to 1987 this was the home of Canadian artist Gene Byron. M$30 (adults), M$15 (students), free (children under 12), free on Mondays.
• Museum of the Holy Inquisition, Antiguo Camino a Valenciana s/n (behind the Hotel Villa de la Plata, +52 473 734 0381. Daily 10:00-19:00. Features torture instruments.
• Marian Gallery Collegiate Basilica of Our Lady of Guanajuato, Ponciano Aguilar 7 (Basilica of Our Lady of Guanajuato, +52 473 732 03 14.
• Mineralogy Museum Eduardo Villaseñor Söhl, Ex-Hacienda San Matías S/N, Departamento de Ingeniería en Minas (Faculty of Mining, Metallurgy and Geology in the University of Guanajuato, +52 473 732 22 91. One of the richest collection of minerals in the world. Ex-hacienda de San Matias.
• Ex-convent Museum Dieguino, Bajos Templo de San Diego S/N (N side of the Templo de San Diego, +52 473 732 7491. Tu-Sa 10:00-18:30, Su 10:00-14:30. The underground excavated remains of the original 17th-century cloister, of which the Templo de San Diego is the surviving remnant today. Occasionally photography and art exhibits are also hosted in this space. 12 pesos; free (children under 7).
• Alfredo Dugès Natural History Museum, Lascuráin de Retana 5 (main building of the University of Guanajuato.

Museum of the Mummies, Explanada del Panteón Municipal S/N, +52 473 732 06 39. M-Th 09:00-18:00, F-Su 09:00-18:30. A must if you're in Guanajuato. In 1910, due to the overcrowding of the local graveyard, the authorities were forced to exhume several bodies and when they did that they found the bodies had turned into mummies rather than fully decomposing. After that they founded this really strange and unique museum. M$55 (adults), M$36 (students, teachers, children 6-12), M$17 (seniors, Guanajuato residents), M$6 (disabled); 20 pesos (camera fee).

Museo Casa Diego Rivera, Positos 47, +52 473 732 1197. Tu-Sa 10:00-19:00, Su 10:00-15:00. The birthplace of Diego Rivera, a well-preserved traditional Mexican residence. Be sure to check out the collections of his simple, socialist-inspired works. M$25 (adults), M$10 (students).

Don Quixote Iconographic Museum, Manuel Doblado 2 (near the Plaza de la Paz and Teatro Juarez, +52 473 732 3376. Tu-Sa 09:30-18:45, Su 12:00-18:45. Small, but very well done. M$30 (adults), M$10 (students, children under 13), free on Tuesdays.

House of Legends, Subida del Molino y Panorámica s/n (on San Miguel Hill by the uppermost funicular station, +52 473 731 0213. Daily 11:00-18:00. M$40 (adults).

Casa de Tía Aura, Paseo de La Presa 62, +52 473 731 1824. Daily 11:00-18:00. Sort of house of horrors that's sweet in its corniness. Inside this house a woman was buried alive inside the walls. The tour is conducted (appropriately enough) in Spanish and will be difficult to understand for those not fairly fluent, though the sights are self-explanatory and the gasps and screams comprehensible in any language.

Museum of the Town of Guanajuato, Positos 7, +52 473 732 2990. Tu-Sa 10:00-19:00, Su 10:00-15:00. M$25 (adults), M$10 (students).

Casa Museo Gene Byron, Calle Real de Marfil s/n, Marfil (Ex Hacienda de Santa Ana, +52 473 733 1029. M-Sa 10:00-15:00, last admission 14:30. From 1962 to 1987 this was the home of Canadian artist Gene Byron. M$30 (adults), M$15 (students), free (children under 12), free on Mondays.

Museum of the Holy Inquisition, Antiguo Camino a Valenciana s/n (behind the Hotel Villa de la Plata, +52 473 734 0381. Daily 10:00-19:00. Features torture instruments.

Marian Gallery Collegiate Basilica of Our Lady of Guanajuato, Ponciano Aguilar 7 (Basilica of Our Lady of Guanajuato, +52 473 732 03 14.

Mineralogy Museum Eduardo Villaseñor Söhl, Ex-Hacienda San Matías S/N, Departamento de Ingeniería en Minas (Faculty of Mining, Metallurgy and Geology in the University of Guanajuato, +52 473 732 22 91. One of the richest collection of minerals in the world. Ex-hacienda de San Matias.

Ex-convent Museum Dieguino, Bajos Templo de San Diego S/N (N side of the Templo de San Diego, +52 473 732 7491. Tu-Sa 10:00-18:30, Su 10:00-14:30. The underground excavated remains of the original 17th-century cloister, of which the Templo de San Diego is the surviving remnant today. Occasionally photography and art exhibits are also hosted in this space. 12 pesos; free (children under 7).

Alfredo Dugès Natural History Museum, Lascuráin de Retana 5 (main building of the University of Guanajuato.

• Semana Santa. The week preceding Easter, usually March or April. Easter is considered to be the most important religious holiday here, and commences with celebrations honoring Viernes de Dolores (Our Lady of Sorrows) on the final Friday of Lent. During the following week special altars are built and displayed in churches, public plazas, and in shops and homes. On Viernes Santo (Good Friday) at midday the Passion of the Christ is reenacted in front of the basilica, and in the evening the Procesíon de Silencio (Silent Procession) winds through the streets. Many tourists visit from other parts of Mexico at this time, and room rates are generally double.
• Festival Medieval de Guanajuato, Parque Medieval de Rayas (near the Mina de Rayas, +52 473 731 0120. Late April. An annual event since 2005, this festival celebrates music, dance, and art from the 5th to 15th centuries, with participants hailing from across Mexico.
• Festival Internacional de Órgano de Guanajuato Guillermo Pinto Reyes. Mid-May. Named in honor of Mexican organist and composer Guillermo Reyes Pinto, this annual festival celebrates the city's many historic church organs, some of which date to the 16th and 17th centuries. Distinguished Mexican and international musicians are invited to perform, and all concerts are free to the public. The festival is organized by the Guanajuato Ministry of Culture; updated information is available at the Tourist Office. Free.
• Expresión de Corto, +52 415 152 7264. Last week of July. An annual short film festival, co-hosted by the nearby city of San Miguel de Allende. Hundreds of films from nearly all genres are screened in venues including the Teatro Principal and movie theaters, as well as in alternative settings including the city cemetery. Most films are subtitled in Spanish and English. Free.
• Festival Internacional Cervantino, Venues throughout the city. Mid-October to early November. This annual festival began as a series of weekly informal Cervantes comedy performances, and since then has grown to become one of Guanajuato's most celebrated events. The festival has a full program including theater, dance, and musical performances, and attracts both Mexican and international artists. Tickets can be purchased from StubHub or at the box office of Teatro Juarez, while outdoor performances in the plazas are free to the public. The exact dates and schedule for the festival are set in June; prices for hotel rooms generally double during this time.

Semana Santa. The week preceding Easter, usually March or April. Easter is considered to be the most important religious holiday here, and commences with celebrations honoring Viernes de Dolores (Our Lady of Sorrows) on the final Friday of Lent. During the following week special altars are built and displayed in churches, public plazas, and in shops and homes. On Viernes Santo (Good Friday) at midday the Passion of the Christ is reenacted in front of the basilica, and in the evening the Procesíon de Silencio (Silent Procession) winds through the streets. Many tourists visit from other parts of Mexico at this time, and room rates are generally double.

Festival Medieval de Guanajuato, Parque Medieval de Rayas (near the Mina de Rayas, +52 473 731 0120. Late April. An annual event since 2005, this festival celebrates music, dance, and art from the 5th to 15th centuries, with participants hailing from across Mexico.

Festival Internacional de Órgano de Guanajuato Guillermo Pinto Reyes. Mid-May. Named in honor of Mexican organist and composer Guillermo Reyes Pinto, this annual festival celebrates the city's many historic church organs, some of which date to the 16th and 17th centuries. Distinguished Mexican and international musicians are invited to perform, and all concerts are free to the public. The festival is organized by the Guanajuato Ministry of Culture; updated information is available at the Tourist Office. Free.

Expresión de Corto, +52 415 152 7264. Last week of July. An annual short film festival, co-hosted by the nearby city of [[San Miguel de Allende]]. Hundreds of films from nearly all genres are screened in venues including the Teatro Principal and movie theaters, as well as in alternative settings including the city cemetery. Most films are subtitled in Spanish and English. Free.

Festival Internacional Cervantino, Venues throughout the city. Mid-October to early November. This annual festival began as a series of weekly informal Cervantes comedy performances, and since then has grown to become one of Guanajuato's most celebrated events. The festival has a full program including theater, dance, and musical performances, and attracts both Mexican and international artists. Tickets can be purchased from StubHub or at the box office of Teatro Juarez, while outdoor performances in the plazas are free to the public. The exact dates and schedule for the festival are set in June; prices for hotel rooms generally double during this time.

• Centro Acuático en Macrocentro, Ctra Guanajuato-Dolores Hidalgo, Km 2.5 (2.5 km N of the city center; take the 'Valenciana' bus from the stop at the corner of the Alhóndiga and Calle 28 de Septiembre, +52 473 109 2074. M-Sa 06:00-21:00. Facilities include an indoor Olympic-sized pool, a diving pool, and an on-site gym. Multiple swim: 8 visits M$345; 12 visits M$460; single swim not available to travelers. One-time registration fee of M$150.
• World Rally Championship, +52 55 5259-6904. March. Guanajuato and nearby León host the Mexican round of the World Rally Championship.
• Pipila Funicular. M-F 08:00-21:50, Sa 09:00-21:00, Su 10:00-21:00. Ride the funicular to the top of the mountain where the statue of the "Pipila" is located. No pets, no bicycles. Single journey/round trip M$25/50 (adults), M$8/16 (concessions/Guanajuato residents/children 4-11).
• Climb to the top of the mountain that overlooks Guanajuato. There's a trail that goes to the top- look for the signs to Pipila. It takes at most 1/2 hour to get to the top and there is an amazing view of the city.
• There are nice tracks to exercise for example Nieto Pina located going towards the Pipila from los Mineros.

Centro Acuático en Macrocentro, Ctra Guanajuato-Dolores Hidalgo, Km 2.5 (2.5 km N of the city center; take the 'Valenciana' bus from the stop at the corner of the Alhóndiga and Calle 28 de Septiembre, +52 473 109 2074. M-Sa 06:00-21:00. Facilities include an indoor Olympic-sized pool, a diving pool, and an on-site gym. Multiple swim: 8 visits M$345; 12 visits M$460; single swim not available to travelers. One-time registration fee of M$150.

World Rally Championship, +52 55 5259-6904. March. Guanajuato and nearby León host the Mexican round of the World Rally Championship.

Pipila Funicular. M-F 08:00-21:50, Sa 09:00-21:00, Su 10:00-21:00. Ride the funicular to the top of the mountain where the statue of the "Pipila" is located. No pets, no bicycles. Single journey/round trip M$25/50 (adults), M$8/16 (concessions/Guanajuato residents/children 4-11).

• Mercado Hidalgo, Juarez Street and Mendizabal. A two-story indoor market selling from touristy stuff (handcrafts, souvenirs, etc.) to groceries (food, confectionery and clothing). It is said the structure of this market was originally intended to be a train station in Antwerp, Belgium, but it was brought to Guanajuato by President Porfirio Díaz and completed in 1910, shortly before the start of the Mexican Revolution. The façade of this building is made of pink quarry and boasts a tower.
• El Cubilete, Avenida Juárez 188 (across from Comercial Mexicana, +52 473 732 5934. This is your one-stop store for confectionery, established in 1955. It sells all sorts of local sweets, including such specialties like 'Charamuscas', figures made of caramel resembling the mummies. Try also 'Cajeta', similar to Dulce de Leche but made of goat's milk.
• Mercado Embajadoras, Embajadoras 26. There is a weekly market every Sunday with lots of local venders who come in to the city to sell their stuff. The rest of the week the food market has fruits, vegetables, a butcher and florist. There are lots of venders who have stalls outside the market and sell clothes, sunglasses, DVDs, toys, candy and great food.
• DelSol, Avenida Juárez 125, +52 473 734 0816. Daily 09:00-21:30. If you need to get all your basics at once, check out this place which is similar to a Wal-Mart.
• Comercial Mexicana, Avenida Juárez 131 (three blocks from the Alhondiga, +52 473 732 9631. Daily 08:00-22:00. A branch of the Mexican hypermarket chain that sells everything from basic groceries to TVs and some clothing.
• Plaza Pozuelos, +52 473 731 0300. A modern shopping mall with a few international chain stores.
  • Mega Comercial Mexicana, Plaza Pozuelos, +52 473 732 7363. Another larger branch of the hypermarket chain.
• If you are looking more for handmade crafts and more touristy stuff, take a bus to San Miguel de Allende, about an hour away from Guanajuato. There is a large open-air artisan market there.
• If you'd like to purchase handmade ceramics, take the roughly one-hour bus ride to Dolores Hidalgo.

Mercado Hidalgo, Juarez Street and Mendizabal. A two-story indoor market selling from touristy stuff (handcrafts, souvenirs, etc.) to groceries (food, confectionery and clothing). It is said the structure of this market was originally intended to be a train station in Antwerp, Belgium, but it was brought to Guanajuato by President Porfirio Díaz and completed in 1910, shortly before the start of the Mexican Revolution. The façade of this building is made of pink quarry and boasts a tower.

El Cubilete, Avenida Juárez 188 (across from Comercial Mexicana, +52 473 732 5934. This is your one-stop store for confectionery, established in 1955. It sells all sorts of local sweets, including such specialties like 'Charamuscas', figures made of caramel resembling the mummies. Try also 'Cajeta', similar to Dulce de Leche but made of goat's milk.

Mercado Embajadoras, Embajadoras 26. There is a weekly market every Sunday with lots of local venders who come in to the city to sell their stuff. The rest of the week the food market has fruits, vegetables, a butcher and florist. There are lots of venders who have stalls outside the market and sell clothes, sunglasses, DVDs, toys, candy and great food.

DelSol, Avenida Juárez 125, +52 473 734 0816. Daily 09:00-21:30. If you need to get all your basics at once, check out this place which is similar to a Wal-Mart.

Comercial Mexicana, Avenida Juárez 131 (three blocks from the Alhondiga, +52 473 732 9631. Daily 08:00-22:00. A branch of the Mexican hypermarket chain that sells everything from basic groceries to TVs and some clothing.

Plaza Pozuelos, +52 473 731 0300. A modern shopping mall with a few international chain stores.

• Mega Comercial Mexicana, Plaza Pozuelos, +52 473 732 7363. Another larger branch of the hypermarket chain.

Plaza Pozuelos, +52 473 731 0300. A modern shopping mall with a few international chain stores.

• Mega Comercial Mexicana, Plaza Pozuelos, +52 473 732 7363. Another larger branch of the hypermarket chain.

In Guanajuato the local dish is 'miner's enchiladas' (enchiladas mineras), served almost everywhere.

• Antik Café, Del Baratillo 16 (near Jardín Unión, +52 473 732 7154. M-F 07:30-12:00, Sa-Su 09:00-02:00. They have bagels, Mexican food, coffee drinks and teas. It is not expensive and it has its own bar. They often have live music at night.
• La Bohemia Restaurant-Bar, Jardín de la Unión 4, +52 473 732 9772. Daily 08:30-23:00. Small, traditional café serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Popular with residents and visitors. Main dishes M$70-110.
• Café Tal, Temescuitate 4, +52 473 732 6212. Daily 08:00-24:00. Coffee, tea, a mixed foreign and Mexican crowd, and high speed wireless internet access. It's between 5-10 minutes from Teatro Juarez up the main street towards the baseball stadium, just up the street from Bar Fly. The owner, an American expat, plays French horn in the city orchestra. Although it serves some distinctly Mexican drinks and snacks, it also has a much wider selection of tea and coffee drinks familiar to Americans and difficult to find in Guanajuato. (Tea is pretty unsatisfactory in the city, not so here. And they understand the concept of iced tea.) They also have low cost international calling and tasty snacks. Before lunch, a bakery a few doors down has a wider selection of pastries and rolls.
• Las Cupulas Mexicanas, Cantarranas 43, +52 473 732 4182. M-Sa 14:00-03:00, Su 14:00-15:00. If you are looking for some after-clubbing late-night/early morning food, try some of their delicious quesadillas.
• Delica Mitsu, Callejon de Cantaritos 37 (on an alley just off Plaza San Fernando, +52 473 732 3881. M-Sa 11:30-18:30. Delica Mitsu serves up homemade Japanese delicatessen "sozai", sushi rolls, grilled chicken, and more. Many of the dishes are made from vegetables only, so vegetarians will also feel at home at this tiny restaurant owned and operated by a sweet Japanese couple. Popular with tourists and locals, there are new items on the menu everyday which are sure to keep you coming back time and time again.
• Habibti Falafel, Sostenes Rocha 18 (in front of Bar Fly, +52 473 732 9418. Daily 09:30-23:30. Fusion cafe offering vegetarian options. House-made chai, delicious coffee, muffins, and falafel. 25 pesos.
• Mestizo, Calle Pocitos 69 (near the Diego Rivera Museum, +52 473 732 0612. T, S 13:30-22:00. Fabulous food at mid-range prices with a great atmosphere. A fine dining restaurant and art gallery combined. For M$500 it is possible to get 2 appetizers, 4 dinners, 2 glasses of wine and 2 sodas.
• Mexico Lindo y Sabroso, Paseo de La Presa 154, +52 473 731 0529. M-Sa 09:00-22:00, Su 09:00-21:00. Serves classic Mexican dishes in a lovely terrace and courtyard. Mains M$70-130.
• El Midi Bistró, Calle San José 4, 1st floor (Plaza San Fernando, +52 473 732 7401. W-M 12:30-24:00. Offers fantastic southern French lunch buffet featuring lots of marinated and glazed vegetables, salads and quiches, with food sold by weight and extremely affordable. Dinners feature a standard menu. Don't miss their delicious aguas frescas to accompany your meal.
• No name bar. Serves burgers, bar food, and Mexican food at a good price. They have seating outside the bar in a nice courtyard. Beer is fairly cheap.
• Truco 7, Calle del Truco 7 (near the Jardín, +52 473 732 8374. Daily 08:30-23:00. Features Mexican and American food at a decent price. They have tortilla soup, enchiladas, and hamburgers. They have excellent aguas frescas and milkshakes. Try the strawberry, it comes with cinnamon in it.
• Santo Café, Campanero 4 (a 5-minute walk from Teatro Juarez, +52 473 122 2320. M-Sa 10:00-23:00, Su 12:30-20:00. If you want cheap food and free internet access visit Santo Café which features a sweet little bridge upon which you can eat. The food here is very clean and you needn't worry about having fresh fruits or salads.
• El Zopilote Mojado, Plaza Mexíamora 51 (downtown, +52 4737325311. The beautiful Plaza Mexíamora host this unique café, where you can find peaceful atmosphere with an excellent coffee, classical music, interesting books in English and Spanish, and delicious desserts and baguettes. A very Mexican place with an international taste.

Antik Café, Del Baratillo 16 (near Jardín Unión, +52 473 732 7154. M-F 07:30-12:00, Sa-Su 09:00-02:00. They have bagels, Mexican food, coffee drinks and teas. It is not expensive and it has its own bar. They often have live music at night.

La Bohemia Restaurant-Bar, Jardín de la Unión 4, +52 473 732 9772. Daily 08:30-23:00. Small, traditional café serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Popular with residents and visitors. Main dishes M$70-110.

Café Tal, Temescuitate 4, +52 473 732 6212. Daily 08:00-24:00. Coffee, tea, a mixed foreign and Mexican crowd, and high speed wireless internet access. It's between 5-10 minutes from Teatro Juarez up the main street towards the baseball stadium, just up the street from Bar Fly. The owner, an American expat, plays French horn in the city orchestra. Although it serves some distinctly Mexican drinks and snacks, it also has a much wider selection of tea and coffee drinks familiar to Americans and difficult to find in Guanajuato. (Tea is pretty unsatisfactory in the city, not so here. And they understand the concept of iced tea.) They also have low cost international calling and tasty snacks. Before lunch, a bakery a few doors down has a wider selection of pastries and rolls.

Las Cupulas Mexicanas, Cantarranas 43, +52 473 732 4182. M-Sa 14:00-03:00, Su 14:00-15:00. If you are looking for some after-clubbing late-night/early morning food, try some of their delicious quesadillas.

Delica Mitsu, Callejon de Cantaritos 37 (on an alley just off Plaza San Fernando, +52 473 732 3881. M-Sa 11:30-18:30. Delica Mitsu serves up homemade Japanese delicatessen "sozai", sushi rolls, grilled chicken, and more. Many of the dishes are made from vegetables only, so vegetarians will also feel at home at this tiny restaurant owned and operated by a sweet Japanese couple. Popular with tourists and locals, there are new items on the menu everyday which are sure to keep you coming back time and time again.

Habibti Falafel, Sostenes Rocha 18 (in front of Bar Fly, +52 473 732 9418. Daily 09:30-23:30. Fusion cafe offering vegetarian options. House-made chai, delicious coffee, muffins, and falafel. 25 pesos.

Mestizo, Calle Pocitos 69 (near the Diego Rivera Museum, +52 473 732 0612. T, S 13:30-22:00. Fabulous food at mid-range prices with a great atmosphere. A fine dining restaurant and art gallery combined. For M$500 it is possible to get 2 appetizers, 4 dinners, 2 glasses of wine and 2 sodas.

Mexico Lindo y Sabroso, Paseo de La Presa 154, +52 473 731 0529. M-Sa 09:00-22:00, Su 09:00-21:00. Serves classic Mexican dishes in a lovely terrace and courtyard. Mains M$70-130.

El Midi Bistró, Calle San José 4, 1st floor (Plaza San Fernando, +52 473 732 7401. W-M 12:30-24:00. Offers fantastic southern French lunch buffet featuring lots of marinated and glazed vegetables, salads and quiches, with food sold by weight and extremely affordable. Dinners feature a standard menu. Don't miss their delicious aguas frescas to accompany your meal.

No name bar. Serves burgers, bar food, and Mexican food at a good price. They have seating outside the bar in a nice courtyard. Beer is fairly cheap.

Truco 7, Calle del Truco 7 (near the Jardín, +52 473 732 8374. Daily 08:30-23:00. Features Mexican and American food at a decent price. They have tortilla soup, enchiladas, and hamburgers. They have excellent aguas frescas and milkshakes. Try the strawberry, it comes with cinnamon in it.

Santo Café, Campanero 4 (a 5-minute walk from Teatro Juarez, +52 473 122 2320. M-Sa 10:00-23:00, Su 12:30-20:00. If you want cheap food and free internet access visit Santo Café which features a sweet little bridge upon which you can eat. The food here is very clean and you needn't worry about having fresh fruits or salads.

El Zopilote Mojado, Plaza Mexíamora 51 (downtown, +52 4737325311. The beautiful Plaza Mexíamora host this unique café, where you can find peaceful atmosphere with an excellent coffee, classical music, interesting books in English and Spanish, and delicious desserts and baguettes. A very Mexican place with an international taste.

The nightlife is very active in Guanajuato, especially on weekends. Look for people passing out flyers during the day for drink specials and sometimes free drink coupons. If you walk around the city center, you'll find plenty to do – music spills out of the bars and clubs into the streets and many establishments have outdoor areas.

To start the night off, stop by one of the little cafes in the Jardín, for dinner and drinks and mariachi band ambiance. It is a great place to people watch. And definitely try Sol – a popular Mexican beer similar to Corona.

• Fante Bar, +52 473 732 9413. A small dive bar with a psychedelic video on loop near the main church. It's notable in that it has the best pulque in town. Well worth a visit if you haven't tried the local drink.
• Alcatraz. Has great drink specials and a great atmosphere with many locals.
• El Bar. A salsa bar across the street from Teatro Juarez. It offers salsa lessons every night 19:00-22:00. It plays mostly salsa and merengue all night and often has salsa shows.
• Bar Fly, Sostenes Rocha 30, +52 473 652 1488. Has a younger crowd. The staff is friendly and gets to know their customers. There is reggae music as well as lamp shades made out of solo cups. A definite must-see. If you are young and female, the staff will flirt unabashedly, but they're harmless and worth getting to know. If they know you are in Mexico to learn Spanish (whether you tell them or your teacher does) they won't speak English to you at all.
• Cantina La Botellita, Jardín de la Unión 2, +52 473 732 2566. Known for having giant, delicious margaritas and good food. They also do 2 for 1 drinks on Tuesdays, but if you're a girl, or at least with a girl, you pretty much get 2 for 1 drinks all the time.
• Capitolio Nightclub, Plaza de la Paz 62, +52 473 732 0810.
• Don Olé Karaoke. Try out your Spanish, but don't worry, they have songs in English too.
• Famoso Bar Incendio, Calle Cantarranas s/n (just in front of Teatro Principal. M-Sa 10:00-23:00. A typical Mexican cantina, one of the oldest in Guanajuato. Lately they have a students environment. They are famous for their mezcales.
• Guanajuato Grill, Calle de Alonso 4, +52 477 225 4941. T Th-Sa 10:30-05:00. Another favorite of locals and tourists. It is even bigger than Capitolio and boasts two levels. It is always packed on weekends, with the same type of crowd as Capitolio. Although it plays similar music to what you hear in Capitolio, it tends to play more electronic and techno music. It also offers great drink specials, especially on bottles.
• La Havana. A salsa bar that attracts a more local, late-night crowd.
• No name bar. Features good music, friendly bartenders and good drinks at night and a great laid-back atmosphere to sip a beer outside and plan your day in Guanajuato during the day.
• Why Not?, Calle de Alonso 34. Daily 21:30-03:00. Another chill bar that plays unique latino indie-rock and reggae. It's a good place to hang out and play pool. The bartenders are very sociable and entertaining. Why Not is open later than Bar Fly and is often the after hours destination of the Bar Fly crowd and staff.
• Zilch, Jardín de la Unión 4, +52 473 734 0755. M-Sa 20:00-04:00. A great bar in the Jardín Unión, they have live music from Wednesday to Saturday. Great prices, great environment, awesome terrace, great service, pool table! They serve snacks 19:00-22:00.
• El Zopilote Mojado, Plaza Mexíamora 51 (downtown, +52 473 732 5311.

Fante Bar, +52 473 732 9413. A small dive bar with a psychedelic video on loop near the main church. It's notable in that it has the best pulque in town. Well worth a visit if you haven't tried the local drink.

Alcatraz. Has great drink specials and a great atmosphere with many locals.

El Bar. A salsa bar across the street from Teatro Juarez. It offers salsa lessons every night 19:00-22:00. It plays mostly salsa and merengue all night and often has salsa shows.

Bar Fly, Sostenes Rocha 30, +52 473 652 1488. Has a younger crowd. The staff is friendly and gets to know their customers. There is reggae music as well as lamp shades made out of solo cups. A definite must-see. If you are young and female, the staff will flirt unabashedly, but they're harmless and worth getting to know. If they know you are in Mexico to learn Spanish (whether you tell them or your teacher does) they won't speak English to you at all.

Cantina La Botellita, Jardín de la Unión 2, +52 473 732 2566. Known for having giant, delicious margaritas and good food. They also do 2 for 1 drinks on Tuesdays, but if you're a girl, or at least with a girl, you pretty much get 2 for 1 drinks all the time.

Capitolio Nightclub, Plaza de la Paz 62, +52 473 732 0810.

Don Olé Karaoke. Try out your Spanish, but don't worry, they have songs in English too.

Famoso Bar Incendio, Calle Cantarranas s/n (just in front of Teatro Principal. M-Sa 10:00-23:00. A typical Mexican cantina, one of the oldest in Guanajuato. Lately they have a students environment. They are famous for their mezcales.

Guanajuato Grill, Calle de Alonso 4, +52 477 225 4941. T Th-Sa 10:30-05:00. Another favorite of locals and tourists. It is even bigger than Capitolio and boasts two levels. It is always packed on weekends, with the same type of crowd as Capitolio. Although it plays similar music to what you hear in Capitolio, it tends to play more electronic and techno music. It also offers great drink specials, especially on bottles.

La Havana. A salsa bar that attracts a more local, late-night crowd.

No name bar. Features good music, friendly bartenders and good drinks at night and a great laid-back atmosphere to sip a beer outside and plan your day in Guanajuato during the day.

Why Not?, Calle de Alonso 34. Daily 21:30-03:00. Another chill bar that plays unique latino indie-rock and reggae. It's a good place to hang out and play pool. The bartenders are very sociable and entertaining. Why Not is open later than Bar Fly and is often the after hours destination of the Bar Fly crowd and staff.

Zilch, Jardín de la Unión 4, +52 473 734 0755. M-Sa 20:00-04:00. A great bar in the Jardín Unión, they have live music from Wednesday to Saturday. Great prices, great environment, awesome terrace, great service, pool table! They serve snacks 19:00-22:00.

El Zopilote Mojado, Plaza Mexíamora 51 (downtown, +52 473 732 5311.

Guanajuato is a really safe city – police are always around, and people are very friendly to tourists. Most of the city is safe during daylight hours, and as long as you stay in the downtown area, walking around alone or in small groups at night is safe as well. (Anyplace you'd want to go out at night is downtown.) The rougher neighborhoods are on the slopes of the eastern side of the city, as well as in the vicinity of the Pípila monument. Generally the city is far safer than the average American college campus and doesn't have much crime directed at tourists.

There is however one caveat: do not ever go running or walking around the Panorámica (the beautiful road around the edge of the city in the mountains) in the evening or early mornings. Many rapes, assaults, and muggings of foreigners have occurred in this area and some of the victims were out running with friends. Groups of men may be OK, but even several women together will not be safe. It is, however, safe to run in the city in the early mornings and there are a number of gyms where you can pay by the class. (Several of the foreign exchange programs have apartments on or near the Panorámica and those houses often have large parties. In the populated areas it's fine at all hours, but since it's a loop with a nice view of the city, many foreigners decide to run around it at dawn and parts of it are much more isolated.)

Try also to visit Dolores Hidalgo (about 1 hour from Guanajuato) and San Miguel de Allende (about 1.5 hours from Guajuato), both cities in Guanajuato State. Or, if you love shoes you can go to León, "The Shoes Capital". The shoes and boots are inexpensive, but of very good quality.