Mexico may be every American’s go-to spot for beaches and all-inclusive resorts, with Cancun, Cabo, Puerto Vallarta and the like dominating travel trends come winter, but as any culture aficionado will be able to attest, it is also a world-class sightseeing destination.
With a History spanning thousands of years, and having hosted many a great civilization, from the Mayans to the Spanish, Mexico is a fascinating melting pot where you’re as likely to stumble upon pre-Columbian pyramids, as you are Baroque churches.
Thousands of miles away from the resort-packed coast, one of such destinations that combines native heritage, and the Old World allure of colonial Mexico, with all its incredible food and timeless architecture, is Guanajuato, a short 2 to 4-hour flight away:
One Of The Most Beautiful Cities In Mexico
Tucked away in Central Mexico, Guanajuato is a historically-charged city best known for its rich silver mining past at the peak of the Transatlantic trade, or if you’re mostly here for the Instagrammable sights, the picture-perfect center.
Some of the most beautiful historical landmarks in all of Mexico can be found in Guanajuato’s UNESCO-protected colonial core, where alleyways are laden with romantic cobblestones and buildings can be centuries of years old.
Take the iconic Basilica of Our Lady of Guanajuato, for instance: it is a Baroque masterpiece with a signature pink facade that dominates the skyline (wherever you are in town, rest assured its majestic twin towers and monumental dome will be visible).
A short 10-minute walk from the Basilica square is the University of Guanajuato, one of the first ever built in the Americas, including the popular stone stairway, and the nearby Alhóndiga de Granaditas is a former public grain exchange now housing a museum:
A Journey To The Past
A nostalgic snapshot into the past, this building provided the background for an important armed confrontation that proved decisive for Mexico’s divorce from Spain––the very first that marked the Independence War, at that––and it’s a must-see.
Teatro Juárez is not to be missed, either, especially if you love the performing arts: carrying both Art Nouveau and Neoclassical elements, it is probably the most beautiful concert house in Mexico, and let’s not forget the Ex Hacienda San Gabriel de Barrera:
A 17th-century mansion with lush gardens, it is among Guanajuato’s finest examples of colonial architecture, up there with Diego Rivera’s House, a modest dwelling for its time, where the renowned painter once lived, now a museum.
Our favorite colonial monument, however, has to be the San Cayetano Church, mainly for its ornate Mexican Churrigueresque exterior and unique location at the opening of La Valenciana, the largest silver mine known to exist in Mexico.
Unique And Fun Activities To Do In Guanajuato
If you’re looking for unique activities in Guanajuato, visiting the mines is a great way to immerse yourself in History: with this 4-hour private tour of the vast underground system, not only will you avoid getting lost, but you’ll be getting insightful comments from a knowledgable guide.
For something really spooky, visit the Mummy Museum, where you can see mummified, 19th-century bodies up close; feel claustrophobic much, what with all these winding tunnels and eerie exhibits?
How about heading up Monumento al Pípila instead?
A monument perched atop a prominent hill overlooking the colorful city below, it can be reached either on foot or via a funicular, the most convenient option by far, as it costs only 70 Mexican pesos, or $3.45 roundtrip, and the ride up is pretty scenic.
For the lovebirds amongst us, make sure you stop by Callejón del Beso: we’re not sure whether there’s any truth to the local claim that those who kiss on the third step of this impossibly narrow staircase are bound forever by fate, but it’s worth a try.
With all that exploring, you’ll be getting hungry at some point, and if you’re a helpless foodie, you’re in for a treat:
Cheap Eats Galore!
For street food with a pinch of culture, head over to Hidalgo Market, the trendiest street market in town, housed in an Art Nouveau hall, where they sell $1 tamales, mouth-watering baked goods that are just as cheap, fresh juices and exotic fruit.
Craving Mexican cuisine, but in a more elegant setting?
Costal Cultura Cafetera is perfect for both amuse-bouches and sit-down meals, and you’ll want to make sure you order some of their pork with tamarind sauce––oh, and look out the window!
They have views over the tiniest, cutest plaza and an adorable little church.
A tried-and-true tourist hotspot, Santo Cafe offers a welcoming, homely atmosphere in the heart of Guanajuato’s pink-washed Old Town and nacho ranchero appetizers and cheese quesadillas that will have you licking your plate.
Based on Numbeo estimates, the average price of a meal in an inexpensive restaurant in Guanajuato is surprisingly affordable at $11.59. So, assuming you’re having two meals a day, excluding breakfast at your hotel, your daily food budget is an acceptable $36 on average.
Overall, Guanajuato is incredibly budget-friendly by Mexico standards: renting a city center suite with balcony views will set you back by $42-a-night this season, and even a five-star stay at a boujee Hotel Boutique Corazón Mexicano starts from $111.
Nonstop Flights From 11 U.S. Airports
Contrary to popular belief, Guanajuato is not one of those inaccessible destinations in Mexico that will require one-stop flights, long layovers or painful bus transfers.
It’s no wonder international tourism is rising fast in the city, with a 17.7% increase in foreign arrivals since 2021, as verified by OTEG, Mexico’s Tourism Observatory.
It is a short 26-minute drive from Leon/Guanajuato Airport (BJX), which hosts nonstop flights from as many as 11 hubs in the United States, with rates as low as $233 roundtrip from Dallas, $287 from Oakland, and $290 from Chicago.
Check out the full list of U.S. airports offering nonstop flights to Guanajuato below, listed per frequency per state:
From Texas, TX
- Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW)
3-7 flights per day with American Airlines or VivaAerobus
- Houston-Intercontinental (IAH)
3-4 flights per day with United Airlines or VivaAerobus
- San Antonio (SAT)
1 flight every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday with VivaAerobus
From Illinois, IL
- Chicago-Midway (MDW)
1 flight per day with Volaris
- Chicago-O’Hare (ORD)
2 flights every Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday with VivaAerobus or Volaris
From Georgia, GA
- Atlanta (ATL)
1 flight per day with Aeromexico
From California, CA
- Oakland (OAK)
1 flight every Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday with Volaris
- Los Angeles (LAX)
2 flights every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday with Volaris
- Fresno (FAT)
1 flight every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday with Volaris
- San Jose (SJC)
1 flight every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday with Volaris
- Sacramento (SMF)
1 flight every Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday with Volaris
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