Centro
First-timersAround the Jardín de la Unión and the theatre.
City guide
Things to do in Guanajuato
A silver-mining city in a ravine: houses painted every colour stacked up the hills, alleys too narrow for cars, roads in tunnels underneath, student serenades at night and the Cervantino arts festival in October.
6
Hostels in the city
7.2
Average, from 3,531 reviews
1810
Independence battle
2–3
Days
A city in a ravine
Guanajuato is a former silver-mining city in central Mexico, about four and a half hours north-west of Mexico City. Its centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, squeezed into a narrow valley, with colourful houses climbing the slopes and a maze of callejones (alleys) between them.
Traffic runs mostly through old river tunnels under the city, so the centre is good for walking. The university gives it a young, lively feel, and student bands in Spanish costume, the estudiantinas, lead singing walks through the alleys at night.
It is the birthplace of Diego Rivera and was where the War of Independence saw its first big battle in 1810. Give Guanajuato two or three days, and add San Miguel de Allende, about an hour and a half away.
Where to base yourself
Stay in the centre, between the Jardín de la Unión and the Mercado Hidalgo; the alleys above it are quieter but steep.
Mercado Hidalgo
Budget, foodAround the market, west of the centre.
Hillside alleys
Views, quietSteep streets above the centre.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 6 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Guanajuato
Take the funicular or walk up to the Pípila monument for the view over the city. Wander the alleys to the Callejón del Beso, the Alley of the Kiss, so narrow that balconies almost touch.
Visit the Teatro Juárez, the Basilica, the Alhóndiga de Granaditas museum and Diego Rivera's birthplace. The Museo de las Momias displays naturally mummified bodies, which some find disturbing.
Join a callejoneada, a night walk led by an estudiantina band, and tour an old silver mine such as La Valenciana.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
Walking the alleys and the tunnels, and the walk up to the Pípila, are free. The Jardín de la Unión has free music most evenings.
The Basilica and the university steps cost nothing.
Museums, the funicular and callejoneadas charge small fees.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Try enchiladas mineras (miners' enchiladas) and guacamayas, a pork crackling torta. The Mercado Hidalgo has cheap food stalls; a meal costs €2 to €5.
Student cafés around the university serve cheap set lunches.
A 10 to 15 per cent tip is usual in sit-down restaurants; check the bill first, as some add a service charge (propina).
Nightlife
Going out
The university keeps Guanajuato lively. Bars and clubs cluster around the centre and the Jardín de la Unión, and the callejoneadas start there in the evening.
Nights are busiest during the Cervantino festival in October.
A beer costs €1.50 to €3.
Getting around
Getting around
The centre is walkable but hilly. Local buses run through the tunnels, and taxis are cheap.
The Bajío airport (BJX) near León is about 40 minutes away. Buses run to Mexico City in about 4.5 to 5 hours, to San Miguel de Allende in about 1.5 hours, and to Guadalajara.
The bus station is out of town; take a local bus or taxi.
Costs
What Guanajuato costs
Hostel beds start at around €10 to €18 a night, more during the Cervantino. A market meal costs €2 to €5.
A callejoneada costs about €8 to €12, and museums a few euros.
Pay in pesos. Cards work in most restaurants.
Safety
Safety and scams
Guanajuato city is generally calm for visitors. The UK advises against all but essential travel to the south-west of Guanajuato state, beyond the 45D highway; Guanajuato city and San Miguel de Allende are outside that area. Check the latest advice before travelling around the state.
Take taxis at night and watch your step on steep, uneven alleys.
Do not drink the tap water; use bottled or filtered water, which most hostels provide. In an emergency, call 911.
Worth the trip
Colonial towns and mines.
San Miguel de Allende
Colonial art town.
La Valenciana mine
Silver mine and church.
Dolores Hidalgo
Birthplace of independence, and ice cream.
Querétaro
A colonial city.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Arts, independence and holidays.
October
Festival Internacional Cervantino
Citywide
Latin America's big arts festival.
15 to 16 September
Independence Day
Guanajuato
Celebrations and fireworks.
Friday before Holy Week
Día de las Flores
Jardín de la Unión
Flower festival.
1 to 2 November
Day of the Dead
Guanajuato
Altars and events.
Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in Guanajuato, live from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
Hostal Casa de Dante
Dorms from €23 a night
See dates and book
Casa Lupita Hostel
Dorms from €14 a night
See dates and book
Corral d Comedias Hostel
Dorms from €10 a night
See dates and book
Casa Imago Guanajuato Centro
Rooms from €5 a night
See dates and book
Hotel Casa de las Abuelas
Rooms from €28 a night
See dates and book
La casa de Lú
Rooms from €9 a night
See dates and book
When to go
October to April is dry and sunny, with cool nights in winter. May is the hottest month. June to September brings afternoon rain. October is busiest for the Cervantino.
Jan
Dry, cool nights
Feb
Dry
Mar
Warm
Apr
Easter
May
Hottest
Jun
Rain
Jul
Rain
Aug
Rain
Sep
Independence
Oct
Cervantino
Nov
Day of the Dead
Dec
Holidays
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs, rounded. Altitude about 2,000 metres.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Guanajuato prices.
Treat these as a guide. Book early for the Cervantino.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Guanajuato questions
The ones we get asked most.
Is Guanajuato safe?
The city is generally calm; check the latest advice for the rest of the state.
How do I get to Guanajuato?
Fly to the Bajío airport or take a bus from Mexico City, about 4.5 to 5 hours.
What is a callejoneada?
A night walk through the alleys led by a student band.
When is the Cervantino?
In October; book early.
Guanajuato or San Miguel de Allende?
Guanajuato is livelier and cheaper; San Miguel is prettier and pricier. Do both.
How many days do I need?
Two to three.
When is the best time to visit?
October to April.
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