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Mexico may be every American’s favorite destination for beaches and all-inclusive resorts, with Cancun, Cabo, Puerto Vallarta and the like dominating travel trends this coming winter, but as any culture vulture can attest, Mexico is also a world-class sightseeing destination.
With a history spanning thousands of years and having hosted many great civilizations, from the Mayans to the Spanish, Mexico is a fascinating melting pot where you’re as likely to encounter pre-Columbian pyramids as Baroque churches.
Thousands of miles away from the resort-filled coast, one such destination that combines indigenous heritage with the allure of Old World colonial Mexico, with all its incredible food and timeless architecture, is Guanajuato. a short flight of 2 to 4 hours:
One of the most beautiful cities in Mexico
Guanajuato, tucked away in central Mexico, is one historically charged city best known for its rich silver mining history at the height of the transatlantic trade, or, if you’re here mainly for its Instagrammable sights, its picture-perfect downtown.
Some of the most beautiful historical monuments throughout Mexico can be found in the UNESCO-listed colonial core of Guanajuato, where alleys are lined with romantic cobblestones and buildings can be centuries old.
Take for example the iconic Basilica of Our Lady of Guanajuato: it is a Baroque masterpiece with a distinctive pink facade that dominates the skyline (wherever you are in the city, you can be sure that the majestic twin towers and the monumental dome will be visible).
Just a 10-minute walk from Basilica Square is the University of Guanajuato, one of the first ever built in Americaincluding the popular stone steps, and the nearby Alhóndiga de Granaditas is a former public grain exchange that now houses a museum:
A journey into the past
A nostalgic snapshot into the past, this building was the backdrop to a major armed confrontation that proved decisive in the separation of Mexico from Spain – the very first to mark the War of Independence at the time – and it’s a must see.
Teatro Juarez is also not to be missed, especially if you like the performing arts: with both art nouveau and neoclassical elements, it is probably the most beautiful concert hall in Mexico, and let’s see the Former Hacienda San Gabriel de Barrera:
It is a 17th century mansion with lush gardens and belongs to the Guanajuatos finest examples of colonial architectureabove it, the house of Diego Rivera, a modest home for that time, where the famous painter once lived, now a museum.
Our favorite colonial monument, however, has to be the San Cayetano Church, especially for its ornate Mexican Churrigueresque exterior and its 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 things to do in Guanajuato, visiting the mines is it a great way to immerse yourself in history: with this Private 4-hour tour of the vast underground system, you’ll not only avoid getting lost, but you’ll also receive insightful commentary from a knowledgeable guide.
For something Real creepy, visit the Mummy Museum, where you can see mummified, 19th-century bodies up close; are you feeling very claustrophobic, what with all these winding tunnels and creepy exhibits?
How about going upstairs Monumento al Pipila instead of?
A monument atop a prominent hill overlooking the colorful city below. It can be reached on foot or via a cable car, by far the most convenient option, considering it costs only 70 Mexican pesosor $3.45 round trip, and the ride up is quite scenic.
For the lovebirds among us: be sure to drop by Callejon del Beso: we’re not sure if there’s any truth to the local claim that those who kiss on the third step of these impossibly narrow stairs are forever bound to fate, but it’s worth a try.
All that exploring will make you hungry at some point, and if you’re a helpless foodie, you’re in for a treat:
Cheap food galore!
For street food with a touch of culture, head to Hidalgo Market, the city’s trendiest street market, housed in an Art Nouveau hall, where they sell $1 tamalesdelicious baked goods that are just as cheap, fresh juices and exotic fruits.
Fancy Mexican cuisine, but in a more elegant setting?
Costal Cultura Cafetera is perfect for both appetizers and sit-down meals, and be sure to order some of their pork with tamarind sauce – oh, and look out the window!
They offer views over the smallest, cutest square and a cute little church.
A proven tourist hotspot, Santo Café offers a welcoming, homey atmosphere in the heart of Guanajuato’s Pink Old Town and mouth-watering nacho ranchero bites and cheese quesadillas.
Based on Numbeo estimates, the average price of a meal at a cheap restaurant in Guanajuato is surprisingly affordable bee $11.59. Soassuming you eat two meals a day, excluding breakfast at your hotel, your daily food budget averages an acceptable $36.
Overall, Guanajuato is incredibly budget-friendly by Mexican standards: renting a suite in the city center with a balcony view will cost you $42 a night this season, and even a five-star stay in a boujee Hotel Boutique Corazon Mexicano starts from $111.
Direct flights from 11 US airports
Contrary to popular belief, Guanajuato is not one of those inaccessible destinations in Mexico that require one-stop flights, long layovers or painful bus transfers.
It is no wonder that international tourism in the city is increasing rapidly a 17.7% increase in foreign arrivals since 2021, as verified by OTEG, Mexico’s Tourism Observatory.
It’s a short one 26 minutes drive from Leon/Guanajuato Airport (BJX), serving nonstop flights from as many as 11 hubs across the United States, with fares as low as $233 roundtrip from Dallas, $287 from Oakland and $290 from Chicago.
Below, see the complete list of US airports offering nonstop flights to Guanajuato, listed by frequency by state:
From Texas, Texas
3-7 flights per day with American Airlines or VivaAerobus
- Houston-Intercontinental (IAH)
3-4 flights per day with United Airlines or VivaAerobus
Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 1 flight with VivaAerobus
From Illinois, Illinois
1 flight per day with Volaris
2 flights every Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday with VivaAerobus or Volaris
From Georgia, Georgia
1 flight per day with Aeromexico
From California, CA
1 flight every Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday with Volaris
2 flights every Monday, Thursday and Saturday with Volaris
Every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday 1 flight with Volaris
Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 1 flight with Volaris
Every Sunday, Monday and Wednesday 1 flight with Volaris
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
