About Guanajuato, Mexico
Located in Central Mexico, Guanajuato is about a half century old and was once a wealthy mining town. Since it was designated a UNESCO world heritage site in 1988 it is being steadily restored to its fantastic beauty.
Cafe circle, with a 360 degrees of shade trees.
Most of the streets in and around the small town center are pedestrian only. Car traffic is routed below in the city's famous tunnel system, some of which were built in the late 1500s by the Spanish who needed them to transport silver through the city.
The old tunnels.
Being a university town, there is a lively, youthful energy, and pulsing bar and cafe scene.
Teatro Juarez, in the main plaza.
People watching and socializing on the plaza steps.
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A lively corner of the main plaza.
At night the place to be is the main town plaza, Plaza De La Paz. Scores of students and locals congregate, people watching, dining, socializing. Tourists in the mix guarantee the long tradition of the student musicians putting on excellent shows Thursday--Sunday nights (mainly Friday--Sunday) in front of the Teatro Juarez (Juarez Theater).
Superb student musicians
Teatro Juarez and a statue commemorating
the musician tradition.
For about eight dollars you can accompany the musicians through the streets where they will lead you to the famous Callejon de Beso, the Alley of the Kiss. If you understand fluent Spanish, you'll hear a lot of good humor, understand the music lyrics, learn about some Mexican music tradition, and learn of the legend that developed around the Callejon de Beso, the narrowest of alleys in Guananuato. Hint: it involves two lovers kissing across two balconies here.
Musicians perform near the Callejon de Beso.
During our visit American tourists were a minority here, thankfully. I suspect t his will always be the case, since most Americans seem more interested in Mexico's beach resorts than in actually discovering the real Mexico. There were plenty of Mexican and European tourists in Guanajuato. Refreshing!
There are other things do to in Guanajuato. You can go to the famous mummy museum, where you'll see on display mummified corpses dug up from the mineral rich soil. There is also a Diego Rivera museum in his childhood home. There you'll find numerous of his paintings and sketches on display. Take a quick cab ride out of town to see one of the old mines, and enjoy shopping for inexpensive silver jewelry when you get back into town.
A mine shaft dug in 1549.
(yes, you can go about 50 feet down into it!)
Ready to go bar hopping? Follow your ears down the cobblestone streets, and duck into any door from which you hear music emanating. There are many nice bars and clubs in Guanajuato. Brush up on your Spanish.
