One of the most charming destinations in Mexico

Founded by the Spanish in the early 16th century, Guanajuato is located on 2,008 m above sea level. The city of Guanajuato is a cultural capital of the Bajio region in central Mexico, and is considered as one of the most charming destinations in the nation. It’s a lovely, colonial city that looks like old Europe. Located about a five-hour drive northwest of Mexico City, this is a picturesque town of pleasant little plazas, cobblestone streets lined with stairs and houses of pastel-colored facades and balconies trimmed with iron work, and flower-filled window boxes.



Declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO, the city’s Historic Center will impress you with its civic and religious buildings, built in the colonial era during the mining boom between the 16th and 18th centuries. It is home or place of origin of three important painters: Diego Rivera, José Chávez Morado and Olga Costa. Rivera was born in the city of Guanajuato and spent his early childhood there. Since 1988, Guanajuato has no traffic lights or neon signs, creating an extremely enjoyable place to walk, peaceful, yet with plenty of life in the streets, and plenty to see.



During your stay, you’ll see excellent examples of New Spain Baroque art on such edifices as the Basilica Senora de Guanajuato, the Templo de San Diego, the Alhondiga de Granaditas (a grain depository) and the Monumento al Pipila. The town’ fine Baroque and neoclassical buildings, resulting from the prosperity of the mines, have influenced buildings throughout central Mexico. The churches of La Compania and La Valenciana are considered to be among the most beautiful examples of Baroque architecture in Central and South America.