I spent a week in Guanajuato, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which once led the world in silver mining. The blocks around the center of the city are filled with tourists every day, especially at night when street performers and vendors take over the streets.
Outside of the center, however, the steep alleys in this hillside city are mostly quiet and great for exploring. There is delicious homemade street food and restaurants on every block along with bakeries, coffee shops, bars and amazing views as well. And there are small plazas everywhere, which are very helpful as climbing the steep alleys can be tiring.
Below are some of the highlights of my time in Guanajuato.
Streets of Guanajuato
Much of the traffic flows through tunnels under the city, leaving lots of room for pedestrians to explore.
Hiking La Bufa
One day I took a solo hike up to the top of El Cerro de la Bufa, a mountain just outside of the city. It was a bit more arduous than expected, and I definitely got lost a few times, but I eventually made it and the views were spectacular.
Mummy Museum
Gabriel and I took a walk to the other side of town to visit this museum. The mummies are naturally preserved bodies due to the dry soil here. Many are quite “young” mummies from the last few decades. It turns out that in public cemeteries, one must rent their plot forever. If a family stops paying, bodies may be exhumed to make room for paying “guests.” Some end up in this fascinating museum.
Kayaking to the Sunken Temple
The centuries-old temple didn’t actually sink, but it was flooded, along with an entire village, when a dam was built in 1979. Only in the last decade did dropping water levels reveal parts of the building. Now it’s a kayaking destination. Gabriel and I booked a tour with Andrés who runs Aventura Total Guanajuato who we highly recommend.
Callejoneada
Another activity unique to Guanajuato is going on a callejoneada. This is a nightime tour led by students from the University of Guanajuato. They are musical tours that meander through the alleys and are full of history, humor, and fun (and maybe just a little too touristy).
Callejoneada video: https://youtube.com/shorts/9Z3uyVJpOHI?feature=share
Valenciana and Dolores Hidalgo
I took an Uber to a nearby village to see the Templo Valenciana and tour the mine there. Then I caught a bus to Dolores Hidalgo, another “pueblo mágico.”
Next stop, San Miguel de Allende.
May 17, 2023 @ 12:03
look up Tom Gray
May 18, 2023 @ 16:35
Hmm, there’s about 175,000 people living here. Might be hard to find him.
May 17, 2023 @ 12:19
Just breathtaking!
May 18, 2023 @ 16:35
Right!
May 17, 2023 @ 13:16
Ok those mummies are a little creepy – but still really cool! Love the colors in the photographs!
May 18, 2023 @ 16:36
They used to be lining the hallways in the open and people could touch them. No more, thank goodness!
May 17, 2023 @ 16:43
I knew Mexico was colorful, and you’ve portrayed it all!
May 18, 2023 @ 16:36
It gets more colorful every place I visit.
May 17, 2023 @ 19:55
I learn so much from you, Tim! But those mummies are freaky!!!!
May 18, 2023 @ 16:37
Yes, but how could I pass up the chance to see them?
May 18, 2023 @ 08:52
Amazing pictures, Tim! Thanks for taking us along!
May 18, 2023 @ 16:37
So glad you’re with me!
May 19, 2023 @ 11:40
Thanks for the AMAZING photos, Tim! Did you buy yourself a pair of those cowboy boots?
May 20, 2023 @ 23:29
I took that picture for our friend. She wanted a pair but they would never fit in my small bag!