Rainbow-hued buildings lend a festive air to the historic center of UNESCO–listed Guanajuato—add shade-dappled plazas, cobblestone streets, and cafés brimming with students, and you have one of Mexico’s most vibrant cities. Things to do in Guanajuato range from browsing museums to visiting churches, bar-hopping, and enjoying a busy calendar of cultural events throughout the year. Top Guanajuato attractions include the Diego Rivera House-Museum and the 17th-century house and gardens at San Gabriel de Barrera Ex-Hacienda Museum.
A dry season stretching from October through March brings mild, sunny weather to Guanajuato. It kicks off with October’s International Cervantino Festival, a cultural celebration that fills indoor and outdoor stages across the city with music, dance, and other performing arts. While it tends to be rainier from June through September, rain is often limited to afternoon cloudbursts, leaving plenty of time for sightseeing. In June, the city hosts a festival honoring Saint Anthony of Padua.
The historic center of Guanajuato is easily explored on foot. In fact, its narrow, winding lanes make cars impractical—many hotels in the historic center recommend against driving altogether. Taxis are plentiful around the city, but if you’re hailing a cab, be sure to negotiate the price, as many Guanajuato taxis don’t use meters. Finally, there’s the extensive public bus system; pick up a route map at the tourist information center on Plaza de la Paz.
You don’t need to visit a sit-down restaurant to try Guanajuato’s specialty, the guacamaya, a sandwich stuffed with fillings such as pork rinds, pulled pork, avocado, and fresh salsa. You can find them at food stalls within the Mercado Hidalgo, a covered market where stalls brim with everything from handicrafts to household goods. Other treats to sample at Mercado Hidalgo include piles of traditional Mexican sweets, enchiladas, and fresh tropical fruits.
