Guanajuato guide
Food scene
Mestizo
69 PositosExcellent food in an art gallery setting. Best mole in town.
One of my favorite spots for lunch or dinner in the Jardin. Really good food and drinks in an open air patio.
6 locals recommend
Van Gogh
4 Jdn. de la UniónOne of my favorite spots for lunch or dinner in the Jardin. Really good food and drinks in an open air patio.
Another great spot on the Jardin. Popular place for a drink or a meal, and this is where the mariachis perform the most at night.
51 locals recommend
Bar Tradicional Luna
10 Jdn. de la UniónAnother great spot on the Jardin. Popular place for a drink or a meal, and this is where the mariachis perform the most at night.
One of my go-to restaurants in Guanajuato, with a great selection for breakfast lunch and dinner. They have a few tables on a small footbridge (El Puente del Campanero) which is great for people watching.
72 locals recommend
Santo Café
4 Del CampaneroOne of my go-to restaurants in Guanajuato, with a great selection for breakfast lunch and dinner. They have a few tables on a small footbridge (El Puente del Campanero) which is great for people watching.
This luxury hotel has an excellent ground-floor breakfast restaurant, and a great restaurant for dinner in the main courtyard. Take the elevator in the courtyard to the rooftop bar, which has one of the city's best views.
13 locals recommend
Casa del Rector Hotel Boutique
33 PositosThis luxury hotel has an excellent ground-floor breakfast restaurant, and a great restaurant for dinner in the main courtyard. Take the elevator in the courtyard to the rooftop bar, which has one of the city's best views.
The "fancy" restaurant on the Jardin has amazing breakfast, white tablecloths and impeccable service. Good choice for a meal any time of day.
58 locals recommend
Casa Valadez · Anfitrión & Gourmet
3 Jdn. de la UniónThe "fancy" restaurant on the Jardin has amazing breakfast, white tablecloths and impeccable service. Good choice for a meal any time of day.
My favorite restaurant in Guanajuato. Really good food in a historic building. The octopus tacos are amazing! And they make the best mixed drinks.
9 locals recommend
Costal Cultura Cafetera
No. 4 San JoséMy favorite restaurant in Guanajuato. Really good food in a historic building. The octopus tacos are amazing! And they make the best mixed drinks.
Sightseeing
Beautiful 19th Century theater next to the Jardin. Don't miss the chance to see a live opera or orchestra there on Friday night.
215 locals recommend
Juarez Theater
10 De SopenaBeautiful 19th Century theater next to the Jardin. Don't miss the chance to see a live opera or orchestra there on Friday night.
One of the city's most famous historical sites, where Mexican forces attacked the Spanish to start the battle for independence. Now a museum with many exhibits and amazing murals.
Alhondiga
One of the city's most famous historical sites, where Mexican forces attacked the Spanish to start the battle for independence. Now a museum with many exhibits and amazing murals.
The Valenciana church is one of the most spectacular in Guanajuato inside and out. You can also tour the nearby Valenciana mine (the tour involves very steep steps into the mine shaft and is very physically challenging so keep that in mind). The plaza in front of the church has a lot of hole in the wall lunch places. You'll need to take a taxi, it's on a hilltop just outside of town. Then take a city bus back into town.
28 locals recommend
Valenciana
The Valenciana church is one of the most spectacular in Guanajuato inside and out. You can also tour the nearby Valenciana mine (the tour involves very steep steps into the mine shaft and is very physically challenging so keep that in mind). The plaza in front of the church has a lot of hole in the wall lunch places. You'll need to take a taxi, it's on a hilltop just outside of town. Then take a city bus back into town.
Traveler advice
Getting around
Taxis are cheap and plentiful.
They often pass on the Calzada de Guadalupe about a block from the house, but if you need one quickly, walk down to Plaza de la Paz in front of the basilica (the large yellow church downtown). To return to the house, tell the driver "A la Calzada de Guadalupe, enfrente del Oxxo.” (they all know the Calzada and the Oxxo)
What to pack
Good walking shoes are a must
Guanajuato is best experienced on foot. The streets and sidewalks are stone and often uneven, so comfortable walking shoes with good tread are crucial.
Getting around
Parking garage near the house
The parking lot on the Calzada de Guadalupe is a block from the house, across the street from the Oxxo store. The rates in January 2020 were 17 pesos/hour for the first 2 hours, 16 pesos/hour for 3-4 hours and 15 pesos for 5+ hours. It’s 366 pesos for 24 hours.
Don't miss
The funicular and Pipila
The big statue of El Pipila has one of the best views of the city (you can see the statue from my upper deck). It's a very steep walk, so I suggest taking the funicular (cable car). The ticket booth is behind the Teatro Juarez.
Don't miss
Estudiantinas -- strolling minstrels
The people you see around the Jardin dressed in medieval clothes are the estudiantinas, Guanajuato's minstrels. They do live performances in front of the church next to the Teatro Juarez every night and sell tickets for the "callejoneada," where they lead groups of people through the city's alleys as they sing and play. If you hang around the Jardin in the afternoon or evening, they will approach you and offer to sell you tickets.