Hotels in Guanajuato

Guanajuato: Colonial Silver City in Central Mexico

Guanajuato, capital of the state of the same name, sits in a narrow ravine in the Sierra Madre at roughly 2,000 m above sea level, about 380 km northwest of Mexico City. Founded in 1559 as a Spanish mining settlement, it produced an estimated one-third of the world's silver during the 18th century. That wealth built the Templo de la Compañía de Jesús, the Alhóndiga de Granaditas (scene of the 1810 Independence uprising), and rows of coloured townhouses that climb the hillsides above a network of subterranean roads. UNESCO listed the historic centre and adjacent mines as a World Heritage Site in 1988.

Where to Stay

Most hotels cluster along Jardín de la Unión and the callejones — narrow pedestrian alleys — radiating toward Plaza de los Ángeles and the Mercado Hidalgo. Boutique properties in converted 18th-century mansions dominate the upper mid-range. The Pípila neighbourhood above the funicular offers quieter options with rooftop views over terracotta rooftops. Budget hostels line Calle Alonso near the university.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Guanajuato's airport (BJX) is 30 km away in Silao; shared shuttles reach the centre in 40 minutes.
• Getting around: The subterranean road system (Ex-Carretera) runs beneath the city; most sights are walkable from Jardín de la Unión.
• Best time to visit: October brings the Festival Internacional Cervantino, filling plazas with theatre and music for three weeks.
• Altitude: Pack layers — evenings drop sharply despite daytime warmth at 2,000 m.