Guanajuato, Mexico (December 2023)

Guanajuato's iconic Basilica

After we left San Miguel de Allende, we headed to Guanajuato, the capital city of the State of Guanajuato. San Miguel de Allende also belongs to the State of Guanajuato. We visited this city four years ago so it was not new to us. 

Guanajuato's nickname is the City of Tunnels. The city is connected through many tunnels through which cars and buses move around. Since the city was built on hills, it does not have a lot of flat lands. Naturally, tunnels played an important role for the road system. They were used also for channels to divert water when there were floods. 

As we walked around the downtown, we came across a few familiar places, including Callejon del Beso, a Kiss Alley, Mercado Hidalgo, Iglesia de San Diego, Teatro Juarez, and Statue of Singing Mariachi. 

Iglesia de San Diego

Teatro Juarez

Our local guide was Susanna who was leading to a few new and interesting places, such as Diego Rivera Museum, University of Guanajuato, and a few alleys we did not visit last time.

Guanajuato was a mining town so there were a few samples of vehicles used in the mining tunnels. 

The name Guanajuato could mean a few things. One of them is City of Frogs or Toads. One door had toads on it.

Guanajuato is surely a city that is difficult for weak legs or feet because of its hills and cobblestone streets. But, there is no question that it is one of a beautiful cities in Central Mexico.

I was not aware that Diego Rivera is from Guanajuato. He was a famous mural painter and was married to Frida Kahlo who is from Coyoacan where we visited her house, now a museum, where Frida and Diego lived together. Diego Rivera's house is now a museum.

We made a stop at one of the iconic buildings of University of Guanajuato, one of famous universities in Mexico. The architecture was unique and interesting.

Benito Juarez is a well respected president of Mexico. He is from Oaxaca and led the reformation of the country in separating the state from the religion. His face was on one of the building walls.

Both Kristin and I agreed that this city is not suitable for us to live because of its steep hills despite its colorful beauty. - Jeffrey