Summer is coming soon, and for many people that means going on vacation! We've given you suggestions of some of the most vibrant Spanish-speaking cities to visit this year, and we've even made a handy list of everything you need to know before visiting Mexico , so, if you don't already have one foot on the airplane, what are you waiting for?
Mexico's placement in the worldwide map means it is blessed with (mostly) fair weather, and it is certainly associated with warmer climates and sunny scenes. What better way, then, to spend your summer than getting to know a beautiful Mexican city while getting a nice tan AND practicing your Spanish?
Today, we're shining a spotlight on Guanajuato. Considered by many as the most beautiful city in Mexico (we'll let you form your own opinion), this historic town and its adjacent mines were declared a world heritage site by The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) back in 1988.
Guanajuato has a special place in Mexican history, since it was the stage for several historical events of relevance, including many linked to the Mexican struggle for independence. Founded by the Spanish in the early 16th century, it became the world's leading center for silver extraction in the 18th century.
The prosperity of the mines resulted in the construction of beautiful baroque and neoclassical buildings, which then influenced architecture throughout the rest of the country. Today, its colorful landscape reflects a rich heritage from the two worlds that make Guanajuato (or the whole country) so unique: Europe and pre-Columbian Mexico.
You probably bumped into this post while googling "things to do in Guanajuato", allow me to give you a few ideas. If you're traveling with your significant other, el Callejón del Beso (The Kissing Alley) is a must. Thousands of couples from all over the globe flock to this narrow alley, measuring only 27 inches wide and where the opposing balconies almost touch other, to share a kiss at precisely the third step in order for their love to last forever. Or so the legend goes.
Get lost among the tiny, colorful houses and alleyways and maybe end up at JardÃ?Ã??Ã?Ã?Ã?ÃÂn de la Unión, a lush garden where you can stroll with your friends and family or maybe chat up a stranger and practice your Spanish! Towering trees will provide some much-needed shade while you listen to live mariachi or student bands known as tunas, or maybe you'd prefer enjoying their tunes while having lunch at one of the surrounding restaurants before heading across the street for a play or concert at the gorgeous Teatro Juárez.
(Photo credit: Pixabay)
Culture buffs will love this historically significant theatre. Inaugurated in 1903, it was the place where some of the finest artists in Mexico found a home, before the Revolution erupted, of course. Now, since 1972, it's the home of Festival Internacional Cervantino, THE cultural event of the year in Mexico and one of the most prestigious art festivals in the world. You'll enjoy opera, music, dance, theater, visual arts, film, literature and conferences during this event, traditionally held in October.
Another aspect that not many foreigners associate with Guanajuato is mummies. Yes, you read that right! Several naturally mummified bodies were found in a local cemetery between 1861 and 1989. Now, more than a hundred mummies are exhibited at the Museo de las Momias de Guanajuato, one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city and one that gives a certain dark edge to an otherwise colorful, vibrant town.
So, if any of these activities sound like your cup of tea, then Guanajuato is the place you should visit for your next vacation. If you're somehow not entirely convinced by this point, we also have some suggestions for you to enjoy this amazing place from a different perspective.
Our friends at Turismo Alternativo En Guanajuato, a locally operated business, provide tourism services focused on adventure, where you can get in touch with nature and culture while in a tranquil, comfortable and safe setting.
Along the same line you'll find our friends at Cacomixtle, a family business named after the beautiful ring-tailed cat that inhabits Sierra de Santa Rosa, a mountain range also known as Sierra de Guanajuato. At an altitude between 6800 and 9000 feet over sea level, these mountains are home to dense oak forests, as well as a myriad other species of plants and animals, especially migrating birds that make a stop there on their journeys.
Cacomixtle encourages you to discover Guanajuato's best kept secrets by car, on foot or aboard a bicycle, all while helping preserve the environment, one of their main tenets. After all, they want you to see the other face of Guanajuato, a side of the city not specifically tailored for tourists, but a much more genuine, natural and authentic experience. They'll treat you like an old friend and will gladly share with you their favorite places and activities.
