Guanajuato City, located in central Mexico, is the capital of the state of Guanajuato and also known as the Most Beautiful City in Mexico.
While I'm not so sure, quite yet, whether I agree that it's the most beautiful city in Mexico, I will agree that it is definitely striking!!
Guanajuato City, is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and a colonial city located in a narrow valley floor of the central Mexico mountains.
Elevation: 2,012 m (6,6015 ft) Population 72,237. It was once a silver mining town. It has a network of narrow streets, tunnels, alleyways and bright, vibrant multi colored colonial houses lining the hillside with winding cobblestone streets.
It is the home to the Mummy Museum, which contains naturally mummified bodies that were found in the municipal cemetery between the mid 19th and 20th centuries and the famous Callejón del Beso (Alley of the Kiss), so named because the balconies are close enough for a couple to reach across and kiss. In a former granary, the Alhóndiga de Granaditas is an art and local history museum with pre-Columbian exhibits. Guanajuato City is also the home of the main campus for the University of Guanajuato.
Leaving the Yucatán and the alluring city of Mérida behind, we traveled by air to Guanajuato (a 2 hr flight) to spend our remaining 8 days. We landed at a very nice airport (BJX) Del Bajío International Airport, officially known as Aeropuerto Internacional de Guanajuato - in Silao, Guanajuato. The area boasts 2 modern airports very near to each other. The 2nd airport (QRO) is located in the neighboring state of Querétaro.
Here we would be in close range of three cities we planned to visit, Guanajuato City, Santiago de Querétaro and San Miguel de Allende. We rented a delightful airbnb in San Miguel, which we made our base and did a couple of day trips by bus to the other 2 cities. Worked out perfectly. We loved the bus!
Guanajuato enjoys a mild climate, with temperatures rarely dipping below 60 F on a winter day or topping 90 F on a summer day.
Once one of the richest cities in Mexico, you will not be bored! There are loads of activities, restaurants, street food and the city boasts a younger overall population (due to the huge university) than it's close neighbor and rival, San Miguel de Allende (some 47 miles to the west). The city has a beautiful historic center (which is mostly pedestrian only), as well as a magnificent performing arts center, the Teatro Juárez. This city lives for music, which abounds year round and can also be enjoyed in the many parks and plazas.
Thinking of retiring or relocating to Guanajuato City?
You’ll find all the modern malls, supermarkets and hospitals and healthcare facilities you’d expect.
For a target cost of living, a couple could easily live on a budget of $2,000 a month in Guanajuato, including rent — especially with today’s strong dollar and weak peso. Currently the exchange rate hovers close to 1 USD:19 MXN. See current rates here.
You can find a comfortably furnished rental starting at about $700 a month. You won’t need heat or air conditioning so your utility costs will be low. Shop at the local mercado for fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables and your grocery bill will be low, too.