– Guanajuato, Mexico –
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Jewel of America...
Guanajuato is the perfect place to learn Spanish while exploring the warmth of Mexico and its peoples. A small colonial city, vibrant cultural mecca, lively university town and UNESCO World Heritage Site all wrapped in one, Guanajuato has earned its nickname "Jewel of America". Bright pastel homes speckle its steep, panoramic hillsides and the amazing subterranean street system provides quick access to all parts of town. Reminiscent of an old European city, you can spend hours wandering its cobblestone streets and narrow alleyways, discovering historic architecture, asymmetrical buildings, intricate arches, impressive sculptures and lazy, tree-lined plazas. Along your way, you are sure to be entertained by street artists, live music, dance troupes and comedy performances. Sophisticated and old world... Guanajuato is a unique combination of sophistication and old world charm. Many travelers consider it the most romantic city in Mexico. It is also a cultural capital, with a large number of museums, galleries and theaters. Some of the museums are world-class: the Museo Alhondiga de Granaditas (covers the city and surrounding area from the very early pre-Hispanic era to the present day) and the Museo Iconográfico del Quijote. Others focus on local painters (the Gene Byron Museum, the Olga Costa/Juan Chávez Morádo Museo, the birthplace museum of Diego Rivera), and then there are the "oddities" – the primary being the Mummy Museum. Festivals and entertainment... The International Cervantino Festival, which occurs every October, is known worldwide. Its array of events is comparable to that of festivals in other leading cities around the world. You can enjoy concerts, plays, movies, book presentations, street art, popular music, etc. The "Cervantino" is not the only renowned event in Guanajuato; throughout the year there are a large number of festivals, religious holidays, mimes and clowns in the streets, and even car rallies. Guanajuato's "callejoneadas" are not to be missed, where university students dress in 17th century Spanish costumes and take groups of people on a tour around town, singing traditional folk songs and telling legends and stories of Guanajuato's many callejones (alleyways). Nightlife... Nightlife in Guanajuato is vibrant. As a university city, the streets are lively and joyful any night of the week; and on the weekends, the tourists bring life to all of the restaurants, bars and dance floors. Undiscovered treasure... Guanajuato is still largely an undiscovered treasure amongst foreign tourists to Mexico. Located in the mountains, about equidistant between Mexico City and Guadalajara, it is a clean, vibrant and very safe city to visit. |
The intrigue and charm of Guanajuato await you!