Introduction
Guanajuato (gwah-na-gwah-toe) is situated in the central part of Mexico. Located at a height of approximately 6,700 feet above sea level. It is just 260 miles north of Mexico city. Guanajuato is the capital city of the state with the same name. The name of the city as well as the state is said to have been derived from its early inhabitants, the Tarascan Indians. The city is an exquisite example of the old and new, of picturesque and utilitarian. Its flourishing days of mining wealth created its beauty and led to an appreciation for the finer things. You can see a good number of the city's areas are reminiscence of the most historic days in Mexico. Guanajuato today has responded somewhat to the demands of tourism, promoting the Cervantes Festival and other attractions. Guanajuato, to sum up with, remains a clean, quaint, conservative and a thoroughly Mexican City.

What to do
Being in Guanajuato means a lot to do and see and experience. While in the city, you can go for any of the activities starting from site seeing to lazing around. Apart from these, you can also go for some shopping and wonderful leavening up entertainment in the local theatres and so on.

City at a Glance

Latitude 21 01.0N Longitude 101 15.0W Area 30,589 sq. km Population 4,648,460 (14 Feb. 2000) Language Spanish, English Religion Christian Telephone Codes 473

History
The history of the state and the city in particular dates back to the Tarascan civilisation. The city of Guanajuato has been the treasure house of Mexico. However, it was only after the Spanish took over and opened its first mine shafts in 1558. The discovery of the metals like the gold, silver and copper dictated the future of the city and its people. However, Guanajuato became a city in the year 1741 and began to decorate its streets to reflect its status. The magnificent buildings of the residents here are the result of this decoration of the city. Miguel Hidalgo Costilla, a legendary figure in the history of Guanajuato, born in 1753 used to question everything the Spanish believed. With the passing of time he began to gain recognition for his unorthodox beliefs and life style. An uprising was scheduled for 8th December 1810 and the information of the same was leaked by one of the members of the group. As a result, one of the revolutionaries, Epigmenio Gonzalez was arrested. Hearing this, Priest Hidalgo assembled an army of Indians and some mixed Indian-Spanish heritage and began their fight for independence on 16th September 1810. After the war, when Hidalgo was betrayed and was executed, the population of Guanajuato had been reduced to 35,000 from the previous 80,000. But Guanajuato today is a busy city with hospitable people and the remains of its history.

Weather and Best Season to Visit
Guanajuato has a moderately cool, healthy climate. The temperature ranges from 11.7º C. minimum to 24.2º C. Maximum. You can visit Guanajuato all through the year. However the monsoon season should be avoided while planning a visit to the place. A comfortable arrangement of warm clothing is highly recommended.

Attractions
The mines and the wonderful churches of Guanajuato make some of the famous tourist destinations in the city.

Alhondiga de Granaditas
One of the famous attractions of Guanajuato was built in 1785. Built, as the chamber of commerce the Alhondiga de Granaditas later became a granary, a fortress during the independence movement, and then a prison. It is presently a state museum that holds some of the rare pieces of local history, crafts and archaeological findings. The Alhondiga de Granaditas itself is a massive stone structure with four iron hooks on the four corners of the building. These hooks hold few of the rare historical happenings of the place.

Church of La Compania
It is also another attractions of Guanajuato. Built in the eighteenth century by the Jesuits before they were banished from all of Spain. It is one of the churches, which are built in the Churriguereque style. Its extensively detailed doors are decorated with woodcarvings of human heads. This church used to be a part of a college complex next door where a preparatory school lies today.

Museo de Panteon or De La Momias
Museo de Panteon or De La Momias is another prominent attractions of Guanajuato built during its period of opulence. Reminiscent of the catacombs in Rome, the Panteon houses a rare collection of mummified human corpses. These corpses were evicted from their graves at the municipal cemetary because their survivors had not paid the rent. It is said that the mineral properties of the soil preserve the cadavers surprisingly well. Some of the most grisly are enclosed in viewing cases.

Teatro Juarez
Guanajuato also has some of the prized historical buildings dating from the early twentieth century. One of such buildings is the Teatro Juarez. This is a theatre inaugurated by the Mexican President in the year 1903. The ornate theatre, decorated with bronze lion sculptures, Moorish panels and turn of the century light structures is the main venue of the annual Cervantes festival.

Places Nearby
There are also some of the other sides nearby the city that are worth a visit. This includes places like the Hidalgo market, Lovely plazas, the Callejon del Beso, the Basilica Nuestra Señora on plaza de la Paz, the San Diego church, on Jardin de la Union, next to the teatro Juarez, reservoir Presa de la Olla and a lovely park, at the extreme East end of the city etc. Moreover, there are a number of churches and historical monuments lieing nearby the city. San Francisco church, near the Quijote museum is one of them.

Important Festivals and Exhibitions
Cervantes Festival is the major event of Guanajuato, which has been celebrated since 1972. Many countries participate in this autumn festival of music, dance, theatre, opera, visual arts and academic fora to art and culture etc. If you happen to visit Guanajuato in the festival time, you must make sure of prior reservation in any of the hotels and also make sure not to miss the once in a lifetime opportunity of witnessing the festival.

After Hours
Guanajuato has a number of options that you can go for in the after hours. Generally the locals of Guanajuato head for the jardin or the Garden situated at the heart of the city. This is a storehouse of fun activities which you can indulge on. Starting from roller skating to live bands singing and dancing you can choose any of the numerous options there.

Shopping
There isn't much to go for shopping in Guanajuato. However, you can visit the local Hidalgo market to savour some local delicacies.

WHERE TO STAY
There are a number of hotels with a varied range of service charges. You can choose any of the options available there, as the prices here are easily affordable and reasonable.

Travel Information
Air Travel Resources
Guanajuato is well connected by air with some of the major airports of the globe. Well-maintained scheduled flight fly to and fro Guanajuato making it accessible from all over. The airport is approximately 50 km from the main city area.

Land and water
Guanajuato is well connected with a smooth road transport network that connects the place with the nearby, major places of interest.

Local transport
Taxis, buses and cars are the most popular modes of local transport. The fares are reasonable and services are good.

Travel Resources
Guanajuato has all the public facilities and conveniences you may need while visiting the city. Banks, hospitals and tour and travel agents make your stay in the city more comfortable.