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Guide to Leon-Guanajuato, Mexico
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Click to go to Flight Prices for Leon-Guanajuato
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Leon-GuanajuatoSeemingly taking on an amorphous character, Guanajuato is a central-Mexican city of secrets, serenity, smiles, and color. Its neighbor, Leon, shows to offer a similar array of qualities, but differentiating between the two is not difficult. In fact, the distinctness each brings to the table only further enhances their complementary natures. The smaller of the two, Leon attempts at holding onto Old Mexico, where grand hotels are in short supply. Instead, travelers (and wanderers) take up temporary residence in the city's hostels, where views are by no means extraordinary, yet the small town flavor lives on in full swing because of this. Guanajuato, a considerably larger complex, is both beautiful and bustling, providing visitors with a greater variety of cultural attractions, though it is safe to say Guanajuato is still quite a ways from becoming a clone of the sprawling, congested metropolis of Mexico City. Street theatre is a common sight in just about any popular Central or South American city, and though you'll see quite a bit of it in Guanajuato, the numbers of performers are low in Leon. The small city is a photographer's dream, however, where the villas and historic sites are ripe with stories and symbolism. IF you haven't brought a snap-shooter of your own, stop into one of Guantajuato's tiny convenience stores for a disposable shutterbox. It will be very useful for your journey to Guantajuato's neighbor. Tourists are willing to use a few rolls on the larger sibling of the two as well, but pleasant artistic nuances are lacking; you'll have to work for those memorable prints. Instead of focusing on its external qualities, Guanajuato appears content with holding its prized possessions inside a few choice establishments. This approach suits many, for summers in the region bring daily climatic conditions hardly pleasant for extended outdoor activities. Instead of taking to the streets, visitors take to the bounteous collections of Guantajuato's museums.
When to go:
Central Mexico experiences dry warmth throughout much of its year, but however ideal such a climate may seem at first glance, you'll quickly come to know the downsides if misinformed about the effects such a mixture creates. We highlight spring as the most suitable season for travel to both Leon and Guanajuato because of its temperate qualities and wonderful - if brief - blooming period. Autumn runs a close second with it's equally commendable thermometer readings, and the increased frequency of rainfall is a welcome bonus to quell those bouts of extended summertime conditions arising evening into the weeks of October. Winters are pleasant, bringing only a morning and evening chill more and more travelers are willing to live with at the benefit of daytime temperatures allowing unhindered excursions.
Getting there and around:
Leon-Guanajuato Airport (a.k.a. Leon-Bajio Airport), is about 16 miles from downtown Guanajuato, and though a car rental sounds like a good choice with your only other option being a US$27 taxi ride, navigating relatively busy Mexican city streets is best left up to those who've been doing it for years. Walking is always the best method to see foreign sites, but if you're having a hard time fitting all of your desired activities into tight slots, you can hire a taxi or buy a few bus tickets to ensure you don't cheat yourself out of a great opportunity.
Attractions:
La Valenciana, found within the limits of Guanajuato, is a mine encircled in an array of tourist-friendly establishments along the likes of restaurants, shops, and a few historic architectural items, including the Church of San Cayetano and the Casa de Capelo. If you're interested in coal gathering, tours of the mine are available at US$1 per person.
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