We did a tour of Teatro Juarez which is located in downtown Guanajato, easy to find. A short and…read moresweet one, not a lot of talking, more like self tour whichI prefer. Beautiful, intimate theater dating 1903, historic, a jewel of the city! The statues outside are beautiful and the actual concert hall inside is nice and elegant. I would love to see an opera here or any show for that matter. The chandelier is a work of art and so is the ceiling. If you visit the area, Teatro Juarez should get on your list!

This is, in part, a review of Teatro Juárez and the little café that is inside the lobby. Do not…read morebuy the "red wine". For example, you may ask for "vino tinto", but what you'll get is pretty close to red Fanta (very sugary soda water) and some cheap red wine. I had this in Spain, where it is meant for the more "youthful" crowd, but in one word, "yuk". I told them I would pay for it, and I did, much to the chagrin of my friends. This is a very very crowded part of downtown Guanajuato, so lots of street noise may interfere with whatever you experience in the Teatro.

Now, I do have to add a caveat to my 5 stars....this Festival was not just "all things Cervantes",…read morebut Cervantes is celebrated in many ways. I highly recommend you stay as close the city's center as possible. So many restaurants and venues! You'll need taxis to get to several of them. Don't even think about walking to anything outside of your immediate area, the taxis are inexpensive, all you need to do is find where they generally can be found! Ask a policeman or better, the restaurants! Some of the venues may sound amazing, but not so much. I suggest you really really do your homework, the venues in the City Center may have a lot of the crazy youthful street noise (which lasts late into the night) going on in the background. I saw Kotaro Fukuma (https://festivalcervantino.gob.mx/actividad/4/kotaro-fukuma-piano?lan=en) and he played Debussy --- I could not stop crying! anything at that venue....go!!! Some of the tickets may never be possible to get as they are given out to donors or officials, so I suggest you check every day the closer you get to whenever they release tickets! There are the "entrameses cervantino"...these may be at night, but are free. Bring a jacket!

If you are interested in Diego Rivera's work, this museum is a must visit, especially since you…read moremade it to Guanajato! Easy to find, inexpensive to visit, it will take you about an hour and a half to discover more of Rivera's life and work. Open daily 10am-7pm, Sundays - 10am-3pm. Closed Mondays! Lots of personal objects on display, furniture and art created by the artist, in an intimate display since this was the place his was born. Very nice place, not crowded when we visited, so it made it for a pleasant time. I was very happy to be able to check it out and learn more about the great Mexican muralist artist!

Unlike Mexico City, Guanajuato isn't a museum town. Museums here are intimate, cheap to enter,…read morefeature no audio tour options, and at best you'll spend maybe 1 hour in any of them. In other words, great for those with short attention spans. Until he was 6 Diego Rivera lived in the house in which this museum is situated. Here you can see the rooms he once played in and view a collection of his works though nothing large-scale like the murals for which he really gained renown. In addition to Diego's works (which you're not permitted to photograph) in many art genres, there are a couple of other art installations. On this visit the most interesting of these was the very top floor which featured the work of Guanajuato artists whose work I'd have enjoyed a whole museum being filled with. There's a lot of stairs to navigate here but an elevator if you cannot do so. Definitely worth a stop if you're in Guanajuato and enjoy museums and/or Diego Rivera. And, if they know you speak only English they'll screen a 7-minute film, in English, telling you more about the space and the featured artists.

If you're ever in Guanajuato, in the main touristy area, not far from the Teatro Cervantes, pop in…read morefor Cream Tomato soup and the Spinach Salad with Prosciutto. My friend had the salmon steak and another had the flank steak. They serve a great rustic-style bread with several dips when you sit down for free, and I recommend sitting on the little outdoor-facing tables to see all the action. The food was great, the service was spot-on. This is in the no-car, but taxis seem to be the way you must get here if you're not walking. Suggest you walk here.

Sunday night dinner. Spectacular view…read more Great wine. Good service. Terrible, and I mean 7/11 and Diminos have better pizza. Terrible fettuccine alfredo, and I mean worse than microwave pasta. Delicious rack of lamb & bass filet. Come for the drinks and view, not food.

We were very lucky to stumble upon this eclectic cafe that not only has the best hot chocolate in…read moretown but also serves Paraguayan terere! It has great menu selection and super friendly service. Do stop by when in Guanajuato!

I came here several times during my five days in Guanajuato. It's a cozy place to hang at any time…read moreday or night, for coffee or a beer (and maybe some local live music.)

Six minutes down the road from the Hacienda La Trinidad is this magnificent property. We had a free…read moreafternoon and after seeing on Trip Advisor that this was many travelers favorite spot, we decided to check it out. With no expectations we were delighted by this spectacular property. I would give the magical Museo Ex-Hacienda San Gabriel de Barrera gardens six stars and the manor, 4 stars. This hacienda was once a major world influence of silver. Built at the end of the 1600's for a Captain Gabriel de la Barrera, heir to the Valenciana silver mine, the grounds stretch over 22,000 square meters. The Hacienda is divided into 16 areas, complete with 17 gardens, all groomed to a different style surrounding the various manor buildings and small plazas. I walked through the various gardens toward the manor house. The weather started out sunny, then some gray clouds came and after a few drops, the sun reappeared. The property is a photographers dream. This place is a must see when traveling in the Guanajuato/San Miguel de Allende area.

We have been to Guanajuato 4 times and this was, by far, one excursion we will never…read moreforget:amazing; awesome: magnificent,: enthralling: exudes a sense wonderment about the people who lived here: As we strolled through this vast estate we were transported back in history to the extent that we felt as if we were somehow trespassing and would be confronted at any moment; only to be invited in!! Very good energy here! Do it!

September 2026 I have just returned from my second visit to…read morethe La Hacienda Escuela Spanish School in Guanajuato, having previously attended around the same time last year. Following my first trip, I maintained weekly online lessons with Luis while also self-studying. However, nothing compares to in-person learning alongside other students, with Luis and Esme. This year, I saw a significant improvement in my ability to communicate - so glad I persevered. A great decision this year was choosing to homestay at the school. Some might wonder if that's "too much;" I absolutely loved it. Pastitos Park sits right below the school. Staying on-site meant I could easily walk downstairs to use the walking and jogging track, strength equipment, etc. Exercising there proved to be a great way to practice conversational Spanish with friendly regulars. Afterwards, it was just a quick walk back upstairs to shower and be ready for class. Key advantages of staying at the school: 1. Stunning Views: Perched on a hill, the school offers incredible views of colorful houses across the valley. It is peaceful in the morning, and watching the hillside lights glitter at night is magical. 2. Private Balcony: My room included a small balcony--a perfect way to enjoy the view at dawn or dusk. 3. Fully Equipped Kitchen: Unlike bedsit kitchenettes, the kitchen here has an oven, fridge, freezer, air fryer, gas stove, and microwave. You aren't tied to a host's meal schedule, giving you total flexibility. For supplies, Bodega Aurrerá, (Walmart) is a 5-minute walk away, and Soriana is about 10 minutes away. If you prefer dining out, Plaza de la Paz and Teatro Juárez are just a 20-minute walk and filled with bustling restaurants and cafés. 4. Authentic Local Living: Daily routines naturally lead to frequent interactions with local residents. For an easy way to get around without walking the steep hills, a bus stop is located just five minutes away at El Cantador Park. 5. Eco-Friendly Grounds: The school has a lush garden filled with vibrant plants maintained by Luis who recycles kitchen compost and fish tank water for use in the garden. Next to the garden is a laundry area with a washer, dryer, and rooftop clotheslines. 6. Immaculate Cleanliness: The entire school is kept spotless. Every weekend, floors are vacuumed and mopped - all surfaces are sanitized with antibacterial cleaner. 7. Direct Access to Teachers: The ultimate highlight was interacting with Luis outside of structured class hours. Whenever I had a question about something I experienced around town, I could ask right away and receive clear, detailed explanations. Staying at the school made my educational trip economical, efficient, and thoroughly enjoyable. My experience at La Hacienda was overwhelmingly positive, and I am already looking forward to returning next year! Oct 2025 For anyone interested in Spanish immersion school, I highly recommend attending the La Hacienda Spanish School in Guanajuato, Mexico. I've just come back from La Hacienda and it was a fabulous experience. My teachers at La Hacienda, Luis, Esme, Ari are great. Luis is absolutely amazing as a teacher - he even makes difficult Spanish grammar accessible. Classes are customized to the level of the student and the teachers are really good at answering questions.The school is nestled above a hill close to the central historical district. My experience has now fired me up to continue with my lessons with Luis online and I hope to go back to Guanajuato next year. Prices are so very reasonable and the learning experience at the school and in the city has been wonderful indeed. https://www.lahaciendaspanishschool.com/ Guanajuato itself is a lovely walkable city and it is steeped in history, being in the silver rich mining district of colonial New Spain. The mining tunnels are now used as roads for cars, so much of the center is pedestrianized. Guanajuato and the nearby Hidalgo Dolores and San Miguel de Allende form part of the Mexican Independence Route. https://globalphile.com/our-guanajuato-mexico-guide/

I just returned from two weeks of school at La Hacienda and highly recommend it! Luis and the…read moreother teachers are top notch. They are able to ascertain your level of competence and meet you where you, while encouraging and challenging you to improve. I felt very supported and comfortable. I stayed at a homestay that Luis arranged and it was a great part of the experience too. Luis even can pick you up and return you to the airport in Leon! Guanajuato is a beautiful city, with a rich history and wonderful museums and sights. It was an absolutely wonderful experience and I hope to return.

This is a great cantina. Everybody is extremely nice and helpful. The crowd is mixed and friendly…read moretoo. The cocktails are strong and there are several local Mezcals to try. The owner is very nice even if he has poor taste in hockey teams and Susanna the manager excellent. I am moving here permanently in September and can't wait to see how this place rocks when the current craziness is behind us.

A roof top bar with descent views, good drinks and good food. it's very cheap with combo meals at…read more$55 pesos (currently 19 pesos to $1 usd) and a glass of pulque is is about 25 pesos. They also have bottle beers (the typical Victoria and Corona). They serve natural flavor pulque and a flavored one which apparently changes daily. So one dat we had the strawberry one and the next day we had a nutty one, both were good. The combo meal our group all ordered was good which included sausage, carne asada, a fajita mix, beans and tortilla. The food was good but unfortunately took a very long time to prepared. This isn't a very big place but its definitely cute so if you can snag a table then grab some drinks and have a great time here!