Guanajuato in Mexico

Stay safe

Guanajuato is a really safe city, police are always around, and people are very friendly to tourists. As long as you stay around downtown which is mainly the entire city you are safe.

Get in

By Plane

==== Del Bajio International Airport () ()==== The Del Bajio International Airport (BJX) in Leon is the closest airport serving Guanajuato. It also serves the cities of Leon and Silao, the industrial cities of the state. International airlines serving this airport include Aeromexico (Los Angeles CA, Ontario CA), American Eagle (Dallas, TX), Continental Airlines (Houston, TX), Delta Airlines (Atlanta, GA) and Mexicana (Chicago, IL; Los Angeles, CA, Oakland, CA, Sacramento, CA, San Jose, CA). Airlines serving this airport domestically to many cities across Mexico include: Aeromexico, Aviacsa, Avolar, Mexicana, Viva Aerobus and Volaris. Alternatively if you're flying from Europe, Asia or South America you can fly through Mexico City and take a bus or a flight from there. The bus ride is around 5 hours. You may also consider Queretaro International Airport QRO some 3 hours from Guanajuato.

By bus

Bus service in Mexico is quite reliable and comfortable. Before the recent start-up of several low cost carriers, Bus was the main mean of transport across Mexico. Several lines serve Guanajuato including ADO and Omnibus de Oriente. Buses are cheap, have air conditioning (except some economy ones), and often show movies and have refreshments.

You can take a taxi anywhere in the city to the bus station (Central de Autobuses in Spanish) to catch a bus to San Miguel de Allende (1 hour), Guadalajara (3 hours), Mexico City (5 hours), Acapulco, and other locations.

Get around

By foot

Guanajuato is not very big, and you can walk to most places, a car is really not necessary. If you arrive to Guanajuato driving a car, make sure to park your car in your hotel, most offer free shuttle to the city, otherwise, park your car in a lot (Estacionamiento in spanish) Again, your car is useless if you want to know Guanajuato.There are lots of taxis and you should be able to get where you're going for around 2 to 4 dollars. Taxis in Guanajuato do not have meters. Instead, before getting into the cab, ask the driver how much it will cost to go to your destination.Also, there are buses that you can ride for very cheap (Sistema Coordinado de Transporte de Guanajuato)

By tourist trolley

A trolley-like bus makes sightseeing tours of the city departing from Plaza de la Paz in the Centro, next to the Basilica of our Lady of Guanajuato. The rides lasts 1.5 hours and costs $50 pesos. There is a tour guide in Spanish only. Is a great way to know the city.

By Car

Remember, driving a car is NOT an option to know Guanajuato, however, if you plan to get in and out of the city then you will need to use the underground roads or tunnels, which are one of the main features of the city. The first tunnel was built in the remnants of a river in the late 1960's and new tunnels were later added to the city to speed up car traffic. The last was built around 1990. Many of the city buses run along the tunnels and is safe to take them in the special underground stops. Walking in the tunnels near Centro (downtown) is also safe. If you're driving, take into account that the tunnels are one way only, so taking the wrong tunnel may result in making a big tour around all the city.

Current tunnels: * El Barretero Runs west-east, southeast of the city and connecting the neighborhood near Presa de la Olla. * La Galereña Runs north-south, south of the city and is an exit of the city. * El Minero Runs east-west, in Centro. * Tunel Noroeste Ponciano Aguilar Runs east to west, northeast of the city. * Tunel de los Angeles Runs west to east, south of the city and is an exit of the city. * Santa Fe Runs east to west, northwest of the city. * Miguel Hidalgo The longest of all tunnels. Runs west to east, across the city. * Tamazuca The only two-way tunnel and the shortest also. Runs north to south and viceversa, west of the city.