Travel Weekly contirbuting editor, journalist and travel expert Meagen Drillinger says that Guanajuato City should be in every traveler’s radar in 2019.
Guanajuato City, the state capital, is growing as one of the top destinations in Mexico for international business in industries such as manufacturing, technology, and call centers, said Zach Rabinor, CEO of Journey Mexico. According to North American Production Sharing, (NAPS), an administration management service for companies manufacturing in Mexico, Guanajuato is the fastest growing state for manufacturing in the country.
“There is a high level of human resource, good education and new investment,” added Rabinor. “Similarly there is growth in hotels at both the business level and upper-end leisure.”
Because of this, airlines are starting to take notice. Guanajuato already has direct flights from San Antonio and Chicago on United. But leisure travelers can also fly to Mexico City and transfer to Guanajuato, or take the four-hour drive. But this is just the beginning as leisure travelers begin to witness what exactly Guanajuato City has to offer for tourism.
First and foremost, Guanajuato is a stunning cultural and historic city. In fact, Unesco has named it a World Heritage Site. Its pastel-colored, Spanish-style colonial buildings line cobblestone streets that web in and out through plazas, churches, small cafes, restaurants, shops and galleries. While San Miguel de Allende is the best-known example of this aesthetic in the state, Guanajuato City has a paused-in-time vibe that might be lacking from more touristic destinations.
Guanajuato City was founded in the 16th century based on the state’s surrounding silver and gold supply. Springing up around the mines were cities for Spanish miners. Today it’s a city packed with museums, theaters, markets, tree-lined plazas and beautiful color.
Guanajuato happens to be the birth city of Diego Rivera, and his birthplace is now a museum honoring his life. The ground floor is a reconstruction of his family home. Upstairs is a collection of originals, as well as temporary exhibits.