| When theme parks, beaches, scuba diving, and | | | | 100,000-120,000 people. It is nestled in a |
| whale watching have lost their charm after | | | | ravine with the city literally built up the |
| multiple vacations to Mexico, perhaps a visit | | | | sides of the bowl-like surrounding mountains. |
| to The Land of Frogs in Central Mexico is in | | | | If nothing else, a trip to Guanajuato would |
| order. | | | | be worth the time and expense just to marvel |
| | | | at how the Mexicans figured out how to build |
| The City of Guanajuato, which is called The | | | | this city. To call it a marvel is a gross |
| Crown Jewel of Mexico's colonial cities, was | | | | understatement. |
| named The Land of Frogs by a group of | | | | |
| indigenous people. By some accounts, the | | | | Another marvel to behold is Guanajuato's |
| indigenous took one look at the terrain and | | | | system of underground tunnels. Originally, |
| said, "Nothing but frogs could live here!" | | | | the Guanajuato River flowed through the |
| Some say the indigenous found thousands of | | | | center of town. Numerous devastating floods |
| frogs in the mountainous terrain. Other | | | | occurred over the centuries, and engineers |
| accounts say it was the shape of the | | | | decided to divert the river away from the |
| mountains that reminded the indigenous of | | | | middle of town in the early 1900´s. After |
| frogs. Whichever account is true, Guanajuato | | | | diverting the river, the riverbed was turned |
| is a place to get to know. | | | | into a maze of underground streets-this time |
| | | | to divert traffic. |
| Guanajuato earned its place in world | | | | |
| geography when the Spanish found the | | | | How To Get Here |
| surrounding mountains rich in silver | | | | |
| deposits. In fact, at one time more than | | | | More American tourists we meet are driving to |
| one-third of the world's silver riches were | | | | Guanajuato. This is not as difficult as one |
| mined in Guanajuato. Though none of the usual | | | | might imagine. Go to and type "driving to |
| summer vacation activities exist in | | | | Mexico". You will find numerous articles on |
| Guanajuato, this city exudes history with | | | | the logistics of driving here. The only |
| every unsteady step you take through its | | | | problem you will encounter when arriving in |
| cobblestone streets. | | | | Guanajuato is parking. Although city |
| | | | officials are working to solve this problem |
| The state of Guanajuato is the Cradle of | | | | by building more parking facilities, it is a |
| Mexican Independence. It was here Mexico | | | | nightmare. Parking is at a premium and you |
| began its quest to become Mexican. Guanajuato | | | | will rarely find adequate and safe parking |
| is the perfect spot to see where and learn | | | | near your hotels. |
| how Mexico began to fight for its hard-earned | | | | |
| independence from Spain. Although small, the | | | | The best way to arrive in Guanajuato is to |
| city of Guanajuato has outstanding colonial | | | | fly to Leon, Guanajuato. From there, you can |
| architecture built with the silver revenue | | | | take a cab for about $25.00-$30.00 to |
| from times past. With modern museums, | | | | Guanajuato. It is about a 45-minute ride. |
| cultural events almost year-round, one of | | | | |
| world's oldest universities, and an almost | | | | A way to combat the difficulty of your Leon |
| perfect year-round temperate climate in which | | | | cabbie knowing where your lodging is located, |
| to enjoy this country's Crown Jewel, | | | | especially if you have arranged a private |
| Guanajuato can be the perfect alternative to | | | | apartment for your vacation stay, is to have |
| the usual vacation fare. | | | | the Leon cabdriver take you to the |
| | | | Guanajuato's Holiday Inn or to the bus |
| Many first-time visitors we've interviewed | | | | station. From there, it is a simple matter of |
| have expressed amazement to find that | | | | switching to a Guanajuato cabdriver who will |
| Guanajuato defies their stereotypical | | | | know where everything is in Guanajuato's |
| expectation of Mexico. Many who have traveled | | | | confusing maze of streets. |
| extensively throughout Europe have told us | | | | |
| Guanajuato could be a town from Spain or | | | | Lodging |
| Northern Italy that was somehow magically | | | | |
| transplanted to this side of the planet. | | | | Guanajuato has a large influx of wealthy |
| | | | travelers to whom the hotel industry caters |
| Depending on whom you ask, The City of | | | | lavishly. You can find accommodations to |
| Guanajuato has a population of between | | | | boggle the mind and pocketbook. |