Essentials

GUANAJUATO, MEXICO

Essentials

Accomodation. It's recommended to book a place to stay in advance, because, accomodation may be hard to find during Cervantino Festival and national holidays, specially, the Holy Week. Then, the solution is to try hotels at alternate cities: Leon (50 km/30 mi), Silao (20 km/12 mi) and Irapuato (55 km/34 mi).

When in search of a place to stay, it's worth checking out the tourist office at Plaza de la Paz 14. They give information on hotels and their official prices, plus a free map of the city, if requested.
At bus station and on peak season throughout town, private organizations run information booths, offering tours and hotel reservations.

ATM (Cash Dispensers). Juarez Ave. is where most ATM are installed. Cards accepted: Cirrus, Visa, Mastercard.

Banks can be found along Juarez Ave.

Books and Guides even in spanish, are hard to find. Bring along your own copy.

Buses. The ride (One way) inside the city is 0.20 USD.

Most routes in and out the city core, stop outside the Hidalgo Market.

Car Hire. Do not expect air conditioning. Likewise, do not expect all the toys that rental cars have in the States. You won't have cruise control, but as you will see, you really don't need it. Be sure to get unlimited miles and settle the rate before leaving home.

Cash Machines. Juarez Ave. is where most machines are installed. Cards accepted: Cirrus, Visa, Mastercard.

Charities. Guanajuato is a place with few beggars, and most around are professionals on their trade. The real needy can get some help from organizations like the Christian Ladies of Saint Vincent of Paul. Those organizations are voluntary and are always in need of a hand of locals as well as non-residents.

Consulates. Guanajuato has none. The US Embassy in Mexico City is reachable via internet.

Credit Cards. Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere. American Express, where accepted, is charged a fee for financial costs.

Emergencies

Automobile assistance. Ph. 732 01 19
Fire brigade. Ph. 732 33 57
Police Department. Ph. 732 02 66
Red Cross. Ph. 732 04 87

Fax. Public fax and long distance phones are found along Juarez Ave (i.e. Juarez #110) and in the Bus station.

Information. Guanajuato State Tourism Office.(Mon thru Fri 09:00-19:30, Sat & Sun 10:00-14:00) Plaza de la Paz 14; 36000 Guanajuato, Gto. Ph. (473) 732 1982, 732 0086, 732 1574; Fax (473) 732 4251.

Left Luggage. Luggage can be left at bus station.

Maps. Although, they are available through most hotels and the Tourist Office just half a block uphill the Jardin de la Union, in practice it's not so difficult to find your way around. The few streets run along the small valley, being the lowest level at west. Town's main road is Juarez Ave. and most attractions are on this, or just off it.

Phones. Long distance phones are found along Juarez Ave (i.e. Juarez #110) and in the Bus station.

Public phones work with a smart card (credit card-alike), which are on sale at booths and small shops. Look for "Ladatel" sign.
Local numbers are 7 digits long, area code of Guanajuato is 473. While, Mexico's code is 52.
Celular phones are good in most places except underground.

Post Office (Mon-Fri 08:00-18:00, Sat 08:00-13:00) is behind the Jardin de la Union.

Taxis. Taxis fare is about 1.25 USD to move around the city.

Telegrams. Telecomm has an office in short distance of Juarez Theater, close to the old Mint.

Weather. Altitude and a high sierra at north, makes Guanajuato a temperate, dry, and a little windy town (75.6 Km/h max recorded W-NE). Mornings and evenings are crisp and cool, while afternoons are sunny and very warm. Average temperature is 17.9 C, with a minimum about 3 C in January, and maximum of about 36 C in May. During season (June to October), it rains usually after sunset.

Online forecasts: University of Guanajuato, WUnderground, CNN.