Guanajuato
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Guanajuato, a beautiful colonial city nestled in the Sierra de Guanajuato Mountains, is a world heritage site that is also known for its many mines. It has a population of about 80,000 and the state is still a prosperous mining and agricultural area.

Because there are only two main streets that run through—one coming in and the other going out—Guanajuato is best seen by foot. There are hundreds of narrow tunnels and alleys, called callejones, which wind throughout and provide access to most of the sights, including the Don Quixote Museum, Diego Rivera Museum, and the Iglesia de San Cayetano. These streets and tunnels follow the original path of the Guanajuato River, which ran underground for more than two miles before it was dammed.

The University of Guanajuato also attracts many U.S. and European students every year, Like other visitors, they are eager to immerse themselves in the city’s rich history and quaint, timeless atmosphere. The city is transformed for three weeks in October by the international Cervantino Arts Festival. During those three weeks, it is very hard to find lodging and the streets are packed. A popular side trip is to Dolores Hidalgo, the town where the cry to arms (el grito) for independence was made by national hero Father Miguel Hidalgo on September 16, 1810. The town is renowned for its talavera ceramics.