where to stay in guanajuato city ( best area & hotels )

Where is the best place to stay in Guanajuato?

By Angie Grier. July 14, 2022

Guanajuato City is one of the most colorful cities in Mexico and is often referred to as the most beautiful city in the country. Guanajuato is located in the mountains of central Mexico at an altitude of around 2,000 meters (6,500 feet). As an important cultural center in Latin America, this city supports artists, musicians, writers, and more. Mariachi perform in the streets of the city’s center throughout the day and night. Visitors enjoy traditional Mexican food in the fantastic restaurants and street stands throughout the city. This historic, colonial town even inspired Disney’s animators in the creation of the movie Coco.

The best place to stay in Guanajuato is in the city’s center or Centro Historico. Visitors can walk to most of the cultural and historical attractions from the center. Because driving and parking in the city are difficult, it is easiest to park in a lot associated with a hotel or rental home. Most of the hotels in Guanajuato City are located in Centro Historico and people enjoy being in the middle of everything, within walking distance of bars, restaurants and attractions (with no need of Uber or taxi). It’s the perfect location to see top sites like Teatro Juarez, Pipila, the Estudiantina, and the Mummies all in one day.On the map, which shows the best area to stay in Guanajuato, you can see a selection of some of the best located hotels.

If you were interested in finding out where to stay in Guanajuato, you may also be interested in knowing where to stay in San Miguel de Allende and where to stay in Mexico City.

Centro Historico, the best area to stay in Guanajuato

The Centro Historico of Guanajuato is famous for its history, culture, and silver. Visitors can safely explore the city center by walking, day and night.

Murals, sculptures, and green plazas with large, stately trees are hidden amongst narrow alleys and quiet street corners, only accessible by pedestrians. Silver shops and artisanal markets are scattered throughout Centro Historico. Mariachi often perform in the plazas, encouraging listeners to sing and dance.

Visitors can try traditional Mexican dishes like Enchiladas de Mineras at one of the many restaurants in Centro Historico. Bars stay open late on weekends and during holidays, serving Mexican beer, tequila, and mezcal. Hotels, rental houses, and rooms for rent are found throughout the Centro Historico area, ranging in price from budget to luxury accommodations. Guanajuato City hosts celebrations throughout the year, including Dia de Los Muertos. Many Centro Historico roads close to traffic at those times, so staying in the city is the best option.

Hotels in Centro Historico

Other areas to stay in Guanajuato

La Valenciana

North of the Guanajuato City center is the area of La Valenciana. This area contains some historic sites and museums that display the history of mining and Spanish occupation. The Valenciana Mine Museum shows how silver was mined from these mountains. The Purgatory Museum with its medieval Spanish torture devices is also a popular attraction here.

The view of the Centro Historico of Guanajuato City from this area is beautiful. To reach the city center from La Valenciana, visitors can either drive their own vehicle or take a taxi. Not as many lodging options exist on this side of Guanajuato City.

The accommodations widely range in price from budget to luxury. Visitors that wish to stay in this area should remember they get what they pay for in this location and always read online reviews before booking. Walking around La Valenciana at night is not as safe or as fun as it is in the city center.

West

The west side of Guanajuato City offers budget accommodations to visitors. Most people drive into the city from this direction.

While there are no views of the Centro Historico area from this side of the mountain, there are some historical attractions found in this area. The Museo Ex-Hacienda San Gabriel de Barrera showcases the lives of the wealthy Spanish landowners during the colonial period. The Mummy Museum displays local mummies and helps explain the cultural relationship of the Mexican people to their ancestors.

Like the La Valenciana area of Guanajuato City, the west side does not have much to offer visitors in the evening. As a result, the area is not as safe after dark as the city center. People traveling to the Centro Historico area should drive a car or take a taxi. While walking is possible and safe during the day, it is not an easy walk for children or adults with mobility issues.

Southeast

The southeast side of Guanajuato is the modern side of Guanajuato City. With a large hospital, shopping area, grocery store, and more, this part of Guanajuato City does not look like the historic parts of the city.

However, historic and cultural attractions are located in this area. La Casa de Tia Aura is a haunted house that tells stories about traditional Spanish families and the dark side of Mexican history.

La Casa de Leyendas is a children’s museum that displays the local legends of Guanajuato. Only a few lodging options exist in this area and range in price from budget to mid-range accommodations. Visitors that choose to stay in this part of the city require a car or taxi to reach the Centro Historico. Like the other parts of Guanajuato City outside of the city center, walking around at night is not as safe here, and there are not many things to do after dark.

Our Choice in Southeast Guanajuato:  Mision Grand Casa Colorada  “The views from the top of the hill are amazing”

Southwest

The southwest side of Guanajuato City is just outside of the Guanajuato City area and is the side closest to the Guanajuato International Airport.

This area is a major intersection where the highway into Guanajuato splits and is heavily patrolled by the Mexican Federal Police and National Guard. One road heads toward San Miguel de Allende, and the other leads into Guanajuato City. Major hotel chains such as the Holiday Inn Express and Gran Plaza Hotel offer mid-range accommodations in their modern hotel facilities. Some of the hotels in this area offer free breakfast and a pool.

Reaching the Centro Historico area of Guanajuato City from here requires visitors to drive a car or rent a taxi. The Central Bus Terminal is located in this area, a major hub for buses traveling throughout the region. Visitors staying in this area have access to a large shopping center and several restaurants.