Cheap flights to Guanajuato, Mexico

High up in the desert mountains, a couple of hundred miles northwest of Mexico City, is Guanajuato. Visitors will discover a romantic and colorful city, its chaotic collection of brightly painted buildings lining the narrow lanes and hugging the hillsides above a deep valley.

There are several reasons to visit Guanajuato. Not only was it, along with San Miguel de Allende, a “silver city” colonized by the Spanish in the 1500s and mined for its silver deposits, it is famed by Mexicans for the role it played in the country’s fight for independence from Spain. It is also the birthplace of Diego Rivera, the artist.

Guanajuato today retains much of the colonial era. The city’s buildings appear at times more European than Mexican, the plazas suitably elegant and the churches ornate and awe-inspiring. One of the most noticeable features of Guanajuato is its lack of streets. For these, look underground. The river, which ran underneath the city, use to flood the downtown area until a dam was built in the 1960s. The Underground Street (Calle Miguel Hidalgo) follows the river’s original course.

How long is the flight to Guanajuato?

Flights from the United States to Guanajuato, Mexico range from about 2.5h-35h. The length of your flight will depend on factors like your departure city, and the number and length of any layovers you experience. Flights on the shorter end of the spectrum will be those that are direct, while those on the longer end of the range tend to be out of airports a great distance from Guanajuato and with a couple of stopovers along the way.

Where can you get direct flights to Guanajuato from?

You can choose from several daily direct flights to Guanajuato from Houston and Dallas in Texas, via American Airlines and United Airlines. Volaris airlines also provide daily direct flights from Chicago, as well as from Oakland and San Jose airports in California. If you do book a flight or two with a stopover along the way, you can expect these to occur in cities like Denver, Charlotte, Houston, and Mexico City, depending on your departure city and airline.

How do you get from Guanajuato airport to the city center?

When your destination is Guanajuato, you’ll alight at Guanajuato International Airport (BJX), which is about 19.5 miles west of the city. To reach downtown Guanajuato from the airport, the most direct route is by taxi. You can hail a taxi from the rank outside the arrivals terminal, and it will take about 40 minutes to reach downtown Guanajuato and a fare of about $20. There is no direct bus route from the airport to Guanajuato, although you can take a bus from the airport to Silao and then transfer to another bus to Guanajuato, which takes much longer although it will only cost a dollar or two. For those who prefer to drive themselves or wish to explore central Mexico by car, you can also rent a car from a major international rental car agency at the airport.

What are some things to do in Guanajuato?

Guanajuato is a historic city in Mexico’s central highlands that is filled with its own unique charm, amazing architecture, and must-see attractions, making it a fun and fascinating city to visit. See the mummified remains of more than 100 ancient citizens of the city at its Mummy Museum, known locally as Museo de las Momias. Guanajuato was once famous for its incredible silver mines. Nowadays, you can explore this past by taking a guided tour through an old mine shaft, such as the Valenciana Mines, or Minas San Cayetano, a popular spot for tourists. Take a ride up the city’s funicular cart system, which you can ride up to Pipila Monument, 249 feet about the city.

Do I need a passport or visa to fly to Guanajuato?

United States citizens traveling to Guanajuato, Mexico need a valid passport or passport card to embark on their journey. A visa or a tourist card is required for tourists visiting for six months.

Guanajuato, Mexico climate

Guanajuato has a warm climate year round with mild winters (December to February) and hot summers (June to July). Winter temperatures range anywhere from 45 to 70 F and summer temperatures range from 57 to 86 F. Guanajuato sees the most rainfall between May and September.

Best Time to Fly to Guanajuato, Mexico

Peak season:

Guanajuato has a warm climate year-round making it an ideal destination anytime. October is a busy month because of the Festival Cervantino; a festival that combines the best of music, theater and dance in Mexico. Christmas, New Year, Easter and school vacations are also peak times to visit.

Low season:

Guanajuato’s rainy season runs from May to September each year.

Getting around Guanajuato, Mexico

Guanajuato is not very big, so most areas are easily accessible by foot, making a car unnecessary. Most hotels offer a shuttle service to and from the airport, and the city has buses and taxis available to get you to other nearby destinations.

Guanajuato, Mexico Travel Information

• A Unesco World Heritage site, Guanajuato’s name translates as “place of frogs” in the local dialect, after the Tarascan Indians, followers of the spirit of the frog, spotted a mountain in the shape of a frog.
• For a taste of how a 17th-century silver baron lived, visit the Hacienda San Gabriel de Barrera, on the outskirts of Guanajuato. The interior is stunning, with furniture sourced from England, Spain and France, in enormous reception rooms. The 17 gardens and courtyards are all in a different style. A small chapel adds to the peaceful atmosphere.
• The Museo de las Momias is located on a hill overlooking Guanajuato. A sometimes grisly visit, the museum is home to dozens of naturally mummified bodies. It’s a big draw for tourists from other parts of Mexico and around the world.
• Festivals in Mexico include the International Cervantes Culture Festival, the Expresión en Corto International Film Festival, and two medieval festivals, one during Holy Week and one in mid-December.
• Cristo Rey del Cubilete (Christ the King Shrine) is thought to mark Mexico’s geographic centre. Each year pilgrims make their way there to celebrate the Epiphany (January 6).