Guanajuato Mexico Retire Cheap in Paradise

Guanajuato Mexico Low Cost of Living
Guanajuato Mexico Retire Cheap in Paradise
-Best Old Town Walking Tour
-Best Day Tours
-Best Nightlife
-Best Restaurants
-Best Cheap Hotels
-Best Theatres
-Best Flights, Buses, Trains
Best Travel or Retire Cheap to Paradise Locations in the World

Guanajuato Mexico Retire Cheap in Paradise

This is Dan from Vagabond Buddha. I am in Guanajuato right now as I type this! This is my Guanajuato Mexico retire cheap in paradise guide.  Here are the reasons you should consider retiring or living in Guanajuato to save money and increase the quality of your life. Guanajuato is one of the best cheap places to retire in Mexico. But look at all the fun stuff you can see and do while you live here.

But first, here are some fun facts we found on Wikipedia about Guanajuato:

1. Most streets are so skinny or steep, automobiles can’t drive down them.
2. Many streets are underground so the surface feels like a small European Village.
3. The Valenciana silver mine produced two-thirds of the world’s silver for 200 years.
4. While the silver flowed, it was the richest city in New Spain.
5. Because of the city’s colonial era wealth, the best colonial architecture is here.
6. Guanajuato is where Mexico won the first battle of Independence from Spain.
7. The International Cervantino Festival is held here annually in October.
8. Guanajuato was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988.
9. Guanajuato was the capital of Mexico in 1858 during Benito Juarez’s presidency.

Best Old Town Walking Tour and Map of Guanajuato

Here is a free Google Map of Guanajuato Mexico old town walking tour:

Click ==>>this link<<== on your smartphone to get started on your free map of Guanajuato Mexico old town walking tour. Here is the first stop on this tour:

Estatua de Don Quijote: You must see this Statue of Don Quijote while in Guanajuato. Quijote is the main character in Miguel Cervantes most famous book, Don Quijote. The most famous current event that happens here in Guanajuato annually is the International Cervantino Festival which features plays about Don Quijote. The Queen of England even visited here during the festival and the Beatles performed here in the 1970s.

Templo de San Francisco: This beautiful old church was built in the 18th Century. Next door is the Don Quijote museum which is the largest private collection of Cervantez related memorabilia in the Americas. Cervantes lived in the 16th century in Spain and is considered the most socially influential writer there during his time.

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Juarez Theatre: This Theatre was built in 1803 and named in honor of Mexico’s former President Benito Juarez, Mexico’s only indigenous president, and famous as the liberal politician that separated church from state. It has also been home for the International Cervantino Festival since 1972. The festival hosts short plays, performance art, and musical guests from all over the world. The Greek muses at the top represent theatre, dance, music, film, and comedy.

Jardin Union Park: This above park is one of the most well know places in Guanajuato. It is a well-manicured park with water fountains, surrounded by sidewalk cafes. It is next to the Juarez Theatre, and the San Diego Church. You will wonder what part of France or Italy you have been transported to when you walk around this shaded park.

Basílica Colegiata de Nuestra Señora: The above photo of the Basilica of Guanajuato. The Basilica was built in 1671. There is an 8th-century statue of Virgin Mary inside that was a gift from the King of Spain at the time of colonial rule. The Virgin is a thank you to Guanajuato for all the wealth the silver mines generated for Spain. The Virgin rests on an altar created from gold mined from Guanajuato.

University of Guanajuato: The University of Guanajuato can trace its root all the way back to 1732. It presently has more than 33,000 students with campuses spread all over the state of Guanajuato. It offers college degrees, masters, and Phds in all of the social and advanced sciences. The influence of the university on the intellectual discourse in Guanajuato is one reason it is such a lovely place to live.

Museo Casa Diego Rivera: This museum is the childhood home of Mexico’s most prominent muralist. Although born to a rich Jewish family in Guanajuato, Diego embraced atheism. The political commentary in Diego’s murals is so significant to Mexico’s social self-imaged that they adorn the walls of the National Palace in Mexico City. From the above photo, you get a hint of his family wealth. The museum contains works from his youth. Make sure to see his cubism works. No pictures allowed here, sorry.

Plaza San Fernando: Above is a photo of my favorite plaza in Guanajuato. While you are here, walk 12 steps up to see the adjoining Plaza San Roque, and then 12 more steps to see the next adjoining plaza. Yes, there are three plazas right next to each other, split by narrow paths.

Mercado Hidalgo: If you have never been to a local market in a colonial-era town in Mexico, you should see this market. ThisMercadoo has everything the locals need here to survive and everything tourists need to bring gifts home. There are also many restaurants serving family receipies. You can typically get a delicicious local meal here for 30 MX ($1.5 USD).

Callejón del Beso: (Alley of the Kiss): The daughter of a rich man fell in love with a poor man’s son. The rich father stabbed his daughter to death when he caught her holding hands with the poor boy. The poor boy fell from the balcony above when she took her final breath. If you kiss on the steps where he broke his neck, your relationship will get 14 years of good luck.  Does anybody know who I call to get a good deal on the Brooklyn Bridge?

Monumento al Pipila Guanajuato: In the first battle for Mexico’s Independence the revolutionary army was unable to take a building defended by Spanish loyalists. A silver miner named Juan Jose Martinez strapped a large flat stone to his back to block loyalists bullets. With bullets blocked, he was able to reach the door. He smeared tar on the door and set the door on fire. This is how the revolutionaries were able to kill Spanish loyalists and win the first battle for independence. This photo was taken from the monument erected in his honor. Walk about 30 meters to the left as you face town if you would like to have a cold beer as you enjoy this view.

If you book my recommended flights, tours (Viator, GetYourGuide), or accommodations, you will pay nothing extra, but we will earn a small commission.

If you would like to learn how to make money online, or how to live internationally possibly with less money than you spend at home, please subscribe to Vagabond Buddha or get a free copy of my Ebook.

Best Day Tours and Map of Guanajuato

Here is a Map of the following suggested day tours from Guanajuato Mexico. This ==> free map of Guanajuato <== should make it easier for you to decide how to get there, whether by bus or Uber.

Presa de la Olla: Take the bus or an Uber here. Rent a boat and paddle around this beautiful lake. Bring bread or something to feed the ducks. You can also bring a lunch and have a picnic here if you like. Catch the bus labeled “Presa” in the tunnel under Jardin Union Plaza.

Museo Hacienda San Gabriel de Barrera: This is a colonial-era Spanish hacienda in the countryside. If you are curious how the wealthy lived here a few hundred years ago, check this out. It is about 14 KM outside of Centro. An Uber is $8 USD one way.

Museum of the Mummies of Guanajuato: I am not recommending this museum. It just seemed odd to me to dig up people who died 100 years ago and put them on display. It is one of the biggest tourist attraction in Guanajuato, so I am giving you the link and information. It costs 60 Pesos to enter ($3 USD) and 38 Pesos ($2 USD) to bring your camera inside. You can walk there from Centro but we took an Uber for $3 USD.

Regional Museum of Guanajuato This is a museum containing arts and artifacts from the state of Guanajuato. It is walkable from Centro.

Guided Tours: Check both Viator and GetYourGuide to see what tours they have available around Guanajuato.

Best Places Live in World: Here is my list of the ==>best live-cheap in paradise locations<== in the world.

Best Nightlife: Map of Guanajuato (Bar Hopping)

Here is a free Google Map of Guanajuato showing our best nightlife and bar hopping tour:

Click ==>>this link<<== on your smartphone to get started on your free Google Map of our Guanajuato bar hopping tour. Here is the first stop on this best nightlife bar hopping tour:

Best Bar in an Old House: GOLEM: Old house to chill with freinds and eat decent bar food when the hunger calls you. This bar is spread over 3 levels so make sure to go all the way to the rooftop.

Best Dive Bar: EL INCENDIO: Need a night of unpretentious conversation? Let your hair down here. With their cheap prices and dive bar atmosphere, you can have a lively conversation, or listen to others figure out the world’s problems.

Best Place to See and Be Seen: One Bar & Lounge: This above lounge is on the roof of a boutique hotel on Union Jardin. From the above picture, you would think it is twelve dollar beer night, but the beers were only $3 USD. This is one of the best night views in Guanajuato.

Best Dance Club: Why Not? Place to shake a leg when you get your buzz on. We were here last night and the Why Not bar is directly across the street from the EL INCENDIO. Not sure why Google has it 10 minutes away on foot. Just walk across the street from EL Incindio.

Best LGBT Place: WhooPees: You can sport your Rainbow colors without being judged here. This place doesn’t really get going until after 1 AM. If you go earlier it will be you and the bartenders.

If you book my recommended flights, tours (Viator, GetYourGuide), or accommodations, you will pay nothing extra, but we will earn a small commission.

Best Restaurants in Guanajuato

Best Foreign Food: Habibti Falafel: My mouth still waters when I think about the above place. We have been traveling through former Spanish Colonies for 8 months now. The last great falafel I had was 6 months ago in Colombia. This is the second highest rated restaurant in Guanajuato. The price is even fair. My falafel was $3 USD. Get over there and eat!

Best Breakfast: Casa Vadez: The above photo is the view from the best-rated breakfast. We ate here before our old town Guanajuato tour. It is right on Jardin Union Park Plaza. I had Rancheros for 90 MX ($4.5 USD) and Qiang Hui had a Bacon Egg Scramble for 85 MX ($4.25 USD). The food was nice and there was a classical pianist playing a few tables down. The total bill including tip, coffee, and juice was $14 USD. In a neighborhood restaurant around the corner, we would have paid $8 USD including tip.  So we paid $6 USD for atmosphere, piano. and location. That felt like a bargain to us today. Some days I roll ghetto, other days not so much.

Best Mexican Restaurant: Los Campos Restaurant:  This place had great Mexican food.

Best Chile Relleno: Sante Fe Restaurant You can enjoy a nice Chile Relleno at the above sidewalk Cafe on Jardin Union Plaza for $4.50 USD.

Overpriced, Overrated, Awful Food, Italian Place: La Capellina Restaurant: If I don’t like a place, I don’t mention it … usually. However, I felt totally duped by this place. This is the number 1 rated Italian restaurant on Tripadvisor. Don’t go. You can’t even begin to discuss an Italian chef’s ability until they prove they can make a margarita pizza well. But this was awful. Really bad. Eww. We ate one slice each and had to stop. Then they handed us a $25 USD check. That is a bunch of money in this town.

If you book my recommended flights, tours (Viator Tours, GetYourGuide Tours), or accommodations, you will pay nothing extra, but we will earn a small commission.

Best Cheap Hotels in Guanajuato

After seeing this town in person along with the surrounding neighborhoods, here are my recommendations. These go from most to least expensive.

Casa del Rector Hotel Boutique y Arte: This gorgeous place will make this magical city even more unforgettable. It is a bit pricey at about $160 USD per night (on the day I checked prices), but it is worth every Penny.

La Casona de Don Lucas: This place is full of colonial charm and is in an amazing location. On the day I searched, it was only about $80 USD per night. Check out the pictures and reviews.

Estudio Nouvel: Here is a lovely studio apartment with small kitchen and its own bathroom for $38 USD per night (when I searched). It is in an amazing location and the reviews are stellar.

Casa 29: It is hard to imagine a better location for a backpacker hostel. This was only $12 USD per night for one person on the day I searched. Check out the stellar reviews and pictures of this place

Casa del Petirrojo: This is where Qiang Hui and I stayed for a week at $18 USD per night. It is a beautiful old house that is clean and nice, just like the pictures. The Internet was great and the kitchen was big and nice so we made some great meals here. They have two very friendly dogs. The Airbnb hosts are super nice, intelligent, and introverted people. It is about a 5-minute walk to the old town area of Guanajuato. (If you are new to Airbnb, use this code www.airbnb.com/c/dbell50 for a big discount).

If you book my recommended flights, tours (Viator Tours, GetYourGuide Tours), or accommodations, you will pay nothing extra, but we will earn a small commission.

I started living internationally over 11 years ago. If you would like to learn how to make money online, or how to live internationally possibly with less money than you spend at home, please subscribe to Vagabond Buddha or get a free copy of my Ebook.

Best Theaters in Guanajuato

If you click ==>this link<== on your smartphone, the following map will appear so you can start your Guanajuato Theatre Walking Tour from Jardin Union Plaza:

This map of Guanajuato is useful especially during the International Cervantino Festival because these are the three main venues where the events occur.

Teatro Juarez: The above theatre was built in 1803 and named in honor of Mexico’s former President Benito Juarez. President Juarez was Mexicos only indigenous president, and famous as the liberal politician that separated church from government. It has also been home for the International Cervantino Festival since 1972. The festival hosts short plays, performance art, and musical guests from all over the world. The Greek muses at the top represent theatre, dance, music, film, and comedy. Make sure to pay the 35 Pesos ($1.75 USD) to see the inside.

Teatro Principal: This theatre was built in 1788 at the height of the silver mines so all classes could enjoy live entertainment. It was completely renovated in 1955 with art deco elements and now hosts contemporary dance and plays.

Teatro Cervantes: The above theatre was built in 1979 in colonial style. This theatre and the International Cervantino Festival were named after Miguel Cervantes. He is considered the most famous Spanish language writer. He lived in the 1500s and wrote Don Quixote. That bronze man riding the horse above is Don Quixote.

Best Flights, Buses, Trains

Guanajuato is unforgettable. It reminds me of being in a small village in Europe. The colonial era architecture is the best I have seen anywhere in the Americas. Plus, it is a University town which always makes me happy somehow.

You can fly into Guanajuato International Airport (BJX). Then catch an Uber to your accommodations.

International Flights: You will find the cheapest flights using Skyscanner. The cheapest day of the week to depart from most places in the world is often Tuesday or Wednesday. Get a Mexican SIM card (they call them ‘chips’ here), at the airport when you land, so you aren’t paying International roaming rates. My AT&T chip works great so far.

National Flights: The cheapest flights anywhere in Mexico are on Skyscanner. Make sure to compare bus prices and to flight prices if you are flying from somewhere close like Mexico City. Bus trips of less than 5 or 6 hours can be faster and cheaper than a flight when you consider waiting at both sides in the airport. You can see the local landscape when you travel by bus. Here are bus companies you can check: ETN, Primera.

Buses: You can catch a nice bus to/from many places in Mexico to/from Guanajuato. Both ETN and Primera have buses throughout Mexico. You can visit the English ETN website or right click in a Chrome browser to translate any website into English. I take the bus if the travel time is less than 6 hours. If the travel time is more than 6 hours on the bus, I check Skyscanner for flight prices and times.

Uber: Use Uber (or similar company) no matter where you are in the world. Internet arranged taxis record who picked you up and dropped you off and they give you the plate number so you know what car is safe to get into. Plus, you don’t have to negotiate a price in a language you may not know well. You don’t even have to know where you are to use Uber. The application directs the driver to you. You just need to know where you want to go next.

Train: There is just one passenger train still running in Mexico and it does not go here.

If you book my recommended flights, tours (Viator Tours, GetYourGuide Tours), or accommodations, you will pay nothing extra, but we will earn a small commission.

If you are enjoying this, could you please like it, share on social media, comment below, or subscribe?  Your interaction will rank us higher in search engines.  

If you would like to learn how to make money online, or how to live internationally possibly with less money than you spend at home, please subscribe to Vagabond Buddha or get a free copy of my Ebook.

Thank you for stopping by Vagabond Buddha, Dan

I am not offering you these prices.  These are just my notes and estimates from the time of my visit and this post.  Your costs will likely be drastically different if significant inflation or deflation occurs or the market changes after this post.  I will not update these numbers until I am on the ground again here, if ever.