Guide to the State of Guanajuato

Published September 25, 2024

This week we turn to the Mexican heartland, and a state that’s captured the attention of global travelers competing for selfies and a heady dose of “real Mexico.” Guanajuato has two UNESCO World Heritage cities and a third “route” (the Camino Real) that’s also on this coveted list. San Miguel de Allende has even earned a “Best City in the World” ranking a remarkable five times, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2021 and 2024! That’s an astonishing feat, especially since some Mexican and even foreign residents accept these accolades with a “Really?” blush of incredulity. But even without these international recognitions, the State has earned its 21st-century overseas living cred based on some simple, undeniable attributes: location, authenticity and sophistication.

Guanajuato was one of the first areas of Mexico colonized by the Spanish. In the mid-16th century, the state’s rich silver deposits lured the Spanish crown to develop settlements that grew into centers of wealth and influence. In fact, for some two and a half centuries, nearly one-third of the world’s silver came from the mines of one city — Guanajuato. This fertile region was also Mexico’s “breadbasket” — its farms, orchards and ranches feeding the emerging New World cities. The mining wealth enabled the economic and social emergence of Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries, helping fuel the Renaissance.

Read more […]

Mexico News Daily is the premier source of English-language news about Mexico. Our editors and writers synthesize information from Mexican newspapers and periodicals to bring you the day’s most important news about the country’s politics, economy, business and security. We want to inform readers, and also expand their horizons by curating engaging and useful content about art, culture, history, travel, real estate and lifestyle in Mexico.