Roads of Guanajuato: in the footsteps of José Alfredo Jiménez

Published August 20th, 2023

The king of Mexican ranchera music was the incredible Jose Alfredo Jimenez, born in Guanajuato.

Synonymous with mariachi and tequila nights, his songs are a window into this magnificent Mexican state full of history and natural wealth.

This year, in autumn, the 50th anniversary of the death of this singer-songwriter is commemorated in his hometown, the Magic Town of Dolores Hidalgo, Cradle of National Independence (C.I.N) where the XIV edition of the José Alfredo Jiménez Festival will take place from November 22nd to 26th.

Ranchera music, mariachi, and a great cultural and gastronomic festival await visitors to Guanajuato, which this year commemorates the 50th anniversary of the death of one of its most emblematic characters: the poet of the people, José Alfredo Jiménez, who composed the great hymns of Mexican popular music.

His life and his songs give us the guideline to reach the most beautiful corners, starting, of course, in his hometown, Dolores Hidalgo (C.I.N), where the José Alfredo Jiménez International Festival takes place every fall.

The entire city sings rancheras, corridors, and huapangos of the singer-songwriter, there are open-air concerts, cultural activities, gastronomic samples, a guided tour of the best cantinas and, to finish, ‘Las Mañanitas’, the song that is sung on every birthday in Mexico, in front of his mausoleum.

You must visit the José Alfredo Jiménez House Museum and the tourist parador that bears his name, where you can taste handmade ice cream, and delicacies of the traditional Otomí cuisine. It is an excellent option to look for ceramic and wood crafts.

One of the most popular songs of this singer-songwriter is ‘Caminos de Guanajuato’ (the one where ‘life is worth nothing’, but ‘he who wins is respected’) and such is his legacy that we could well design our trip following his steps: first, we will go to León, a large city, owner of great architectural beauty, particularly in its Plaza Fundadores, where the Cathedral of Santa María de Regla is located, a Gothic building of French influence.

Leon is very famous for its leather goods and is one of the few places where you can find old shoemakers, who will make beautiful ‘gloves’ for your feet, custom-made and with a care that no one puts into their work anymore.

From Leon, we can take the opportunity to go to the beautiful capital city (about 40 minutes away) also called Guanajuato capital. There it is worthwhile to go up to the viewpoint and then get lost in its tunnels and narrow streets.

In his emblematic song, José Alfredo Jiménez said ‘Don’t pass through Salamanca, my memory hurts me there’, but for the visitor, this small city is not to be missed.

It is one of the most ‘Instagrammable’ cities in the state, less known than San Miguel de Allende, but quieter and more intimate, in short, a well-kept secret. In Salamanca

(an hour’s drive from the capital city), you can admire the Temple and Former Convent of San Agustin, with an immense Cloister where it is a luxury to walk in silence.

For those who like nature, here you can hire several excursions that are worthwhile: you can rappel, hike or swim in the Temascatío River Basin Protected Natural Area; or take a tour of the Nopal Route, where you can learn how this cactus plant is planted and used.

At the end of the tour, it will be imperative to taste the delicious dishes of indigenous origin made with this delicacy, precisely in the region where more than 100 tons of nopal are produced daily.

The relevance of José Alfredo Jiménez is in the heart of all Mexicans when they drink tequila or remember a past love. Guanajuato is the ideal place for visitors to share this Mexican feeling while spending an unforgettable vacation.

And for those more interested in the ranchera song, what better way to enjoy five days and commemorate ‘The King’ during the fourteenth edition of the José Alfredo Jiménez International Festival 2023, to be held from November 22 to 26, precisely in Dolores Hidalgo, C. I. N.