For all that did not know, Guanajuato is the name of a province as well as a city in Mexico, located around 4 hours away from Mexico City by car.
The state is the sixth-highest populated in the Mexican nation and is famous for, among other things, blue corn tortillas.
It’s right smack bang in the middle of Mexico, so many visitors planning a trip to Mexico from north to south or vice versa will make the stop.
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Is Guanajuato Safe?
This guide explores the current safety situation in Guanajuato, including what it’s like for a visitor here and what to expect both day and night.
By reading this guide, you can expect to be able to travel with confidence and know what to do when it comes to traveling safely in Guanajuato city.
The Callejón del Beso (Alley of the Kiss) is named as such because the balconies are close enough for a couple to reach across and kiss.
Sounds great right? The thing is, many visitors who are looking to find new and safe places in Mexico need to see how safe the area they’re looking at truly is. You can never trust the news reports to reflect reality.
Is it safe to visit Guanajuato right now?
Quick answer: Yes Guanajuato is safe to visit right now! This is a popular city well-known for its silver mining history and colonial architecture. The narrow streets, alleyways, and tunnels are iconic to the area.
Although the city has had its ups and downs a lot has been done to protect the city’s high level of tourism. This means that many of the city’s streets are safe to walk around. If you feel uncomfortable after walking around the city, it may be best to stay around the busy zones (even more so at night).
One great thing about Guanajuato is that it isn’t hard to meet like-minded travelers. Places such as Café Tal are like a haven for solo travelers. Also, places such as Hostal Casa de Dante are like a home away from home.
Guanajuato on the Map
Guanajuato is a city that is located right in the center of Mexico. It’s the capital of the state of the same name and borders Aguascalientes and San Luis Potosí to the north.
To the south, one can find Michoacán, whilst Querétaro lies to the east. Due to its extremely central location, it’s very easy to access with buses arriving in all directions from all over the country.
Mexico City is 150 miles to the southeast of Guanajuato. The closest major coastal cities to Guanajuato are Puerto Vallarta on the eastern Pacific (600km), and Tampico on the west along the Gulf of Mexico (1090km).
Guanajuato Safety Facts
See these Guanajuato safety facts:
- The intentional homicide rate of Guanajuato was the highest in Mexico in 2019, with a total of 4,494 deaths.
- According to the UK Government, over 576,971 British nationals visited Mexico in 2017 with most visits being trouble-free.
- Due to the virus, gang wars have been rife in 2020. Most of the turf wars take place in states in central Mexico such as Guanajuato.
- Before the virus, the US government listed the state of Guanajuato as being the same level of risk for tourism as Riveria Maya and Yucatan.
Will you Travel to Guanajuato soon?
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How to visit Guanajuato safely
With so many things to do in Guanajuato and surrounding areas, thousands of tourists travel to this part of Mexico every year. It’s not difficult to see why. Hopefully, this guide will only aid your plans.
The city of Guanajuato has some amazing pastel-colored buildings that brightly reflect the rays of the rising and setting sun.
It has all the charm of a bustling Mediterranean city, with deep valleys and hundreds of streets and alleys to get lost in plus, the architecture reflects the colorful past, but the present is less as colorful.
Because the population of the Guanajuato region is so high and increasing rapidly, the crime rate is on a slow incline. However, many tourists arriving to this region like to take part in everything from Chocolate tasting tours to local Tequila and Taco workshops make it even more interesting.
Is Guanajuato Safe to Travel Alone?
Guanajuato isn’t exactly the safest location in Mexico to travel to, but there are definitely a handful of safe spots for people to visit.
This is known amongst many travel circles since many solo travelers visit the city to learn conversational Spanish and/or do cultural exchanges.
The region is reliant on tourism for the local economy, and this is one reason why the historic cities of Leon and Guanajuato are cultural gems.
You can find like-minded travelers by staying at one of Guanajuato’s top-rated hostels which may add an extra dimension to your trip.
The frustrating part about traveling to Mexico is not only worries of Cartel violence, but the need to keep on your guard for petty crime too.
The reason for all the statistics from this area being so abhorrent is due to the bloody turf war between the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel. Crimes are not aimed at the average tourist.
To get to know the best sights, I suggest to do first class bus travel to chosen locations and keep moving around the region by way of bus.
Backpacking Guanajuato Safety
When traveling through this region, it would be best to stay for less than a week at most but it’s not unusual for travelers to want to stay longer.
This is due to the fact that any surrounding region to Guanajuato is safer, including nearby Mexico City. Guanajuato has an amazing culture and heritage, but staying safe as a tourist is remains paramount.
The cities of Guanajuato and Leon have some amazing scenes of architecture and cuisine to die for. However, the current situation in this region warrants some reasonable precautions. See my travel tips below.
If you cannot wait to go to these amazing pretty spots, be sure to stay out of harm’s way and keep the stopover as quick as can be.
Where to Stay in Guanajuato
When it comes the safest areas, the historic center of Guanajuato is the best place to stay, offering a charming and vibrant atmosphere for all.
This area is full of vibrant restaurants and nightlife which perfectly complement this colonial gem. Meaning you don’t have to walk that far to find what you need. Casa del Tiempo offers great value for money.
Some alternative areas include San Javier and Cata which are also safe. These two areas are also located close to Guanajuato’s best landmarks.
Wherever you decide to stay one thing is sure; you’ll be close to amazing architecture and have some natural landscapes within view on the horizon.
Guanajuato: Travel Safety Tips
The Guanajuato region has seen a major spike in violence recently due to the Cartels fighting over land disputes.
You may decide to still visit the region, in which case you may need to take some special precautions that vary from the typical ones.
⤵️ Here are some useful tips to help you on your journey:
- As mentioned in my Mazatlan safety guide, don’t accept offers of drugs. Not only is it illegal, but it’s dangerous and you’re helping an industry wrought with crime that the government is trying to stop.
- Will you carry expensive equipment such as cameras or smartphones? I suggest you get something like a PacSafe backpack which can help you keep them hidden, locked away while on your person.
- Keep dummy wallets for pickpockets and keep your money hidden away. Bras, neck wallets or secret bag compartments will do.
- Give yourself a curfew in order to stay indoors during dark hours.
- If you are a person that suffers from typical culture shock symptoms see my tips on adapting to new surroundings on this blog.
- Make sure to use trusted and accredited hotels/hostels. Then once you’ve booked your room, book taxis or buses through the hotel.
- Always carry your sunscreen with you. This is one of the hottest regions in Mexico. The last thing you want is to get burnt to a crisp.
- Don’t go where there are few other people in the vicinity; this includes camping in secluded places. A simple rule: if there are families around, you’re probably safe.
- When visiting Guanajuato with kids, visit San Miguel de Allende one of Mexico’s prettiest colonial towns; there’s something for everyone.
- Be wary of attempts at credit-card fraud. One method is when the cashier swipes your card twice (once for the transaction and once for nefarious purposes). It would be best to only use cash, by keeping most in your hotel safe and taking small amounts out with you.
Travelling Around Guanajuato State by Bus
Primera Plus offers eight daily buses at approximately two-hour intervals. The journey takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes with a brief stop in Irapuato. Round-trip tickets cost $433 MXN ($23 USD).
One-way tickets cost $228 MXN ($12 USD). Buying in advance online is the best option since it’s a popular route, especially on weekends.
The tricky part about Guanajuato city is that you pretty much can’t get a coach from the inner city.
Many people look into renting a car as in many cases it can be cost-effective for those traveling in a couple or a small family.
The bus station is on the outskirts of the city where the buildings don’t have the same sort of charm.
However, the coach station outside the city has hundreds of destinations to choose from since the region is so central to Mexico.
Travel Safety in Guanajuato
Guanajuato City, Leon, and other spots in this region are photogenic beyond belief.
This is why it’s so saddening to see the news report of so much gang warfare within the same region.
As a responsible traveler, the news shouldn’t affect your Mexico plans whether traveling from the US, the Riviera Maya or from Mexico City.
Hopefully, with time the region can rid its bad reputation and eventually be the place of safety that it was just a couple of years ago.
It is advised that you wait before visiting this region, but it is mostly safe in the right areas if you know where you’re traveling to.
Feeling inspired to travel to this part of North America already? See this list of safe places in Mexico that you can also visit whilst on your travels!
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