Hey folks

I've never been to Mexico, but have traveled extensively in both the developed and developing worlds. I'm looking for a short trip to clear my head, like 3-4 days. I'm based in SF, and so I figured this would be a good opportunity to experience Mexico for the first time. But given that it's a big country with many places that are easy to get to, I'm a bit stumped on where to start. I like a place where I can a feeling for the real place - not a resort type of town. My ideal is to wander around streets, markets, and neighborhoods, experiencing a bit of local life, eating street food, practicing my Spanish, and spending relatively little money.

A friend recommended Guanajuato. I found reasonable airfare with a good itinerary. Does it fit the bill for a good spot to visit for 3 days to do the types of things I like? If so, what part of town should I stay in? Any recommendations for things to do, places to stay, food to eat? Will I be bored? Are there things to see nearby? If it's not a great first-time-in-Mexico destination, what other places would be good?

Also, how easy is it to get to and from the airport, especially in early morning?

Thanks in advance!

It looks very cool, though I've never visited. Let us know how you like it!

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g...Vacations.html

GTO is a great place - I came here 16 years ago for two weeks and just never left. As you probably already know GTO is the capital of the state of the same name, a university town and a UNESCO world heritage site. There is a symphony orchestra with a season corresponding to the UGTO calendar [admission is around $7] and always something else going on.

When I came here there was no Internet and no 'proper' bar [you could buy a beer and sit in a plastic chair just about anywhere] No we have a champagne bar. Food has improved radically so it is just not 100% local level anymore and the Internet has arrived - well it actually came in '97 and was what caused me to stay as I could log-in to Worldspan via Compuserve and continue my outside agent relationship with an agency in the States.

GTO is compact and walkable [driving is a pain] Plenty of busses [50c] and cabs [$3 most anywhere in town] The architecture in el Centro is beautiful and given its a gov't/university town its mostly middle class and there is no industrial blight - there's no industry other than the mines which still operate. From GTO on one of your days go up to Valenciana [8km] and maybe onto Cristo Rey overlooking BJX - or for some exercise hike up to la Bufa.

Enjoy your trip,
Bill Byrnes author of the long out-of-print Airfare Secrets and currently vacation rental property owner - see Guanajuato Rentals- and ask for the Flyer Talk discount
[a note about lodging - there are several 5 star hotels and Catg Especiales in el Centro - if you are looking for a vacation rental beware many mention they are 10 minutes to el Jardin - which is true. What they forget to mention is the arduous climb back - mine, located in la Presa are an easy basically flat walk in either direction.
AIRPORT TAXI is your only choice in getting out of BJX. Buy a ticket after you exit Customs. There are several desks but they are all the same. Price to GTO is around 400 pesos. Getting back a local cab can take you for 100 pesos less. At the airport there is a bi-lingual ATM under the flight monitor 180 degrees around from the taxi ticket desks.