One of the first things that you may notice about Guanajuato is the prevalence of its historical past in its architecture. You will see many 19th, 18th, 17th and even 16th century buildings virtually untouched by modern construction which give the city a distinct European and Spanish colonial appearance. As is the case of almost every city in Mexico, there are many Catholic churches, treasured for their architecture. Of course, it also features its own unique aspects, one of which is its system of underground streets. Its rich history, former inaccessibility, and small size, help create Guanajuato’s truly unique atmosphere.

Guanajuato’s richness is not only in its past. Today, with a population of over 155,000, it is one of Mexico’s most important centers of cultural activity. Plays, concerts, movies, parades, and art expositions are numerous year round. Guanajuato also has plenty of other things to do: take your pick of shopping, sightseeing, leisurely strolling around the city, or hiking in the rugged mountains in the surrounding area. Additionally, Guanajuato’s mining history has made it famous for silver jewelry. Other local artesanías include ceramics, baskets, candy, copper and other arts and crafts. Shopping and business hours are usually from about 10:00 am to 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

In Guanajuato, the locals and host families enjoy interacting with foreigners to share their culture with them. Perhaps the most gratifying part of living in Mexico will be the thrill of learning to communicate in another language. The ability to understand what people say in ordinary speech and to reply in a similar form is often the primary goal of students studying abroad. Your host family and the new, Mexican friends you make in social gatherings will be your most constant teachers of everyday speech. Your language classes will deepen your understanding of what you hear, and widen your repertoire of possible responses. You have chosen the absolute best way to learn a language.

JARDIN DE LA UNION,
Here you can meet your Mexican friends, enjoy the cultural offerings or sit at outdoor cafes.

MUSEUMS
Ex Hacienda San Gabriel de Barrera
This is a small musem and has very beautiful gardens. It is located on the main road leading out to the Central Camionera and it is possibly the most tranquil and beautiful place in the city.

Museo de las Momias
Located next to the city cemetery, this museum displays more than 100 mummified corpses in glass booths. It is quite morbid, but worth the experience. It is open daily from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm and there is an entrance fee and an extra fee for taking photos.

Museo de la Alhóndiga de Granaditas
It is located one block north of the tourist office. The museum is of historical interest due to its role in the Mexican War of Independence from Spain in 1810. It is also important in the history of Guanajuato for its role during the Spanish conquest to the Mexican Revolution of 1910. It is open from 10 am 2 pm and 4 7 pm; Sunday from 10 am 4 pm; bring your Universidad de Guanajuato ID for a discount. There is a small fee for taking pictures.

Museo y Casa de Diego de Rivera
This museum is Located at Pocitos 7, next to the university. Concerts and seminars are sometimes given here and are open to the public and it also serves as a contemporary museum with changing exhibitions. It is open Tuesday Sunday from 10 am 2 pm and 4 7 pm, bring your student ID for a discount.

Museo Iconográfico del Quijote
This museum is open daily and is located at Manuel Doblado No. 1, down the street from the ISA office. This is a favorite museum of students and it is free. It houses over 600 images of Don Quijote and Sancho Panza.

¿Habla inglés? Do you speak English? (formal)
¿Hablas inglés? Do you speak English? (informal)
(No) Hablo español. I (don't) speak Spanish.
Perdóname/Con permiso. Excuse me (used when cutting through a crowd).
Pasa. Pass (the response to perdóname).
Lo siento. I'm sorry.
¡Ayuda! Help!
¡Socorro! Help! (in an emergency situation)
¡Cuidado! Caution, look out!
¿Cómo está? How are you? (formal)
¿Cómo estás? How are you? (informal)
(Muy) Bien. (Very) Well.
(Muy) Mal. (Very) Bad.
Gracias. Thank you.
Por favor. Please.
Buenos días. Good morning.
Buenas tardes. Good afternoon.
Buenas noches. Good evening.
Adios. Goodbye.
No entiendo. I don't understand.
¿Cómo se llama? What is your name? (formal)
¿Cómo te llamas? What is your name? (informal)
Me llamo... My name is...
Mucho gusto./Encantado. Nice to meet you.
¿De dónde es? Where are you from? (formal)
¿De dónde eres? Where are you from? (informal)
Soy de... I am from...
¿Qué hora es? What time is it?
¿Dónde está el hotel? Where is the hotel?
¿Dónde está un teléfono? Where is a telephone?
¿Dónde está el baño? Where is the restroom?
¿Cómo voy a...? How do I get to...?
¿Tiene usted...? Do you have...? (formal)
¿Tienes...? Do you have...? (informal)
¿Cuánto cuesta? How much is it?
Me gustaría... I'd like to order... (in a restaurant)
La cuenta, por favor. The bill, please.
Soy vegetariano/a. I am a vegetarian.
¡Salud! Cheers!/Bless you! (after a sneeze)
¿Cómo se dice ____ en español? How do you say ______ in Spanish?
¡Vamos! Let's go!

Sample Dialog:
En la estación de autobuses:
Tú: ¿A qué hora sale el autobús para Guadalajara?
Otro: Sale a las diez de la mañana y otro sale a las dos de la tarde.
Tú: ¿Cuántas horas tardará en llegar?
Otro: Es un viaje de cinco horas.
Tú: ¿Cuánto cuesta un boleto?
Otro: Cuesta doscientos cuarenta pesos y lo compra el mismo día del viaje.
Tú: Gracias por la información.

En un taxi:
Tú: Oye, taxi!
El taxista: Sí, a dónde va?
Tú: Quisiera ir al Museo de las Momias. ¿Cuánto me cobra?
El taxista: Cuesta veinticinco pesos.
Tú: Es demasiado! Puedo caminar. Gracias.
El taxista: Pero...lo puedo llevar por veinte pesos.
Tú: Por veinte pesos?
El taxista: Sí.