Salamanca (Mexico)
Salamanca is a city in Guanajuato, Mexico. An agricultural center of 273,000 people (2020), it is called The Granary of Mexico. It has beautiful buildings , walkways, streets and squares and shopping centers in its Historic Center and in the city. It is also the largest of four places called "Salamanca" in Mexico.
Understand
It is home to many refineries, and Salamanca is an important site for manufacturing and service industry in the region. The University of Guanajuato has made many scientific contributions to develop agricultural and industrial technologies, giving a boost to the local and regional industries.
Get in
By car
Mexican Federal Highway 45 links the cities of Querétaro, Celaya, Irapuato, Silao and León; as well as Mexico City through Mexican Federal Highway 57. Mexican Federal Highway 43 links frm Morelia and Lazaro Cardenas to the south. The Salamanca-Morelia toll road is another option.
By bus
The Salamanca Bus Station connects the city with other major cities in the country and with cities in the United States, such as Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio.
- 🌍 Terminal de Autobuses Salamanca, Estado de Puebla 501, Villas del Valle. 24 hours. Small but busy bus station with frequent departures to Irapuato, Celaya and Guanajuato. Bus lines servicing Salamanca include Flecha Amarilla, Primera Plus, Omnibus de Mexico, and ETN. Located just off MEX 45.
Get around
The city has more than 60 urban bus routes that cover the main neighborhoods. The price is M$10.
The Suburban Routes are the routes with destinations that are outside the urban area, serving mainly neighboring communities. The operations center is in the center of the city, next to the tianguis. This transport is very punctual, the buses leaving every 30 minutes or every hour depending on the route.
See
The former convent of San Juan de Sahagún and its church (with 12 monumental altarpieces artistically carved with 24 carat gold-plated sheet), and the former parish of St. Bartolomé Apostle are located within the city.
Among its historical-artistic, architectural and tourist heritage, it is worth highlighting the Municipal Palace, the Temple of Señor del Hospital Parish, the Lazaro Cárdenas Garden and Auditorium and the emblematic Ex-Convent of San Agustín, La Plazoleta Hidalgo, the Black Bridge and the Twin Bridges.
The Center for the Arts of Guanajuato where collections of photographs, paintings and objects of famous people from the town are exhibited, featuring national and international artists. The entrance to this cultural center is free.
Eat
Salamanca's cuisine is very diverse because, thanks to the oil refinery, it is a city that has people from all over the country, from cities such as Veracruz, Oaxaca and Mexico City. Each of these cities has its own variety of food, so one can find enchiladas, wheat gorditas, pambazo, hamburgers, its famous carnitas (pulled pork), arrachera, cabrito(goat), birria, barbecue, cecina, and pizza. There are food stands on virtually every street corner. Many types of locally made icepops & ice cream are also popular in the city.
Mid-range
- 🌍 Mariscos Hilda, Av Del Trabajo Ote 1422, Alamos, ☏ +52 464 6475797. 11:00 - 18:00. Clean, modern restaurant specializing in all kinds of seafood dishes. The ceviche is nicely spicy. Family friendly with a small kids play area.
- 🌍 Kermes Cenaduria, Av. Progreso 400, Col. Alvarado, ☏ +52 464 1205311. 14:00 - 22:00. Quiet place for a relaxed dinner. Traditional Mexican cuisine with enchiladas, chimichangas, gorditas, sopas. Affordable prices.
- 🌍 Emporium Cafe, Reynosa 801, Bellavista (Corner of Tecolutla), ☏ +52 464 5796012. 09:00 - 13:30. Extensive breakfast menu with pastries, eggs, hotcakes, chilaquiles and much more. Buffet breakfast on the weekends.
Splurge
- 🌍 La Granja, C. Morelos 2000, Arboledas, ☏ +52 4646487373. 08:00 - 18:00. Casual garden-style restaurant with a nautical motif. Traditional Mexican cuisine.
Sleep
Budget
- 🌍 Hotel Maria Teresa, Benito Juárez 204, Centro, ☏ +52 464 647 0239. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Older, outdated hotel with limited service and barebones facilities, but some of the cheapest rates in town. Good choice for the undemanding backpacker crowd. M$350.
Mid-range
- 🌍 Hotel El Monte, Benito Juárez 101, Centro, ☏ +52 464 648 2677. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Comfortable, spacious, clean rooms. Affordable rates. Situated in a busy commercial area. M$440.
- 🌍 Hotel Raldos Inn, Hortalizas 105, Las Granjas, ☏ +52 464 6489571. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Comfortable, clean mid-range hotel with spacious rooms, free wifi, an on-site restaurant and a bar (Amazonas). M$600 (Mar 2023).