Guanajuato City Guide 2017-18

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City Guide: Guanajuato

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The information contained in this publication is provided by Dwellworks, LLC and its affiliated entities (the “Company”) as a service to relocating employees and should be used for general informational purposes only. While the Company undertakes to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information in this publication, the Company cannot assure its accuracy or completeness and does not commit that it will undertake to update the information. This publication, in its entirety, is the sole copyrighted property of the Company and may not be modified, reproduced, sold, or otherwise distributed without the express written consent of the Company.

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Discovering Guanajuato

Discovering Guanajuato ¡Bienvenidos! Welcome!

Whether you are a veteran or a novice, relocation can be both an exciting and challenging experience. This Dwellworks resource guide is intended to provide important information to consider as you relocate to Guanajuato. Your assigned Destination Services Consultant will assist you as you transition into your new community. Additionally, your consultant will expand on the topics covered in this guide according to the guidelines of your authorized program. Guanajuato is considered by many to be the most beautiful city in Mexico. Established as a silver mining town in colonial times, brightly colored buildings tumble down the hills of the city. It is quite easy to spend an afternoon wandering through the narrow allies and climbing flights of stairs while admiring the distinct architecture! The large student population makes for a lively environment with an unhurried feel. Guanajuato is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its incomparable culture.

On behalf of the Dwellworks team, we welcome you to Guanajuato and hope you will find this information helpful.

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Discovering Guanajuato

Table of Contents Orientation....................................................................................... 4 Travel .............................................................................................. 6 Shopping ......................................................................................... 9 Arts and Culture .............................................................................. 9 Recreation and Outdoors............................................................... 10 Education ...................................................................................... 11 Health............................................................................................ 11 Safety and Security ....................................................................... 12 Utilities and Services ..................................................................... 13

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Orientation Guanajuato is one of the 31 states in Mexico, bounded by the states of San Luis Potosí to the north and northeast, Querétaro to the east, Michoacán to the south, and Jalisco to the west. It is located on the Mesa Central at an average elevation of about 6,000 feet (1,800 meters) and forms part of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, the Mexican Plateau and the Sierra Madre Oriental Mountains. The State of Guanajuato is one of the main tourist destinations in the whole country, featuring world famous treasure towns such as San Miguel de Allende, Dolores Hidalgo and Guanajuato, the state capital. In the colonial period the Spanish discovered silver and gold in that area and began forming settlements in the region. Weather Based on historical climate data, the warmest month are April and May. Most rainfall is seen in June, July, August and September. These three months are considered the “rainy season.” July has the most rainfall. Guanajuato has dry periods in January, February, March, April, November and December. On average, the warmest month is May. On average, the coolest month is January and February is the driest month.

Season Spring Summer

Description

Average High 30.1°C (86.2°F) 28.3°C (82.9°F) 26.6°C (79.9°F) 24.4°C (75.9°F)

Average Low 11.2°C (52.2°F) 15.6°C (60.1°F) 12.4°C (54.3°F) 16.4°C (61.5°F)

Warm Rainy

Fall

Hot and Rainy Cold and Dry

Winter

Time Zone Guanajuato falls in the Central Time Zone (GMT/UTC-6 during Standard Time and GMT/UTC-5 during Daylight Savings Time). Daylight Saving Time begins at 2:00 a.m. local time on the first Sunday of April, and falls back to Standard Time at the same time on the last Sunday of October. City Design and Layout Guanajuato is roughly divided into four neighborhoods, the oldest of which is Santa Fe. The layout of the city seems haphazard; due to the naturally irregular terrain, narrow alleys wind into steep staircases. Few roads are wide enough to accommodate cars, except for modern thoroughfares. Some main roads are completely or partly underground.

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Highways Guanajuato has excellent logistics. Two main highways crisscross Guanajuato State. Highway 57, called the NAFTA Highway, crosses the state on its way to Mexico City, Texas and beyond, while Highway 45 stretches from the port of Veracruz to El Paso, Texas. The state is one day's distance from the Pacific ports at Manzanillo and Lázaro Cárdenas. Guanajuato City is located in a valley, which makes its streets narrow and winding. The historic center has numerous small plazas and colonial-era mansions, churches and civil constructions built using pink or green sandstone. Neighborhood Overview The majority of homes in Guanajuato City are colonial style. Some of the popular neighborhoods include: Marfil, San Javier, Alameda, Balcones de Santa Fé, La Valenciana and La Noria Alta.

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Travel Getting In By Plane

Guanajuato International Airport (BJX) is directly between the cities of Guanajuato and Leon, providing its patrons with easy access to either city via domestic or international journeys. It’s a mid-sized airport with just one terminal, making travel there relatively simple and hassle-free. At BJX, you can find ATMs, currency exchanges and car rental desks, as well as Wi-Fi, though the Wi-Fi does come with a fee. Ten airlines send carriers through BJX from locations both in and outside of Mexico. BJX’s airlines are: + Aereo Calafia

+ TAR Aerolineas + Delta Air Lines + InterJet + Magnicharters + Aeromexico Connect + Viva Aerobus + Volaris + United Airlines + American Airlines

Of the airlines serving BJX, Volaris, United Airlines, American Airlines, InterJet and Aeromexico make nonstop trips between BJX and United States airports.

By Bus For getting from Mexico City to Guanajuato City, you have a variety of economy bus companies and one first-class service that offers trips from the Northern Bus Terminal of Mexico City.

Main Bus Companies: + ETN

- http://etn.com.mx

+ Primera Plus

- www.primeraplus.com.mx

Getting Around Public transportation is not the most recommended method of transportation for expats living in Guanajuato. Taxis and cars are preferred for long distances, although walking is by far the easiest way to get around.

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By Car Driving in México can be a challenging experience to foreigners at first. Mexican drivers tend to be more aggressive than drivers in Europe or the United States. You should always be alert and on the lookout for drivers changing lanes or trying to get around you. Keep in mind that people often do not use turn signals; therefore, your turn signal probably will not have any effect on other drivers, so be extra careful and make sure you have enough space to change lanes. Do not expect other drivers to slow down for you. Always be cautious at stop lights and intersections even if you have the right of way. Pedestrians tend to cross highways and streets at any point, so regardless of signs, watch out for people crossing.

Helpful Hint: U.S. Driver’s licenses are valid in México. If you are planning on living in México for more than one year, you must get a Mexican Driver’s License.

If you ever need to rent a vehicle, you have several options: Companies Website

Telephone

Avis

www.avis.mx

01800 500 2847 01800 462 8343 01800 201 2084 01800 830 1010

Budget Europcar

www.budget.com.mx www.europcar.com.mx www.sixtmexico.mx

Sixt

Hertz

www.hertz.com/rentacar/car-rental/mexico 01800 709 5000

By Foot The narrow, winding alleys and long staircases are best suited for walking. Exploring the city aimlessly is a favorite pastime for residents. Weekend Trips México has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. If you have time to visit, these include: Cancun, Cozumel, Ixtapa, Isla Mujeres, Las Bahias de Huatulco, Los Cabos, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Escondido, and Tulum. In addition to world-renowned beaches and historical sites throughout Mexico, Guanajuato City offers plenty to explore on the weekends. + Wander the Colorful Lanes: Guanajuato is a well-designed city with plenty of plazas and squares, and leading away from those squares are many lanes and alleyways just waiting to be explored. The colors of the buildings are bright and cheerful, and the little streets are endless. You may get lost, and if so, just wander downhill and eventually you will reach the center of town. Walking around and exploring on foot is one of the best things to do in Guanajuato. + Visit the Mummy Museum: Of all the things to do in Guanajuato, visiting a museum filled with mummies is definitely the most offbeat.

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+ Go to the Theatre: There are a couple of theatres in town with Teatro Principal having performances and events weekly, typically on Fridays during the months of February through June. The symphony is fabulous and attendees enjoy two hours of incredible music. If you are wondering what to do for date night in Guanajuato, this is it. + Visit, The Alley of The Kiss: The name of this famous alleyway comes from an old folk tale. Apparently, two young people lived across the alley from each other and although the girl’s father

forbade their relationship, they were in love and continued to see one another. + Wander through Diego Rivera’s Home: Diego Rivera was Frida Kahlo’s husband and a famous artist in Mexico. His home has now been turned into a museum/art gallery and you can wander through and take a glimpse into the rooms of his actual home – which are still set up with furniture. In order to turn the home into an art gallery, the house has undergone additions. In addition to Rivera’s work, other modern artists also have pieces here.

+ Ride the Funicular: The funicular is a tram-car pulled by a cable, which takes you up the side of the mountain. It’s kind of like an escalator, which is great as the mountainside is quite steep. Once at the top, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views over the colorful city of Guanajuato, as well as an up-close view of the statue of Pipila, a local hero.

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Shopping Shopping Centers

There are a few markets in town, but the most important (and biggest) is the Mercado Hidalgo. Vendors set up shop here selling everything from fresh fruits to clothing to cheese and meat. Even if you are not interested in purchasing anything, it is still worth a visit to see the beautiful building and the goods for sale.

Some options for malls include: + Plaza Pozuelos + Plaza El Cantador

Grocery Supermarkets

There are two branches of Comercial Mexicana, a grocery supermarket in Guanajuato City. Sam’s Club and Costco are located about 45 minutes away in the neighboring city of Leon.

Arts and Culture Entertainment

México has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, if you have time to visit, these include: Cancun, Cozumel, Ixtapa, Isla Mujeres, Las Bahias de Huatulco, Los Cabos, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Escondido, Puerto Vallarta and Tulum. Places to visit in Guanajuato City: + Jardín de la Unión

+ Templo de San Diego (Church of San Diego) + Monumento a El Pípila (Monument to El Pípila) + Callejón del beso (Alley of the Kiss) + Guanjuato University + Cervantino Festival (held in October)

Places of Worship The population of Guanajuato is mainly Catholic. There is a Catholic church for every neighborhood, which are interesting to visit for people of all backgrounds. Even though there is an overwhelming majority of Catholic people, the city has places of worship for different religions.

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Discovering Guanajuato

Recreation and Outdoors Sports Clubs The city has public and private sports clubs. Private sports clubs may have an application process and waiting list. There are also many gyms all around the city with various types of classes offered. Memberships are available, or you can pay per visit. + Club Campestre Gto. + Kurma Studio – Yoga and Fitness + Marfil Sports Club

Arts and Culture + Alhóndiga de Granaditas Museum + Municipal Museum Entertainment and Dining Restaurant options are: + Casa Mercedes + El Jardin de los Milagros

+ Restaurante Teresita + Misión Casa Colorada + El Midi Bistro + La Vie en Rose + La Trattoria de Elena

Athletics There is a Public Sports Center called Macrocentro Deportivo with swimming lessons and basketball. Parks Parque Guanajuato Bicentenario offers its visitors, national and foreign, activities related to culture, education and entertainment, with the aim of bringing to the public artistic and educational expressions of different specialties such as history, cinematography, new technologies, ecology, anthropology, archeology, among others.

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Discovering Guanajuato

Education The Mexican public school system is very limited; expatriates coming to México with children generally enroll their kids in private schools. There are a wide variety of options for private schools, from religious to non-denomination and same sex as well as co-ed schools. Additional Useful Information Academic documents must be translated, notarized, and certified. It is recommended that transferees start this process as soon as they know that they will be transferred to Mexico. The admissions process starts online, international schools require that parents complete the admission process to ensure confidentiality. Academic documents must be translated, notarized, and certified. It is recommended that transferees start this process as soon as they know that they will be transferred to Mexico. The school calendar goes from August to June. Healthcare in Mexico is usually very good, and in some places it is top of the line. Most doctors and dentists in Mexico today received at least part of their training in the U.S. and continue to travel to the U.S. and Europe for ongoing training. First-rate hospitals are located in at least every medium to large city throughout Mexico. Healthcare in Mexico is also generally less expensive than what one can expect to pay in the U.S. and other similar countries. Hospitals All major hospitals accept well-known health insurance and are staffed with people who speak English. Some of the well-known hospitals include: Hospital Address Telephone Centro Medico La Presa Paseo de La Presa 85 473 102 3100 The bilingual school in Guanajuato City is Colegio la Valenciana. Health Health System

Clínica Médica Quirúrgica de Especialidades

Plaza De La Paz 20

473 732 4234

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In Case of Emergency In case of emergency, dial 066, 068, or (442) 229 0669 for the Red Cross, or dial the emergency line for the hospitals listed above. Service Telephone Emergency 911 Red Cross 911 Fire Department 911 473 732 3357 Police 473 732 0266 Roadside assistance

473 732 0119 473 732 5824

Safety and Security At Home

Normally your company will provide a security briefing prior to your move to Mexico. In some cases they also hire a security specialist to review the property before signing any lease.

Some neighborhoods do offer gated communities, but it still advised that residents be aware and cautious and realize that break-ins are always a possibility no matter where you go or how good your security is. On the Streets Regarding safety, it is recommended to keep a low profile and exercise caution as in any other major city in the world. Be aware of where to go and not to go. In the Car In case you are in an accident, do not move your vehicle. Immediately call your company lawyer and insurance agent. Then wait for a police officer.

Use extreme caution at all times; many accidents occur when it rains because the roads are extremely slick and hazardous. Be a cautious driver.

Traffic Tickets: If you are pulled over for a traffic violation, be polite, accept the ticket, and ask where you can pay it ( Donde pago? ). Do not offer a bribe. If you offer a bribe and the policeman does not accept it, you could be required to pay a fine as well as the ticket.

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Discovering Guanajuato

Utilities and Services Water and electricity bills always stay under the landlord’s name. The water bill is paid monthly and electricity is paid every 60 days. These companies are government owned, for this reason there is a lot of bureaucracy that can create frustration when dealing with inaccurate invoices or meter readings.

The transferees usually arrange telephone, cable, and Internet; there are several providers that offer different plans.

A private company usually distributes gas and the building administration charges the tenants. Houses normally have a private contract with gas companies and receive the service depending on their consumption. All bills can be paid online, at banks or even supermarkets. Transferees should maintain records showing proof of payment of all services, particularly water and electricity. Landlords ask that all recipients for these payments are kept and delivered to them every 3 or 4 months as a precautionary measure. Telephone There are only a few companies in México that provide telephone landlines; each has its own offers on plans and prices. The companies you can hire for this service are Telmex, Telecable, Megacable, Totalplay, Axtel and ATT. The international telephone country code for México is +52, and the city code for Guanajuato is (44). Therefore, local telephone numbers have the following format: +52(44)0000-0000. In the case of mobile phones, the format is +52-1-(44)0000-0000. If you are making local calls, the +52 or +52-1 prefixes should be dropped. Mobile Phones Companies that offer mobile plans are Telcel, Iusacell, ATT, and Movistar. International calls are very expensive, so most people use internet-based telephone or calling cards as an alternative. Roaming charges are also extremely high. Almost all the cell phone plans include unlimited calls to México, USA, and Canada. It is recommended that before leaving your home country, you contact your cell phone service provider and ask for international coverage. Your provider will be able to activate an international plan for a minimal charge. Upon return to your country, you can cancel the international coverage and the plan charges will be prorated on your bill. The international coverage allows you data usage and reduces the charges for texts and phone calls. Helpful Hint: Be flexible and patient, repairs usually take longer than expected.

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Television The following are cable television providers in México:

+ Izzi: In addition to watching TV at home, for a small monthly fee, Izzi allows users access to online streaming of their channels on any computer or tablet with their “Veo” application. www.izzi.mx/productos + Dish México www.dish.com.mx/#!/home + SKY México www.sky.com.mx/sky

+ Telecable + Total Play + Megacable

On-demand Internet providers of streaming media in Mexico are: + Netflix + Cinepolis Klic + Crackle + Clarovideo + Veo

Internet High-speed internet providers include Telmex with its Infinitum product and Cablevision, which provides Internet via cable and is usually a bit faster for uploads and downloads. Infinitum users also have access to the Prodigy WiFi access from thousands of hotspots around Mexico. Additionally, many cafes and restaurants in the city have free WiFi for customers. Other options include Axtel, and Megacable.

On-demand Internet providers of streaming media in México are: + Netflix + Cinepolis Klic + Crackle + Clarovideo + Veo

Yard and Trash Services Waste collection vehicles make frequent stops around each neighborhood in the city; residents are responsible for leaving their trash bags outside the house before the vehicle passes. It is expected that you give the waste collectors a weekly tip for their services. If they are municipal workers, however, you do not have to pay; only give them a tip around Christmas. Unless you live in a gated community, you will need to hire a private company or a gardener to do your lawn. Gas A private company usually distributes gas, and the building administration charges the tenants. Houses normally have a private contract with gas companies and receive the service depending on their consumption.

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Transferees will not need to make these arrangements given that apartments and houses have normally been occupied by previous tenants so there is already a gas company that provides the service. All bills can be paid online, at banks, or even at supermarkets.

Helpful Hint: Transferees should maintain records showing proof of payment of all services, particularly water and electricity.

Electricity and Water Water and electricity bills always stay under the landlord’s name. The electricity bills are paid every 60 days, water bills are paid on a monthly basis. The electricity and water companies are government owned; for this reason there is a lot of bureaucracy that can create frustration when dealing with inaccurate invoices or meter readings. Hiring Household Help It is common for people in Guanajuato to hire household help. Many houses and apartments have a room for the maid in case you choose to hire a live-in maid; however, there is also the option of just having a maid during the day for cooking and cleaning. Many people also hire drivers and gardeners. Dwellworks does not provide assistance hiring household help; we recommend you talk to the owner of the property to see if he or she can recommend people who have worked in the house or apartment before, or check with other expats from your company who have hired these services. The safest way to hire a maid is through friends who can give you recommendations. Always keep your valuables on a safety place, with lock, because no matter the recommendation is better to keep them safe.

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Helpful Words + Hello / Hi - Hola

+ See you later - Hasta luego + Good Morning, Good Day - Buenos días + Good Afternoon - Buenas tardes + Good Evening, Good Night - Buenas noches + Good Bye - Adiós

+ Yes - Sí + No - No + Please - Por favor + Thank you - Gracias + You are welcome - De nada

We hope that you find this information useful. If you have any specific needs or require additional information, please contact your Dwellworks Destination Consultant.

Enjoy yourself and have a wonderful stay in Guanajuato!

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Juan Salvador Agraz #50Â Suite 601 A Corporativo Santa Fe 50 Colonia Â Santa Fe, C.P. 05348

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