7 Amazing Things to Do in León, Guanajuato

BY MARK CHESNUT

It’s not the best-known Mexico vacation destination for international travelers, but if you’re looking for a unique & interesting place to explore, come with me on a tour of 7 amazing things to do in historic León, the largest city in the state of Guanajuato.

Click on the video above to see the full Leon travel video, or you can also click directly to  watch the video on my YouTube channel.

#1. is to visit the two main squares downtown. Founded in 1576 by the Spaniards, León has not one but two beautiful squares — one with landscaping that looks like it’s from Alice in Wonderland.

Both squares are surrounded by gorgeous architecture, and you’ll want to stop for a photo at the giant fountain, where each lion represents a century of the city’s history.

#2 is to explore 2 historic churches. Unlike most Mexican cities, Leon’s cathedral does not sit on the main square. It dates to 1670 but wasn’t completed until 1866. In 2012, Pope Benedict visited here.

Another must-see religious site is the massive Templo Expiatorio, which was built between 1921 and 2012, when the Pope visited. Allow extra time to go around back and visit the crypt and catacombs, which serve as the final resting place for many church officials and members.

#3 is to stop at the impressive Arco Triunfal, a victory arch built in 1896 to commemorate the 83^rd anniversary of Mexico’s independence from Spain. You can see a bronze lion — a symbol of the city — on top. The arch sits along Calzada de los Héroes, a broad boulevard that is the grandest entrance into the city. Consider coming back at night to check out the lively scene, which sometimes includes a cool night market called Bazar Underground.

#4 is to learn about the region’s heritage at the Museum of Art and History of Guanajuato, an impressive venue with exhibits about the entire state’s rich history.

If you’re into clothes, shoes and accessories, you’ll love #5, which is to go shopping. León is one of the largest producers of shoes in all of Mexico. Some even call it the shoe capital of the world. You can find shoes, bags and other leather items at great prices in the Zona Piel, the Leather Zone — for international brands, go to Mulza or the Factory Outlet.

If you want to find out how shoes are made, you can even take a tour. For #6, I joined Franco, owner of the tour operator Código 37000 for an insider factory tour that explained how shoe forms are made.

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MEXICO HOTEL REVIEW: City Centro by Marriott San Luis Potosi
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#7 is to try authentic local cuisine. And this isn’t just any Mexican food. Among the stuff that’s unique to Leon is the guacamaya, a tasty pork rind sandwich that’s supposed to be good for hangovers.

Also worth a taste is caldo de oso — literally, bear broth. It’s a refreshing fruit cocktail made with pineapple vinegar, cucumber, turnips and cheese.

You can wash it down with cebadina, a carbonated drink made with barley water, tamarind and hibiscus water. It’s not alcoholic, but I tried it in a cocktail made by mixologist Koko Medina at La Esmeralda del Bajío, a great restaurant downtown. It was delicious.

If you’re still hungry, you can sample some Dori Locos on the street — this tasty snack consists of a bag of Doritos combined with cheese, spices, lime, salt and other ingredients.

Most international travelers may not know much about León yet, but as you can see, I found some interesting and flavorful experiences.