Trip Details
The nitty gritty
Dates: Sunday, July 20 to Sunday, July 27, 2025
Guanajuato, México
Price: $1250 USD
$375 deposit due May 17, 2025
What’s included (& what is not)
What’s Included:
Fiesta of Bienvenidos (Welcome!)
Hour-long group class led by Maura each morning
Mid-morning coffee and pastries/ snack
Daily Guest speakers
Cooking classes (2) and visit to the Mercado (2)
Entrance fees and transportation to sites we visit as group (3 Guided tours)
Reading book, Like Water for Chocolate
What is not included:
Transportation: plane ticket and transportation to and from airport
Accommodations (See List below of recommended places)
Meals (with the exception of food from cooking classes and events!)
Alcoholic Drinks
Tips
Entrance fees/ transportation to any sites of interest you visit on your own
Optional evening events
Optional day trip to San Miguel de Allende (Saturday 7/26)
Travel and Health insurance
Who is this trip for?
This will be a small, intimate group of 12-15 participants.
Our ideal participant is someone who is comfortable traveling abroad and can move around relatively easily (Guanajuato has cobblestone streets). We want to share this experience with folks who are excited to learn about Mexican culture through history, art, and food and are open to different experiences to achieve that goal - including an adventurous palate!. This is not a touristy-trip, but rather one that offers guidance and structure: we will have many group activities, but also provide free time for independent exploration!
*Knowing Spanish is not required! There will be translators on hand. However, we do encourage you to use this opportunity to practice your Spanish, no matter how ‘rusty’ it may be! The effort to speak to locals in their native tongue goes a long way!
What to expect
Here is a general breakdown of our time together:
Sunday, July 20: Arrive in Guanajuato and settle in.
Evening Welcome Party!
Monday, July 21-Friday, July 25:
Sample schedule:
10:00-11:00 am: group class to discuss the book Like Water for Chocolate and explore the themes related to the text with an emphasis on Mexican food (learn more here)
11:15-12:15: guest speaker: local expert on the themes related to our class discussions (history, art, food)
12:30-2:30: visit a site in Guanajuato related to History, Art, and Culture (History Museum, Art Museums etc.) 3 Guided tours during the week
2:30-6:00: free time to enjoy more Guanajuato sites, eat the main meal of the day (“Comida”), and sneak in a Siesta!
On two of these days we will visit the mercado to buy ingredients for our cooking class! (2 cooking classes during the week)
6:00: scheduled but optional evening activity, such as a listening to a live music performance, a mezcal tasting, or screening of the movie “Como Agua Para Chocolate”
Saturday, July 26: last day to explore in Guanajuato!
OR an optional day trip to San Miguel de Allende!
Saturday evening: ¡una Despedida!
Suggested hotel accomodations
Hotel Embajadoras: We have stayed here many times over the years– the rooms are simple, but the patio is an oasis, and the breakfasts are amazing! We will likely hold gatherings here so it would be a convenient situation!
Casa de Colores: This classic Guanajuato home boasts 5 rooms decorated with traditional Mexican artesanía, with beautiful tile work from nearby Dolores Hidalgo. Each room celebrates a theme (monarch butterfly) or person (Frida Kahlo).
There are plenty of Airbnbs! Please touch base with me before finalizing any reservations—many of the charming spots with amazing views are located in steep, narrow alleys that might require a bit of a climb.
FAQs
Where is Guanajuato?
Guanajuato City is located in central México, about 5 hours north of Mexico City. It is settled in the mountains of the Sierra Madre Mountains.
What is the weather like in Guanajuato in July?
Guanajuato’s weather is lovely in July! During the day it is most likely sunny in the low 80s, with an occasional afternoon shower which cools things off to the low 60s in the evening.What is the nearest airport to Guanajuato?
What is the nearest airport to Guanajuato?
The closest airport is Bajío International Airport (BJX), about a half hour away from Guanajuato City. Most folks transfer through Dallas, Houston, or Mexico City to BJX
What is the exchange rate in México, and how do you pay for things?
The currency in Mexico is the Mexican peso. The exchange rates vary, but so far in 2025 the average has been $1 MXN to $.050 US, or $1 US is equivalent to about 20 Mexican pesos.
How much of my time will be programmed, and how much free time will I have to explore on my own?
We strive to give you the best of both worlds! Our days offer activities that involve the whole group, with free time for exploration. We also offer optional excursions/ events.
How big will the group be?
Our ideal group size is 15 people.
Do I need to know Spanish?
You do not need to know Spanish! There will be translators (and at least one Spanish Teacher!) available to help you along the way. However, knowing a little Spanish always goes a long way! We encourage our participants to practice their Spanish, as this immersion provides a wonderful opportunity to do so!
Will I have ‘homework’?
We like to think of the Ranacultura experience as an ‘adult study abroad’ program, and hope that you go home having learned as much as possible! We will ‘assign’ one book to read beforehand, and will additionally offer multiple resources of videos, articles, etc for your optional perusal.
Is Guanajuato safe?
We will be traveling to Guanajuato City, which is historically safe and has low crime rates. Guanajuato state is not immune to crime, but we will not be in that vicinity.