Guanajuato is a wonderful colonial city located in the geographic center of Mexico, about three and half-hours from Mexico City and is the capital of the state of the same name.


Guanajuato was founded in 1554 and received the designation as a city in 1741 and is well known for its wealth of fine colonial era Spanish architecture.


Although nestled in the Veeder mountains, over 2,000 meters (6,562 ft) above sea level, Guanajuato is easily accessible on foot. Buildings of various colors climb the side of the mountains surrounding the city center. It is a UNESCO world heritage site and city planners must follow strict guidelines when building and rehabilitating buildings in order to maintain their colonial integrity.


The name "Guanajuato" comes from the Tarascan (P'urhépecha) word, "Quanax-juato", which means "place of frogs".

"The city was originally built over the Guanajuato River, which flowed through tunnels underneath the city. However, after years of raising buildings to accommodate repeated flooding, in the mid-twentieth century, engineers built a dam and redirected the river into underground caverns. The tunnels were lit and paved with cobblestones for automobile traffic, and this underground road network carries the majority of cars driving through the city today. It is one of the most noticeable features of the city.

After central Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico coast, Guanajuato was one of the first areas of Mexico colonized by the Spanish, in the 1520s, for its rich silver deposits. Guanajuato's colonial architecture is very well preserved along with over 35 old churches in its capital alone, and is very European in nature." Source: en.wikipedia.org

Suggested Books, Guides and Maps at Amazon.com:

Colonial Mexico 2 Ed: A Guide to Historic Districts and Towns

Guanajuato State & Guanajuato City Map

Guanajuato State Map by Guia Roji

Guanajuato, Mexico: Your Expat, Study Abroad, and Vacation Survival Manual in the Land of Frogs

The Plain Truth about Living in Mexico: The Expatriate's Guide to Moving, Retiring, or just hanging out

Mummies of Guanajuato

United States Visas

A brief explaination of what a visa is and which types exists are explained below (taken directly from www.unitedstatesvisas.gov

If you're a citizen of a foreign country, in most cases you'll need a visa to enter the United States.

A visa doesn't permit entry to the U.S., however. A visa simply indicates that your application has been reviewed by a U.S. consular officer at an American embassy or consulate, and that the officer has determined you're eligible to enter the country for a specific purpose. Consular affairs are the responsibility of the U.S. Department of State.

A visa allows you to travel to the United States as far as the port of entry (airport or land border crossing) and ask the immigration officer to allow you to enter the country. Only the immigration officer has the authority to permit you to enter the United States. He or she decides how long you can stay for any particular visit. Immigration matters are the responsibility of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

There are two categories of U.S. visas: immigrant and nonimmigrant.

Immigrant visas are for people who intend to live permanently in the U.S. Nonimmigrant visas are for people with permanent residence outside the U.S. but who wish to be in the U.S. on a temporary basis - for tourism, medical treatment, business, temporary work or study.

Categories of Temporary Visas:

• (B-1/B-2) - Visitors of Business or Pleasure
  
• (D-1) - Crewmen
  
• (E-1) - Treaty Traders
  
• (E-2) - Treaty Investors
  
• (E-3) - Australian Professionals
  
• (F-1) - Student Visa - more information can be obtained here.
  
• (H-1B) - Temporary Professional Workers
  
• (H-1B) - Temporary Agricultural Workers
  
• (H-2B) - Temporary Skilled and Unskilled Workers
  
• (H-3) - Trainees
  
• (I) - Foreign Journalists
  
• (J-1) - Exchange Visitor Visa - more information can be obtained here.
  
• (K-1) - Fiancees of U.S. Citizens
  
• (K-3) - Spouses of U.S. Citizens
  
• (L-1) - Intracompany Transferees
  
• (M-1) - Vocational Students
  
• (O) - Persons of Extraordinary Ability
  
• (P) - Athletes and Entertainers
  
• (Q) - International Cultural Exchange Visitors
  
• (R) - Religious Workers
  
• (S) - Witnesses and Informants
  
• (T) - Victims of Human Trafficking
  
• (T and U) - Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000
  
• (TN) - Canadian and Mexican Professionals Under NAFTA ("TN")
  
• (V) - Certain Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
  

Categories of Permanent Visas:

• Family Immigration
  
• Adopting a Child
  
• Marriage fo a Foreignn National
  
• Diversity Visa Program (Diversity Visa Lottery) - more information can be obtained here.
  
• Employment Visa
  
• Employment: Iraqi or Afghan translator/interpreters
  
• Employment: Iraqis - Worked for/on behalf of US Government
  
• Employment: Religious Workers
  

Useful Links:

Visa information to prospective students.
How to get a U.S. Visa.
Locate a consulate office.
Answers to frequently asked questions

Visa Statistics - Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Visas Issued at Foreign Service Posts - 2007:

Immigrant Categories:

Immediate Relatives - 154,760

Special Immigrants - 701

Vietnam Amerasian immigrants - 102
Family Sponsored Preference - 131,407
Employment-Based Preference - 29,712
Armed Forces Special Immigrants - 1
DV Diversity Transition (Lottery) - 48,085
Schedule A Worker - 0

Total - 364,768

Nonimmigrant Categories:

Visas Issued - 4,881,632

Border Crossing Cards - 0
(B1/B2/BCCs) - [836,407]

Total - 4,881,632

Quebec City truly has a European feel. Many people here speak French (or prefer to). The older section of the city is wonderful. If you are in the Northeast region of Canada you should definitely try to visit. Quebec City is my most favorite city north of the Mexican border. It may be a little more expensive to fly too since it is not a major hub. I usually rent a car from Montreal and drive there.

Vancouver, Canada is a very nice city. Very clean and safe with the mountains as a nice backdrop. You can find valuable information here at the cities webpage. Everything from jobs to online downloadable maps!