La Casa en Guanajuato

Bed, no Breakfast! Now accepting inquiries for stays in the Don Quixote apartment, Buena Vista and Bóveda suites, and the Master bedroom.
We loved every minute of the time we spent in Guanajuato...The city, the weather and your hospitality far exceeded my expectations and it was a sad day when we had to leave.- Wally & Dianne
Contact us for more information.
Frog fountain

Guanajuato Weather
The WeatherPixie
Reading Suggestions
Guides/History
Mexican Colonial Style







9 July 2008 - Viva Aerobus
VivaAerobus logo

Any frequent traveler to Mexico knows the bus system is the way to move around inside of Mexico. Fares are generally affordable, I took the bus from Austin, TX to Guanajuato several years ago. By the time I made it down, the total cost was about $155 one way (including taxi the last 30 miles, bribes and/or tips at the border, and my tourist visa). 16 hours total transit time, door to door.

Now, in much the same way Southwest Airlines became a powerhouse by competing with the car on short trips, and airline called VivaAerobus is going head to head with the bus lines, in a really no-frills, low cost airline.

The good news? You can fly from Austin, TX to Leon, Guanajuato for the price of a bus ticket, and about 25% of what it costs on Continental, American, or any of the other large Mexican airlines.

The bad news? You can make the trip faster by bus.

The flight requires a connection through Monterrey, and the schedule is set up such that you will be spending a night in Monterrey going both directions. The mitigating factor is that Monterrey has its charms, and free bus service is provided by the airline to downtown. Downtown Monterrey can be a nice place to spend a day, with the night life of the old town and art museums during the day there's plenty to do. And if you are traveling with a family, you can use your airline savings to book another month at the house!

Big caveat - I don't know anyone who has flown VivaAerobus. But I hope to be able to get second hand accounts within the next several weeks. It will not be the travel answer for everyone, but it does offer an alternative to the bus within Mexico, and to the one foreign destination served, Austin, Texas.


29 January 2008 - Master Bedroom

We are nearing the end of this website as a construction blog, which is both good and bad. I've certainly gotten a great deal out of the process, fascinated by the construction techniques, learning to work in Mexico, and getting to meet many hard workers and artisans. We have only some work on the roof to complete - shade under which to enjoy the expansive view, and the roof garden, the frosting on the cake.

The master bedroom was finished in time for Christmas, we have been using the room for the last month as part of a shakedown. It will be added to the list of rooms available to guests beginning this month. The master bedroom is one of the largest rooms in the house, with a balcony overlooking the callejon, and a large attached bathroom.

Doors to the master bedroom, House in GuanajuatoStudy, House in Guanajuato

The entrance to the master bedroom is off the main patio, and through the original heavy doors. The key itself is about 8 inches long! Inside is a study/reading area, and a king sized beds. In the evenings, you can hear the serenades of the estudiantes, as they serenade the crowds through the callejons (alleys) on their way to the Callejon del Beso. You can sometimes catch a glimpse of them from the balcony as they play their lutes and guitars, dressed in the troubador costumes of old. Muy romantico!

Master bedroomBalcony, House in Guanajuato


31 December 2007 - End of year update

99% complete, only 25% left to go! This is how Mary described the house in November. Well, now I would call it 99% complete and 15% left to go. The scaffolding is down, and the house gleams in the winter sun.

Entrance from callejon Saavedra, House in GuanajuatoApartment entrances and back door of the House in Guanajuato

All the rooms in the interior of the house are complete, with some of the private spaces still in the process of being furnished and decorated.

Dining roomLiving room, House in Guanajuato

Other details in the interior are finding their place, and there is not a room in the house which is not livable. The apartments and suites are renting quickly, and some of our early guests, who were willing to put up with construction noise, have made return visits. Book early if possible, as the property fills up well in advance.


16 July 2007 - Work has moved outside

With the exception of a few fixtures, a bit of ethernet cable, and a bit of paint, the interior work is done. Work has shifted to the outside of the house where the old 'aplanado', or cement facing, is being replaced. The aplanado creates the smooth walls over the stone and adobe structure. It is thrown on by the trowel full, then screed smooth. It is the primary surface on the walls, used inside and out.

Scaffolding on callejon Saavedra, House in GuanajuatoApplying the applanado, House in Guanajuato

While I was in town, we walked over to an art show opening at the Alondiga (grainery), which was the site of the first major battle of the war of independence from Spain. It is now combination history museum and art gallery. The Alondiga is a must stop for anyone wanting to understand the history of Guanajuato.

Art opening at the Alhondiga, GuanajuatoLiving room, House in Guanajuato

The 'cantera verde' or green stone that you see in the Alondiga, is naturally occuring in the hills around Guanajuato. The same stone is used throughout the house, in the stone of the fireplace, in pedestals and arches, as well as in the foundation and walls of the house.


11 June 2007 Update!
New passport rules from the state department

Checking the State Department web site, I notice this warning, "Currently, it is taking up to 1 week for passport applications to be tracked online. Please allow at least that time before checking the status of your application." So don't wait until the last moment. Better yet, apply now if you are even thinking about a trip to Mexico in the future. The problem will become much worse once the requirement for a passport extends to other than air travel, currently scheduled for Jan 1, 2008.

8 June 2007 Update!
According to this article,

The demand is such that the State Department has warned applicants to allow as long as 12 weeks for their passports to be issued and up to three weeks for expedited processing at an extra fee. Previously, the maximum wait was six weeks and two weeks, respectively.
Passports are good for 10 years for adults, 5 for minors. Go to the post office this week and get one started if you have any desire to travel outside the US. It will be one less thing to stress over when you do make your trip!

30 November 2006 - Do you have a passport?
U.S. Passport

Just a reminder that starting January 23rd, 2007, U.S. citizens traveling by air will require a passport to re-enter the United States. Travel by other means may need a passport by January 1, 2008, though that date is subject to change. Questions? Need to obtain a passport? Click here for information.

If you are planning a trip by air to Mexico in 2007 and do not have your passport, or need to renew your passport, please get the process started early.

Passport processing time is normally six weeks. Expedited service can be provided for an additional fee of $60 plus all overnight delivery charges. This service will get you a passport in two weeks.
As this new requirement kicks in, I expect the amount of time required to process a passport application will go up. Don't wait until the last minute!


Home
Front Desk

The Property
* El Quixote Apartment
* Buena Vista Suite
* Bóveda Suite
Archives

Master Bedroom Const.
The Innkeeper
Inside and Out
Arches
Kitchen Construction
Buena Vista
Sweet Suites
Green Roof Plans
San Felipe Tile
Panorama
Patios
New Years, Boveda
Christmas in the D.Q.
Boveda Suite Const.
Stained Glass
About Guanajuato
Tile and Brick
Doors and Plans
Apt. Construction Video
Conches
Apartment Construction
Architectural Views
Before Pictures

Other GTO Blogs
Mary's Perspective
Adventure in GTO
GTO House Adventure
Guanajuato Links

Home for Sale
Map of Guanajuato
L.A. Times, Jul. 2008
Houston Chronicle, Jan. 2007
New York Times Style Magazine, Travel Fall 2006
City information
Tourist Info (Spanish)

Other GTO Accomodations
Casa de Doña Ana
GTOMex

Living in Mexico


Guanajuato Misc.

House in Guanajuato - la Barranca 26, Col. Centro, Guanajuato, MX 36000 - 473 732-1385 (MX) 512 535-5260 (US)