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City and municipality in Guanajuato, Mexico
Photo: Davelapo555, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Irapuato is a city of 452,000 people (2020) in Guanajuato. It is the world's largest producer of strawberries, and claims the title "world capital of strawberries".
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Plazuela Miguel Hidalgo, Plaza Principal
Named after Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla.
Catedral de Irapuato
A Spanish Baroque church built in the 16th century.
Monumento al papa Juan Pablo II
A bronze statue from 2006, forged from keys donated by the citizens of Irapuato.
Fuente de Aguas Danzarinas
Fuente de los delfines
One of three Florentine fountains donated in 1864 by the ill-fated Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico. The other two fountains are in Léon and in Guanajuato.
Reloj del Sol
A century-old clock mounted on a column.
City Museum
Small but very attractive and well-presented regional museum. Includes artifacts from Mesoamerican cultures, historical exhibits of Colonial Mexico and the wars of Independence and the Revolution, as well as cultural exhibits of the modern era. Art exhibits include pieces from the museum's permanent collection as well as occasional temporary exhibits..
Fascinating contemporary art museum that focuses on contemporary works that reflect cultural experiences and perspectives of a modern indigenous heritage..
Parque Ecológico Irapuato
Declared a protected natural area with an extension of more than 5,000 hectares that includes: the rabbit dam, the sports city and the Españita neighborhood. An immense green area for recreation, leisure and the promotion of the ecological culture of the regional population. This ecological park has been called "the lungs of the city"..
Zooira
Large, modern, well-kept zoo with exotic animals from around the world. Species include lions, tigers and bears (oh, my!) as well as giraffes, hippos, camels, hyenas, camels and more. The Herpetario houses a reptile collection with everything from snakes to crocodiles. The Aviario houses various kinds of birds, from toucans to hummingbirds. Activities include a zip line (tirolesa), a small train ride, boat rides, and fishing in a lake.
Casual seafood restaurant serving fish, shrimp and octopus in various styles. All the tostadas are also topped with seafood. Beer and micheladas available (micheladas can also be made with seafood)..
Popular taco stand with a large range of taco styles including pastor, tripa, cabeza, and lengua. No parking available..
Mexican, nice patio, good fajitas.
Popular breakfast restaurant with buffet on weekdays..
Guru 4U
Promoted as a "healthy option" type place, they oddly serve meat, though fresh juices and innovative aguas frescas are good. Food is okay, but exoect bad service with understaffing and arrogant abuse of QR codes instead of just providing a printed menu like a good host would do..
The name of the place pretty much sums up what to expect: it's a steakhouse with a buffet (though you don't have to order the buffet and you will have options other than beef). Good selection of drinks, including non-alcoholic aguas frescas..
Mexican steakhouse – try the Mexican specialties plate.
Budget hotel with barebones rooms containing worn furniture and minimal perks. Parking lot available, but it's too small for the number of guests in the hotel. Service is abrupt, but it is one of the cheapest places to find a room in Irapuato and will appeal to the serious budget traveler..
Modern upscale luxury hotel that's surprisingly affordable. Spacious rooms with large bathrooms and comfortable furnishings. Rooftop pool. Gym. On-site restaurant..
Older hotel with very spacious rooms and comfortable furnishings. No restaurant on-site but food options are nearby. Tight parking lot not suitable for large vehicles..
Moderate hotel with very spacious rooms (air conditioned), on-site swimming pool, and on-site restaurant serving an ample buffet breakfast. Hard platform beds can be uncomfortable for some guests..
Family-friendly hotel with large, clean, comfortable rooms. On-site restaurant serves 3 meals per day and opens early for breakfast. Central location next to a market and easy walk to bus station..
Modern 2-story shopping mall anchored by a Liverpool department store, includes a cinema complex, a food court, and lots of domestic and international brand stores.
Traditional central market with vendors selling fresh produce, meats, and dairy products as well as every kind of household good you can imagine. This is a typical local market and not set up for tourists. Prepared food vendors specialize in various kinds of regional dishes. Streets surrounding the market operate like a tianguis or pulga on Thursdays and Saturdays so expect large crowds then.
Traditional central market with vendors selling fresh produce, meats, and dairy products as well as every kind of household good you can imagine. This is a typical local market and not set up for tourists. Prepared food vendors specialize in various kinds of regional dishes and the market is a popular spot for affordable breakfast. Streets surrounding the market operate like a tianguis or pulga on Tuesdays with dozens of vendors setting up tents or spreading out blankets covered in goods for sale.
By car
Major highways to Irapuato and their starting and ending points:
By bus
Irapuato is well connected by buses providing service throughout the region as well as long-distance buses to Mexico City and beyond.
Historic sites in the core downtown (centro) area can be easily reached by walking, but Irapuato is a mid-size city of about a half million people, so there are a number of parks and points of interest that are too far…
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Silao · International · BJX
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