Most people pack for Guanajuato like it's a beach town in Mexico. It isn't. It sits high in the mountains, the streets are steep stone alleys and winter nights drop to 9°C (48°F), so the trip is won or lost on your shoes and one warm layer.
Guanajuato weather by month
Daily high and low (°C), and days with rainSee the numbers
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 22°C72°F | 25°C77°F | 28°C82°F | 29°C84°F | 31°C88°F | 29°C84°F | 25°C77°F | 25°C77°F | 25°C77°F | 25°C77°F | 24°C75°F | 21°C70°F |
| Low | 9°C48°F | 10°C50°F | 12°C54°F | 13°C55°F | 16°C61°F | 16°C61°F | 14°C57°F | 14°C57°F | 14°C57°F | 12°C54°F | 11°C52°F | 9°C48°F |
| Rain days | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 12 | 20 | 15 | 13 | 6 | 2 | 4 |
Season by season
Cool season
December–FebruaryDays are pleasant at 21–25°C (70–77°F), but lows sit at 9–10°C (48–50°F) and old stone houses hold the cold. Rain is rare, with one to four rain days a month. Bring a warm layer for evenings on the Jardín de la Unión.
Hot season
March–MayThis is the dry, sunny stretch, with highs of 28–31°C (82–88°F) and almost no rain until May. The sun is strong at this altitude, so a hat and a refillable bottle matter more than extra outfits. Evenings still cool off to 12–16°C (54–61°F).
Rainy season
June–SeptemberAfternoon storms arrive, with 20 rain days in July and 12 to 15 in the other months. Highs drop to 25–29°C (77–84°F) and the hills turn green. Pack a rain shell and save museums like the Alhóndiga de Granaditas for wet afternoons.
Dry season
October–NovemberRain tapers off to six days in October and two in November, with highs of 24–25°C (75–77°F) and lows of 11–12°C (52–54°F). The Festival Internacional Cervantino usually fills the city in October, so book early. It's the easiest time of year to pack for.
What to bring to Guanajuato
0 of 23 packedSummer storms bring 20 rain days in July, and this waterproof, seam-sealed shell weighs about 16 oz, so it rides in your day bag between downpours.
The women's waterproof shell for Guanajuato's summer storms, about 16 oz and light enough to carry every day.
- Bellroy Lite SlingBags & Luggage
The alleys get packed at festival time, so a small sling keeps your phone and wallet in front of you.
- A warm wrapClothing
Winter nights drop to 9°C (48°F) and stone rooms stay cold, and a wool wrap fixes that without a bulky coat.
- Nalgene 32 oz Wide Mouth BottleWater Bottles & Hydration
Dry spring days of 28–31°C (82–88°F) mean you'll drink more than you think, and 32 oz covers a long day on the hills.
- Epicka 70W Universal Travel AdapterTech & Power
Coming from the UK, Europe or Australia? This takes Mexico's US-style sockets and adds USB-C ports for everything else.
- Anker Nano Power Bank 5,000mAh (Built-In USB-C)Tech & Power
A day of photos on the stairs drains a phone, and this one plugs straight into a USB-C phone from your pocket.
Clothing
- Jeans or long trousers · 2Locals dress neat and casual
- Shirts and tops · 5
- Warm sweater or jacket · 1Dec–Feb lows of 9–10°C, stone houses hold the cold
- Shorts · 1–2For Mar–May highs of 28–31°C
- Sun hatStrong sun at this altitude, almost no rain until May
Footwear
- Broken-in walking shoes with grip · 1 pairSteep, worn stone callejones get slick when wet
- Walking socks · 5 pairs
Gear
- Compact umbrellaJuly has 20 rain days, mostly afternoon storms
- Soft duffel or backpack instead of a roller bagMany central hotels are up stairs or pedestrian alleys
- Sunglasses
Health and toiletries
- High-SPF sunscreenDry, sunny spring at altitude
- Lip balmDry air Dec–Apr
- Blister plastersA city of stairs
Documents and money
- Passport
- Hotel booking for CervantinoFestival usually fills the city in October
Tech
- Phone charging cable
What shoes should you pack for Guanajuato?
Guanajuato is a city of stairs. The callejones, like the one around the Callejón del Beso, are steep, narrow and paved with worn stone that gets slick when wet. Wear broken-in walking shoes with real grip and leave thin-soled sandals for the hotel.
What do people wear in Guanajuato?
Locals dress neat and casual, jeans and a shirt, with a jacket at night. It's a university town full of students, so nobody dresses up much. Shorts are fine in the heat, but you'll see fewer of them than on the coast.
What plugs does Guanajuato use?
Mexico uses type A and B plugs at 127V, the same shape as in the US and Canada. US travelers don't need an adapter. Visitors from the UK, Europe or Australia do, and most phone and laptop chargers handle 127V without trouble.
Tours and things to do in Guanajuato
Packed and ready? Browse guided tours, day trips and tickets for Guanajuato.
What should you leave at home for Guanajuato?
Leave the heavy roller bag. Many hotels in the center sit up stairs or down pedestrian alleys where taxis can't reach, so you'll be carrying it. Skip the beachwear too. The nearest coast is a long way off.
Packing for Guanajuato: questions people ask
What should I wear in Guanajuato in December?
Layers. Days reach 21°C (70°F) but nights drop to 9°C (48°F), so bring a sweater or jacket for evenings and comfortable shoes for the hills.
Does it rain a lot in Guanajuato?
Only in summer. July has 20 rain days and June, August and September have 12 to 15, mostly as afternoon storms. The rest of the year is mostly dry.
Is Guanajuato cold at night?
It can be from December to February. Lows of 9–10°C (48–50°F) feel colder in stone buildings, so pack a warm layer.
Do I need a plug adapter in Guanajuato?
Not from the US or Canada. Mexico uses type A and B plugs at 127V, so travelers from the UK, Europe or Australia need an adapter.
What shoes are best for Guanajuato?
Walking shoes with good grip. The streets are steep stone alleys and stairs, and they get slippery in the rain.
Prices change often — the price on the retailer’s page is the one you pay.