Iguala

Iguala is a city of 133,000 people (2020) in Guerrero, Mexico. It is known as the "city of tamarinds" for its tamarind trees surrounding the downtown cathedral. It was the birthplace of the Mexican flag: José Magdaleno Ocampo who crafted the Flag of the Three Guarantees here after Mexican gained independence from Spain in 1821.

Understand

In 2014, a tragic kidnapping and murder of 43 students took place in Iguala. Demonstrations followed for years, though justice has been elusive. Foreign visitors are advised not to engage in protests.

Climate

The climate is very warm throughout the year, exceeding the maximums of more than 30 °C every month. The hottest months are April and May where the maximums always reach 37-39 °C, arriving on some days with temperatures equal to or higher than 40 ° C. In winter, the days are still warm with mild nights, the maximums are between 30-33 ° C, while the minimums are between 14-16 ° C. The rainy season is from June to October. An average of 1022 mm of annual rain falls in Iguala.

Get in

Iguana is 102 km (63 mi) from the state capital, Chilpancingo, and 190 km from Mexico City.

By car

• Federal Highway 95D (Iguala - Cuernavaca - México, DF ) toll
• Carretera Federal 95 (Iguala - México, DF, Iguala - Acapulco )
• Federal Highway 51 (Iguala - Teloloapan - Ciudad Altamirano )
• State Highway 1 (Iguala - Huitzuco - Atenango del Río - Copalillo )
• Federal Highway 95 Federal Highway 55 Iguala-Taxco-Ixtapan de la Sal

By bus

There are two bus terminals:

• Iguala Central Terminal
• Central de Autobuses "Estrella de Oro" (Iguala)

Get around

The city has Urban Combis with a cost of M$8, and there are also different types of routes which lead to different rural communities that border the city, such as Santa Teresa, Sabana Grande, Col, Lázaro, Cárdenas (the botanana), Tuxpan, Tomatal, Tepecoacuilco de Trujano, Coacoyula, Zacacoyuca, Metlapa and the municipality of Buenavista de Cuéllar and of which its price ranges between M$19 and M$24 depending on the community to which it is directed.

There are also 2 urban bus routes with a cost of M$12.

The minimum taxi fare is M$30, within the outskirts of the city.

See

St Francis of Asisi Church

• 1 Parroquia de San Francisco de Asís (St Francis of Asisi Church). It was built in the 19th century in the Neoclassical style. It is surrounded by Tamarind trees, and for them Iguala is known as "la Ciudad Tamarindera" (the Tamarindo city). (updated Oct 2020)
• 2 Museo de la Bandera y Santuario de la Patria, Calle Benito Juárez SN, Centro, ☏ +52 733 3336765. A good place to get some nationalistic feelings about Mexico and an appreciation about the history of the area. (updated Oct 2020)
• 3 Zócalo de Iguala. Town square and monuments. (updated Oct 2020)
• 4 Lagoon of Tuxpan (Laguna de Tuxpan). Good place to fish if you have a license or get away. It is known for its beauty, and popular seafood restaurants. (updated Oct 2020)
• 5 Asta Bandera. M-F 10ː00-18ː00, Sa Su 10ː00-17ː00. A good place to go for exceptional views over Iguala and for contemplating your small stature compared to the flagpole trying to touch the troposphere here. (updated Oct 2020)

Do

• The Iguala Flag Fair is held in late February annually. It is one of the most important annual festivities for the people of Iguala. It is celebrated with a parade of floats, cockfights, and Mexican handcrafts and folk art exhibitions. Iguala's local artisans create gold and silver jewelry.

Buy

• 1 Mercado Municipal "Adrián Castrejón", Ignacio Altamirano 69, Centro. M-F 08:00 - 18:00; Sa-Su 08:00 - 22:00. The town's traditional main marketplace is where you will find local food growers bringing their freshest fruits and vegetables for sale each day. The market also features a prepared food area where locals sell the most authentic regional cuisine in town. A great source for affordable eats! (updated Dec 2023)

Eat

• 1 El Machi, Carr A Iguala-Taxco Km 106, ☏ +52 733 332 5577. 12:00 - 19:00 daily. Traditional regional restaurant with great ambiance and live music. Grilled meats are the house specialty, including pigeons and quails. M$200. (updated Jul 2023)
• 2 Restaurant Waikiki, Periférico Oriente 62, El Paraiso, ☏ +52 733 676 7195. 10:30 - 20:00 daily. Large restaurant with a fun, festive atmosphere and live music. Menu is mostly seafood. M$200. (updated Jul 2023)
• 3 Los Laureles, Constitucion 3, Centro, ☏ +52 733 333 1346. 08:00 - 12:00. Casual open-air restaurant serving breakfast only. Known for their breakfast buffet. Excellent coffee, lots of fruit and healthy options. Credit cards accepted. (updated Jul 2023)
• 4 Restaurant Demos, Periferico Sur y 24 de Febrero, ☏ +52 733 189 2969. 10:00 - 20:00. Casual family-style service with Mexicanized Asian food. (updated Jul 2023)

Drink

Coffee

Coffee is a very popular drink in Iguala and you will find plenty of small coffee shops (and a few chains) in the Centro Historico, particularly along Av. Vicente Guerrero and Av. Bandera Nacional. Most of the cafes offer light food.

• 1 Bennoni, Calle Miguel Hidalgo 2, Centro, ☏ +527333320269. Daily 08:00 - 22:00. Italian style coffee shop with hot espresso, capuccino and cold coffee drinks. Light food is available with their Naples-style thin crust pizza being the hands-down winner. Sidewalk dining area in a historic part of town provides great ambience and people watching. 

Sleep

Mid-range

• 1 Hotel White House, Juan Aldama 54, Centro, ☏ +52 733 110 7061. Wifi, a/c, swimming pool, jacuzzi, restaurant. M$691. (updated Oct 2020)

Go next

• Tuxpan
• Taxco
• Grutas de Cacahuamilpa National Park