Irapuato

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".

Understand

Irapuato's historic center

It lies between the Silao River and the Guanajuato River, a tributary of the Lerma River.

Although it is now an important center for regional trade and transportation center as well the site of several automotive and chemical manufacturing plants, the city's main industry has historically been agriculture and it has long been known for its strawberries and the raising of pigs and cattle. The fruits and flowers of Irapuato's luxurious gardens are well-known throughout Mexico.

Among its historical-artistic and architectural heritage are the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Clean Conception of María, the Municipal Palace, the Temple of Hospitalito, the City Museum and the emblematic Mural of Identity in the central square of Vasco de Quiroga, in commemoration of whom local tradition mentions as the founder of the town.

Get in

By plane

Del Bajío International (BJX ^IATA) is the Leon/Guanajanto Airport. It is about 40 minutes drive from Irapuato and has several flights a day from the US (Dallas/Fort Worth, Atlanta, Los Angeles).

By car

Major highways to Irapuato and their starting and ending points:

• Highway 45 Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua - Panales, Hidalgo
• Highway 90 Irapuato, Guanajuato - Zapotlanejo, Jalisco
• Highway 43 Salamanca, Guanajuato - Morelia, Michoacán
• Highway 110 Armería, Colima - Xoconostle, Guanajuato

By bus

Irapuato is well connected by buses providing service throughout the region as well as long-distance buses to Mexico City and beyond. From the main bus station in Queretaro, a Primera Plus bus takes 1 hour, 40 minutes to Irapuato and costs M$120. From Mexico City, ETN and Primera Plus buses depart from Autobuses del Norte every hour and cost M$320 for the 4-1/2 hour trip.

• 1 Central de Autobuses Irapuato, Progresiva el Jaral. Large bus terminal served by many first-class and second-class bus lines. Waiting room can get crowded at peak times. Bathrooms available. Various food vendors including impersonal chain fast-food pits like Burger King and Subway. Service to all major cities in the region. Bus companies operating in the terminal include ETN, Primera Plus, and Omnibus de Mexico, among others. 

Get around

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 to walk or are in rough neighborhoods. You'll want to use a secure taxi (such as those called by your hotel front desk staff), or a ride-hailing app. Uber service is widely available in Irapuato and is one of the safest ways to get around. The city of Irapuato has an extensive municipal bus system that operates roughly from 06:00 to 22:00, though routes vary. Local bus timetables are here. The local buses are not intended as tourist transportation and caution is advised as routes may pass through risky parts of the city.

See

Miguel Hidalgo Square, with Irapuato Cathedral and the Fountain of Dancing Water

• Miguel Hidalgo Square (Plazuela Miguel Hidalgo, Plaza Principal). Named after Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla. 
  • 1 Irapuato Cathedral (Catedral de Irapuato), Plazuela Miguel Hidalgo. A Spanish Baroque church built in the 16th century. 
  • John Paul II Monument (Monumento al papa Juan Pablo II), Plazuela Miguel Hidalgo (directly next to the cathedral). A bronze statue from 2006, forged from keys donated by the citizens of Irapuato. 
  • 2 Fountain of Dancing Water (Fuente de Aguas Danzarinas), Plazuela Miguel Hidalgo. 
  • 3 Dolphin Fountain (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. 
• 4 Sun Clock (Reloj del Sol), Plazuela Juan Alvarez. A century-old clock mounted on a column. 
• 5 Museo de la Ciudad Salvador Almaraz (City Museum), Calle Allende #276 Esquina con, Calle 5 de Febrero, Barrio de la Piedra Lisa, ☏ +52 462 626 0053. Tu-Su 10:00 - 18:00, closed M. 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.. Free. (updated May 2024)
• 6 Museo Pacha Moma, Tresguerras 560, Barrio de San Miguel. W-F 11:00 - 20:00; Tu, Sa 10:00 - 20:00; closed Su, M. Fascinating contemporary art museum that focuses on contemporary works that reflect cultural experiences and perspectives of a modern indigenous heritage.. (updated May 2024)

Do

• Irekua Park: in the old Revolución Nurseries, it has an underground parking lot, large green areas, an artificial lake, a stone zoo, several sports fields, a small pond, jogging tracks and an outdoor theater.
• 1 Ecological Park (Parque Ecológico Irapuato), Héroe de Nacozari 2278, Residencial Bosques (on the slopes of Cerro de Arandas). M-Sa 08:00 - 18:00, closed Su. 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".. 
• "Acelerate" theme park: in front of the CRIT (Telethon), next to the Inforum, it has the following attractions: Go-kart racing track ( KAN ), "Eco" lake, "Villa Vola" (magical children's city ), "Mundo CR", "Baby Karts", "Cyber ​​Acelerate" and restaurant.
• Theme park "Eco Aventura Campestre": when leaving Abasolo by Laguna Larga. It has various attractions such as lakes for sport fishing, zip line, sports courts, vip cabins, palapas, camping area, swimming pools, small ponds, horse riding, running tracks and ATVs, interactive games, mud baths, temazcales, restaurant-bar.
• 2 Parque Zoologico de Irapuato (Zooira), Boulevard Vasco de Quiroga S/N, 6.28 km), Morelos, ☏ +52 462 627 4437. Tu-Su 09:00 - 18:00, closed M. 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. 

Events

• January 5 - Cavalcade of the Magi. One of the best parades at the National Level, it is a great parade of floats with biblical and Christmas pictures, music, fireworks and gifts given by the three Wise Men. There is a large attendance of up to 400,000 local and foreign people.
• February 15 - Traditional commemoration of the Spanish foundation of Irapuato. Civic act, artistic and cultural shows.
• March - Strawberry Fair . Regional fair with artisan and commercial exhibition; artistic, cultural and sporting events, inside and outside its new facilities, at the INFORUM where with the entrance fee (35 USD), you have access to all the games installed inside. this event has an attendance of up to 400,000 people from different cities of the country. In addition, the fair has a palenque, where after midnight the presentations of great artists such as Pepe Aguilar, Gloria Trevi, Los Ángeles Azules, Marisela, Amanda Miguel and Diego Verdager , Ha * Ash , María José , Marco Antonio Solís are made. , among many others.
• March - April Easter. Respective religious acts: Santo Domingo or de Ramos, ceremonies of blessing of the bouquets or palms in different temples; in the Plaza Hidalgo, a large exhibition and sale of palms, with a high degree of artisanal quality, made by indigenous groups who came expressly from the States of Michoacán and Guerrero. In various temples: ceremony of apprehension of Jesus on Wednesday night. Good Friday: Ceremonies of the passion of Jesus expressed through representations of the three falls, in some temples, in others, the complete representation of the passion, crucifixion and death of Jesus, at night, realization of the Procession of Silence along the main streets of the historic city center. On Holy Saturday, it is lowered from its niche to the Image of Our Lady of Solitude, in its Sanctuary,
• April 30 - Festivity of Our Queen and Mother, the Virgin of Solitude. Patron of the city and the Diocese of Irapuato. Religious acts inside and outside your sanctuary. The day before, he got out of his niche and covered the congregation with his cloak.
• May 3 - Festivity of the Holy Cross. Pleasant commemoration by all the "sumbos" citizens in honor of this icon, representative and patron of the masons. Blessing of the decorated crosses and masses in thanksgiving, rockets, food and music, characterize it.
• June 27 - Feast of the Virgin of Perpetual Help. Feast of the patron virgin of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer , is celebrated in the temple of Santa Anita. It takes place a month before the Feast of Señora Santa Ana, it includes mariachi music, northern ensembles, kermesse and fireworks.
• July 4 - Feast of the Virgin of the Refuge. Fiesta de la Virgen del Refugio, celebrated in the parish that bears the same name, includes mariachi music, northern ensembles and bands, kermesse and fireworks.
• July 25 - Great festivity in honor of the Apostle Santiago el Mayor . In his neighborhood, known as Santiaguito, religious acts, kermesse, castle and colored lights.
• July 26 - Feast of Mrs. Santa Ana. Patroness of the neighborhood that bears her name, Santa Anita. Mass, music, kermesse and fireworks.
• August 7 - Festivity in honor of San Cayetano Confesor . In your neighborhood and parish. Mass, music, kermesse and fireworks.
• October 4 - Feast of San Francisco de Asís. Religious and profane acts inside and outside the Franciscan temples of San Francisco and Tercera Orden. The ceremony is solemnized by the San Francisco de Asís de Irapuato Polyphonic Choir .
• October 12 - Columbus Day . Popular festivals, highlighting the Pilgrimage carried out by the municipal DIF in the facilities of the old Strawberry Fair.
• October 27 and 28 - Strawberry Festival . Thematic and peculiar Festival of Irapuato, held in the Municipal Palace, where contests are held for the best dishes prepared based on Strawberries (cakes, ice cream, pizzas, popsicles, jellies, cocktails, sandwiches, salads, strawberry water, yogurt, etc. .), in addition, all attendees can taste the hundreds of innovative dishes that are competing.
• November 17 to 21 - the Irapuato Jazz Festival takes place in Plazuela Miguel Hidalgo, in the Dancing Fountains area in the Historic Center of the city.
• November 26 - Festivity of Santa Cecilia . Patron of musicians, various festivities are held throughout the city, highlighting the evening parade, in which some of the guild's musical groups participate, through the main streets of the city and through some of its neighborhoods.
• December - Los Barrios . Unique and characteristic festivity of Irapuato. Los Barrios , as these traditional festivities are known, arose in the century before last and were developed with the intention of honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe, in the 6 old neighborhoods of Irapuato: Barrio de La Salud, San Cayetano, San Miguel , Santiaguito, San Vicente and Barrio de San José. They are held in all subdivisions and neighborhoods of the city, throughout the month of December.
• December 2 to 11 - Novenario in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe . Every morning, in some temples, rosaries of dawn. In the middle of the afternoon, processions from schools, companies, factories, etc., to its two urban temples: the Sanctuary of the Center and the Sanctuary of Guadalupe del Puente, the latter being the most traditional one that receives the pilgrimages of the irapuatenses. The day before, a huge pilgrimage, with thousands of devotees, organized by the construction union.
• December 12 - Festivity of Our Lady of Guadalupe . All night, in its two temples (the Temple of Guadalupe del Puente and the Temple of Guadalupe in the Center) they receive mañanitas, pilgrimages, music, dances, aurora mass. During the day: masses, pilgrimages and popular hubbub. In the afternoon: kermesse and fireworks burning mainly in the Calzada de Guadalupe or Calzada Insurgentes where the Temple of Guadalupe del Puente is located, the pilgrimages generally start from the stadium, they go through all of Guerrero part of Revolución and Hidalgo until they reach the Calzada de Guadeloupe. On the night of December 11, the rooster mass is held at the Sanctuary of Guadalupe del Puente at 23:00, celebrated by the Bishop of Irapuato and solemnized by the San Francisco de Asís Polyphonic Choir.

Buy

• 1 Plaza Cibeles Mall, Boulevard A Villas de Irapuato #1443. Daily 11:00 - 21:00. 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. 
• 2 Mercado Irapuato, Av. Guanajuato 579, Barrio de la Calzada de Guadalupe. Daily 07:00 - 18:00. 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. 
• 3 Mercado Benito Juarez, Topacio y Morelos. Daily 08:00 - 18:00. 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. 

Eat

Budget

• 1 Tostadas y Mariscos Rafa, María Griver, esq Ortiz Tirado Col, El Cantador, ☏ +52 462 115 8519. Th-Tu 12:30 - 18:30, closed W. 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).. (updated May 2024)
• 2 Tacos Don Robe, Calle 5 de Febrero 1208, Alvaro Obregon, ☏ +52 462 354 3915. Daily 07:00 - 01:00. Popular taco stand with a large range of taco styles including pastor, tripa, cabeza, and lengua. No parking available.. (updated May 2024)

Mid-range

• 3 Cocodrilos Grill, Calle Guerrero 2845 (Colonia Las Plazas), ☏ +52 462 624 7660, fax: +52 462 624 7660, camienrosadecv@hotmail.com. M-Sa 08:00-03:00, Su 09:00-19:00. Mexican, nice patio, good fajitas. 
• 4 Motril Cafe, Jacarandas 2049, San Miguelito, ☏ +52 462 220 1941. Tu-F 07:00 - 13:00, Sa-Su 08:00 - 14:00. Popular breakfast restaurant with buffet on weekdays.. (updated May 2024)
• 5 Green Guru (Guru 4U), Las Villas 228 B Col, 1ro de Mayo, ☏ +52 462 624 0714. Daily 09:00 - 18:00. 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.. (updated May 2024)
• 6 El Buffet de la Arrachera, Av. C.F.E 2581, Laboratorio CFE, ☏ +52 462 660 0263. Daily 13:00 - 19:00. 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.. M$300. (updated May 2024)

Splurge

• 7 Hacienda de Torres, Prolongacion Guerrero 2793 (Colonia Las Plazas), ☏ +52 462 624 6048. M-Sa 08:00-23:00, Su 08:00-18:00. Mexican steakhouse – try the Mexican specialties plate. 

Sleep

Budget

• 1 Hotel San Francisco, Portal Carrillo Puerto 1, Col. Centro, ☏ +52 462 626 2380. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Budget hotel with barebones rooms containing worn furniture and minimal perks. Parking lot available, but its 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.. M$380. (updated May 2024)

Mid-range

• 2 Galeria Plaza Irapuato, Ave. Siglo XXI.555 El Copalillo, ☏ +52 462 607 5300. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Modern upscale luxury hotel that's surprisingly affordable. Spacious rooms with large bathrroms and comfortable furnishings. Rooftop pool. Gym. On-site restaurant.. M$1200. (updated May 2024)
• 3 Suites de Reyes, Irapuato-Abasolo 3243, Las Plazas, ☏ +52 462 606 4211. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. 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.. M$700. (updated May 2024)
• 4 Hotel Flamingo Irapuato, Blvrd Díaz Ordaz 3472, Las Reynas, ☏ +52 462 625 3646. Check-in: 13:00, check-out: 13:00. 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.. M$600. (updated May 2024)
• 5 Kasa Hotel y Suites, Juventino Rosas 444, Barrio San Miguel, ☏ +52 462 626 1198. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. 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.. M$1400. (updated May 2024)

Go next

Peralta Archaeological Site

• 7 Peralta Archaeological Site (Zona Arqueológica Peralta), Carretera 90 Pénjamo-Abasolo, San José de Peralta. Tu-Su 10:00-18:00. A pre-Columbian site in use from 300-900 CE. Remains include 22 pyramids, as well as terraced agricultural fields. A small museum is also on site. M$30 (pesos) (adults), M$10 (children 5-12).  

• Queretaro
• Salvatierra