Guanajuato Walking Tour: A Leon Shopping Adventure Review
So, are you thinking about visiting Leon, Guanajuato, for a bit of a wander and some retail therapy? Good plan! I went not so long ago, and it was, arguably, a pretty unforgettable experience. Hopefully, my notes from the streets will come in handy to you! What follows is my impressions and tips from hitting the Guanajuato city streets on foot, checking out everything from historical spots to, very importantly, all the spots where one might grab some shoes!
Setting Off On Foot: León’s Historic Heart
Of course, before the shops, it’s hard not to point your feet straight to León’s historic area; there’s the Plaza Mayor, which is almost like the city’s central hub. Then again, very predictably, most old cities grow from just such a place. Anyway, from here, you’ve got the Cathedral Basilica, not to mention the Municipal Palace – both of which are worth checking out to load up on some photos and maybe even a bit of history.
The pedestrian-friendly walkways actually make it all the easier to move around at your own pace, so too you can soak it all in a little more easily. Still, if you’re thinking of seeing everything, allot at least a few hours for the historic spots. And look for street food vendors when you need to pause for a recharge; some have true hidden treasures!
Shoe Shopping Central: A Retail Pilgrimage
Alright, shoe fans, this is almost your paradise! Leon, Guanajuato, that is, is famous for its leather goods, very much shoes, so a trip here without grabbing a pair (or two, or three!) would almost be a shame. The main spots? Well, I would begin around the Zona Piel. Think rows and rows of shops practically bursting with footwear – boots, sandals, dress shoes, sneakers… the lot. Be ready to do a little haggling; shop owners seem to kind of expect it, you see.
Beyond just the Zona Piel, lots of smaller shops pepper the city center; that is, if you are a little keen and look around. Often, you find really neat, very cool, handcrafted items that those massive warehouse-style stores simply can’t boast. Tip: go earlier in the day. It tends to be less crowded, so too the selections are still generally pretty stocked up.
Beyond Leather: Discovering Local Crafts and Souvenirs
Still, León isn’t really just about shoes. If you look around a little bit, local crafts are to be found all over! The Mercado Aldama, it seems, offers everything from textiles to pottery. It might be cool to visit, that, if you want some locally flavored souvenirs, and stuff. Be prepared to bargain though – very good negotiating can easily bring down the prices.
Along Madero Street, which is very known for shopping in general, so too a selection of quirky stores can easily surprise. Look especially for the silver workshops, they, more or less, hide behind normal-looking doors.
Tasting León: Culinary Delights Along the Way
Okay, if all this walking and shopping ends up making you hungry, good thing Leon, Guanajuato, has you covered! Street food spots are all over the center of the town. Look for gorditas (little corn pockets stuffed with yummy stuff), or try some pacholas (like very thin meat patties) that you probably won’t see back home. Thirsty? So, try some agua fresca. It is kind of a fruity water that can really hit the spot on a hot day.
Restaurants offering a real sample of local cooking mostly crowd the side streets from the Plaza Mayor; often you may want to poke around, that is, if the prices on the Plaza itself are intimidating. It also could be worth taking a little taxi or even an Uber to venture just a little away from the historic center for restaurants where people go. It seems pretty well impossible to visit Mexico without becoming some sort of food tourist!
Some Advice For Guanajuato Exploration
- Wear some good walking shoes: So too much time on your feet almost calls for comfortable footwear, definitely.
- Bring water and sunscreen: Leon’s weather could be pretty hot, especially in the summer, naturally.
- Keep an eye on your stuff: Very, very crowded touristy zones make ideal locations for petty crime, that is.
- Bargain…but respectfully: Haggle when it is a must but very much respect the seller; nobody does appreciate aggressive attitudes, right?
- Learn basic Spanish phrases: Being able to say more than “hola” and “gracias” could really come in handy to you; that is, when wandering away from common tourist traps.
Leon, Guanajuato is a destination that combines both historic charm with all kinds of pretty neat retail opportunities. If you spend time properly preparing for a comfortable walking visit (that involves, more or less, a lot of steps and, arguably, a lot of decisions regarding shoe purchases!), it turns into one of the truly unique experiences Mexico does offer. Happy strolling through Guanajuato!