Trip Details
The nitty gritty
Dates: Wednesday, June 24- Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Guanajuato, México
Price: $1,970 USD
$375 deposit due May 4, 2026
What’s included (& what is not)
What’s Included:
Accommodations: Close to town, private, quiet, comfortable, safe, and beautifully decorated in traditional Mexican esthetic!
Fiesta of Bienvenidos (Welcome!)
Hour-long group class led by Maura each morning
Mid-morning coffee and pastries/ snack
Daily Guest speakers
Cooking class and visit to the Mercado
Entrance fees and transportation to sites we visit as group
Reading book, Like Water for Chocolate
What is not included:
Transportation: plane ticket and transportation to and from airport
Meals (with the exception of food from cooking classes and events!)
Alcoholic Drinks
Tips
Entrance fees/ transportation to any sites of interest you visit on your own
Optional evening events
Optional day trip to San Miguel de Allende (Sunday June 28)
Travel and Health insurance
What are optional ‘extras’: (please inquire if interested)
day trip to San Miguel de Allende
Spanish lessons
yoga classes
massage therapy
mezcal and chocolate tasting
Who is this trip for?
This will be a small, intimate group of 12-15 participants.
Our ideal participant is someone who is comfortable traveling abroad and can move around relatively easily (Guanajuato has cobblestone streets). We want to share this experience with folks who are excited to learn about Mexican culture through history, art, and food and are open to different experiences to achieve that goal - including an adventurous palate!. This is not a touristy-trip, but rather one that offers guidance and structure: we will have many group activities, but also provide free time for independent exploration!
*Knowing Spanish is not required! There will be translators on hand. However, we do encourage you to use this opportunity to practice your Spanish, no matter how ‘rusty’ it may be! The effort to speak to locals in their native tongue goes a long way!
What to expect
Here is a general breakdown of our time together:
Wednesday, June 24: Arrive in Guanajuato and settle in.
Evening Welcome Party!
Thursday June 25-Tuesday, June 30
Sample schedule:
9:00-10:00am: optional Spanish lesson.
10:00-11:30am: group class to discuss themes such as history, traditional gender roles, immigration, art, and food, as it relates to the book Like Water for Chocolate. Guest speakers and informal conversation!
11:30-2:30pm: visit sites in Guanajuato related to History, Art, and Culture (History Museum, Art Museums etc.)
2:30-6:00: free time to enjoy more Guanajuato sites, eat the main meal of the day (“Comida”), and sneak in a Siesta!
at least one cooking class will be during this time!
6:00: scheduled but optional evening activity, such as a listening to a live music performance, a mezcal tasting, or movie screening
Sunday, June 28:
optional day trip to San Miguel de Allende
free day to choose your own adventure!
Tuesday, June 30: a last evening toast! (“una despedida”)
FAQs
Where is Guanajuato?
Guanajuato City is located in central México, about 5 hours north of Mexico City. It is settled in the mountains of the Sierra Madre Mountains.
What is the weather like in Guanajuato in June/July?
Guanajuato’s weather is lovely in the summer months! During the day it is most likely sunny in the low 80s, with an occasional afternoon shower which cools things off to the low 60s in the evening.
What is the nearest airport to Guanajuato?
The closest airport is Bajío International Airport (BJX), about a half hour away from Guanajuato City. Most folks transfer through Dallas, Houston, or Mexico City to BJX
What is the exchange rate in México, and how do you pay for things?
The currency in Mexico is the Mexican peso. The exchange rates vary, but so far in 2026 the average has been $1 MXN to $.054 US, or $1 US is equivalent to about $17 Mexican pesos.
How much of my time will be programmed, and how much free time will I have to explore on my own?
We strive to give you the best of both worlds! Our days offer activities that involve the whole group, with free time for exploration. We also offer optional excursions/ events.
How big will the group be?
Our ideal group size is 12 people.
Do I need to know Spanish?
You do not need to know Spanish! There will be translators (and at least one Spanish Teacher!) available to help you along the way. However, knowing a little Spanish always goes a long way. We encourage our participants to practice their Spanish, as this immersion provides a wonderful opportunity to do so!
Optional Spanish lessons are also available upon request.
Will I have ‘homework’?
We like to think of the Ranacultura experience as an ‘adult study abroad’ program, and hope that you go home having learned as much as possible! We will ‘assign’ one book to read beforehand, and will additionally offer multiple resources of videos, articles, etc for your optional perusal.
Is Guanajuato safe?
We will be traveling to Guanajuato City, which is historically safe and has low crime rates. Guanajuato state is not immune to crime, but we will not be traveling in that vicinity.