Mexico? Guanajuato?

[abruzzi]

I'm thinking of taking a short vacation to have some fun taking pictures without any other people/expectations to rush me along. This will probably happen in February or March, and to keep costs low, this will not be a "rent a car and drive all over" trip like I usually do. Instead it will be a city only, pedestrian only trip (unless relatively inexpensive trips can be taken from the town.)

In my initial examination, the city of Guanajuato is currently standout. Mexico City is too huge, resort/costal cities don't appeal to me as much. Some other recommendations I've heard have been San Miguel de Allende (very near Guanajuato) and Oaxaca City which I'm still looking at. Obviously if I'm not renting a car, whatever town I chose will need to be close enough to a major Airport that I can fly and take a taxi, and the city should be pedestrian friendly.

I'd love to hear if any of you have visited places in Mexico specifically for photo purposes, and what recommendations you might have. Also if you've ever been to Guanajuato, thoughts and opinions would be welcome.

(and yes, I know about the violence in Mexico, not really something I want to discuss here.)

 

[Hatchetman]

I was there 20 years ago and had a great time. No problems. Intercity coach buses were pretty cheap and efficient. Look into Patzcuaro as well.

 

[abruzzi]

thanks for the suggestion! Did you do any photography in Guanajuato?

 

[destroya]

Puerto vallarta still has the old city charm to it. stay away from the hotel zone. visit old town and lots of street photo ops. visit some out of the way tequila distilleries, which give some cool photos ops, and if you have an underwater camera, visit hidden beach for some great reef, fish shots. its my favorite mexico city by a long shot

 

[Hatchetman]

thanks for the suggestion! Did you do any photography in Guanajuato?

I did some but was not seriously into photography at the time. It should be a tremendous place for photography. I would stick with some simple gear as to not raise a lot of curiosity & questions.

 

[abruzzi]

thanks all. I just bought the tickets and booked my lodging in Guanajuato and San Miguel de Allende. Now I need to start planning my days (and learning a bit of "tourist" spanish.)

 

[Arklatexian]

thanks all. I just bought the tickets and booked my lodging in Guanajuato and San Miguel de Allende. Now I need to start planning my days (and learning a bit of "tourist" spanish.)

If I lived in New Mexico, I would learn some Spanish. Many Americans, including some U.S. post offices think that New Mexico is a foreign country, just like they think Louisiana is part of Los Angeles, CA because its abbreviation is "LA". The first Spanish I would learn, is Spanish for: "Do You Speak English?". The answer might be "Si"..........Regards!

 

[abruzzi]

I know a little Spanish, but it’s the kind you learn in a border town, not the kind that is useful when actually traveling.