San Gabriel de Barrera Ex-Hacienda Museum (Museo Exhacienda San Gabriel de Barr)

The Basics

Exhacienda San Gabriel de Barrera, originally built with silver mining money, opened as an attraction and museum in 1979. Nowadays, whether you’re in Guanajuato as part of a multi-day colonial city tour or visiting independently, you can explore the manicured grounds of the Museo Exhacienda San Gabriel de Barrera, as well as appreciate the opulence of this one-time family home.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Architecture and history fans appreciate the 17th century colonial edifice, as well as the restored period furniture.

• Take time to appreciate each of Exhacienda’s 17 gardens, as they’re all styled differently.

• Children under 6 enter for free.

• The museum gift shop sells home goods that make excellent souvenirs.

• Rugged ground and several staircases might make this attraction inaccessible for some travelers.

How to Get There

To reach Museo Exhacienda San Gabriel de Barrera from Guanajuato by public transportation, take any bus labeled Marfil—they run west beneath Avenida Juárez in the city center—and get off at Hotel Misión Guanajuato. Museo Exhacienda is just around the corner. Alternatively, take a taxi.

When to Get There

Given that much of the appeal at Guanajuato’s Museo Exhacienda San Gabriel de Barrera lies in its gardens, avoid visiting at the sunniest point of the day. Instead, stop by for a cool, leisurely morning or a relaxed afternoon visit. This expansive attraction—open daily from morning to evening—is rarely overrun with visitors.

Other Colonial Attractions in Guanajuato

Some countrywide tours stop in Guanajuato to explore its colonial legacy, but you can also visit the city’s many colonial attractions independently. Start at the Diego Rivera House-Museum, the colonial building once home to the Mexican muralist, before moving towards the city center where colonial architecture, such as that of the Basilica of Our Lady of Guanajuato, can be found at almost every turn.