Known for its exquisite handmade caramel called Cajeta, Celaya is considered the Golden Gate of the Bajio due to its commercial importance since its founding in 1570.

Its name is Basque in origin and means Flat Land. Another feature is its geographical location in the highlands of the Bajio whose lands are bathed from the north to the southwest by the Lerma River.

State: Guanajuato

Coordinates:
20°31'44"N 101°48'55"W

Altitude: 1,752 meters above sea level

Area:

Time Zone: Central Standard Time UTC-6

Population: 468,387 inhabitants (INEGI, 2010)

Area Code: 461

During colonial times the city was an important place for the harvesting and distribution of products for the mines of Guanajuato and Zacatecas. It was also one of the first cities taken by Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla in the Independence Movement. During the times of President Jose de la Cruz Porfirio Diaz Mori, the city was a participant in the progress of times: electricity, the telegraph, and the railroad with Celaya and Leon being the last stops of the Central and National Railway.

The growth of the city of Celaya prompted the emergence of companies, factories and the enhancement of agricultural production.

From its origins Celaya has been a center of trade and is currently considered an industrial and agricultural city.

Among the most important products is the Cajeta de Celaya. It is produced from goat milk boiled with brown sugar and can be combined with dried fruit and other flavors. Other attractions of Celaya are its leather and pelt crafts as well as its masks and paintings on cardboard, tin, white wood and paper mache.

Among the culinary treats at this destination you can taste the enchiladas, pozole, and black gorditas. For dessert you can enjoy their sweets made from milk created which are: milk cajeta, alfeñiques (figures from sugar), fruit in syrup, wafers, custard, and cocadas (coconut candies) among others.

How to get there?

The city of Celaya borders the municipalities of Comonfort to the north, Apaseo el Grande and Apaseo el Alto to the east, Tarimoro to the south, Cortázar and Villagrán to the west, Santa Cruz de Juventino Rosas to the northwest.

Celaya can be reached by air through its Captain Rogelio Castillo National Airport which receives flights from within Mexico.

Celaya has two routes which are the Federal Highway No. 45 and No. 57; the latter being the main connection between the State and the country's top destinations.

The city also boasts the presence of FERROMEX and TFM who move cargo across the country.

Distances between Celaya and other cities in Mexico

• San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato: 52 km.
• Querétaro, Querétaro: 58 km.
• Irapuato, Guanajuato: 61 km.
• Guanajuato, Guanajuato: 109 km.
• León, Guanajuato: 132 km.
• Mexico City, Federal District: 256 km.
• Guadalajara, Jalisco: 376 km.
• Puebla, Puebla: 389 km.
• Manzanillo, Colima: 435 km.
• Monterrey, Nuevo León: 833 km.
• Veracruz, Veracruz: 839 km.

Climate

Celaya's climate ranges from semi-dry to semi-warm with a maximum temperature of 25.5 ° C and a minimum of 16°C.

What to pack?

During the winter months it is necessary to wear a jacket, boots or closed shoes, scarf, and pants.

The rainy season is from June to September so it is recommended to bring an umbrella, light sweaters, pants, and light shirts.

In the spring you can dress with flip fops, sandals, shorts, and short-sleeved shirts.

If you plan to do tours of the city on foot, it is recommended to wear sneakers or comfortable shoes and sunblock.

Tourist Attractions in Celaya

Temple of San Agustin, House of Culture in Celaya, Casa del Diezmo, Murals of Octavio Campo (City Hall), Column of Independence, Temple of the Virgen del Carmen, Alameda Kiosk, John Paul II Monument, Tresguerra Auditorium,  Old Fair Grounds, Ex - Convent of San Agustín, Jean Henry Dunant Memorial, San Francisco Convent, Álvaro Obregón Monument, Hidalgo monument.

Tour of the Haciendas, Xochipilli Park, Museum of the Mummies of Celaya.

Works by Francisco Eduardo Tresuerras: Dome and tower of the Temple of San Francisco, Tresguerras Mausoleum, Cathedral of Celaya, Tresguerras Bridge.

Celaya Museum, Celaya Bicentennial Boardwalk Park.

Festivals and Fairs in Celaya

July 16: Feast of the Virgin of Carmen

June 12: Feast of San Antonio

October 12: Celebration of the founding of the city

September: (15 and 16) Celebration of the Independence of Mexico

December: (8) Feast of the Immaculate Conception, (12) Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe (from 17 to January 4), Christmas Fair.