Front view of the house and patio, doors open completely for open air living.
Location: Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Central Mexico, Mexico (BJX/Leon airport, then 25 min. drive. Very near El Centro.)
Accommodations: House, 3 Bedrooms + Den, 3 Baths (Sleeps 6-7)
La Casa Barranquena is unique because it has an amazing view of the Picachos mountains, yet is just a short 10 minute walk from downtown. One gets the best of both worlds, a quiet house with a view of nature, and easy access to all the excitement and energy of the city. This is especially advantageous during the Festival International Cervantino (3 weeks in October), when it can be difficult to escape the crowds and endless energy in El Centro.
This home is a work of art. Every detail has been created by Mexican and American artisans with materials that come from the Earth. Wood, adobe, caliche stone, iron work and lots of garden space for relaxation and reflection. The materials used to build this home were intentionally chosen in order to make the space warm in the winter, cool in the summer, and provide noise insulation. South facing windows are full of sun in the winter, but the sun is above the house in the summer, allowing shade and cool breezes. Whimsical art and unique indigenous plants alongside comfortable leather and wood furniture invite people to relax into this year round temperate home.
Guanajuato is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which means efforts are made to maintain the historical authenticity and significance of this area. The history of Guanajuato and Colonial Mexico is incredible. Walking tours to museums, mines, villages outside the city, churches and plazas will reveal a colorful and rich history worth exploring.
If you are bringing kids to Guanajuato, you have many options for schools. Our kids went to Yeccan Waldorf, a local Waldorf School that provided wonderful schooling for our girls, as well as a warm friendly and very fun community of people to call friends. We maintain close contact with our friends from Yeccan Waldorf, and highly recommend this school. Other options include the very wonderful Colegio Valenciana, and the rigorous Colegio La Salle. Considering carefully your child's Spanish abilities and academic pursuits, you can find the right school match among the many here.
The kitchen is fully outfitted with every chef's need including a spacious pantry, dishwasher, extra cutting board space, and an island for guests to relax while the cook creates. The bar area is includes a curvy niche with an original mural of a historical Mexican scene, a water fountain, wine cellar, and cozy sitting area. The indoor/outdoor space is fabulous, the house was built with entertaining in mind. A dance floor in the garden can also be a performance space, camping area, or yoga space. The bedrooms are spacious and colorful, and every bedroom has a view.
The East end of the house has a casita built into it (under the garage area) and the American couple who manage the property live there. They have their own private entrance, kitchen, garden area, and washing machine. These 2 homes are completely independent. Any problems or concerns are to be addressed to the property managers who will see to the needs of the guests and house.
This is a very special house that will delight you. Thank you for your interest.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Washer: The washing machine is in a large laundry room conveniently located just off the kitchen.
- Linens Provided: High thread count linens for comfort and a luxurious sleeping experience.
- Garage: For secure parking there is a locked parking space.
- Off Street Parking: Plenty of off street parking is available.
- Gas Fireplace: In master bedroom.
- Wood Fireplace: In living room, a Rumford fireplace kicks out heat and is easy to start and maintain.
- Beds
- King Bed: In master bedroom and one other bedroom (the blue bedroom, and it can be separated into two twins also).
- Double Bed: In the green bedroom.
- Twin/Single Bed: A rollaway bed is available if needed.
- Child Bed: The couch in the media room can sleep an overflow person (with own bath).
- Entertainment
- TV (No Cable/Satellite): large screen tv.
- DVD
- Video Library: tons of kid's movies available.
- CD Player
- Ping Pong/Table Tennis
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen: This is a dream kitchen, coriat stove, fridge, blender, quality pots, pans, knives, huge pantry. Really great kitchen for cooking up a storm. Even a dishwasher!
- Cooking Utensils Provided: Only quality kitchen gear here.
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher: One of the only houses in Guanajuato with a dishwasher!
- Microwave
- Catering Available: Our maid (Concha) will cook for you, help with parties, clean, do laundry, babysit, dogsit, help you make your stay comfortable.
- Outdoor Features
- Gas/Electric BBQ Grill: We use this gas grill all the time, it works great.
- Deck/Patio: A dance floor, seating areas, and lots of patio space for indoor/outdoor living.
- Balcony: All the upstairs bedrooms have balcony access.
- Lanai: Under a brick domed ceiling (boveda) we have an outdoor living room/dining room.
- View/Location
- Mountain View: Gorgeous view of the Bufa, or Picachos mountains. Great location for taking off on a hike or bike ride from home. It's an easy walk to downtown also.
- Communications
- Telephone: Phones upstairs and down.
- Cell Phone: For your convenience, a phone card cell phone is available.
- WiFi (Wireless Internet): Bring your laptop! It's fast!
- Other Amenities
- i-pod docking stations, locked storage facilities for the bike or gear, maid service as needed.
- Suitability
- Pet Friendly: Dogs only (no cats), well behaved, non-chewing, non-digging dogs only. Dog deposit required.
- Kid Friendly: This house is super kid friendly, and the Waldorf School up the street is wonderful (takes kids on case by case basis only, early planning and communication helps)
- Smoking Not Allowed: This is non negotiable, smoke only outside and no butts in garden.
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Golf
- Tennis
- Theme Park (Amusement Park)
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Swimming
- Mountain Biking
- Hiking
- Rock Climbing
- Fitness Center/Gym
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Basketball Court
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Museums
- Horseback Riding
- Other Activities
- salsa dancing, Spanish language schools, art classes, symphony orchestra concerts every week. Cervantino Festival is in October!
Rate Details (In US dllrs/Peso equiv.)
$200/night, $800/week, $2000/month, plus services and utilities.
For Cervantino dates, rates go up by 20%
For long term renters (academic year) rates negotiable.
Damage deposits and pet deposits collected.
Paypal accepted
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Owner's Profile
Owner Description
Year Purchased: 2008
Ed and Stacey Tompkins, and their two daughters Lucy and Mia, moved to Guanajuato in 2003. They lived there for 3 years and in that time built themselves a home. Returning regularly to Guanajuato is important to them, but they love to share their home also. A lived in home is a happy home. The process of building a house in Mexico creates endless opportunity to learn about another culture, deepen relationships, and get in touch with one's own culture. The process of building this house was incredible, and as you can see from the photo, our marriage is still intact!
When we aren't in Mexico, we live in Bozeman, Montana. Ed is a financial advisor and ice hockey maniac, and Stacey is a therapist, mom, exchange student coordinator and Mexicophile.
Our girls continue to speak Spanish (as do we, only not as well) and we try to get to Mexico a couple times a year.
Why the Owner Chose Guanajuato
We chose to build a very special home in Guanajuato, Gto because we love this area of Mexico. Our family lived in this town for 3 years, our children enjoyed the Waldorf School (Yeccan Waldorf) and became fluent in Spanish here. The temperate climate could not be better, warm but not hot, cool but not cold, often sunny and crisp and brilliant. At 6,700 feet, the dry climate and sunny days are just delightful. This is a very Mexican town, similar to San Miguel in beauty and climate, but with fewer Americans about. The very best thing about Guanajuato is that it's full of warm, kind, generous and open-hearted people. Guanajuato will always be special to us, and we hope you will experience it the same way.
The Unique Benefits of this House
While staying at this property you can hike up to the hills, walk down into town, cook up a storm, watch movies from our video library, listen to your i-pod music on the docking station, walk your kids up to the Waldorf School and have the day to visit a hot springs, shop in Santa Rosa, take a mountain bike tour, or go to Spanish language school. You can also get involved in the horse community, and perhaps ride in the Cabalgata de Cristo Rey (pilgrimage by horseback) Jan 5th and 6th. Get involved in learning a new skill by taking drawing classes, or salsa dance classes. This home is a delightful and relaxing place to return to after a day in town, in the hills, or visiting museums and churches.
Property Photos
- Front view of the house and patio, doors open completely for open air living. - Vacation House in the Historical Area of Guanajuato, Mexico with Mountain Views
- The great room consists of kitchen, dining room, living room and bar area. - Vacation House in the Historical Area of Guanajuato, Mexico with Mountain Views
- The fully equipped kitchen has a Coriat stove, microwave, dishwasher, fridge. - Vacation House in the Historical Area of Guanajuato, Mexico with Mountain Views
- A private deck off the master bathroom invites a relaxing sunbath.
- The covered outdoor living room/dining room area with stellar views.
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #234845
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Date last modified - October 11, 2009
Positive Rating
The Casa Barranquena is just about my favorite place on earth. This is much more than simply a place for a weary traveler to hang her hat; it is a perfect complement to a visit to Guanajuato, Mexico. After a long day of sight seeing, or hiking Los Picachos, returning to this home is a pleasure. The garden brims with familiar, as well as Dr. Seuss-like plants. There are blooming succulents, bougainvillea, organ pipe cactus, and more. These plants and flowers attract butterflies and little lizards; I can easily lose an hour or two just wandering and gazing at the plants, with the Bufa as a backdrop. I have stayed in the main house once, and the casita four times, and my son and I are going again, to stay in the casita, next month. The main house is spectacular. Every detail was completed with love and an eye for the natural beauty of Guanajuato, and the talents of local artists. The house is beyond comfortable, and my 13 year old son enjoys exploring the garden and the area around the house. The casita is equally well done, and provides a cozy, cool retreat on a hot day. It is also snuggly warm when the rains come. Although the casita is smaller then the main house, it feels spacious as the doors can be left open year round, and the patio and garden offer plenty of outdoor living space. I have been there in the winter as well as the summer; all seasons have something wonderful to offer in this beautiful home, and in Guanajuato. This is a delightful home in a town that is endlessly fun to explore. This is why I return year after year with my son. In the evenings we often stroll down to the jardin (takes about fifteen minutes) to grab a bite to eat, watch the clowns perform, and listen to mariachi music. During the day we hike, wander the callejones (pedestrian streets), shop, and just soak up the unique atmosphere in central Mexico. I highly recommend this town, and I would stay nowhere except La Casa Barranquena.
Positive Rating
Lara Whitley , Aspen, CO