Charco del Ingenio — Attraction in Guanajuato

Had an opportunity to come by and see these gorgeous botanical gardens today and it was absolutely wonderful.

I had to walk here from the hostel I was staying in. It seemed like not that far of a walk and it was not but the way up was absolutely brutal. It is mostly incline and to get there, you pretty much have to walk through an entire neighborhood, all the way to the very top where the road turns into dirt.

After this, you reach the entrance of the gardens, which is a small gift shop. The women at the front desk were awfully sweet and also gave me a map of the entire place so I would not get lost. They explained that there is a lot to see and much ground to cover, and that not very many people come here on a day to day basis.

I was lucky enough to seemingly have the entire place to myself. I mean, there was not anyone to be seen the whole time I was there besides a few workers. I was able to see some really cool plants that are native to Mexico and even some species that these conservationists have rescued.

In addition to this, they also had a small greenhouse on one end of the property which was lovely, hosting a wide variety of plants from different places in the world. If you walk further down over by the water, they have a lot of different birds inhabiting the area. It can be fun trying to spot them all.

One thing that really stood out to me was the view of SMA when you get to the west side of the property. It was breathtaking to say the least, and made the price of admission well worth it.

Also, I should mention that even though I was given a map, it was still somewhat difficult getting around. I did not see everything listed on there as I had trouble finding out which trail was the correct one to take. The map shows you a main trail and some other smaller trails that you can take to get around, but when you are walking around, you quickly realize that there are many many deviations of the main trail, so be careful.

Be sure to come and check this place out if you are in town. Bring a lot of water and wear sunscreen as well because there was little to no shade here but it was still...

Today, we explored the stunning Charco del Ingenio, a protected natural area and botanical garden located in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. While walking through 500 species of cactus and other native plants under the blazing desert sun wasn’t everyone’s favorite activity—especially for the kids—it definitely built some character! 🌵☀️

Did you know that cacti are some of the most resilient plants in the world? They’ve adapted to survive in some of the harshest environments, storing water in their thick, fleshy stems to endure long periods of drought. Charco del Ingenio is home to many rare and endangered species, making it an important conservation site.

The area also has a fascinating history; it was once part of a larger volcanic region, which contributed to the unique mineral-rich soil that supports such diverse plant life. Plus, it’s a vital water source for the local community, with natural springs feeding into the area.

Despite the heat and the challenge, it was a valuable experience for the kids—building character, awareness, and appreciation for nature’s resilience. Sometimes, the toughest journeys lead to the most rewarding...

Yesterday, January 18, I went with my colleague Jack Hanula, both professional artists dedicated to our work... And just after renewing your membership, and starting our tour, we made a stop to do a quick sketch (with pencil, without easel, or toxic materials) a lady begins to chase and intimidate us (she never specifies who she is or her position in the park" arguing that "drawing is prohibited"...check the regulations and it doesn't say anything about it being prohibited (so Apparently they invented that rule at the moment).... We had this lady chasing us and she asked us to leave the facilities!!! It seems to me more like a case of discrimination, abuse or lack of judgment!!!! On the part of the staff I don't know if it comes from the middle ages or what happens to them!!! Very bad experience, they ruined our day of practice and study in what is supposed to be a "botanical park"... The abandoned paths, lack of care... it seems that they care more about stalking visitors than about the conservation...