Basilica of Guadalupe: How to get there, what to see and more

Did you know that officially the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City Is it called Insigne and National Basilica of Santa Maria de Guadalupe?

Villa de Guadalupe is a very important sanctuary in Mexico for the Catholic religion; it is dedicated to the Virgin Mary in her affection for Guadalupe.

This place is of great importance for Catholicism; in fact, it is considered the second most visited church in the world, with more than 12 million people per year; the first is St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.

Still, if you are not very religious, you will be able to appreciate the magnitude and beauty of the place, as well as learn about the history and importance of the Virgin of Guadalupe for the Mexican people.

Here I will explain everything you need to know to visit the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico: how much does it cost to enter? How can you visit it? How to get to the Basilica from Mexico City Airport and much more. Let's go!

The History of the Basilica of Guadalupe

Tepeyac Hill

The fame of this place is due to the belief in the Catholic religion that the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe appeared to the young Indian, Juan Diego, on December 12, 153, on Cerro del Tepeyac. According to popular history, the Virgin sent a message with Juan Diego to the bishop Fray Juan de Zumárraga, in which she asked him to build a temple for her.

There was no one to believe Juan Diego and they asked for proof and then for a second apparition, the virgin ordered Juan Diego to cut flowers (which appeared in the dead of winter) and take them to the bishop. When Juan Diego arrived with Fray Juan de Zumárraga, he loosened his cloak to let the flowers fall and the image of the virgin was imprinted on him.

And then, the Basilica of Guadalupe was built on Tepeyac Hill, the most visited Catholic shrine in the world, surpassed only by St. Peter's Basilica.

10 must-see attractions at the Basilica of Guadalupe

1 – Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe

Obviously, it's the first thing to do.

Masses are celebrated in the basilica every day (you can see the times here) and there are usually a lot of people. In addition to the central temple of the basilica, which is the largest part and where mass is celebrated, there is also a souvenir shop in the back and a chapel. It is also possible to access an area under the presbytery, where you can see up close the mantle with the original image of the Virgin of Guadalupe.

Obviously, there are automatic conveyor belts on the floor to avoid crowds, so you need to go quickly. But don't worry, you can go through as many times as you want.

2 – Expiatory Temple of Christ the King and the Parish of Capuchinas

The Expiatory Temple of Christ the King (also known as the Old Basilica of Guadalupe) was the site of the original image of the apparitions of the Virgin, until the New Basilica was built due to structural problems. The Capuchinas Parish was a church and convent of the Chagas (female branch of the Franciscan friars), whose decoration is much simpler than that of the Expiatory Temple.

Both buildings are located next to the Basilica of Guadalupe. I think both of these churches are worth a visit. Yes, they are quieter than the basilica, so it is important to enter quietly and respectfully.

4 – Visit the market

Every good traveler loves visiting traditional markets, and the one at the Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe is no exception. It is strange to see such a large market in a religious center. But it will certainly be a pleasant surprise, as it is a good place to taste typical food at a good price. In addition, they also sell cheap souvenirs there.

5 – Basilica of Guadalupe Museum

With the aim of preaching the worship of the Virgin of Guadalupe, the Basilica of Guadalupe Museum presents a fusion of Mexico's mystical history with sacred art, dating back to the 16th century.

Considered one of the oldest museums in Mexico, with 77 years of existence, this place is located behind the old Basilica. Its corridors and 16 rooms house more than four thousand pieces from the collection, thirty percent of which are on permanent display. The entrance fee is only 5 pesos.

If you want more information about the museum, here is the Mexican Ministry of Culture page.

6 – Old Parish of the Indians

This parish was originally built for the indigenous population to worship the Virgin. Here, Juan Diego (the young Indian to whom the Virgin appeared) was later sanctified and in this chapel you can see a sculpture of him with the image of the Virgin.

7 – Pocito Chapel

This church, with its particular shape and baroque elements, is quite visually appealing. However, the interesting thing about this place is not only its architecture, but also its history. This chapel was built near a small well (hence the name), in which, according to religious beliefs, Juan Diego had the appearance of the Virgin of Guadalupe.

The well is located in the chapel lobby and its waters are considered miraculous.

8 – Cerro del Tepeyac and Capilla del Cerrito

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At the top of Cerro del Tepeyac is the Capilla del Cerrito. Both the path and the views from the hill are very beautiful. From the top, you can see the Temple and the Old Convent of the Capuchins, the Temple of Christ the King and the Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe.

9 – Monument to the offering and the Quetzalcóatl Fountain

In addition to all the churches and chapels in Villa de Guadalupe, there are also gardens that are worth a visit. In general, they are very well-kept and the atmosphere is quite calm, which makes them very pleasant to stroll through. Two must-see attractions in these gardens are the Monument to the Offering and the Quetzalcoatl Fountain. The Quetzalcoatl Fountain is a waterfall-type fountain decorated with Aztec influences.

The Offering Monument is a representation of a group of native Mexicans offering offerings to the Virgin of Guadalupe.

10 – Statue of Christ the King

The statue of Christ the King is located at the end of a small garden. It is made of bronze and is over 6 meters tall. It is a very peaceful place and is worth taking a walk to end your visit to Villa de Guadalupe.

Distance from Mexico City Airport to Basilica of Guadalupe

The distance from Mexico City International Airport to the Basilica of Guadalupe is approximately 10 km. If you have a layover of more than 4:30, you can visit it without any problems. To get to the Basilica of Guadalupe from Mexico City airport, you have 3 options:

Authorized taxi or Uber

An authorized taxi to take you to the Villa and back to the airport can charge around USD 40 (230 reais) for four passengers.

Another option is to take an Uber. The price of an Uber from the airport to the Basilica is approximately 105 pesos (25 reais).

Public transportation

You can take the metro that leaves from the air terminal, line 5 (yellow), get off at Misterios station (approx. 5 reais per person) and then walk 400 meters to get to Calzada de Guadalupe.

Then, just board an ecobus (4 reais per person) that will take you to the Basilica's atrium.

Time: Round trip by subway 30 minutes, round trip by ecobus: 30 minutes. Visit to the Basilica: 1 hour. Total visit time: 2 hours.

The subway service schedule is as follows:

– Weekdays from 17:00 to 12:00

– Saturdays from 18:00 pm to 12:00 pm

– Sundays and holidays from 7:00 to 12:00.

Pilgrimage to the Basilica of Guadalupe

Guadalupe Causeway

Walk 3,5 km for 45 minutes from the Misterios metro station to the Basilica. This walk takes place on the Calzada de Guadalupe, which has a pedestrian walkway specifically designated for the Guadalupe processions.

This option is only convenient if you walk in the sunlight and preferably join other Guadalupe processions. Never walk alone, especially at night.

Time: Round trip 30 minutes by metro, 45 minutes on foot. Return by ecobus: 15 minutes. Visit to the Basilica: 1 hour. Total visit time: 2:30 hours (minimum).

Where to store luggage at Mexico City Airport?

The cost of locker rental at Mexico City airport is approximately 50 reais per locker for 24 hours. Each locker can hold 2 standard-sized suitcases. The lockers are located on the ground floor of Terminal 1, near the boarding entrance. There is no other locker service within the airport.

How to get to the Basilica of Guadalupe from the central region?

How to get to the Basilica of Guadalupe by car?

If you want to get to “La Villa” by car, remember that you will need to park, but not on the street. The Basilica of Guadalupe has two underground car parks with capacity for up to 1,000 cars. Access is via Av. De los Misterios.

How to get to the Basilica of Guadalupe by metro?

The metro public transport system is a good option for getting to the Basilica and offers two nearby stations. One is the La Villa – Basilica station on line 6 (red line) and the other is the 18 de Marzo station on the same metro line. From there, you can walk a bit to get to the sanctuary.

How to get to the Basilica of Guadalupe by public transport?

Getting to the Basilica of Guadalupe by public transport is easy. The route is straight along Paseo de la Reforma. Most metrobus lines that run along this route will take you to the Basilica for just 6 Mexican pesos. Visiting hours for the Basilica of Guadalupe are from 6 am to 9 pm.

How much does it cost to visit the Basilica of Guadalupe?

Fortunately, they do not charge an entrance fee, meaning that viewing and exploring this impressive religious center is free.

Where is the Basilica of Guadalupe located?

Address: Plaza de las Americas 1, Villa de Guadalupe, Villa Gustavo A. Madero, 07050 Mexico City.

Webcam Basilica of Guadalupe Mexico

One of the cool things about this place is that you can follow everything live from your home. So, if you want to get an idea of ​​what the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe is like, just go to live webcam.

If you want more tips about the Basilica of Guadalupe or Mexico City, leave your comment or write directly to Mexico Guide Instagram.

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