The International Balloon Festival (FIG) of León is an event that decorates the sky of 200 large and beautiful hot air balloons, for 4 days. The crowd that attends also enjoys food fairs and music concerts.
What is the International Balloon Festival of León?
Considered the third most important in the world, it is a ballooning event held in the Mexican city of León, Guanajuato state.
The extraordinary thing about the festival is that the two hundred balloons are raised with pilots from all over the world, coming from the Americas, Western and Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, the Baltic countries, Russia and Japan.
The event is the main tourist product of the Mexican Bajío area, with an annual attendance of more than half a million people who occupy all the hotels and other accommodations in León and nearby places.
The whole family enjoys the International Balloon Festival. It is a spectacle like few others that paints the sky in color as perhaps you have never seen it before. Cultural and sports activities are added to its gastronomic fair and concerts.
When is the International Balloon Festival of León?
This year it will be held between November 16 and 19. Four days of great fun.
Where is the International Balloon Festival of León?
The official venue of the festival is the Parque Ecológico Metropolitano de León, a square that has the characteristics to hold an event of this type. It is so big that there is no attendance limit.
The main shows are the takeoff of 200 balloons in the mornings and the "Magic Nights", a nighttime performance with the balloons illuminated on the ground. A beautiful setting to walk and enjoy.
How do you get to the festival site?
Enter León through Airport Boulevard if you are going from Mexico City. Turn right to access Morelos Boulevard and drive without turning until you find the Metropolitan Ecological Park.
From Guadalajara
It reaches León by the Lagos de Moreno-León federal highway that connects with the Morelos Boulevard. It will take you directly to the festival venue.
From León and by public transport
Board a transport unit at the San Jerónimo terminal that makes one of the following 5 routes: A-56 North, A-40, A-68, A76 or A85.
If you take one of the first 3 routes, you will get off near the intersection of Morelos and López Mateos boulevards, where the main access to the ecological park is.
Route A76 will take you to the west entrance of the park, on Manuel Gómez Morin Boulevard. Route A-85 will leave you at the northern access of the festival headquarters, on Avenida De Las Amazonas.
The easiest way to get to the San Jerónimo Terminal is by boarding the “caterpillars” of lines 1, 2 and 3. If this is too far for you, take route X-13 from the San Juan Bosco terminal that passes through the Boulevard Morelos.
The climate in León is cold on festival days, especially in the mornings and nights. Wrap up well.
How to get tickets for the festival and how much do they cost?
The value of the general ticket is 100 pesos per day and although they have been sold in OXXO stores since October, you can easily buy it online here.
The ticket will be valid for one day in the park. If you go out you will have to buy another. Do not bring pets or alcoholic beverages because they are prohibited.
Although the suspension of an activity for meteorological reasons is rare, it is not ruled out that this happens.
Can you fly in a balloon during the festival?
Yes, visitors will be able to board the balloons as crew members, but if they meet certain requirements.
The crews are assembled in groups of 3 adults, maximum one woman in each team. All must have a good command of English and have completed a previous training course. In addition, the group must have a pickup truck in good condition and at least one member with a valid driver's license.
The pilot, the copilot and the balloon will be transported in the pick up by the crew to the airfield. There they will help inflate it and take off. Although they will not go up on this trip, they will stay in contact with the pilots by phone.
The crew will take the truck to the landing site, help deflate the balloon and pack it. They will take you back to the pilot and co-pilot. As a reward for their collaboration, they will win a free flight.
If you are interested, fill out and send the form to the official FIG portal here.
Can you camp in the park?
Yes. The daily cost of access and camping is 360 pesos. Buy tickets at Superboletos and from October in OXXO stores.
How was ballooning born in Mexico?
The first flight of an aerostat in the country occurred on April 3, 1842. It was piloted by Benito León Acosta, a mining engineer from Guanajuato who took off from the San Pablo bullring in Mexico City.
As the event moved the entire nation, the President of the Republic, Antonio López de Santa Anna, granted the pilot the exclusive right to fly in a balloon throughout the country.
Benito León Acosta was claimed by his homeland to make his amazing demonstration in Guanajuato and on October 29, 1842 he rose in the Main Plaza of the city, landing an hour later on the Santa Rosa hacienda, where he was received by an emotional crowd that led him back to the state capital to cover him with tributes.
Another character legendarily linked to ballooning in Mexico was Joaquín de la Cantolla y Rico, who flew dressed as a charro with the national flag and sometimes with his horse.
His death was related to his passion for balloons. His inflatable drifted off course during the Mexican Revolution in 1914, being shot by Zapatista forces. Joaquín would die days later from a stroke.
What other things can I do in León Guanajuato?
León is known as the “footwear capital of the world” for its excellent work with leather. The Leather Zone, with its huge variety of leather clothing, is close to the bus terminal.
The "Perla del Bajío" adds architectural jewels of historical importance, such as the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Expiatory Temple and the Arch of La Calzada. To these are added its beautiful parks such as Hidalgo, Metropolitano Norte, Metropolitano Oriente and Guanajuato Bicentenario.
Shopping centers and restaurants are other attractions of the city.
November, the month of the festival
November is approaching and the International Balloon Festival of León is about to start. They are 4 fantastic days to enjoy a good view, good weather and as a family. Remember, accommodation sells out fast, don't wait any longer and book today.
Share this article with your friends on social networks and encourage them to win that free ride in the heights together with you.
