San Felipe Baja Mexico Cultural Center

If you were to ask the average visitor what San Felipe was all about, they might say fishing, food and fun. And although San Felipe does have an abundance of these things, it is also a place with a rich and vibrant culture that should be enjoyed and experienced. The best way to get acquainted with San Felipe and its history is by visiting the San Felipe Cultural Center.

The San Felipe Cultural Center opened to the public in November of 2010, but still is not featured in many travel guides and books about San Felipe. This is unfortunate because it is such a unique and important part of the city that should be seen by everyone who visits.  If nothing else, it is an air conditioned building in the middle of San Felipe, why would you NOT stop in?

Located across from the Pemex, near The Arches, on Calzada Chetumal, this large building is hard to miss. With large dark windows and a rounded roof, it is commonly mistaken for a government building. The construction of this center spanned two governments; the Mexicali and the local San Felipe arms. The vision for the cultural center was to be a multipurpose center that would cater to both locals and tourists' needs. Inside you will find clean and shiny tiled floors that make for a great visual contrast against the brightly orange painted walls. Throughout the bottom floor of the center, artwork from local artists is displayed on the walls.  As you walk through the exhibit, notice the themes and styles each artist uses. You may see many references to the sea, as the residents of San Felipe rely heavily on The Sea of Cortez for its livelihood. You may also see splashes of red, yellow and orange, symbolizing the powerful sun that heats San Felipe up year round. The exhibit changes on a monthly basis, so if you visit San Felipe regularly, you can stop by the Cultural Center each time for a unique experience. The bottom floor is also home to a large library and a computer area, which has just recently been upgraded with ten new computers. A library card is required to check out books.

The top floor consists of classrooms and meeting spaces. If you are visiting during the summer and really want to dig deeper into the Mexican culture, consider participating in the summer workshops held here. During these weekly workshops, participants learn to make authentic Mexican crafts, can try their hand at pottery learn a thing or two about painting. They can also learn a traditional Mexican folk dance. At the end of the program, you can show off what you’ve learned in a performance held at the center. A rather large audience usually shows up for this event, so check your stage fright at the door and let loose. When will you have another opportunity to wear the traditional clothes of the people of San Felipe and dance as they dance?!

If twirling, stomping and dancing to traditional Mexican music doesn’t sound like your thing, consider taking up some other classes the Cultural Center has to offer. Have you always wanted to learn to play the guitar or learn to paint? If learning these skills on the coast of the Sea of Cortez doesn’t sound intriguing, we don’t know what else would. Other available classes include acting, visual arts and drums. Classes are not just for kids. Although children do participate, many of the people who take part in these workshops are adults looking to educate themselves and broaden their cultural horizons.

If you are looking for something different to do in your visit to San Felipe, head over to the Cultural Center and be immersed in gorgeous artwork from some of Mexican’s most talented artists. Walking through the doors of the San Felipe Cultural Center can really help you understand and appreciate the people and the experiences that make San Felipe the dream destination that it is.