Hola amigos! If you’re seeking a magical getaway filled with vibrant culture, stunning architecture, and heartwarming celebrations, look no further than San Miguel de Allende. Picture cobblestone streets lined with colorful buildings, lively markets brimming with handmade crafts and an enchanting atmosphere that captures the essence of Mexico.
Last fall, I was invited to my friend’s sister’s wedding in San Miguel during Mexican Independence Day, and it was an unforgettable experience blending the joy of a Mexican-American wedding with the patriotic festivities of Independence Day. Join me as I take you on a journey through this charming town, sharing insider tips and highlights that make San Miguel de Allende a must-visit destination. Vamonos!
Table of Contents
Introduction
San Miguel de Allende is a charming colonial city located in the central Mexican highlands. It has a rich history and vibrant culture that makes it a popular destination for tourists and expats alike.
Founded in 1542 by a Spanish monk, San Miguel served as an important stop along the silver trade route between Zacatecas and Mexico City during the 16th-18th centuries. Its baroque/neoclassical Spanish architecture and winding cobblestone streets are well-preserved from this era.
Today, San Miguel is known for its thriving arts scene, cultural festivals, charming boutiques and restaurants, and proximity to outdoor adventures. Its mild climate, cosmopolitan amenities, and old-world charm draw over 1 million visitors per year.
San Miguel enjoys a high-altitude central Mexican location about three hours north of Mexico City. It sits at nearly 6,000 feet (1,800 m) above sea level, which gives it a spring-like climate year-round.
Though rooted in colonial history, San Miguel has a distinctly cosmopolitan vibe. Expats from the US, Canada, and beyond have been settling here since the 1940s. About 10% of the population today is foreign-born.
San Miguel offers a taste of authentic Mexico, with colorful festivals, warm hospitality, and rich traditions. It’s also known as a foodie destination, with excellent restaurants serving sophisticated international and Mexican cuisine.
Whether you’re looking to immerse yourself in Mexican culture, admire some of Mexico’s finest Spanish colonial architecture, shop for art and crafts, or simply enjoy mouthwatering cuisine and a laid-back vibe, San Miguel de Allende is a must-visit destination.
Getting There
San Miguel de Allende is located in the central highlands of Mexico, about 170 miles northwest of Mexico City. The closest major airport is Del Bajío International Airport (BJX), located about 1 hour 15 minutes away by car in the city of León. There are nonstop flights to BJX from several major US hub airports including Dallas, Houston, Chicago, and Atlanta.
The next closest option is Querétaro Intercontinental Airport (QRO), located about 2 hours from San Miguel de Allende. QRO has nonstop service from Los Angeles, Houston, and other cities in Mexico.
Once you arrive at BJX or QRO, there are shuttle services, buses, and taxis that provide transportation to San Miguel de Allende. Shuttle services like SMA Shuttle can be booked in advance and cost around $50 USD per person one-way. Local buses like Primera Plus run multiple times per day and cost under $10 USD. An airport taxi costs around $100 USD.
If you prefer to rent a car, major agencies like Hertz, Avis, and Europcar have rental desks at both BJX and QRO airports. The drive from either airport to San Miguel de Allende takes place on modern toll highways and is very manageable. Just be aware that parking and driving in San Miguel’s historic center can be tricky with the narrow cobblestone streets.
For travelers already in Mexico, first-class bus companies like ETN and Primera Plus offer multiple daily connections between Mexico City and San Miguel de Allende with travel times around 4.5-5 hours. The bus station is centrally located once you arrive in San Miguel.
When to Visit
San Miguel de Allende enjoys pleasant weather year-round, making it a popular destination any time. However, the best times to visit are during the dry season from October to April when days are warm and sunny.
The high season runs from October to March when North Americans flock south to escape the winter weather. Expect higher hotel rates and bigger crowds, especially around the holidays. Book accommodations well in advance if visiting during this peak period.
The shoulder seasons of April-May and September-October are excellent times to visit. The weather is still comfortable with fewer tourists and lower prices.
Summers are rainy and hot, yet the lush green landscapes have their own beauty. Costs drop considerably although some establishments close. Summer is ideal for a more authentic local experience.
Key festivals and events to time your visit around include:
- Day of the Dead (November 1-2): Celebrate Mexico’s iconic holiday with parades, parties, food, and memorials.
- Festival of Immaculate Conception (December 8-12): Fireworks, dances, and festivities honor the patron saint.
- Holy Week (March/April, changes yearly): Observe solemn Easter processions and celebrations.
- Independence Day (September 15-16): Mark Mexico’s independence with fireworks and fiestas.
Where to Stay
San Miguel de Allende has a variety of accommodation options to suit different budgets and preferences. Here’s a breakdown of the top neighborhoods and types of places to stay:
Neighborhoods
Centro Historico – This is right in the heart of the action and close to most attractions. Boutique hotels, Airbnbs, and hostels can all be found here. It’s lively and central.
Guadalupe – Just north of Centro, this area has more local flavor while still being walkable. Good options for B&Bs, Airbnbs, and small hotels.
Allende – South of Centro, this neighborhood is quieter and more residential. You’ll find larger hotels and resorts, as well as rental villas.
Outskirts – On the edges of town are newer developments with large chain hotels and luxury villas with pools. You’ll need a car to stay here.
Hotels
San Miguel has hotels ranging from budget hostels like Hostel Inn to luxury boutique stays like Rosewood. Mid-range options like Casa de la Noche offer charming decor and courtyards.
Hostels
For budget travelers, hostels like Hostel Inn and Hostel La Catrina offer dorms and private rooms.
Airbnbs
Airbnbs are popular in San Miguel. You’ll find entire apartments, private rooms, and luxury villas. Centro and Guadalupe have the most options within walking distance.
Vacation Rentals
Websites like VRBO list furnished rentals, especially in neighborhoods like Allende. These are great for longer stays.
Top Things to See and Do
San Miguel de Allende is filled with historic architecture, museums, galleries, parks, and more. Here are some of the top attractions and activities:
El Jardín
This leafy main square is the heart of the historic center. It’s lively day and night with musicians, restaurants, and people watching. Don’t miss the beautiful gazebo in the center.
La Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel
The iconic pink Gothic church dominates El Jardín. Climb to the top of the bell tower for panoramic views over the city.
Casa de Allende Museum
This 18th-century mansion was once home to Ignacio Allende, a leader during Mexico’s war for independence. It’s now a museum with historic artifacts and lovely courtyards.
Fabrica La Aurora
This former textile factory from the 1800s is now a cultural center with art galleries, shops, and cafes. Don’t miss the stunning restored machinery room.
Instituto Allende
This prestigious art school has multiple galleries open to the public. Check their calendar for exhibitions, lectures, and special events.
Take a Walking Tour
Joining a guided walking tour is a great way to learn about the history and architecture of San Miguel while exploring the charming streets.
Hot Air Balloon Rides
Get a bird’s eye view of the area’s stunning landscape with an early morning hot air balloon ride. A magical experience!
Day Trips
San Miguel makes an ideal base to explore the surrounding towns and countryside. Consider day trips to the Sanctuary of Atotonilco, Mineral de Pozos ghost town, or the ancient Guanajuato mines.
Food and Drink
San Miguel de Allende is a food lover’s paradise, with an incredible variety of local and international cuisine. The local cuisine showcases influences from the surrounding Guanajuato region as well as broader Mexican flavors.
Local Cuisine
Authentic Mexican cuisine shines in San Miguel’s local eateries. Look for classic dishes like enchiladas, tamales, pozole, and mole poblano. Try sopes, little fried masa cakes topped with beans, cheese, and salsa. Sample tacos al pastor, made with spit-roasted pork and fresh pineapple. Many restaurants offer their own unique takes on traditional recipes passed down through generations.
Regional specialties include carnitas, tender braised pork, and menudo, a spicy tripe soup meant to cure hangovers. Other local favorites are gorditas, little corn pockets stuffed with cheese or meat, and caldos, hearty soups. For breakfast, look for huevos rancheros and chilaquiles, fried tortillas in tomato sauce.
Restaurants
San Miguel has outstanding high-end restaurants helmed by celebrated chefs. But don’t overlook the small family-run spots serving classic comfort foods. At the Mercado Ignacio Ramirez market, vendors dish out tasty local eats like tortas, tacos, quesadillas, and more.
Top picks for elevated Mexican cuisine include Moxi, The Restaurant and La Parada Perdida. Foodies shouldn’t miss 1826 Restaurant inside the Rosewood Hotel. Lunch at Cafe Rama is a peaceful garden retreat. Cuna de Tierra offers organic farm-to-table fare.
Cafes and Bars
San Miguel’s charming cafes are perfect for sipping coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. Stop by Cafe de la Aurora, Panio, or Cafe Monet. Many rooftop bars like Luna and Azotea serve small plates alongside creative cocktails. The town has a vibrant nightlife scene centered around the Jardin Principal. Look for mezcal bars, jazz clubs, and cantinas where mariachis roam.
Don’t leave without trying local craft beer at Cervecería Caldera or grabbing sweets at Dulceria Celaya candy shop. San Miguel’s food and drink options are as diverse and vibrant as the town itself.
Nightlife
San Miguel de Allende is known for its vibrant nightlife scene, with bars, clubs, and live music venues that stay open late into the night. Here are some of the top nightlife spots in town:
Bars
- Mama Mia – This popular bar has a laidback, bohemian vibe with colorful decor, tasty cocktails, and occasional live music. It’s a great place to start off your night.
- El Olivar – Found inside the Rosewood Hotel, this upscale bar features craft cocktails made with locally-sourced ingredients. Grab a seat on the outdoor patio for excellent people-watching.
- La Azotea – Head to the rooftop of this restaurant/bar for delicious drinks and panoramic views of the city and surrounding mountains. It has a trendy, lively atmosphere.
- Berlin Bar – Inspired by the underground bars of Berlin, this tiny hotspot plays electronic music and offers a wide selection of mezcal and tequila. The bartenders are mixology pros.
Clubs
- Bungalow – San Miguel’s premier nightclub, Bungalow attracts a fashionable crowd with its sleek decor, VIP areas, and guest DJs spinning house, techno, and Latin beats late into the night.
- El Grito – This multi-level club gets lively on weekends, with dancing, themed party nights, and both Top 40 and Latin pop hits blasting through the speakers.
- Mojito Lounge – In addition to delicious mojitos, this Cuban-inspired lounge club has salsa dancing and live bands playing on weekends. It’s a great place to dance the night away.
Live Music
- La Azotea – In addition to being a popular bar, La Azotea also hosts live jazz, blues, and rock bands on its rooftop stage several nights a week.
- Organic market – Stop by this charming jazz club on weekends to catch live music from local bands while enjoying a glass of wine. It has an intimate, speakeasy vibe.
- El Jardin – Found in a beautiful courtyard, this restaurant and bar features live classical guitarists and pianists nightly. It’s a romantic spot for a nightcap.
With its mix of trendy bars, pulsating nightclubs, and live music joints, San Miguel de Allende’s nightlife offers something for everyone and is not to be missed after dark! The lively scene carries on into the late hours.
Shopping
San Miguel de Allende is a shopper’s paradise, with its charming boutiques, bustling markets, and endless options for unique souvenirs.
Markets
The Mercado Ignacio Ramirez is the central market in San Miguel’s historic center. Here you’ll find stalls selling fresh produce, meat, cheese, spices, sweets, and more. Wander through the crowded aisles and sample local delicacies like sweet bread, fresh guacamole, and tropical fruit juices. The market is busiest in the mornings, when locals come to buy ingredients for the day’s meals.
A short walk away is the Mercado de Artesanias, an artisan market selling handicrafts, textiles, pottery, leather goods, and more. This market caters more to tourists but you can still find some authentic Mexican wares if you browse thoroughly. Haggle politely with vendors for the best prices. Thursday and Sunday mornings are when the market is most lively.
Boutiques
San Miguel de Allende is known for its upscale boutiques selling high-end Mexican fashion and home decor. The shopping districts near the Jardin Principal feature chic clothing boutiques, jewelry stores, and home furnishing shops. Calle Aldama and Calle Nemesio Diez are two streets densely packed with stylish boutiques. You’ll find gorgeous Talavera pottery, colorful textiles, silver jewelry, and much more. Prices are not cheap, but the quality is excellent.
Souvenirs
For souvenirs to bring home, browse stalls at the markets selling embroidered shirts, nativity figurines, woven blankets, Frida Kahlo merchandise, ceramic skulls, and handicrafts. Pick up some Mexican spices like vanilla, cinnamon, and chili powders to add flair to your cooking back home. Talavera pottery makes a lovely gift, but it’s fragile so pack carefully. Leather goods like huarache sandals, purses, and jackets are other popular Mexican souvenirs.
Where to Shop
The historic center near Jardin Principal is the main shopping district. Wander along Calle Aldama, Calle Canal, Calle Mesones, and Calle Nemesio Diez to discover boutiques and galleries. Visit Mercado Ignacio Ramirez and Mercado de Artesanias for handicrafts and souvenirs. For high-end designer boutiques, head to Berlin Square. The Fabrica La Aurora, a former textile factory, now houses unique art galleries, cafes, and shops.
Day Trips from San Miguel de Allende
San Miguel makes an excellent home base for exploring the surrounding colonial towns and sights in the state of Guanajuato. Here are some of the top day trips to consider from San Miguel:
Guanajuato
The capital city of the state, Guanajuato is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its narrow winding alleys, brightly colored colonial buildings, and underground tunnels. The city is about an hour northwest of San Miguel. Top attractions include the Alhóndiga de Granaditas, Teatro Juárez, the Mummy Museum, and taking a ride on the funiculars for panoramic views.
Dolores Hidalgo
About an hour north of San Miguel, Dolores Hidalgo is known as the cradle of Mexican independence, as it’s where Miguel Hidalgo launched the call for revolution in 1810. Visit the church where El Grito de Dolores took place and browse the colorful Talavera pottery workshops. The ice cream shops in the main plaza are also a tasty local tradition.
Mineral de Pozos
This former mining town 45 minutes northeast has a beautifully preserved colonial center with ruins, mansions, churches, and art galleries. It’s a quiet, peaceful place to explore.
Sierra Gorda
The rugged Sierra Gorda mountains and towns like Jalpan de Serra offer hiking, waterfalls, and outdoor adventures in a remote natural setting. It’s about a 2.5 hour drive from San Miguel.
Bernal
With a dramatic hilltop location, this “Pueblo Mágico” is a relaxed town to explore colonial and pre-Hispanic ruins. It’s about 1.5 hours from San Miguel. Shop for crafts and dine on gorditas.
Cañada de la Virgen
See 15th century Otomi pyramid ruins and petroglyphs at this archaeological site 25 minutes outside San Miguel. There’s also an ecological park and museum on site.
With so many great towns and historic sites nearby, San Miguel de Allende makes it easy to take rewarding day trips into the Mexican countryside.
Essential Information
Currency
The currency in San Miguel de Allende is the Mexican peso (MXN). Many shops, restaurants, and hotels accept US dollars as well, but you’ll get a better exchange rate paying in pesos. ATMs are plentiful in the centro historico area if you need to withdraw cash. Credit cards are widely accepted, especially Visa and Mastercard.
Safety
San Miguel de Allende is generally very safe, even at night. However, basic precautions apply as in any city. Be aware of your surroundings, avoid deserted streets or parks at night, don’t display expensive cameras or jewelry, and only take registered taxi cabs. The main tourist areas and attractions have a visible police presence. Violent crime is rare.
Getting Around
The historic center of San Miguel de Allende is very walkable and pedestrian-friendly. Many of the attractions, restaurants, shops, and hotels are located close together. Taxis are readily available and inexpensive. Renting a car is not really necessary unless you want to explore further outside the city.
For longer day trips, you can take buses from the main bus station to nearby towns like Guanajuato. Within the city limits, local buses provide an affordable option to reach farther neighborhoods.
Basic Etiquette
The people of San Miguel de Allende are generally very welcoming to visitors. Learning a few basic Spanish phrases like hello, please, and thank you is appreciated. Be respectful when visiting churches and religious sites. Tipping at restaurants and for taxis is expected. Haggling is common at markets. As throughout Mexico, casual, modest attire is recommended. Be patient and allow extra time as things tend to move at a relaxed pace.
Conclusion
San Miguel de Allende is a destination that leaves a lasting impression with its captivating beauty and rich cultural heritage. Whether you’ve wandered through its charming streets, marveled at its historic architecture, or discovered local artisans’ crafts, this town offers a unique experience that enchants visitors from around the world. As you bid farewell to San Miguel, take with you the memories of its vibrant atmosphere, friendly locals, and the sense of timelessness that defines this magical Mexican town. Until we meet again, adios San Miguel de Allende—may your spirit of beauty and culture continue to inspire travelers for years to come.
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