Romance, art, and beauty define San Miguel de Allende, a 16th-century city with cobblestone streets, vibrantly colored buildings, and a pink parish church resembling a fanciful birthday cake. Since 1937, expats, artists, and bohemians in the city have introduced galleries, art schools, and creative industries supported by richly decorated artisanal shops. Things to do in San Miguel de Allende include hanging out in El Jardín plaza, taking an art class, visiting Fábrica la Aurora art and design center, and taking a day trip to Cañada de La Virgen archaeological site.
San Miguel de Allende has a modest daytime temperature range year-round; the city’s hottest month, May, sees an average high of 87°F (30°C), and December, the coldest month, experiences a high of 72°F (22°C). To avoid the rainiest times of the year, visit in the months between November through April. Rainfall tends to fall in the summer months, while winter months can be rather chilly—especially at night. Hotel rates tend to spike during Christmas and Easter, so budget travelers should avoid these holidays.
San Miguel de Allende is a 4-hour bus ride from the Mexico City International Airport (MEX), although closer airports are Querétaro International Airport (QRA) and Bají International Airport (BJX). The city is easily navigable by foot, making it easy to immerse yourself in the details of its winding streets and alleys. Don’t forget to bring good sneakers—the cobblestone streets are uneven.
If you are traveling on a budget, be sure to enjoy the plentiful free entertainment, which can be found in restaurants, museums, and city plazas such as El Jardín. Festivals seem to always be in season, so be on the lookout for walking mariachis, food vendors, fireworks, and street performers. Finally, carve out time to explore the excellent small museums in town, including the Museo La Esquina (Museum of Popular Mexican Toys), which showcases the amazing artistry of the country.
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The vibrant, 16th-century town of San Miguel de Allende has a lot to take in, so at least two days is ideal for a visit. Be sure to take time to explore the city’s wide-ranging arts and culinary scenes, both oversized for this relatively small town.
...MoreYes, if you enjoy the arts, an intriguing culinary scene, and charming Mexican baroque architecture, San Miguel de Allende is a great place to visit. The town is small enough to easily wander its winding streets on foot, and there are plenty of interesting sites for day trips during an extended stay.
...MoreSan Miguel de Allende is known for its baroque and neoclassical architecture, lively festivals, pink-hued church, and all-consuming arts scene. Recently, its options in the culinary sphere have gotten noticed, which can be explored in the city’s wide-ranging restaurants and city markets.
...MoreSan Miguel de Allende is best explored on foot, where you’ll find colorful streets, markets, and shops. Relax in the El Jardín plaza and marvel at the neo-Gothic stylings of the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel church. Later, visit a collection of galleries or take a class at La Fabrica la Aurora art center, housed in a former textile mill.
...MoreYou can expect pleasant temperatures year-round in San Miguel de Allende, although the city experiences lots of rainfall in the summer, and winter evenings can get chilly. For these reasons, the best time to visit the city is from November through April.
...MoreIt depends. US dollars are not accepted in the normal course of business in San Miguel de Allende, but some tourist-frequented hotels, restaurants, and stores may accept US dollars for a less than favorable rate. However, US credit cards are widely accepted and ATMs can provide pesos (Mexican currency) for use.
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