Take a stroll alongside the cobblestone streets, admiring the gorgeous structure as you bounce between museums, cafes, and galleries. Sit down to soak up the sights and sounds of the city sq. earlier than heading out for a pleasant dinner and rooftop cocktails. Just a few days of this, and also you’ll shortly understand why San Miguel de Allende is without doubt one of the hottest places to visit in Mexico.
Whereas a day journey right here is without doubt one of the high things to do in Guanajuato, this metropolis deserves your time!
For the previous two years, San Miguel de Allende has been named among the best cities on this planet by Travel & Leisure. What’s it about this small colonial metropolis in Mexico that makes it such a particular place?
Let’s take a more in-depth look and take a look at among the greatest issues to do in San Miguel de Allende.
Be aware: This text has been up to date to replicate the present prices and greatest issues to do in San Miguel de Allende in 2021. Get pleasure from your journey!
1. Cling Out within the Sq.
As with most cities in Mexico, San Miguel de Allende is centered round the principle sq..
Referred to as El Jardin, this tree-lined plaza is surrounded by beautiful buildings such because the parish church of San Miguel. Hanging out right here simply tops the listing of issues to do in San Miguel de Allende.
The sq. is bustling with exercise within the evenings and on the weekend. You’ll see roaming mariachi bands, balloon salesmen, and loads of snack distributors, making for a really vigorous scene.
If you happen to ever get misplaced wandering the winding streets, simply discover your means again to the sq. and begin over again.
Visiting the principle plazas of the cities and cities is without doubt one of the high things to do in Mexico. That is the place you’ll discover all the motion! Click here to seek out this sq. on the map.
2. Take a Day Journey to Cañada de La Virgen
Not removed from city, you’ll discover the large nature protect of Cañada de La Virgen. The spotlight of a go to to this archaeological site is having the ability to discover the numerous pyramids.
There’s a lot extra to do right here, together with tenting, horseback driving, and astronomy excursions. Whereas it’s attainable to go to by yourself, you’re higher off signing up for a tour to come back out right here.
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3. Take a Look Contained in the Church
Undoubtedly, the symbol of the city is the gorgeous La Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel. Its towering neo-Gothic façade is a real architectural masterpiece. It was constructed by the self-taught Zeferino Gutiérrez who’s believed to have used postcards of European church buildings for inspiration.
Whereas the surface of the church is completely breathtaking, make sure to go inside and take a look round as properly. Within the chapel, you’ll be capable of see the revered picture of Cristo de la Conquista (Christ of the Conquest) in addition to a phenomenal portray depicting the founding of the city.
**Be aware: a go to contained in the gorgeous church buildings can be one of many high things to do in Guadalajara!
4. Go to the Botanical Backyard
Whereas many guests to San Miguel de Allende spend a lot of their journey admiring the man-made magnificence that abounds, you’ll wish to carve out a while to get out in nature as properly.
The proper place to try this is the massive botanical backyard referred to as El Charco del Ingenio. Right here you’ll be able to get pleasure from a leisurely stroll alongside the numerous trails, do a little bit of chicken watching, or sit down for a picnic close to a waterfall.
The reserve is open from 9:00 – 5:00pm year-round, and on sure days free transportation is obtainable to the botanical backyard. Click here for particulars.
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5. Go on a Strolling Tour
It’s enjoyable wandering across the cobblestone streets of San Miguel de Allende by yourself, but it surely’s even higher if you’re accompanied by a educated information.
Signing up for a strolling tour of the town is unquestionably one of the vital rewarding issues to do in San Miguel de Allende.
Historical walking tours meet at 9:45AM within the Jardin each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. In addition they run an architectural tour on each third Thursday on the identical time.
Excursions final about 2.5 hours and donations for the tour go in the direction of a non-profit group that gives medical and dental care to youngsters locally.
A strolling tour with an excellent trigger, and among the best methods to travel Mexico. If you happen to’re seeking to do a strolling tour that features lunch, click here to examine a well-liked tour.
6. Examine Spanish
One of the crucial in style issues to do in San Miguel de Allende is to enroll in Spanish classes. There are many glorious Spanish faculties right here and the locals are tremendous pleasant and prepared that can assist you apply.
Ditch that unhealthy gringo accent and enhance your español right here earlier than travelling to different components of Latin America. Whereas there are a couple of Spanish language faculties out there, this one comes extremely really useful.
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7. Go to the Dwelling of Ignacio Allende
Do you know that San Miguel de Allende is definitely named after two completely different individuals? The city will get its title from a friar named Juan de San Miguel and Ignacio Allende, a hero and martyr of the Mexican independence motion.
One of many high issues to do in San Miguel de Allende is to go to the house of the latter, which is now the town’s historical past museum.
The Museo Historico is open from Tuesday to Sunday and solely prices about $3 to go to. Spend an hour or so right here and also you’ll go away with a significantly better understanding of the town, its historical past, and its significance to the nation.
8. Discover the Sanctuary of Atotonilco
Only a 30-minute drive from the centre of city, you’ll discover the unimaginable Sanctuary of Atotonilco.
This historic church complicated is a UNESCO World Heritage Website and is legendary for its Mexican Baroque murals. The work are so lovely, in actual fact, that it has been dubbed the “Sistine Chapel of Mexico.”
9. Take a Stroll to a Viewpoint (among the best issues to do in San Miguel de Allende!)
San Miguel de Allende appears superb at road stage, but it surely appears even higher from above.
Fortunately it’s not too troublesome to get a unbelievable panoramic view of the town. It’s solely a couple of 15-20 minute stroll from the plaza as much as the perspective, which is called El Mirador.
Remember to carry your digital camera with a full battery so you’ll be able to snap some pictures of this beautiful city from this nice vantage level. Add a hike as much as the mirador to your listing of issues to do in San Miguel de Allende.
10. Go to Fabrica La Aurora
For practically 100 years, Fabrica La Aurora was a textile mill within the north of San Miguel de Allende. Today, it’s a bustling assortment of retailers, galleries, and cafes that many check with as a paradise for artwork lovers.
If you wish to watch the artists at work, attempt to cease by on a Thursday for his or her Open Studio day. Test their website to see what’s happening and undoubtedly make sure to embody a cease right here in your go to.
11. Expertise a Native Competition
There are completely different festivals happening all all year long in San Miguel de Allende.
Actually, it’s referred to as a “fiesta city” as a result of it likes to celebration! It looks like there’s at all times one thing enjoyable taking place right here, whether or not or not it’s a music competition or a standard Mexican vacation.
There are well-known storytelling and jazz festivals right here every year, and there’s additionally the completely wild Dia de los Locos (Day of the Crazies). This is without doubt one of the best festivals in Mexico, don’t miss it!
Folks dress up in every kind of loopy costumes for an enormous parade that’s tons of enjoyable for all. This loopy day occurs on the Sunday closest to June thirteenth, so plan accordingly.
12. Go Horseback Using
Far and away one of the vital in style issues to do in San Miguel Allende is a little bit of horseback driving.
There are a number of completely different choices for horseback driving adventures, from brief rides by means of city as much as in a single day excursions out on the ranch. One very respected tour firm you’ll be able to take a look at is Coyote Canyon Adventures.
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13. Dive into the Artwork Scene
San Miguel de Allende has lengthy been a favorite of artists, each established and aspiring. Strolling round city, you’ll shortly discover simply how plentiful artwork is in San Miguel.
There are museums, galleries, and institutes throughout city, together with the well-known Instituto Allende. There are a number of choices right here to unleash your interior artist, from one-day workshops to 4-week programs.
Even for those who’re not into creating the artwork your self, you’ll discover loads of eye-catching items round city to admire. These enthusiastic about bringing some Mexican art work dwelling will discover San Miguel de Allende a unbelievable place to do some procuring.
14. Chill Out in a Cafe
One in every of my favorite issues to do in San Miguel de Allende is to discover a desk in an area cafe and watch the city go by. Among the greatest choices embody Lavanda Café, Cumpanio, and San Agustin for chocolate and churros.
With a pleasant increase of caffeine and sugar, you’ll be able to proceed your exploration of this well-known Mexican city.
15. See a Present on the Theatre
A visit to the Angela Peralta Theatre is unquestionably among the best issues to do in San Miguel de Allende. Named after the queen of Mexican opera, this intimate theatre hosts quite a lot of performances from each native and visiting artists.
Remember to verify the calendar of occasions earlier than your journey and seize some tickets to see a present right here. One of many greatest occasions right here is the Worldwide Jazz Competition, which takes place yearly in November.
16. Chill out within the Thermal Baths
If you happen to’re questioning what to do in San Miguel de Allende in spite of everything that strolling round and exploring, enjoyable in a thermal bathtub is your only option. Relax and chill out!
There are a number of thermal baths close to the city the place you’ll be able to go for a pleasant soak. The preferred selections are Escondido Place and La Gruta, each of that are simply mixed with a visit to the sanctuary.
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17. Eat Your Manner Throughout City
For such a small city, San Miguel de Allende positive packs a punch in relation to the culinary scene. From road meals as much as fine-dining and every thing in between, your mouth is bound to be watering always as you eat your means throughout city.
There’s an abundance of delicious local food right here, however that’s not all that the city is cooking up. You’ll additionally discover loads of superior fusion eating places in addition to worldwide delicacies to please the town’s massive expat inhabitants.
Planning a visit to different areas of Mexico? Don’t miss the enjoyable things to do in Puerto Vallarta, the thrilling things to do in Mexico City, and the colonial city of San Cristobal de las Casas. If you happen to’re heading to the coast, take a look at the superior things to do in Cabo San Lucas, the enjoyable things to do in Isla Mujeres, the loopy partying and different fun things to do in Cancun, the epic ruins and things to do in Tulum, and naturally the gorgeous seashores and different things to do in Playa del Carmen. Mexico actually has one thing for everybody.
18. Go to a Native Market
Whereas there are many glorious outlets and eating places round city, you must nonetheless make it some extent to take a look at an area market in your procuring and/or consuming wants.
The Ignacio Ramírez market is a superb place to choose up some contemporary produce, seize an affordable lunch, or buy some native handicrafts to take dwelling.
19. Drinks With a View
After a giant day of exploring all that San Miguel de Allende has to supply, one of the simplest ways to wind down is with cocktails and a view at one of many metropolis’s many rooftop bars.
You’ve bought a couple of selections in your fancy Pleased Hour, together with the superb Luna Rooftop Tapas Bar within the Rosewood Lodge.
They usually have stay music as properly, making it an much more enjoyable outing. Having fun with a tasty grownup beverage with some stay tunes and a stunning view of city is unquestionably one of many high issues to do in San Miguel de Allende.
20. Fly Excessive in a Scorching Air Balloon
So that you’ve already hiked as much as the mirador and loved some rooftop drinks. If you happen to’re on the lookout for a fair higher view and one of many coolest issues to do in San Miguel de Allende, why not go for a scorching air balloon journey? Fly excessive above city in what is bound to be an unforgettable expertise.
It’s round $140 for a flight. Click here for particulars.
21. Celebration it Up in a Dive Bar
Fancy wine and cocktail joints are nice and all, however you’ve bought to hit an old school dive bar from time to time! If you happen to’re on the lookout for an unpretentious place with low cost drinks and good dialog, head to the rowdy La Cucaracha (The Cockroach).
There’s even an enormous cockroach on the wall to make the place much more fascinating.
Questioning what to do in San Miguel de Allende to hang around with locals? That is it. You received’t discover loads of gringos right here, so it’s an amazing place to get just a little free and apply the Spanish you’ve been engaged on!
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Bonus! Volunteer
There are quite a few volunteer alternatives in San Miguel. From spending time at a daycare and building houses for the much less lucky, to packaging school meals for kids and educating English. There are loads of methods you can provide again throughout your journey.
Volunteering is without doubt one of the most rewarding and memorable issues to do in San Miguel de Allende.
Now You Know What To Do in San Miguel de Allende
After studying about all of those superior issues to do in San Miguel de Allende, I’m positive you’ll be able to see why the town is such an enormous draw for vacationers and expats alike.
Regardless of its current fame and rising recognition, the town nonetheless retains a lot of its attraction that put it on the map with travellers a few years in the past. If you happen to’re taking a visit to Mexico quickly, make sure to add this lovely, artsy city to your itinerary.
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