PLAN YOUR VISIT



THE TOURISM COUNCIL OF THIS CITY GIVES YOU A WARM WELCOME TO

“THE HEART OF MEXICO”

 

In order to enjoy your visit to San Miguel de Allende, Cultural Heritage of Humanity, we suggest some of the cultural and recreational activities that offers this wonderful destination.






If you are a tripper and your visit will last less than 12 hours, we suggest you a walk around downtown. In that way you’ll know the landmarks of San Miguel, its Museums, Churches and Historical Monuments. A good option to use your time and explore this destination is a ride on the Tourist Trolley: it will give you a general landscape of what this city offers to its visitors.

Don’t forget to come by and watch the paintings by Mexican muralist David Alfaro Siqueiros at the Cultural Centre Ignacio Ramírez, “El Nigromante”, located just a block away from the Main Garden. The Museum of Popular Toys and the Museum of Ceremonial Masks will take your breath away with their incredible collection of artisanal toys and pre-Hispanic masks. A visit you must not skip is to one of the most important buildings in San Miguel: La Aurora Factory, a center of art and design where you’ll find galleries, antique shops, jewels, etc. In this building you will be amazed by the works of world-renowned artists working at their open studios.




By afternoon surely you’ll want to enjoy a good meal. We suggest some of the several restaurants with terrace, where international cuisine is offered. Complement your delicious food with an exotic cocktail, or a mezcal tasting while you relish the good weather of San Miguel de Allende. Before ending your visit and continue your journey, you can walk by the Lucas Balderas Alley, where you’ll find a market with endless shops offering a great variety of Mexican arts and crafts.

If you’re planning a longer stay, after checking in at your hotel you can start with the Trolley ride, where you will receive a brief account of San Miguel’s History, sites of interest descriptions and relevant information about the city. You can complement your trolley ride with a guided walking tour throughout the historic center with a guide that will provide more details about this destiny. At the Tourism Council of San Miguel de Allende we will be glad to help you hire a local tour guide.

By the afternoon we suggest you go shopping. In downtown San Miguel you’ll find very exclusive products that can’t be found anywhere else: clothes, shoes or jewelry manufactured by local artisans and designers. Once night arrives, enjoy of a romantic dinner at one of the more than 100 restaurants located in San Miguel de Allende. Perhaps after your dinner you’ll want to go dancing or drinking at a bar. Nightlife in San Miguel de Allende is pretty active. Clubs, taverns and bars are at your disposition to enjoy responsibly. You should not worry about safety, since San Miguel has been named one of the top 8 safest cities in Mexico by Lonely Planet magazine. Taxis are available 24 hours a day and all units belong to a program called Taxi Seguro (Safe Taxi) for the wellbeing of our visitors.



San Miguel has approximately 2000 rooms to spend the night at a range of accomodation options that goes from hostels to boutique, special category and luxury hotels.

In the morning you can perform activities since very early hours, such as a balloon flight, swimming at hot springs, simply exercising in Benito Juárez park or having a very healthy breakfast at the organic restaurant we have. On Saturdays there is an organic market where you also can take breakfast.

For those of you who enjoy from outdoor activities and nature, San Miguel de Allende offers contractors dedicated to adventure tourism. They will offer you horse rides, ATV rides to historical routes, rappelling, hiking and zip lines, among other enjoyable activities. Book in advance and live the adventure that this magical destiny puts in your hands.




Don’t forget to visit El Charco del Ingenio, a botanical garden dedicated to the conservation of different species of cacti and declared a Peace Zone by the Dalai Lama.

If you are looking for relaxation and tranquility, enjoy a good massage or a facial mask in the many spas we have at your disposal. You can find them at the best hotels in the city or as an independent business.

After enjoying a delicious meal at the city’s restaurants, you can also enjoy the wonderful experience of touring a vineyard and learning about the processes of artisanal winemaking. Book a wine tasting and/or schedule a visit to the harvest festivals that take place in August, colorful celebrations framed by music, gastronomy and oenology.




 

If you plan to stay long, you may want to integrate in your itinerary some art classes. There are several cultural centers and art schools which offer classes and courses on painting, sculpture, photography, stained glass, and all kinds of handcrafts. There are some writing workshops as well.

A place you most definitely should visit is the Jesús Nazareno Sanctuary at Atotonilco. It is a catholic parish built in colonial XVIII century. It is otherwise known as the Sistine Chapel of the Americas because of the frescoes decorating its ceiling and walls. It was named a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 2008. It is approximately a 15-minute drive from the city.



 

Last but not least, we invite you to visit one of the 5 archaeological zones found in Guanajuato: Cañada de la Virgen, which is 25 minutes from the municipal seat. The best way to get there is in your own vehicle and you should consider cost for access — 45 Mexican pesos, including guide and transportation within the archaeological site.






San Miguel de Allende Tourism Office
Plaza Principal #8 Centro, CP 37700




©2023 Visit San Miguel de Allende




Tourism Office

Phone: +52 (415) 154 7175
Monday to Friday 09:00 a 19:00 hrs.
Sunday 10:00 a 17:00 hrs.


E-Mail: informacionturistica@sanmigueldeallende.gob.mx




Administrative Office

Phone: +52 (415) 152 0900
Monday to Friday 08:30 a 16:00 hrs.




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