The Centro or downtown of San Miguel de Allende is a small area in size but contains gorgeous architecture, sun filled plazas, cobblestone streets and a glimpse of life in real Mexico.
There's so much to see and do, we couldn't possibly list it all here, but we've tried to give you some ideas and suggestions on what to do when you're not partying with us!
Our transportation provider, BookATour, also offers many activities and tours that may be of interest, in addition to some of those offered as ideas below.
There's so much to see and do, we couldn't possibly list it all here, but we've tried to give you some ideas and suggestions on what to do when you're not partying with us!
Our transportation provider, BookATour, also offers many activities and tours that may be of interest, in addition to some of those offered as ideas below.
Sites and Activities
Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel
A must-see in SMA, this 17th century parish church’s pink ‘wedding cake’ towers dominate the Jardín.The church has a Neo-gothic façade with two tall towers that can be seen from most parts of town. It’s a beautiful, imposing building and one of the most photographed churches in Mexico. |
El Santuario de Atotonilco
This UNESCO World Heritage site lies approximately six miles from San Miguel de Allende. Nicknamed “The Sistine Chapel of the Americas”, visitors are rewarded with truly stunning art-filled interiors. Visit on Sunday for a glimpse at the markets and authentic village life in Atotonilco. |
Templo de San Francisco
Stunning 18th century church with a unique Churrigueresque design on the exterior. Views of the city from inside are reason to visit enough, but stop by at night to see the stunning exterior in lights. |
Cuna de Tierra Vineyard
A stunning, modern winery/bodega in Dolores Hidalgo. Gorgeous architecture, peaceful gardens, excellent tasting tours. Highly recommended! |
El Jardín Principal/El Zocalo
Want to feel the true pulse of San Miguel de Allende? Head to El Jardín in the Zocalo, San Miguel de Allende’s vibrant heart. This is the “centro del Centro” – the very center of life in San Miguel. Stop by for top-notch people watching, street vendors, live music, and maybe have some helado, too. |
Cañada de la Virgen
One of Mexico’s best-kept secrets, the Cañada de la Virgen archaeological zone has only been open to the public since 2011. The 40 acre site has Otomi/Toltec roots and includes seven ancient pyramid structures across four complexes. The best way to visit is on an organized tour; Albert Coffee offers one of the best-rated trips. |
Cooking Classes/Food Tours
Want to learn how to cook truly authentic Mexican food? Check out the Marilau Mexican Ancestry Cooking School or book a private class with Paco Cardenas, who first takes guests to the local market for fresh ingredients before working with them to cook a full meal (with wine!). More interested in eating than cooking? Visit Taste of San Miguel for a spectacular 3-hour food and walking tour of the City. |
Art Classes and Workshops
There are few places so inspiring as San Miguel to even the most novice artist! For short-term visitors, we highly recommend the classes/workshops available at Cristi Fer art studios. For longer-term classes/courses, visit here for a list of respected schools and institutes. |
Bibliotecta de San Miguel on Insurgentes Street
Visit this stunning library to view the extraordinary murals – or to enjoy film screenings, lectures, recitals, and even delicious food in the cafe. The library also features an impressively large and diverse selection of English-language titles. |
Museums
Toy Museum/Museo la Esquina
Get touch with your inner child at this whimsical museum and enjoy over 2,000 beautiful toys from all over Mexico. The museum is dedicated to preserving unique toys and games handcrafted from vegetable fibers, paper, metal, wood and ceramics. Admission $2 US, location and hours can be found here. |
“Another Face of Mexico” Mask Museum
For just 50 pesos ($3), you can enjoy this spectacular collection of over 500 colorful and bizarre ceremonial masks from traditional indigenous peoples across Mexico. The museum is only open by appointment, but you can easily contact them here for a visit. All proceeds are given to charity. |
La Fabrica La Aurora
It’s one of San Miguel’s most unique destinations: a beautiful art and design center housed in a former textile factory from the turn-of-the century. The center includes contemporary art galleries, gorgeous antiques, working artist studios, gourmet restaurants and cafes, plus unique furniture, textiles, jewelry and clothing for sale. A must see in San Miguel! |
Chapel of Jimmy Ray
A bizarrely beautiful 2.5 acre art installation featuring eclectic (and eccentric) works by artist Anado McLauchlin. The site is a sensory overload of “mosaic whimsy and delightful mirth” – and is absolutely worth a visit. The “Chapel” is located in a bucolic setting (featuring rescued burros!) just outside San Miguel, but is easily reachable by taxi. |
Bellas Artes (aka, “El Centro Culturál Ignacio Ramírez ‘El Nigromante'”
This beautiful former monastery of La Concepción church was converted into a fine-arts school in 1938 and still offers courses. The stunning murals of Pedro Martínez are unmissable, as is the Siqueiros Room, which features the extraordinary unfinished mural by David Alfaro Siqueiros. The rest of the gallery holds fabulous temporary exhibitions of art and photography. Plus, enjoy a variety of concerts and performances hosed in the beautiful auditorium. |
Museo de San Miguel de Allende
This excellent historical museum – located right next to the Parrochia and the Jardin – documents the fascinating history of the greater San Miguel region- including the life and death of local Ignacio Allende, a hero of the Mexican Revolution. Downstairs, view photographs and extensive documentation of San Miguel’s history. Upstairs features unique portrayals of everyday life in Mexico. Plus, on Saturdays, enjoy a weekly farmer’s market with roving musicians. |
Outdoor Activities
Hot Springs
San Miguel may be surrounded by high desert, but that doesn’t mean you won’t find opportunities for warm water fun. The lovely La Gruta Springs features three outdoor pools of varying temperatures fed by thermal hot springs. Enjoy lovely gardens, a spring-fed waterfall, and a restaurant serving local specialties on premises. A day pass costs $8US, and massages are quite affordable at $40US for 60 minutes. |
Ballooning/ Ultralight Flights
Coyote Canyon Adventures, a popular locally-run eco-tourism company, has been offering balloon rides and ultralight flights for over 15 years. The company also offers a plethora of other activities, including horseback adventures, archaeological tours to the pyramids, camping trips, ATV adventures, hiking, biking, and other adventure tours. The company is extremely well rated by travelers. |
El Charco de Ingenio Jardin Botanico
El Charco, located northeast of town (1.5km), is a spectacular 88-hectare botanic garden, wildlife/bird sanctuary, and recreational and ceremonial space. Pathways head through wetlands and magnificent areas of cacti and native plants. A canyon has an eponymous freshwater spring, the Charco del Ingenio. Don’t miss the Conservatory of Mexican Plants , which houses a wonderful array of cacti and succulent species. Two-hour tours (in English) depart every Tuesday and Thursday at 10am (M$80). Monthly full-moon ceremonies also take place here. |
Horseback Riding/ Ranch Visits
Xolotar Ranch features is a family operated “working ranch” that has been in the Morin Ruiz family for over four generations. The ranch is located on the high plateau overlooking SMA among natural surroundings and breathtaking views. Enjoy full/half day rides, camping, hiking, rodeo demonstrations, burro rides, village visits, archaeological site tours. Highly recommended company! Leisurely Country Horseback Riding Company is another highly recommended company offering full/half day riding tours along the canyon near San Miguel. Enjoy sunset tours, overnight camping trips in Boca de la Canada, or even a delicious Ranch lunch. |
Bicycling Tours
Bici-Burro is the premiere biking outfit in SMA – offering a wide variety of short and long biking trips to a variety of destinations in Central Mexico. Bike down hills and arroyos to rural villages, old ruins, or even hot springs! All tours include mountain bikes, helmets, gloves, guides, a mechanic, and a back-up “BurroMobile” if you need a break. |
Shopping
Instituto Allende is San Miguel’s most famous art school – but it also hosts an unparalleled crafts market every Saturday! In addition to handicrafts and produce for sale, enjoy several excellent galleries, beautiful architecture, and a small cafe on premises.
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Looking for a huge variety of indigenous handicrafts at reasonable prices? The Mercado de Artesanias is your best bet! This market is located in on several long blocks near the Centro, and features beautiful Mexican pewter, handmade textiles, pottery, jewelry, trinkets, and even cowboy hats!
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Looking for a more authentic Mexican market experience? Check out Mercado Ignacio Ramirez, a vibrant market filled with everything from silver trinkets to fresh cilantro! Enjoy rock-bottom prices (be sure to bargain!) and a huge variety of goods.
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Galeria Atotonilco features one of the most spectacular collections of Mexican folk art found anywhere in the world – truly! Located near the Sanctuario de Atotonilco World Heritage site and La Gruta Hot Springs, take a taxi to this fabulous shop and make a day trip of it!
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Visit Vintage Posters International Gallery for an incredible selection of vintage posters and artwork from Poland! This fabulous collection, curated by a retired cultural anthropologist, is centrally located in San Miguel and serves as both an art gallery and a unique shopping experience.
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Buying tequila is a must-do in San Miguel! Check out Tequila Casa Cofradía Bajío, which sells excellent tequila in beautiful ceramic vases. Or, for a truly world-class tour and tasting opportunity, visit Casa Dragones; the 100% blue agave Dragones tequila is considered one of the best sipping tequilas in the world.
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