San Miguel de Allende has been rated the #1 city in the world by the Conde Nast Traveler’s 2013 Annual Reader's Poll, and more recently, the Travel & Leisure 2017 Annual Reader's Poll ! People from everywhere come here to experience the year round perfect climate, gorgeous colonial architecture, colorful history and beautiful scenery. The atmosphere is cosmopolitan and relaxed, with fabulous shopping, festivals, cultural events and the traditions which are part of daily life. There is never a dull moment in this city. Gourmet restaurants and bars are part of the vivid nightlife. Whether you want to enjoy a romantic getaway, a cultural vacation or a great family trip, San Miguel de Allende offers it all.

Getting here

Leon/Guanajuato (BJX)
Most visitors to San Miguel fly into Leon/Guanajuato Airport (BJX). It is a mostly scenic 90 minutes drive to San Miguel. You can fly into Leon from Houston on United, from Dallas on American, or from Atlanta on Delta. If you are traveling from Southern California, you might consider crossing the border in San Diego and taking a domestic Mexican airline flight from Tijuana Airport to Leon.
Queretaro (QRO)
This is the preferred airport for private jets. There is also service from Houston on United and from Dallas on American. The trip from Queretaro Airport to San Miguel is about an hour. Mexico City (MEX)
You will find many more flight options and better airfares flying into Mexico City (airport code is MEX). Many visitors spend a day or two in the Mexican capital (we love Pollanco, Roma Norte and La Condesa) before or after their trip to San Miguel. You can climb the pyramids at Teotihuacan, tour the Centro Historico or enjoy fine restaurants and museums, including the Frida Kahlo house. The trip from Mexico City Airport is about 3.5 hours by car or 4+ hours on the bus.
Ground Transportation
We recommend bajiogo.com or viajessanmiguel.com for safe, reliable and affordable shuttle and private car service. Alternately, there are many car rental companies at both airports, although a car isn't really necessary once you arrive in San Miguel. Cabs and Uber are cheap and plentiful.

What to Pack and Wear

San Miguel is very casual. Jeans, khakis and shorts are fine. Sportswear is acceptable in any restaurant, but it's also OK to dress up at night. Evenings can be cooler, so be sure to bring a jacket, sweater or shawl.
The most important thing is to bring good walking shoes! Seriously, leave the heels at home. Make sure your shoes have a thick rubber or crepe sole - leather can be too slippery on the cobblestones and ancient stone-slab sidewalks, especially when it rains.

San Miguel is located at an altitude of 6400 feet (almost 2000 meters) and at a latitude that is below the Tropic of Cancer. The sunlight can be very intense, even if the daytime temperature is not too hot. Be sure to bring a hat, dark glasses and good sunblock.

What to Do

In additional to regional fiestas (such as Day of the Dead, various Saints' Days, Independence Day, Semana Santa and more), you can:
Take day trips to historic cities nearby. Guanajuato and Queretaro are the two most popular day trips, plus the old mining town/art community of Pozos, as well as Tequisquiapan and Bernal Take language classes

Take art classes

Shop! Some of the best selections of galleries/folk art/ceramics/jewelry/household items/furniture/clothing in Mexico can be found here
Visit the studios and ateliers of local artisans (many ceramicists, jewelry makers, painters, furniture makers work in the area)
Go swimming in the nearby hot springs (20 min. outside of town)
Take a hot air balloon ride
Play golf (we have a challenging 9-hole course at a Country Club just outside of town; day passes there also give you access to their Olympic-sized pool and clay tennis courts)
Play tennis - several private and public courses available
Go horseback riding in the countryside
Go on the Sunday "House and Garden Tour", which takes you behind the walls and doors of three different houses each week (and it's a fund-raiser for the local library)

Attend concerts during the many music festivals held here throughout the year
Attend art gallery openings - usually at least one a week
Have spa treatments (facials/pedicures/massages) or arrange for a massage right in your casa! Have a facelift !!! (many people come here for that...)
Take cooking classes
RELAX! -- just sit in the main square or in a cafe and enjoy the peaceful pace of life here
Eat ... many fine restaurants here (safe food and water)

Restaurants

There are many wonderful restaurants in San Miguel de Allende. Some of our favorites include La Parada (on Recreo between Huertas and El Chorro), The Restaurant, Moxie at the hotel Matilda, Aperi on Quebrada between Umaran and Canal, and El Manantial on Barranca and Huertas, about 3 blocks away. We even have a new and trendy gourmet food court! Some of our favorite rooftop patios, all with food, include Quince and Atrio on Cuna de Allende , La Azotea just off the Jardin, and La Luna on the rooftop of The Rosewood Hotel. There are many, many more fabulous restaurants. Please check Tripadvisor for the latest ratings. One of our favorite websites for restaurant “reviews” is the blog www.dondayinsma.com. Be sure and search the older blogs. Reviews are insightful and thoroughly entertaining. Another wonderful blog about local food and restaurants is www.cupcakesandcrablegs.com, written by Susan York. There are new eateries opening weekly!