3 Days/2 Nights San Miguel de Allende Itinerary
Now is the time to visit San Miguel de Allende, a city brimming with unique experiences, before it becomes a major bustling tourist hot spot. Travel + Leisure readers have already recognized its charm, voting it the best city in the world for 2024. With locals and drivers noting a significant increase in tourist numbers, it's clear that the city's popularity is on the rise. Don't miss the chance to experience this enchanting city before it becomes a global hotspot, or maybe it is already.
Day 1:
We flew into Mexico City and were met at the airport by our driver, who took us on a four-hour drive to San Miguel de Allende. I pre-arranged a private transfer from the airport to San Miguel, a door-to-door service. No hassle and no worries!! We checked in at L'Otel Casa Arca, dropped off our bags, and began exploring the town.
Here's why we chose L'Otel Casa Arca:
This historic colonial-era home, once owned by Isaac Cohen, a renowned local businessman who arrived from Syria with almost nothing, has been transformed into a boutique hotel. It features an artistically designed restaurant, a tequila tasting room (a branch of Casa Dragones), and a wine bar. It serves as a hub for the city's artistic community and boutiques. Its prime location in the heart of the historic town, just a two-minute walk from the iconic pink church, makes it a perfect base for your San Miguel adventure.
Walk to the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, the iconic neo-Gothic church with a striking pink limestone façade. In front of the church is the main square, El Jardín. This tree-lined garden with plenty of benches is perfect for capturing photos and people-watching. With the church right across from it, El Jardín is surrounded by shops, cafes, municipal buildings, and Casa de Ignacio Allende.
Casa De Ignacio Allende, a historic Baroque building dating back to the 18th century, was the birthplace of Ignacio Allende, a key figure in Mexico's War of Independence. Today, it is a museum dedicated to his life and the region's history.
The museum features exhibits on Allende's role in the independence movement, along with furnishings and paintings from the 16th to 18th centuries. It's an excellent place to delve into the rich history of San Miguel de Allende and its pivotal role in Mexican history. It's open from 9 am to 5 pm, Tuesday through Sunday, with an entry fee of MXN$65. You'll need about an hour to explore it.
After touring the museum, take a rest and go to Bovine Restaurant for a drink and early dinner. This steakhouse, located on the second floor of the Código Postal Design building, features artistically designed geometric floors and abstract wall art.
After a hearty meal, stroll to El Jardín to admire the illuminated cathedral and listen to a live mariachi band. You can even request your favorite song for a fee and dance to the music if you wish.
Note: If you arrive in San Miguel later (after 5 pm or on Monday), you may have to postpone your museum tour to another day.
Day 2
The day before, as we neared San Miguel de Allende from Mexico City, the stunning views of the town's iconic pink cathedral came into view. As our car descended into the town, I made a mental note to hike up for the best panoramic perspective of the town and the cathedral.
On the second day, we were up and about at 6:45 am, ready to make the most of our time in San Miguel de Allende. We set off from our hotel, following the route our driver had taken the previous day. The early morning stroll was invigorating, though the uphill trek can be challenging for those who aren't physically fit. It's wise to assess your ability; if walking uphill for over an hour seems daunting, it might be best to skip it.
We took our time, soaking in the views and exploring the charming houses in the neighborhood. And our final destination for the morning walk was El Mirador on Calle Salida a Queretaro.
By 8:15 am, we made our way back to the hotel. Breakfast at Casa Arca was a delightful experience. The spread included fresh juice, Americano coffee, local fruits, yogurt, and a warm, hearty dish of Cazuela eggs (huevos en cazuela). This traditional Mexican breakfast features two fried eggs smothered in roasted tomato sauce, garnished with avocado, pickled red onions, labneh, and either beef or fried chorizo. It was a delicious start to our day!
Next, we explored the town, wandering through its charming shops, cafes, and bakeries. The cobblestone streets added to the town's allure, with Calle Aldama (known as the prettiest street in San Miguel) particularly popular for Instagrammers. This street leads to the cathedral on one end and Parque Benito Juárez on the other.
At 12:30 pm, we met our guide, Victor, for a three-hour food tour of San Miguel de Allende, eager to discover more culinary delights. This tour is available from Viator.com for $65 per person.
The 3-hour tour started at La Cocina with a tortilla soup, hibiscus drink, and guacamole. Victor then guided us to the next stop for mole poblano with tamales, cheese chiles rellenos with Mexican red rice, and pepito de arrachera with french fries, and the tour ended in front of the San Francisco church with a threat of ice cream from a local ice cream vendor and churros from San Augustin Chocolate and Churros cafe located in front of the church.
Join this food tour to savor the flavors of San Miguel de Allende in just 3 hours instead of wandering the town in search of the best bites.
When the tour ends, you'll be so full you won't need another meal. We returned to the hotel for a complimentary cocktail, the maracuya mezcalita—a perfect blend of mezcal and passion fruit, and hands down the best drink ever. You have to try it!
After some rest, we ventured to El Jardín to watch the cathedral's colors shift with the setting sun, accompanied by the beautiful sounds of a mariachi band. If you're in the mood, head to one of the rooftop bars for drinks, cool evening air, and music. Be sure to check out Aquí Castilla for stunning views of the cathedral and town.
Day 3 Like the day before, we set out again at 6:45 am as the sun rose. This time, we walked to the Parque Benito Juárez and explored the surrounding neighborhood, including the Rosewood Hotel and Numu Boutique Hotel. Numu was our first choice, but since we wanted to be closer to the action, we decided on L'otel Casa Arca.
Visit the Templo de San Francisco, Capilla de la Tercera Orden. If you have time, check out Biblioteca Publica, which has Latin America's most extensive collection of English magazines and books.
Another street I liked early in the morning was Calle Cuna de Allende. This street is fascinating, leading to La 21 Única Cantina. Definitely check it out when you visit! Morning walks are the best, with few people around and locals heading to school or work. The shops are still closed, and bakeries are just getting ready to open. Breakfast at the hotel starts promptly at 8 am.
We had a few more hours to explore on foot before departing for Mexico City at 1 p.m. Our first stops were the Ignacio Ramirez Market and the nearby Mercado de Artesanías.
Next, we headed to Lavanda Café, which I had heard many positive reviews about. However, I had too much food and coffee during breakfast that I could hardly get another cup of coffee in my body. I did manage to browse the shops along Calle Jon de Loreto and pick up a few conchas (Mexican pan dulce) from La Colmena before it was time to meet our driver for the journey to Mexico City.
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