Centro
First-timersAround the Jardín and the Parroquia.
Town guide
Things to do in San Miguel de Allende
A colonial hill town in central Mexico: the pink spires of the Parroquia, cobbled streets of ochre and red houses, art galleries, rooftop bars, hot springs, vineyards and the painted sanctuary of Atotonilco.
9
Hostels in the city
9.5
Average, from 1,894 reviews
1,900 m
Above sea level
2–3
Days
Pink spires and cobbled streets
San Miguel de Allende is a small colonial town in the state of Guanajuato, about three and a half to four hours north of Mexico City. Its centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built around the Jardín Principal and the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, whose pink neo-Gothic towers are the symbol of the town.
It has drawn artists and foreign residents since the mid-20th century, so it has galleries, art schools, good restaurants and rooftop bars, and prices above the Mexican average. It also keeps its fiestas, with parades, fireworks and processions through the year.
Around it are hot springs, vineyards, a botanical garden above a canyon and the Sanctuary of Atotonilco. Give San Miguel two or three days, and combine it with Guanajuato.
Where to base yourself
Stay in the Centro, close to the Jardín; Guadalupe and San Antonio are quieter and a little cheaper.
Guadalupe
Art, quietNorth of the Centro, with street murals.
San Antonio
Local, cheaperSouth of the Centro.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 9 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in San Miguel
Start at the Jardín and the Parroquia, then wander the cobbled streets to the Mirador viewpoint for sunset over the town. Visit the Bellas Artes cultural centre, with its murals, and the Fábrica La Aurora, a textile mill turned art and design centre.
Walk the El Charco del Ingenio botanical garden above a canyon. Soak in the hot springs at La Gruta or Escondido Place, and visit the Sanctuary of Atotonilco, a UNESCO site covered in painted murals.
Take a hot-air balloon flight at sunrise, or a wine tour to the vineyards nearby.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
The Jardín, the Parroquia and the streets of the Centro are free, and so is the Mirador viewpoint. The Bellas Artes murals and many galleries are free to visit.
The Fábrica La Aurora is free to wander.
Hot springs, El Charco and tours charge.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
San Miguel has some of Mexico's best restaurants, at high prices. For cheap food, the Mercado Ignacio Ramírez and the street stalls near the Jardín sell tacos, gorditas and tamales for €1 to €4.
Try the elotes (corn) on the Jardín in the evening.
A 10 to 15 per cent tip is usual in sit-down restaurants; check the bill first, as some add a service charge (propina).
Nightlife
Going out
Rooftop bars over the Parroquia are the classic sunset spot. Mezcal bars, wine bars and live music fill the Centro, with a few clubs.
Mariachis play on the Jardín in the evening.
A beer costs €2 to €4, more on the rooftops.
Getting around
Getting around
The Centro is walkable, but the cobbles are steep. Taxis and Uber are cheap for the outskirts.
The nearest airports are Querétaro, about an hour away, and the Bajío (BJX) near León, about an hour and a half. Buses run to Mexico City in about 3.5 to 4 hours and to Guanajuato in about 1.5 hours.
Shuttles connect with both airports.
Costs
What San Miguel costs
Hostel beds start at around €12 to €20 a night, and San Miguel is pricier than most Mexican towns. Market food costs €1 to €4.
Hot springs cost about €10 to €20, El Charco del Ingenio a few euros, and a balloon flight about €150 to €200.
Pay in pesos. Cards work widely.
Safety
Safety and scams
San Miguel is generally calm for visitors. It lies outside the south-west of Guanajuato state, which the UK advises against; check the latest advice before travelling elsewhere in the state.
Watch your step on the steep cobbles, and take a taxi at night.
Do not drink the tap water; use bottled or filtered water, which most hostels provide. In an emergency, call 911.
Worth the trip
Hot springs, vineyards and colonial cities.
Guanajuato
A city in a ravine.
Dolores Hidalgo
Birthplace of independence.
Querétaro
A colonial city and aqueduct.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Fiestas, music and the dead.
Late September
Fiesta of San Miguel Arcángel
The Centro
Fireworks, parades and the Alborada.
March or April
Holy Week
San Miguel
Processions.
1 to 2 November
Day of the Dead
San Miguel
La Calaca festival and altars.
15 to 16 September
Independence Day
San Miguel
Celebrations in a key town of 1810.
Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in San Miguel de Allende, live from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
Hostal Corazón de Allende
Rooms from €8 a night
See dates and book
Casa Lool Beh
Rooms from €12 a night
See dates and book
Casa de las Golondrinas -Ecohostal & Campsite-
Rooms from €7 a night
See dates and book
Casa Juanita
Rooms from €7 a night
See dates and book
Meson Amelia
Dorms from €15 a night
See dates and book
Hostel Inn
Dorms from €11 a night
See dates and book
LOOL BEH HOSTAL
Dorms from €12 a night
See dates and book
Selina San Miguel de Allende
Rooms from €30 a night
See dates and book
Real de Minas San Miguel de Allende
Rooms from €41 a night
See dates and book
When to go
October to April is dry and sunny, with cold nights in winter. May is the hottest month. June to September brings afternoon rain. Late September is busy for the San Miguel Arcángel fiesta, and Holy Week and the Day of the Dead are busy too.
Jan
Dry, cold nights
Feb
Dry
Mar
Warm
Apr
Holy Week
May
Hottest
Jun
Rain
Jul
Rain
Aug
Rain
Sep
San Miguel Arcángel
Oct
Dry
Nov
Day of the Dead
Dec
Holidays
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs, rounded. Altitude about 1,900 metres.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on San Miguel de Allende prices.
Treat these as a guide. Tours and hot springs cost extra.
—
- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
San Miguel de Allende questions
The ones we get asked most.
Is San Miguel de Allende expensive?
It is pricier than most Mexican towns, but markets and street food are cheap.
How do I get to San Miguel?
Fly to Querétaro or the Bajío, or take a bus from Mexico City, about 3.5 to 4 hours.
Is San Miguel safe?
It is generally calm; take taxis at night.
Guanajuato or San Miguel?
Do both; they are 1.5 hours apart.
Where are the hot springs?
A short taxi ride out of town, at La Gruta and Escondido Place.
How many days do I need?
Two to three.
When is the best time to visit?
October to April.
Also trending this week
Say yes to hostels, meet the world
Compare hostels across Mexico: live prices, real reviews and free cancellation on most bookings. Then meet the people already there in the app.
Get the App.