Sara & Blair
Things To Do
EL JARDIN
San Miguel de Allende’s central plaza is known as El Jardin. This is the social heart of the city, a venue for fiestas and live music and a popular meeting place, day and night. You can purchase food from street vendors, watch ad hoc musical performances by mariachis, and tour the historical buildings that border the square. Conclude your visit with a walk down the cobblestone streets surrounding El Jardin. These streets are filled with tourist shops, restaurants, cafés, markets and galleries.
WALKING TOURS OF SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE
A great way to get acquainted with the city, especially on your first day! We've been given the recommendation to take a tour with TripAdvisor’s number one rated guide and SMA’s award-winning history author, Joseph Toone. He offers many types of tours, from general culture and history to botanical gardens, architecture, and the Day of the Dead.
MERCADO DE ARTESANÍAS
Mercado de Artesanias is open daily from 9 am until 7 pm. Each stall is overloaded with hand-crafted items. Jewelry stalls sell pendants and rings, some of which are made from local stones such as Mexican jade or shaped like skulls. Hand-painted, traditional Mexican ceramics are piled high alongside hanging lamps and Oaxacan rugs and clothing. Even the souvenirs at touristy stalls are hand-painted. San Miguel is a city full of artists, painters and craftsmen, and this is reflected in this beautiful market!
GLOBO SAN MIGUEL HOT AIR BALLOON ADVENTURES
Globo flies daily over the beautiful colonial town of San Miguel de Allende and the surrounding countryside.With over 20 years of experience flying over San Miguel and more than 35 years in the commercial balloon business, they have the experience needed to make your flight safe and enjoyable. Their pilots are FAA Certified and are among the most experienced in the world.
FOOD TOURS OR COOKING CLASSES
Experience off-the-beaten path eateries and their colorful owners and staff, markets and regional delicacies with Taste of San Miguel Food Tours. Walk away with an enriched understanding of San Miguel's people and culture, a satisfied stomach and new insight to continue on your discovery of authentic San Miguel de Allende! Many places in San Miguel also offer cooking classes. Salon Oaxaca is one, and you can also take a cooking class with Sazón, La Cocina, or with the chef from El Petit Four.
EL MIRADOR
It’s an uphill climb, but the walk is worth it. This view overlooking the city is a great place for a family photo and simply for a spot of exercise. Easily one of the best things to do in San Miguel de Allende for a shot of the entire city.
ESCONDIDO PLACE HOT SPRINGS
Located just outside San Miguel de Allende! Here you can ease your tensions and soothe tired muscles by relaxing in one of Escondido Place’s pools of steaming, mineral-rich warm waters. Escondido has amazing gardens and ten pools with water temperature of up to 104 F. Escondido has both indoor and outdoor pools where you can relax under the open sky or sheltered by rock-lined grottos.
GALERÍA ATOTONILCO
Located five miles north of San Miguel, and one mile south of the church of Atotonilco. Possibly the most interesting collection of folk art in Mexico – the owner selects each piece by hand: carved wood and Huichol beaded pieces to Retablos, Paper Mache (you have no idea what Paper Mache can be, until you have seen a quality Mexican piece), dance masks and antiques. Well worth the trip — half a mile from the Hot Springs, so you can mix a day trip with some shopping.
TEQUILA TASTING AT CASA DRAGONES
One of Oprah's favorite tequilas! Visitors to the Casa Dragones, inside the former stables for the Dragones calvary battalion in the 17th century in San Miguel, can embark on a private tequila tasting and tour. Make reservations in advance.
COYOTE CANYON ADVENTURES
Get your adrenaline rushing! Coyote Canyon Adventures offers their guests lots of adventures to choose from, including horseback riding, zip lining, rappelling, rock climbing, and bouldering.
CAÑADA DE LA VIRGEN PYRAMID & ARCHAEOLOGICAL ZONE
Less than an hour away from downtown San Miguel de Allende is an archaeological site believed to be part of a holy complex. This was not a city, but rather a holy site, where pilgrims from the ancient world visited at auspicious moments in their calendar. In fact, the pyramids line up with the sun, stars, and planets at specific times of year! This tour is also booked through Coyote Canyon Adventures.
RANCHO TOUR WITH DESCENDANTS OF THE OTOMI
The Rancho Tour is an opportunity to meet the weavers of Las Rancheritas and experience life in a rural village. The 16 women are the descendants of the Otomi pyramid builders. . This is an intimate hands-on experience where you will be invited into the homes of the villagers to experience the following: Tortillas made by hand, cooked on a wood fired comal and decorated using an ancient process followed by a delicious traditional lunch, Medicinal herbs and other traditions that have been used by these indigenous people for millennia, A short lesson in the ancient language of he Otomi taught by an elder, traditional stone carving demonstrated by a master, Rug hooking demo and shopping in Las Rancheritas store.
FABRICA LA AURORA
Fabrica La Aurora is a former textile factory that has been converted into a trendy hub of art and culture. Visit its galleries, furniture shops, design stores and studios with hundreds of artists under one roof. Devote at least a couple hours to wandering down the corridors, drifting from one studio and shop to the next. They are all spread out on one floor and offer a vast and eclectic range of pieces and items for sale. This place is pretty spendy, so make sure to bring lots of pesos!
ENJOY THE POOL AT THE ROSEWOOD HOTEL
Because of San Miguel’s proximity to the equator and elevation, the sun can feel very strong during the day. If your hotel or Airbnb doesn’t have a pool, a little known tip is that you can spend weekdays lounging by the pool at the Rosewood! Rosewood features an extensive pool facility with baby pool, hot tub, lap pool and two other pools. On Monday through Friday, you can purchase a pool pass that includes a food and drink credit for about $500 pesos (~$25 USD). Just enter through the lobby and let them know why you’re there.
DOLORES HIDALGO
A little over half an hour from San Miguel finds you Dolores Hidalgo, home of ‘el Grito’, talavera pottery and exotic ice cream (things like shrimp, avocado, beer, plus the usual suspects) — something for the history buff or the shopper.