One of My Most Favorite Trips – San Miguel de Allende

Hi friend!  I’m really excited to share today’s post with you.  Last month, my boyfriend Elliott and I went to San Miguel to celebrate his birthday.  Since we first met about 6 months ago, he’s been talking about wanting to visit San Miguel- he read and researched so much about it because it’s been named one of the best places to retire in Mexico.

I had never heard of it, and anytime I’ve ever been to Mexico in the past, it’s been to go to the beach.  San Miguel de Allende isn’t a beach town.  It’s a vibrant and charming town located in the central highlands of Mexico.  Known for its colonial architecture, rich history and stunning natural surroundings, it offers a perfect blend of culture, art, and relaxation.

Not to mention, the weather is pretty awesome year round.  We left the humid Houston 100 degree weather and enjoyed low 80s in the morning and 70s in the evening.  During the afternoon, it did get into the 90s, but it wasn’t nearly as humid.

Our trip was absolutely dreamy, one of the best vacations I’ve ever been on, but of course part of it was my company.  Needless to say, after 4 nights there, I wasn’t even ready to come home.  You know a trip is good when you want to stay longer!

ABOUT SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE

Colonial Beauty – San Miguel has beautifully preserved Spanish colonial architecture.  Its narrow cobblestone streets are lined with colorful facades, quaint courtyards and ornate churches that make for a lovely, picturesque setting.  It felt like being in an old world that has been beautifully preserved.  The streets are also immaculate. You will definitely want to wear comfortable flat shoes because the cobblestone streets can be hard to navigate.

Cultural Hub – The town has a thriving arts and culture scene that attracts artists, writers and creatives from around the world.  Numerous art galleries, studios and workshops can be found throughout the town, showcasing a wide range of artistic styles.

Historic Landmarks – San Miguel is steeped in history. The iconic Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel is a neo-Gothic church that dominates the skyline as a must-visit landmark.  It’s truly stunning in person and photos just don’t do it justice.

Festivals & Celebrations – The most famous celebration San Miguel is known for is the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), where the town comes alive with elaborate altars, parades and traditional ceremonies.  Other events include religious processions, fold dances and cultural festivities throughout the year.

The Food – In San Miguel, you can savor traditional Mexican dishes and well as international cuisine – everything from street food to high-end restaurants.  We sampled some of both and were not disappointed. They have several ice cream street vendors and there’s even one Starbuck’s near the town center.

Welcoming Atmosphere – I will say that everyone we encountered was warm and friendly.  The town has an inclusive way about it where you feel right at home.  The town is Spanish speaking, but you can definitely make your way around speaking only English.  I speak very little Spanish and relied on the Google Translate app if I needed to say something in Spanish that I didn’t know how to say.

THE ROSEWOOD HOTEL

We flew directly from Houston to the Leon airport in Guanajuato.  From there, we rented a car and driver to drive us the hour and a half to San Miguel.  You can also take a bus, taxi, or Uber, but Uber is super expensive.

The Rosewood in San Miguel is a luxurious hotel with stunning architecture, exquisite accommodations and spectacular views.  The place is literally stunning and there are little pockets to step into to rest, chat and just chill.  And it’s also pet friendly, but we didn’t see any pets while we were there.

Dinner on the Rooftop at Quince

Qunice is a culinary gem with a global menu. The restaurant is located in a charming colonial building with stylish decor and rustic charm.

You’ll definitely want to sit on the outdoor terrace, which has a beautiful view of the Cathedral.

There’s also a tightrope walker for entertainment and his performance is unbelievable.  The vibe is hip and fresh, with a live DJ spinning the hottest hits.

Dress • Tote • Bracelets • Earrings

When we walked upstairs and first saw the view, it felt unreal.  Like you are literally living in a postcard.  And none of the photos even come close to capturing the pure beauty of it all.

There’s that tightrope walker I mentioned – CRAZY!!!

Dress • Bracelets • Earrings

The cathedral is really a sight to behold at night.

Waking up in the morning to pleasant weather where you can enjoy your morning coffee outside is bliss!!  Even though Elliott doesn’t drink coffee.  #redflag 😉

Each morning after our lovely patio time, we’d get dressed and go exploring the town on foot.

We stumbled upon some really wonderful restaurants like this cafe for breakfast.

Tank • Tote • Hat • Earrings

Then we’d walk some more and pop into shops, see the sights, and marvel at how artfully all the cafes, shops and streets were decorated with lush faux flowers and greenery.

Tank • Jean Shorts • Sneakers • Tote • Hat • Earrings

Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel

This is the Catholic church during the day and anyone is welcome to come in and they have Mass services as well.

Before we went on this trip, we watched some videos about San Miguel and I remember one person saying to peek into doorways because you never know what spectacular sight is to be found.  This is so true!  A benign looking door may behold a gorgeous, vibrant garden and the freshest tasting Mediterranean food.

DINNER AT LUNA

Dress • Sandals • Earrings

Dress • Earrings

The Rosewood has one (if not THE best) sunset view of San Miguel.  You’ll definitely want to have a drink or dinner at the rooftop bar/restaurant, Luna, to take in that magnificent view without any obstructions. They also have a scrumptious Mediterranean inspired menu.

Brunch at Cafe Rama

Right next to the Rosewood is Cafe Rama, a small bistro, bar and art gallery. They serve breakfast, lunch and cocktails and the story of how it began is very interesting.

Fabrica La Aurora

When we were in the airport heading to San Miguel, we struck up a conversation with a local who told us we must visit Fabrica La Aurora and I’m so glad we did!

Fabrica La Aurora is an art and design center housed in a renovated textile factory.  You can even see machinery from its former fabrication days.

The center is home to numerous galleries, studios, and workshops featuring a diverse range of artistic expressions.  At Fabrica La Aurora, you can visit with the artists and observe them working on their craft.

You can also shop for decor, jewelry, fashion and more.

I wish I took more pictures of the art, but you can see some of the lush gardens in and around the property.

When we were finished browsing, we ate at lunch and dessert at one of the cafes on the property.

Dinner at Zibu

Dress • Sandals • Earrings

Zibu is located in the urban Live Aqua hotel.  The menu is a combination of Mexican and Tai and I finally got to try Bibimbap – a Korean mixed rice bowl and it was very good!

I loved this courtyard dinner.  We were unexpectedly serenaded with a talented mariachi band and that was super fun.

Room Service

One of the best things about staying in a hotel is the late night room service dessert – how pretty is this one?!

Brunch in the Rosewood Courtyard

This was unexpectedly so yummy.  I didn’t know I was a fan of cottage cheese, but the fresh papaya and granola combo was so good!

The Rosewood Pool

Talk about a beautiful scene and a gorgeous, relaxing pool.  We lounged for a few hours here, ordering drinks and snacks too.

Belted Swimsuit • Hat • Sunglasses

We got a couple’s massage at the hotel’s tranquil spa and then went into the steam room and sauna.  They also have a fitness center and yoga classes if you want to partake.

Dress • Sunglasses • Earrings • Sandals

Dinner at La Chope

La Chope is a local sports bar we popped into.  The nachos were honestly some of the best I’ve ever had and I live in Houston, where TexMex is supreme.  It’s kind of hard to tell from the photo, but the nacho chips were stacked up like dominoes so every bite had a delicious taste of toppings.

And the burger was awesome!

We spent our last night in San Miguel in the town square, just sitting on a bench, talking, people watching and taking in the breathtaking beauty of the cathedral.  I swear, looking at these photos and writing this post makes me want to go back again soon.  I absolutely LOVED this trip!

I still love my little passport book that doubles as a wallet.  So handy and convenient!

If you have any questions about our trip to San Miguel, let me know in the comments.  I also saved all my videos of the trip to my Instagram Story highlight – SAN MIGUEL – if you want to check that out!

Have a fantastic day friend!