San Miguel de Allende – Mexique

October 18, 2021

Mexico

WEATHER

San Miguel de Allende has a warm Mediterranean climate with dry summer. The rains are weak throughout the year. Temperatures are cool in the morning but hover around 22 degrees during the day.

TRANSPORTS

Guanajuato- San Miguel de Allende, 1h30 with the ETN company for 180 pesos (7.50 euros). Fast, pleasant, few people and on time. A trip as we like them! Arrive at the terminal, I check if Uber is working here, yes it is. It takes a little patience to find a driver because there are just few, but it is possible. My hostel is on the other side of town. Price of the race 50 pesos (2 euros). Taxis are more expensive as usual. Possibility to take the bus (8 pesos) located just in front of the terminal but at this price, I do not want to bother with my luggage.

To visit

San Miguel de Allende

Top 10 to visit in San Miguel de Allende

The Parish of San Miguel Arcangel
La Esquina: Museum of Popular Mexican Toys
Fabrica La Aurora: vast center of art and design
El Charco del Ingenio: botanical garden of Mexican plants
Parque Juarez
Santuario de Atotonilco: 18th century religious complex
The Chapelle of Santa Cruz del Chorro
The Church of the Immaculate Conception (Las Monjas)
The Allende Institute
The Mask Museum

Did you know ?

As mentioned in the previous article, Guanajuato's wealth comes directly from the exploitation of gold and silver mines. San Miguel also took advantage but in a different way. In the mid-16th century, when mines were discovered in the area, a road was built to connect the town of Zacatecas (where the mines were located) to the capital Mexico City. The city of San Miguel was then crossed by this road. It was by meeting the accommodation needs of travelers who took this route and by supplying provisions to the mining towns that the town made its fortune. The city reached its peak in the middle of the 18th century, during which time the beautiful houses and churches that can still be admired today were built.

San Miguel de Allende

San Miguel de Allende is a city in Mexico located inGuanajuato state. In 2008, it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The fortified city of 70,000 inhabitants can be proud, for example, of a “Sistine Chapel of the Americas”, the Parish of San Miguel Arcangel, Jesuit sanctuary built in the 16th century and transformed into neo-Gothic style in the 19th century.

Cobbled streets lined with colonial buildings of all colors, magnificently decorated doors, wrought iron lamp posts, religious statues carved into the facade of the buildings, everything is admirably done. San Miguel de Allende has undergone few changes over time, thus restoring an almost intact architectural and cultural heritage.

It is quite simply a gem of the colonial era.

: San Miguel de Allende Mexico

: San Miguel de Allende Mexico

: San Miguel de Allende Mexico

: San Miguel de Allende Mexico

: San Miguel de Allende Mexico

: San Miguel de Allende Mexico

: San Miguel de Allende Mexico

: San Miguel de Allende Mexico

: San Miguel de Allende Mexico

: San Miguel de Allende Mexico

: San Miguel de Allende Mexico

: San Miguel de Allende Mexico

: San Miguel de Allende Mexico

: San Miguel de Allende Mexico

: San Miguel de Allende Mexico

: San Miguel de Allende Mexico

: San Miguel de Allende Mexico

: San Miguel de Allende Mexico

: San Miguel de Allende Mexico

: San Miguel de Allende Mexico

: San Miguel de Allende Mexico

: San Miguel de Allende Mexico

: San Miguel de Allende Mexico

: San Miguel de Allende Mexico

: San Miguel de Allende Mexico

: San Miguel de Allende Mexico

: San Miguel de Allende Mexico

: San Miguel de Allende Mexico

Click on a photo to start the slideshow

: San Miguel de Allende Mexico

: San Miguel de Allende Mexico

: San Miguel de Allende Mexico

: San Miguel de Allende Mexico

: San Miguel de Allende Mexico

: San Miguel de Allende Mexico

: San Miguel de Allende Mexico

: San Miguel de Allende Mexico

: San Miguel de Allende Mexico

: San Miguel de Allende Mexico

Click on a photo to start the slideshow

The Parish of San Miguel Arcangel A real icon

According to city records, the construction of the Parish of San Miguel Arcangel de San Miguel de Allende began in 1555 and ended in 1649. The design chosen was that of a Latin cross, which would house a main nave, a crypt and two side chapels. After a strong earthquake, the building had to be repaired, concluding the work in 1709. Almost 200 years later, in 1880, it was decided to restore the building again. The remodeling was entrusted to Zeferino Gutiérrez Muñoz , a mason famous inSan Miguel for his works. It is said that Zeferino jealously guarded a postcard from Cologne Cathedral, Germany, and used it to restore the parish. He added pointed arches, spiky columns, and several spiers and niches with stylized carvings. Thus, it went from the baroque style to the neo-Gothic style, with a pink quarry extracted from the extinct volcano Palo Huérfano. The restoration by Zeferino was completed in 1890..

The interior houses many artistic treasures. The altarpiece of the high altar is a neoclassical jewel; all its elements are covered with gold leaf. The altar and the steps are in red marble imported from Italy. The parish also has a German-made organ, imported into the country in the 19th century. In one of the side chapels is the sculpture of Christ of the Conquest, made in the 16th century by craftsmen from Pátzcuaro, Michoacán. And on the walls, you can admire various canvases from the 17th and 18th centuries, painted by local artists, including the master Juan Rodríguez Juárez.

El Charco del Ingenio

Entrance fee: 50 pesos.Open every day.

Located 15 minutes from San Miguel de Allende, El Charco del Ingenio is a botanical garden and a nature reserve extraordinary. It has an extensive collection of cacti and other succulents from Mexico, many of which are rare, threatened, or endangered. In autumn and winter, this part of the botanical garden is home to large groups of migrating birds. There are also a few historic sites including a 20th century reserve dam and the abandoned ruins of an old hacienda. It is a very beautiful walk to do through various trails in the reserve which in some places offers frankly spectacular views.

Click on a photo to start the slideshow

: El Charco del Ingenio Mexico

: El Charco del Ingenio Mexico

: El Charco del Ingenio Mexico

: El Charco del Ingenio Mexico

: El Charco del Ingenio Mexico

: El Charco del Ingenio Mexico

: El Charco del Ingenio Mexico

: El Charco del Ingenio Mexico

: El Charco del Ingenio Mexico

: El Charco del Ingenio Mexico

: El Charco del Ingenio Mexico

: El Charco del Ingenio Mexico

Bars & Restos

Here are some addresses on which I had a crush

Rustica

We eat divinely well. A top-notch cuisine or how to sublimate a simple burrito. Fresh, finely crafted, spiced up with a perfectly balanced palette of flavors, a must-do restaurant ! Beautiful terrace and very welcome.

Mama Mia

One of the emblematic restaurants of the city, a real institution since 1975. Very good menu of Italian dishes and wines, for a reasonable price. I tried their lasagna… divine. The property has a very large terrace which looks more like a nicely decorated garden. I spent a great relaxing time there and took advantage of a guitarist present that evening. Apparently there are often bands playing here. The welcome and service are up to the rest. An inescapable place !

Petit four

Ahhhh a French breakfast as we like them. Excellent chocolate, a viennoiserie worthy of a baker in France and pastries that are more than envy. The place is cozy, it feels really good and cut off from the rest of the city, it is so peaceful. Little pleasures as we like them.

Bekeb Artesanal Mixology

Recently opened bar also offering one of the best views of San Miguel thanks to its roof top. Chic and trendy place with a Dj atmosphere. In charge of cocktails aromatic ingredients of apothecaries,one of the country's most recognized mixologists, Fabiola Padilla. Establishment that is really worth the detour.

Luna Rooftop Tapas Bar

Rooftop offering one of the best views of San Miguel. Chic space offering a very large terrace equipped with all the comforts (braziers, blankets). Unfortunately the prices are not Mexican, you will pay 2 to 3 times the usual price. Exceptional vista that you pay very largely.

Assessment

Small colorful stay in this particularly photogenic city where the smallest lamp post, the smallest door is quite simply art. The atmosphere is very pleasant and lively. A strong American community settled there, which undoubtedly contributed to pushing up the prices considerably. A splendid city which remains a must-see after Guanajuato.

Next destination: San Luis Potosi 2h15 by bus with the company Primera Plus for 390 pesos (16.50 euros). Only one departure each day at 9:30 in the morning.