Experience Art and Relaxation in San Miguel de Allende

The pink church spire of Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel rises above the colorful buildings and cobbled stone streets of one of Mexico's most beautiful colonial cities - San Miguel de Allende.

Three-and-a-half hours from Mexico City in the state of Guanajuato is San Miguel de Allende, one of Mexico's Pueblo Magicos founded in 1542. Widely known for its Spanish baroque architecture, arts and culture, and large American expat community, San Miguel de Allende offers travelers a chance to experience Mexico's highlands in one of the most picturesque places in the country.

In this guide, we'll touch on the best place to stay, our favorite activities in San Miguel de Allende, and exactly how to get there. While the pictures of San Miguel de Allende on Instagram and TikTok are vibrant, nothing beats an actual visit to this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Let us show you why.

San Miguel de Allende has a ton of boutique hotels, many of which surround the central plaza, El Jardin. The drawback of this? The central area can be quite noisy, especially during festivals and events. Even ear plugs can only do so much. This is why we suggest a stay at Live Aqua San Miguel de Allende Urban Resort.

Set along a dam near the Presa del Obraje river, the hotel is surrounded by hills covered in arid plants, making it feel secluded in this busy town. Even so, it's just a 13-minute walk from the hotel to the main plaza.

Thoughtfully designed with open air courtyards full of sculptures and plants, the overall atmosphere is relaxed and upscale. Rooms are luxurious with deep tubs, waterfall rain showers, and comfortable beds next to sitting areas. Small details like aromatherapy sprays for your pillows add to the magic of the rooms. In terms of amenities, Live Aqua San Miguel de Allende Urban Resort has a pool and hot tubs, plenty of spaces to lounge and gather with friends, as well as a gym with high-tech equipment, and a spa that offers oxygen treatments, massages, and a soothing pool, shower, and sauna circuit.

The numerous restaurants invite guests and locals to gather for delicious meals in beautiful spaces. Zibu Allende is the perfect spot for Mexican favorites during breakfast and lunch. Many seek out seafood flavors at Mario Canary, the outdoor pool bar, during the day. Spice Market offers Asian cuisine and fun tiki drinks, while the Casa Dragones bar's outdoor patio is the perfect spot to sip tequila and have a cigar.