This city is built for relaxing. You will not, however, find blue water or beaches in San Miguel, like in other Mexican vacation destinations like Cancun or Playa del Carmen. It also isn’t the easiest place to get to if you don’t know about your options. But once you’re here, you will find it hard to leave. With its beautiful sunrises and sunsets, rich history, cobbled narrow streets with easy access to explore the city, shops, food, and culture, San Miguel will take your breath away. The climate here is cool and clear in the winter and warm in the summer, with an occasional thunderstorm. The daytime is the best time to do any sightseeing, as the afternoons can bring heavy rain and cool the air. Let’s discover some of the 15 best things to do in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
1. Learn how to make Mexican mole and salsa (from USD 155.0)
Hone your culinary skills with this cooking class that lets you in on the secrets of making authentic Mexican mole and salsa. Pick up the nuances of cooking these specialties from an experienced chef. Follow the detailed instructions to make enmoladas, mole sauce, and traditional Mexican rice. After you’re done preparing these dishes, sit down to enjoy them. Wash down your food with a glass of regional wine and a cacao chocolate drink.
Cook & Dine | Make Authentic Mexican Mole and Salsas in San Miguel de Allende
Duration: 3 hours
2. Go on a horseback riding trip to Coyote Canyon (from USD 160.0)
Saddle up and head out to explore Coyote Canyon on horseback. After a quick introduction to horseback riding, it’s now time to set off on your adventure. You can trot along at a leisurely pace or enjoy galloping past beautiful cliffs. This half-day tour also comes with an option to upgrade to one of two activities. You could choose to soak in one of the hot springs or get an adrenaline rush with cliff rappelling. Afterward, return to the ranch to enjoy a hearty lunch featuring Mexican cuisine.
San Miguel de Allende Half-Day Horseback Riding Adventure
Duration: 5 hours
3. Sample some authentic Mexican drinks (from USD 31.0)
While tequila is perhaps the most famous of Mexican spirits, mezcal is not far behind. This informative tour takes you on a journey that covers the origins of this drink and its place in local culture. Watch a video on the process of distilling mezcal and ask the knowledgeable host questions that you might have. Afterward, taste different types of mezcal and learn about the distinguishing characteristics of each. This tour lasting for about two hours is hosted in English and accepts up to four people at a time.
Mezcal con los cinco sentidos / Sensory Mezcal Tasting
Duration: 1.5 hours
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4. Learn to paint a San Miguel scene from a professional artist (from USD 71.0)
Learn to paint a typical San Miguel scene from a professional artist. Make use of provided materials and detailed guidance from your instructor to come up with an Impressionist work of art. This class lasts for about two hours and has a limit of four people at a time. The venue is the artist’s art gallery and you can enjoy a hot cup of coffee and pastries during the class.
Paint a San Miguel scene with an artist
Duration: 2 hours
5. Have a spiritual experience inside a traditional temazcal (from USD 63.0)
Enjoy this unique experience that is a blend of fitness and spirituality. You will step inside a traditional temazcal to the beat of drums and the fragrance of incense. Enjoy a steam bath with an infusion of medicinal herbs and practice breathing techniques under the guidance of your host. Practice some meditation before you wind up with a cup of herbal tea.
Traditional Temazcal in San Miguel
Duration: 2.5 hours
6. Sign up for a leisurely tour of a beautiful vineyard (from USD 39.0)
Set off on a leisurely tour of a beautiful vineyard and take in the views of the lush greenery. Learn about the different varieties of grapes and get a look at the wine-making process. Tour the cellar to know all about the process of wine aging before you make your way back up to the tasting room. Sample some of the house wines with a charcuterie board before you bid adieu to your host. This tour takes a maximum of 10 guests and is hosted in Spanish.
Tour - Cata con Charcutería y Queso
Duration: 1.5 hours
7. Experience the night life by joining a karaoke tour (from USD 19.0)
Spend the night at local karaoke bars singing and dancing to popular tunes. The host is going to take you to at least three different hangout places with distinct ambiances. Besides singing your heart out, enjoy meeting new people and get a peek into local life. This tour lasting for about four hours is hosted in Spanish and accepts a maximum of ten guests at a time.
Karaoke, Bars, Canteens With Rhythm
Duration: 4.5 hours
8. Check out various masks at Mask Museum of San Miguel de Allende
One of the great attractions in San Miguel de Allende, is the Mask Museum. With more than 500 masks on display here, they come from all over the country. They even have masks that you can purchase. At the museum, you will be able to see master weavers of Oaxaca, who sell their high quality, hand woven rugs here, too. All of the masks are collector items from indigenous tribal dances.
This is a great place to come and view a unique side of San Miguel.
Mask Museum of San Miguel de Allende
Address: Cuesta de San Jose #32, Colonia Azteca San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico
9. Learn more about traditional Mexican toys at Museo La Esquina
Whether you bring your kids or you’re a big kid at heart, this modern museum is a must-visit! The Museo La Esquina showcases toys from the different regions in Mexico. It is divided into four large, themed areas and each area showcases the different materials used to make traditional Mexican toys, such as wheat, plastic, wood and fabric. La Esquina is more than just a “toy museum” - it aims to educate and exhibit the tradition of toy making across Mexico. They also have an interactive games area and a gift shop. A great way to spend an afternoon.
Museo La Esquina
Address: Nuñez 40, Zona Centro, 37700 San Miguel de Allende, Gto., Mexico
Website: Museo La Esquina
10. Walk among beautiful rare cacti at Botanic Garden El Charco del Ingenio
Did you know that Mexico has the largest amount of cacti species on the planet? Just a few minutes outside of San Miguel, you can explore the Botanic Garden El Charco del Ingenio. Here you will see rare, endangered and almost extinct cacti, of various types and species. The Botanic Garden El Charco del Ingenio was created to save its beautiful biodiversity for future generations.
This conservation site is a great place to walk the trails, sit and meditate, or just come to enjoy its natural beauty. It has a lovely gift shop and small cafe as well.
Botanic Garden El Charco del Ingenio
Address: Paloma S.N., Las Colonias, 37720 San Miguel de Allende, Gto., Mexico
Website: Botanic Garden El Charco del Ingenio
11. Catch up on some light reading at Biblioteca de San Miguel Allende
If peace and quiet are more your thing, then visit the Biblioteca de San Miguel Allende. With its large collection of English, French, Spanish and German literature, you can immerse yourself for hours. The library also offers a guided tour through the building and garden space. On occasion, the library will show movies, plays, host lectures, and concerts in its Santa Ana Theater. The bookstore sells gifts, souvenirs and books about Mexico and San Miguel. It also sells books by local authors, written in both English and Spanish.
A great place to sit, relax and read a book or two.
Biblioteca de San Miguel Allende
Address: Insurgentes Insurgentes #25, Centro, Zona Centro, 37700 San Miguel de Allende, Gto., Mexico
Website: Biblioteca de San Miguel Allende
12. Take time to relax at La Gruta Hot Springs
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by La Gruta Restaurante & Spa on Friday, January 11, 2019
Get ready to immerse yourself into 1000-year-old thermal waters and have the best spa day ever! Take a day and pamper yourself at the La Gruta Hot Springs Spa. You won’t find manicures or pedicures at this spa but relaxation, and aromatherapy massages.
The Grotto Spa is a large spacious, well-treed lot, with spring fed pools from tepid to warm and is about a 20-minute drive outside of San Miguel. A covered, water-filled tunnel leading to an enclosed cave-like pool is the favorite feature of everyone who comes here and the domed grotto has a pool with waters that are closest to “hot.”
Along with the pools, you’ll find a pool-side lounge, with chairs and a patio area. They also have an all-day, outdoor restaurant, serving fruit, sandwiches and beverages. This is a family place, so it can get loud and crowded very quickly, especially during holidays and weekends. They also have a locker room, for changing. Come and experience the natural wonder of the springs - stay for at least half the day or enjoy a massage.
La Gruta Hot Springs San Miguel
Address: Km 10, Dolores Hidalgo - San Miguel De Allende, El Cortijo, 37750 Gto., Mexico
Website: La Gruta Hot Springs San Miguel
13. Admire the beautiful exterior of Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel
When in San Miguel, visitors often use the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel, as a point of reference when navigating the city’s winding cobbled streets. As the sun moves during the day, the color of the church changes, giving it a pink hue. Mass is still held every Tuesday to Saturday, and if you’re able to take a quick peek into the church crypt, you will see that several Mexican war heroes are buried here.
It is the most popular landmark that tourists visit, in San Miguel. Its interior is just as exquisite as its exterior and it is to be enjoyed at sunset.
Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel
Address: North side of El Jardin, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Website: Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel
14. Stroll down memory lane at Cañada de la Virgen
Imagine being able to see how a civilization lived, in 540 A.D. Just outside of San Miguel, is the archaeological site of Cañada de la Virgen. Only discovered in 2002 and made public in 2011, this site has three main structures: the House of the Thirteen Heavens, the House of the Longest Night and the House of the Wind. You can take a guided tour with an archaeologist and discover the wonder of these astronomical, mathematical and architectural structures.
Cañada de la Virgen
Address: Julián Carrillo 5b, Colonia Guadalupe, San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico
Website: Cañada de la Virgen
15. Watch how artists paint at Fábrica La Aurora
Once a raw-cotton textile factory, Fábrica La Aurora is now home to several artists, with open studios where you can witness their creative process, from canvases, sculptures and artisanal craftwork, made by the great artists who live in San Miguel and some expatriates. You can spend an afternoon walking through the studios and watch artists create pieces of art. There are four restaurants on-site for your leisure, as well as several shops.
Fábrica La Aurora
Address: Calzada de la Aurora S/N, Aurora, Santa Cecilia, 37710 San Miguel de Allende, Gto.
Website: Fábrica La Aurora
The perfect laid-back vacation spot
With just the right mix of historical monuments and modern attractions, San Miguel is the right fit for modern explorers who like a slower pace when traveling!
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