San Miguel de Allende was such a memorable getaway for Marcus and me! The weather, the charm, the FOOD. Everything was đź’Ż. I wanted to share all of the information in one place, so that if you are planning your own trip you can refer to this San Miguel de Allende guide!
How to Get to San Miguel de Allende
First things first how to get to San Miguel de Allende. We live in Houston and flew United to QuerĂ©taro – QRO. There are direct flights from Bush Continental Airport (IAH), and flight time was under 2 hours and 30 minutes. Hobby also flies there, but not direct (at least not at the time we were looking at flights).
There was a bit of a drive once we arrived in Querétaro, so we set up a private car with San Miguel De Allende Transportation Company to get us to and from the airport. This was about an hour and 20 minute ride and cost us around $225 round trip.
Once we arrived at the hotel, we did not need any transportation. It’s an extremely walkable city. However, I recommend comfortable shoes without much of a heel due to the cobblestone streets and elevation changes.
Uber is available for getting around as well.
We visited in late October, right before Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), so the city was decorated for the holiday. It was a really neat time to be there, as so many businesses and shops were participating. There were orange and purple flowers everywhere! Late October was a perfect time to visit from a weather perspective, too. In late October, you can expect warm, sunny days and chilly nights in San Miguel.
A few of my travel must-haves! Click the collage to shop.
Where to Stay in San Miguel de Allende
We stayed at the Rosewood San Miguel, which is a luxury hotel designed like a modern, Mexican hacienda 🤩. It has a gorgeous indoor/outdoor design which paired perfectly with the temperate weather we experienced in October.
Upon arrival they offered a tequila shot or non-alcoholic wellness shot to every guest, which was a great way to slip into vacation mode. We also had a welcome snack in our room!
Every day as part of our room package, we enjoyed a delicious breakfast. We booked directly through the website, and this was an option with the room we booked. We had breakfast each morning at Restaurant 1826, and wow! It was a sit down meal that included coffee and tea, fresh squeezed juice, pan dulce, a fruit plate and an entree. It was incredible – in flavor, presentation and service. The chilequiles with green sauce was to die for. I got it multiple mornings!
Pro tip: We like to eat a big breakfast and fill up for the first part of the day, maybe grab a small bite midday, and then have a somewhat earlier dinner. This included breakfast each day really allowed for that. We were satisfied for hours!
In addition to Restaurant 1826, The Rosewood also has a whisky bar, a rooftop bar and a poolside menu. P.s. The poolside cabanas are complimentary – just ask the servers at the pool!
We visited their lovely spa, Sense for a couples massage. They also provide a beautiful bath service in your room upon request.
Pro tip: If you are celebrating something like a birthday or anniversary, be sure to tell them. They really go out of their way to make you feel special.
What to Do in San Miguel de Allende
If you are wondering what to do in San Miguel de Allende, here are some of our favorite things that we did during our time!
Quince Rooftop for a meal at sunset: The view is amazing from the rooftop at Quince. On one side you can see a beautiful view of the city and the mountains and on the other side you see the beautiful cathedral Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel. I recommend getting a reservation around sunset, and to bring a jacket of some sort. It gets chilly up there in the evening.
Sazon cooking class through the Belmond Casa Sierra Nevada Hotel: This was a hands-on, interactive culinary experience. We started by meeting our chef and one other couple at the hotel. We then walked through the city visiting different markets as our chef purchased all the ingredients for our dinner from the locals, even stopping to get a little churro snack along the way. We came back to a well-stocked kitchen and proceeded to make the most delicious margaritas, cochinita pibil tacos with xnipec sauce, guacamole and green tomatillo sauce. It was a highlight for us!
Dinner at The Restaurant: The Restaurant was a recommendation from a friend, and it did not disappoint. It has a charming courtyard and overall ambiance. The food was both delicious and presented beautifully!
Visiting the beautiful cathedral, Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel: This is a must to visit. It is the central focus of the city, for good reason. You can go inside and even attend a mass. I recommend finding a place that has a view of it for sunset!
Go off the beaten path! One day we walked a bit further outside the main city center and found a little coffee shop that had delicious pastries and coffee for incredibly reasonable prices. If you have time and interest in being a little adventurous, it will pay off!
Live music at Mama Mia: Check SanMiguelLive.com for when and where live music is playing throughout the city!) We stopped into Mama Mia one night for an after-dinner drink and enjoyed some music in their lovely courtyard.
Shopping: There are lots of cute boutiques to wander in and out of. I found some great deals on leather bags! Bring cash/pesos for a discount at some spots.
Calle Aldama (shown below) is widely considered the most popular and photographed street in San Miguel de Allende. This would be a beautiful place to have engagement or family photos taken.
What to Pack for Mexico
A lot of blog posts talk about what to pack for a Mexican beach vacation, but not for a city trip. Here is what to pack for Mexico if you aren’t just going to an all-inclusive beach resort the whole time!
Some of my favorite pieces I packed for this trip I actually rented from the website NUULY (get $30 off your first month if you use this link). They have lots of high-quality designs and patterns perfect for vacation, but not necessarily what you want to invest in for daily life. And don’t forget your comfortable walking shoes for all the sightseeing!
Planning Your Own Mexican Vacation?
You can see more of this trip over on Instagram and feel free to reach out to me with any questions! I also blogged about our trip to the Mexican all-inclusive resort, Hotel XCaret Arte. Click below to read our 4 day itinerary.
