San Miguel de Allende Travel Guide: Cobblestones & Self-Created Chaos
- Globe-Trotting Addicts
- May 28
- 4 min read
Before visiting San Miguel de Allende, I was convinced I already had a favorite place in Mexico. But if travel teaches you anything, it’s that the more you see, the less you really know.
It was my birthday, and I sat at dinner in Puerto Vallarta with my family, watching the sun set into Banderas Bay. I raised my glass and confidently declared, “Puerto Vallarta is my favorite place in Mexico.” I mean, I’d visited ten different cities across the country—that qualifies me as a bona fide expert, right?
Cut to two days later, and my best friend Toni and I were walking across the Cross Border Express—a pedestrian bridge that starts in San Diego, crosses into Mexico, and drops you at the Tijuana International Airport. Why go through all that? Because flying domestically from Tijuana means cheap fares. We’re talking serious savings.
Our route took us from Imperial Beach to Tijuana, then a flight to León, followed by a 75-minute drive to San Miguel de Allende. And let’s be honest: crossing the state of Guanajuato wasn’t exactly love at first sight. The landscape was unimpressive, dry, and not particularly pretty. I stared out the window thinking, What on earth are we doing? Wasn’t there a travel advisory saying not to drive across this state? And isn’t that... exactly what we were doing?
By the time we arrived in San Miguel, I wasn’t expecting much. Our driver dropped us as close to our hotel—Hotel Carmina in El Centro—as he could. From there, we had to walk the rest of the way. But the second we stepped out of the car and began ambling through the cobblestone streets, our jaws dropped.
San Miguel de Allende was enchanting from the very first moment.
Picture cobblestone streets, colonial architecture, and a vibrant art scene. The city is absolutely captivating. It's a UNESCO World Heritage site that’s been named Best City in the World multiple times by Travel + Leisure and consistently makes Condé Nast Traveler’s list of best small cities. And I can attest it absolutely lives up to the hype.
We spent our days wandering the streets, admiring the iconic Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, and soaking in the sounds of live mariachi in the Jardín Principal. But this wasn’t a performance for tourists. It was real. The most authentic expression of Mexican culture I’d encountered in all my travels through the country. So much of coastal Mexico feels created for American tourists—beautiful, yes, but often stripped of its cultural identity. Cabo San Lucas? Gorgeous. But it’s more “Cabofornia” than Mexico. San Miguel, on the other hand, is Mexico in its purest form. Rich traditions, warm hospitality, and a thriving food scene. With over 350 rooftop patios, this place is an epicurean dream.
Locals kept urging us to visit nearby Guanajuato City—described as stunning, authentic, and full of character. We were intrigued. Tour prices felt expensive, so we did what any savvy traveler would do: we called an Uber.
Enter Alphonso, our driver, who happily agreed, courtesy of Google Translate, to take us on the 90-minute drive through the desert, wait while we explored, and drive us back. It seemed ideal... until the Best Friend Think Tank (that’s us) realized we’d never asked how the return trip would be logged. There was no active ride in the app, no receipt, no record, no agreed-upon fare, just two over-50 women in a car heading into the unknown.
The ride back was quiet. Not because we were scared, exactly—but because we were both silently evaluating our life choices. If our daughters had done something this sketchy, we’d have read them the riot act. But maybe the upside of midlife is that we’re no longer high-value targets. Or maybe we just give off the kind of mom-energy that would terrify even the boldest of kidnappers.
Moral of the story: confirm the fare before you get in the car. Especially when navigating charming colonial cities where you need every word of Spanish you know.
Guanajuato City does have its charms—especially the iconic Callejón del Beso, or Kissing Alley. It’s a narrow passage where two lovers once leaned across opposing balconies just 27 inches apart. The story ends in heartbreak, of course. But today, it’s a must for romantics and photo-hunters alike.
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That said, Guanajuato felt much larger and grittier than San Miguel. It has its moments of beauty, but I wouldn't rush back. If you’re short on time, skip the city and explore closer-to-home gems instead—like the Cañada de la Virgen pyramids, a cooking class with a local chef, or an afternoon sipping wine at a nearby vineyard. Toni and I opted for a historical walking tour as well as a tacos and tequila food tour.
Travel has a way of humbling us. Just when you think you’ve seen your favorite place, a new one takes your breath away. San Miguel de Allende didn’t just steal my heart—it reminded me why I started Globe-Trotting Addicts in the first place: there’s always more to discover, more to love, and more to learn. As much as I’m not one to repeat destinations, I already can’t wait to go back.
Have you been to San Miguel de Allende or Guanajuato? I’d love to hear your take or favorite hidden gem in Mexico. I hope you find this San Miguel de Allende travel guide helpful. Drop it in the comments below and let’s keep this adventure going. 💬✈️🇲🇽
Incredible photos!!! Looks like a perfect girls getaway!!!!!