San Miguel de Allende
San Miguel de Allende is a colonial city in the state of Guanajuato in the Bajio mountains of central Mexico, about 270 km northwest of Mexico City. In 2020, the town had 72,000 residents, in a metropolitan area of 160,000.
- See
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- Do
- 18
- Eat
- 23
- Drink
- 5
- Buy
- 9
69 places
- Eat
202
You get for example 4 tasty tacos with salad on top for M$30 (Dec 2021). Also offered are 4 enchiladas and gorditas. It's open 17:30-21:00.
- Do
Audubon Society Birdwalks
The only chapter of the Audubon Society in Mexico, this group offers guided birdwalks to locations within and near San Miguel. Destinations include the El Charco del Ingenio Jardín Botánico (see listing above), the Río Laja, and the Presa Allende. Participants travel by carpool.
Meets on the 3rd Sun of every month at 07:45 in front of the Instituto Allende (see listing under 'Learn')
- Drink
Berlin Bar & Bistro
For a great nightcap, Berlin is a great chill bar. The owner is very welcoming and the food is sublime.
Daily 17:00-01:00, dinner served until 23:30
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Bici-Burro Cycling
A bike shop that has operated in San Miguel since 1963. They offer bike rentals and biking or hiking tours with guides that hold an intimate knowledge of the area around San Miguel. You have the choice of seven bike tours and two hiking trips which take you amongst natural landmarks and some of the historical ruins of the area. These are of varying degrees of difficulty and range from 5 to 8 hours. The bicycle tours include a 2-speed aluminum mountain bike with helmet, gloves and transportation if needed.
- Buy
Bodega Aurrera
Walmart
Large supermarket, part of a national chain, partly owned by Walmart. It has a bakery, a pharmacy, and the usual supermarket departments but unlike Mega, it does not have a prepared food section. Prices somewhat lower than at Mega or Soriana.
Daily 08:00-22:00
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Bonanza Supermercado
Conveniently located a short distance from the Jardín, this is a good place to stock up on essentials as well as other items which are often not carried by the other larger supermarkets. Somewhat overpriced and catering to non-Mexicans with many food items imported from the USA.
Daily
- Eat
Cafetería San Agustín
A well-run restaurant with great food, Mexican and international. The restaurant/cafe in proud of their freshly made churros and a variety of hot and cold chocolate milks. Owned by Margarita Gralia.
Daily 08:00-23:00
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Café Yenatu Panza
This is undoubtedly the most innovative and creative breakfast menus in town featuring design-your-own omelets & breakfast burritos, exquisite French toast, and home made fruit salsa. The vibe is very comfy and clients can choose from indoor or outdoor-garden seating.
Daily 08:30-12:00
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Café de la Parroquia / La Brasserie
Beautiful courtyard dining on fresh, local ingredients. Although many menu items seem at first to be the "usual", there's nothing ordinary about them. Try in particular the chicken soup (throw in all the onions and cilantro), tacos and any omelette.
Café de la Parroquia: 08:00-16:00; La Brasserie 18:00-22:00
- Eat
Casa Payo
One of the most traditional restaurants offering Argentine cuisine, with Mediterranean ambience inside dining and exterior in a charming patio featuring live music.
- See
Casa del Inquisidor
An 18th-century mansion and the former office of the Inquisition was located in this building, now a private home. Directly across the street is the former jail for the Inquisition.
- See
Casa del Mayorazgo de la Canal
Casa de Cultura Banamex
The former home of a very wealthy family and now housing a bank. The courtyard is open to the public, and occasional art exhibits are shown on the ground floor. Visitors must sign in; no photography permitted.
Mon-Fri 09:00-18:00, Sat Sun 10:00-18:00Free
- See
Centro Cultural Ignacio Ramírez
Bellas Artes / Convento de Nuestra Señora de la Concepción
This former convent is now an art school and cultural center, and hosts rotating exhibits by local and international artists. Of particular note is an unfinished mural on the ground floor by David Alfaro Siqueiros, a contemporary of Diego Rivera.
Mon-Sat 10:00-19:30, Sun 10:00-14:00Free
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Club de Golf Malanquin
18-hole, par 72 golf course with a large club house with restaurant, bar, and event spaces. Recreational amenities include tennis courts, swimming pool, spa, and pickleball courts.
Daily 06:30 - 21:00
- Eat
Comida China
You can choose one kind of meat for your Chinese dish and get it for M$68 (Dec 2021). Open daily 10:30-20:00.
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El Buen Lugar
In a nice environment you get a comida corrida for M$90 (Dec 2021).
- Do
El Charco del Ingenio Jardín Botánico
Jardín Botánico
Unique park above the town with an enormous collection of cacti. A vast area just past the Balcones area which includes some of the older engineering installations (an old mill and raceway), lovely canyons, well informed guides (mostly expats) for the botanists and birdwatchers. Go early in the day to avoid the heat and for more wildlife. Locals who are members are sometimes given a key to the back gate – find one and buy him beers until he relents! The reservoir is host to a number of migratory birds, and the locals can be rather stunning as well. Guided tours are offered.
Daily 09:00-18:00
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El Correo
A small Mexican food spot which offers simple yet interesting authentic Mexican food in a great location.
- Drink
El Grito Night Club
This is arguably the most popular club in town, and easily the most expensive. It has a cover charge, enough to dissuade the casual visitor from dropping in to take a look. Inside, the building is a panoply of stone and glass sculptures, light displays, and music. How energetic the evening gets usually depends on the crowd, but it's hard for the evening to get much past midnight before the dancing starts. El Grito is only open Fridays and Saturdays, or on certain holidays, like New Year's Eve (when they jack the price)
Fri Sat 22:00-04:00, holidays
- See
El Jardín
Jardín Allende, Plaza Principal
This central plaza with manicured trees is always buzzing with activity and is a good place for people-watching.
- Eat
El Pegaso
This trendy cafe style restaurant offers a delightful blend of Mexican and international flavor. Its atmosphere is definitely one of the best in town.
Daily 08:30-22:00
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Escondido Place
The day ticket is for M$190 (Jan 2022). For getting there you can do it the same way as going to La Gruta. From the bus stop it's a 12-min walk. You can bring your own food. Locks for the lockers and towels are only for sale, but you can bring your own. It's open daily until 17:00.
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Fábrica la Aurora
The best place to get great quality Mexican and international art. This old textile factory has been converted into a unique art and design center that now houses over 30 artists, galleries, restaurants, antique shops, and specialty stores. Artists are usually in-house and demonstrating on Thursdays. Open late on the first Saturday of each month.
- Eat
Grill & Garden
formerly Bistro Los Senderos
Relaxed country atmosphere serving old favorites and innovative fusion dishes – the restaurant has its own organic herb and vegetable garden. Great place to take visitors, and kids – bicycles available and horse back rides by reservation. Gets very busy on Sundays, reservations recommended. This charming place also prepares gourmet picnics, and available for private events.
Fri-Sun 13:00-19:00
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Ignacio Ramírez Market
A good place to start eating traditional Mexican dishes for a low price. You find the restaurants with eating tables further inside of the mercado. The restaurants are open daily 8:30-17:00 (they close two hours before the markets closes)
- See
La Esquina Popular Mexican Toy Museum
La Esquina Museo del Juguete Popular Mexicano
This museum collection is housed in a historic building, and includes a range of antique and modern hand-made toys.
Wed-Sat 10:00-18:00, Sun 11:00-16:00
- Eat
La Grotta
A wonderful, multi-story restaurant owned by Daniel and son Dyami. La Grotta is located downhill, around the corner, just a block from the main cathedral. The restaurant is casual and the main items are pizza, calzones, and Italian-related. The food is very carefully and freshly prepared.
Daily 14:00-22:00
- Drink
Mama Mia
Mama Mia's is four clubs in one. There's a restaurant and bar in the center with some amazing Italian food, a sports bar to the left (usually displaying a soccer or football game of some kind), a music bar to the right where local acts frequently play (especially Pilaseca, a very popular funk-blues band that tours most of Mexico and the States), and a hard-to-find rooftop lounge overlooking the city. This is a great default place to while away the hours when nothing else is appealing – the music is worth it, if nothing else.
Sun-Thu 08:00-03:00, Fri Sat 08:00-05:00
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Manolo's Sports Bar
Complete coverage of national and international sports – if it is on TV they have it.
Daily 15:00-23:00
- Buy
Mercado Ignacio Ramirez
Mercado El Nigromante
A large indoor market with sections devoted to fruits and vegetables, meat, flowers, shoes and clothing, fast-food, ceramics, and souvenirs. Connected to the Mercado de las Artesanías - see below.
Open daily
59 of 69 places have map locations.