About San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico
A bit of History
San Miguel de Allende is located in central Mexico, in the state of Guanajuato, in the Bajio Mountains of central Mexico, about 170 miles northwest of Mexico City. It is a historic town founded in 1542 that has become an attractive tourist destination for wealthy Mexico City residents and has a large American and Canadian San Miguel de Allendeexpatriate community comprised primarily of retirees. San Miguel is, first and foremost, a city built for relaxing. A Spanish colonial town of perhaps 80,000 people, it's a heritage site protected by the Mexican government.
More information can be found on this Wikipedia page.
Main Attractions & Sights
El Jardin - San Miguel de Allende's heart and center of the city. There are benches all around, where you can sit in the shade to admire the sights and sounds of this wonderful city. On one side is the breathtaking Parroquia (seen at right). On the other sides are stores, restaurants, banks, museums and tourist information stations. It is also a wonderful place to meet new and old friends, listen to music from strolling musicians or read beneath a shady tree.
La Gruta - Located 15 minutes from the city square, La Gruta or "the grotto" is the best known hot springs in the area. La Gruta is a series of outdoor pools fed by thermal hot springs. They surround a well-light cave which you can swim into and features a spring-fed majestic waterfall. You can choose the pool you want to swim or relax in by the temperature of the water. Enjoy the botanical gardens that surround La Gruta. Locker rentals and a small restaurant serving Mexican cuisine are located within La Gruta.
Museo de San Miguel de Allende - The birthplace of Ignacio Allende, a hero of the Mexican Independance (1810). The museum not only houses wonderful pieces of the time but depicts rooms, eating halls and dormitories as they were when Allende lived there.
Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel - Built in 1683, this pastel pink gothic-style parish church is the city's most recognizable landmark. As the story goes, the church was designed by a self-taught native mason who was inspired by postcards of gothic European cathedrals. The original building dates back to the late 17th century, with the Gothic alterations added in the late 1800's. The original bell still rings several times through the day.
Sanmiguelada running of the bulls Sanmiguelada - Started in 1973, San Miguel de Allende's Pamplonada also known as the Sanmiguelada, is held the third Saturday in September. This annual event attracts more than 20,000 participants from all over Mexico, and the world. Brave individuals wearing red shirts and bandanas test their courage and agility. At noon, the streets around the jardin are blocked off and 6 to 12 full size fighting bulls are turned loose for an hour. The running is followed by three days of marry times.
Cooking Tours
Walking Tours
Biking Tours
Herbatology Tours
Hot Air Ballong Ride/Tour
Real Estate Tour
Day of the Dead Experience Tour
Ester Immersion Tour
Hot-Flash-Girlfriends'-Fun Tour
Charity Works Tour
Full Moon & Sacred Spaces Tour
Adventure Tours
Creative Arts Heart & Soul Tour
December's Madrigals & Magic Tour
History & Culture Tour
Real Romance Tour
The Writer's Journey Tour
And Many more