San Miguel de Allende – A First Look

An Aeromexico flight and a shuttle from the airport bought us to the center of San Miguel de Allende in about 6 hours total. One of the first things we noticed was the cobblestone streets which makes for a bumpy ride but we had a good driver who delivered us safely to Hotel La Morada. It is centrally located and just a short walk from the city’s famous landmark; Parroquia de San Miguel.

Parroquira de San Miguel Arcangel
Evening Street View

In a nutshell, here are some things we’ve learned about the city so far:

  • San Miguel is located in Central Mexico in the state of Guanajuato and located about 4 hours north of Mexico City.
  • It’s a UNESCO Word Heritage Site.
  • It’s a hub for artists, writers, and expats – mainly from the U.S. and Canada.
  • The elevation is 6,200 feet which makes for mild days and cool evenings year-round.
  • The city is very walkable but cobblestoned and a little hilly, so good walking shoes are important.

This morning we found a good coffee shop, Cafe 20trece with an owner who is passionate about locally produced coffee, chocolate and honey.

Cafe 20trece

We also found an excellent pastry shop called Panio.

Panio in San Miguel

It’s early days here, but it is a fascinating place…one that we are excited to explore. There are colorful parks (like the one below) all around town plus many intriguing shops, restaurants, and cultural sites.

The weather is mild and all is well…we are off for more adventure in this colorful city.