San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico

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San Miguel, Mexico

The colonial city of San Miguel de Allende, population 120,000 is situated on a hillside facing the Laja River and the distant Guanajuato Mountains in Mexico. San Miguel de Allende was declared a national monument in 1926.

San Miguel de Allende boasts a thriving cultural and entertainment scene. Many events, plays, lectures, and art classes are in English. The renowned San Miguel Music Festival is held every year. San Miguel de Allende is a city with dozens of churches and hosts a full calendar of religious festivals throughout the year.

San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico 

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Where in the world is San Miguel de Allende? 

Guanajuato, Mexico

San Miguel de Allende is located in central Mexico, 92 km west of the city of Guanajuato and 276 km northwest of Mexico City, off Highway 110. The average temperature ranges between 16º and 22º C (61º and 72º F).

The city's magnificent colonial edifices, which often combine baroque and neoclassical elements, offer clear examples of the eclectic mix of architectural styles, as you'll see in buildings such as the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel and the Oratorio de San Felipe Neri.

You'll have a clearer understanding of the city's role during the independence insurgence when you visit the stately mansion that houses the Museo Casa Allende.

In addition, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico is a destination that draws tourists from all over the world due to its important cultural events, such as the Sanmiguelada, which was inspired by Spain's Pamplona Festival.

The city also hosts world-famous events such as the Chamber Music Festival and the San Miguel Jazz Festival, which features renowned artists.

On Mexican Time: A New Life in San Miguel 

Tony Cohan

In the mid-1980s, Tony Cohan and his artist wife, Masako, decided they had had enough of the hectic pace and inherent insecurities of life in Los Angeles and made tracks for the historic town of San Miguel de Allende in central Mexico. At first they rented rooms in a hotel. Then, when the hotel became less appealing, they graduated to renting an apartment. Almost inevitably, they eventually found themselves buying a 250-year-old hacienda on the verge of collapse, with wonderfully elegant Spanish colonial architecture and a garden brimming with papayas, avocados, and custard apples.

On Mexican Time: A New Life in San Miguel

Amazon Price: (as of 11/14/2009) Buy Now

Must see in San Miguel de Allende 

  • Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel - Looking nothing like any other church in Mexico, La Parroquia has become the emblem of San Miguel de Allende.
  • Instituto Allende - Mansion built in de 17th Century and was originally used as a weekend retreat by Count Tomas de la Canal and currently used as a cultural institute (arts and language school).
  • Teatro Angela Peralta
  • Templo de la Inmaculada Concepción (Las Monjas) - a Neoclassic style building inspired by the Iglesia de Disable in Paris.
  • Templo de Nuestra Señora de la Salud
  • Jardin Principal
  • Oratorio de San Felipe Neri - inside you can admire works done by the artist Miguel Cabrera.
  • Instituto "Ignacio Ramirez El Nigromante" (Bellas Artes)- Built in 1775, this structure originally housed the Convento de Concepción nunnery.
  • Paseo del Chorro
  • Templo y Convento de San Francisco - Its construction was financed by the proceeds of bullfights and wealthy family donations.
  • Santuario de Atotonilco - Today the Sanctuary of Atotonilco retains its special place in the daily religious life of central Mexico. It is just 15 minutes from San Miguel de Allende on the way to Dolores Hidalgo.

Los Locos Parade San Miguel de Allende 

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Activities in San Miguel de Allende 

During the day you can explore San Miguel de Allende surrounding areas, where you can do exciting outdoor recreational activities like skydiving and paragliding, which afford a breathtaking view of the terrain below.

At night, in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, you can enjoy the hospitable atmosphere in the bars and restaurants. As for the cuisine, be sure to try the unbeatable dishes that draw from various culinary influences, such as fiambre, rabo de zorra and pacholas.

The Doors of San Miguel De Allende 

This unusual book celebrates the colorful, sunwashed doorways of San Miguel de Allende, one of the oldest towns in Mexico. Picturesque, intellectually stimulating and historically fascinating, this arts-and-crafts and cultural center is a popular destination for tourists, expatriates, and vacationers. When photographer-writer Robert de Gast first visited there in 1987 he was particularly captivated by its doors---of mansions, houses, stables, churches, banks, studios, and stores. He returned five years later to document them; eighty of his photographs from that trip have been selected for this entrancing book. De Gast lives part of every year in San Miguel de Allende, where he continues to photograph and write.

The Doors of San Miguel De Allende

Amazon Price: $19.95 (as of 11/14/2009) Buy Now

Books about San Miguel de Allende, Mexico 

Vote for your favorite!

San Miguel de Allende & Guanajuato: Great Destinations Mexico: A Complete Guide (Great Destinations) by Kevin Delgado

San Miguel de Allende & Guanajuato: Great Destinations Mexico: A Complete Guide (Great Destinations) by Kevin Delgado

From the sophisticated resorts of San Miguel de Al more...1 point

Falling...in Love with San Miguel: Retiring to Mexico on Social Security by Carol Schmidt, Norma Hair

Falling...in Love with San Miguel: Retiring to Mexico on Social Security by Carol Schmidt, Norma Hair

Thinking about retiring to Mexico? San Miguel de A more...0 points

The Doors of San Miguel De Allende by Robert de Gast

The Doors of San Miguel De Allende by Robert de Gast

This unusual book celebrates the colorful, sunwash more...0 points

San Miguel's Mexican Interiors by Sandy Baum

San Miguel's Mexican Interiors by Sandy Baum

San Miguel, a city located in central Mexico, is s more...0 points

On Mexican Time: A New Life in San Miguel by Tony Cohan

On Mexican Time: A New Life in San Miguel by Tony Cohan

When Los Angeles novelist Tony Cohan and his artis more...0 points

Local News from San Miguel de Allende 

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San Miguel's Mexican Interiors 

San Miguel de Allende, a city located in central Mexico, is steeped in history; it is the place where the Mexican war for independence from Spain started in 1810. Today, San Miguel retains old-world charm as many of its elegant buildings have been preserved; the city is practically a museum of Spanish and Mexican history and architecture. This unique book displays over 350 color photographs and leads a tour of San Miguel's indoor living at its finest. Pass into open courtyards, interior patios, and extraordinary homes through doors that are closed to the average visitor. Fifteen chapters illustrate its charming doors, living rooms, kitchens, dining rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms, stairways, furniture, lighting, art, and talavera ceramics---all with intense color that pervades the senses. Be inspired to include Mexican details into your next building project.

San Miguel's Mexican Interiors

Amazon Price: $11.66 (as of 11/14/2009) Buy Now

Current Weather conditions in San Miguel de Allende 

Current weather conditions in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

Local Pollen Reports

22°C (Feels like 22°C)

Last update: 11/14/09 1:45 PM Local Time

Humidity: 35%
Visibility: 8.0 km
Dew Point: 6°C
UV Index: 7 (Lawn and Garden Weather)
Barometer: 1020.7mm falling
Moon: Rush Hour Traffic
Wind: 10km/h From: Airport Conditions
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Today


Sunny
High: 25°C
Low: C
Sunrise: 6:53 AM
Sunset: 6:02 PM

Sunday
Nov 15 


Mostly Sunny
High: 25°C
Low: C
Sunrise: 6:53 AM
Sunset: 6:02 PM

Monday
Nov 16 


Mostly Sunny
High: 27°C
Low: C
Sunrise: 6:54 AM
Sunset: 6:02 PM

Tuesday
Nov 17 


Partly Cloudy
High: 23°C
Low: C
Sunrise: 6:55 AM
Sunset: 6:01 PM

Cool Links related to San Miguel & Mexico 

San Miguel de Allende Real Estate - San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
San Miguel de Allende Real Estate - San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Originality and Style, is what this real estate offers in San Miguel de Allende.
San Miguel Directory - San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
San Miguel Directory - News and information from San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Kitchen Mexicana
The best recipes, cooking supplies and advice on making and serving authentic mexican food. Authentic Mexican Food Recipes - Kitchen Mexicana

Behind the Doors of San Miguel de Allende 

This unusual book celebrates the colorful, sunwashed doorways of San Miguel de Allende, one of the oldest towns in Mexico. Picturesque, intellectually stimulating and historically fascinating, this arts-and-crafts and cultural center is a popular destination for tourists, expatriates, and vacationers. When photographer-writer Robert de Gast first visited there in 1987 he was particularly captivated by its doors---of mansions, houses, stables, churches, banks, studios, and stores. He returned five years later to document them; eighty of his photographs from that trip have been selected for this entrancing book. De Gast lives part of every year in San Miguel de Allende, where he continues to photograph and write.

Behind the Doors of San Miguel de Allende

Amazon Price: $17.05 (as of 11/14/2009) Buy Now

Map of San Miguel de Allende 

Falling...in Love with San Miguel: Retiring to Mexico on Social Security 

Norma and Carol capture perfectly is the feel of the people there, their generosity of spirit and the warmth with which they make the outsiders feel welcome.

Falling...in Love with San Miguel: Retiring to Mexico on Social Security

Amazon Price: $21.55 (as of 11/14/2009) Buy Now

What do other readers have to say? 

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  • Reply
    BigJim BigJim Jul 2, 2008 @ 11:08 am
    Please come over and submit your lens to the Squidoo City Guide. Thanks.
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    KimGiancaterino KimGiancaterino Jun 10, 2008 @ 12:30 pm
    Welcome to All Things Travel.
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    May 31, 2008 @ 2:08 pm
    Great Lens 5* and welcome to Travelmania group!
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Travel Vacation in Mexico 

Blogs of San Miguel de Allende 

André Caraco and David Azulay
He is a son of Vivien Trillen of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and René D. Caraco of Yachats, Ore. He is a stepson of Jo Caraco. ...
In Queretaro, a rich and colorful past and present
(Moreover, Querétaro lies 40 miles from San Miguel de Allende and about 90 from Guanajuato, so it makes great sense as part of a larger tour of colonial ...
Summer Study Abroad in Mexico Information Session
The program will also feature tours of Leon, San Miguel de Allende, and Hidalgo along with a three-day visit to Mexico City to explore its unique ...
My brush with Killers at the airport
By Lori Rackl on November 3, 2009 1:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) While en route Monday from Chicago to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, ...

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