Great Trips Unlimited - San Miguel Info

San Miguel de Allende, a colonial town, was founded in the early 16^th century. Designated a National Monument in 1926, it retains its authentic colonial atmosphere. You'll see no traffic lights (but lots of traffic!), no neon signs, no Gaps, no McDonalds. What you will see are beautiful children in school uniforms, mariachi bands roaming the public gardens, friendly locals, many galleries, small restaurants and shops. The jardin, the main plaza, is San Miguel's sala, living room. One can sit for hours just watching the day and the people go by.

There is a festival nearly every day. On many nights, fireworks light the sky. Church bells chime throughout the day and night. Every Sunday, families stroll in the jardin, enjoying ice cream cones, listening to musicians, chatting with neighbors and foreigners.

Since the late 1940's, San Miguel has attracted American artists, ex-pats and travelers who have been welcomed by the town. Now, approximately 5% of San Miguel's 90,000 population is “gringo”. The two cultures intermingle with ease, yet the Mexican heritage remains the soul of the town.

Walls line the narrow cobblestone streets offering no hint of the houses lies behind the walls. San Miguel properties are a secret and a surprise. Heavy doors open onto flower-filled courtyards, pools, fountains, fruit trees, colonial or modern houses.

The houses that we represent are all the highest standard. They range from 3 to 7 bedrooms. Some have swimming pools. Most have roof gardens. Some are in town, a short walk into the shops and restaurants and the jardin. Others, a walk up the hill above the town center, have glorious views.

The town has two large libraries one of which, the Biblioteca Pública, is popular with Mexican residents, for the foreign community and for visitors. Serving more than 700 people each day, it is the largest bilingual, privately funded library in Latin America. It hosts a weekly home tour (not to be missed), lectures and literacy programs. It has a small movie theater and a superb outdoor cafe that has wireless Internet connection.

The Allende Instituto is an art and language school in a former convent. Frequent social and community gatherings take place in the beautiful central courtyard. It offers a wide selection of classes in art, writing and Spanish language.

At 6500 feet above sea level, the climate is spring-like all year. Afternoons can be hot, but mornings, evenings and nights are cool – perfect sleeping weather. The rains come in June and July, but it's nearly always just for a few hours in the afternoon. Other than that, the sky is a deep crayon blue.

You'll not need a car. A private car can collect you at Leon Airport, an hour from San Miguel, and will take you back to the airport when you leave. San Miguel is best transversed by foot or by one of the many apple green taxis that patrol the town. Busses or private drivers can take you to nearby villages and towns. Of course, if you insist upon having a car, we can arrange that for you, but we implore you not to drive in the town of San Miguel as traffic is heavy and congestion can put a damper on your day.