May 15th, 2025
Dear Readers,
This past April, I had the privilege of traveling to one of my favorite cities in all of Mexico: San Miguel de Allende. From the moment you take your first step, you’re completely immersed in the culture. The 1 a.m. tacos are top-notch, and you’ll want to buy absolutely everything!
Artisanal Crafts
It’s nearly impossible to take more than a few steps in San Miguel de Allende without spotting a beautiful artisanal craft in a shop window. One of the most traditional and famous types is called Huichol art, named after the Huichol people who live in the western coastal states of Mexico. Huichol art features intricate beadwork used to create bracelets, necklaces, and even 3D figures. This unique craft never fails to impress me.
Beyond Huichol art, you’ll find handmade pieces created from metal, wood, and other materials. I can’t forget to mention the abundance of artisanal jewelry: earrings, rings, bracelets, necklaces, and more. There’s also a wide variety of linen clothing and garments adorned with detailed stitching that depicts scenes and vibrant patterns. Every store offers something different, which is why I say: you’ll want to buy everything!
Architecture
San Miguel de Allende is also known for its stunning architecture—most famously La Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, or The Parish of San Miguel Archangel. This iconic Catholic church features two striking towers and dominates the city’s skyline. While the original church was built in the mid-1500s, the construction of the current structure began in the late 1600s, with the towers added in the early 1700s.
Aside from La Parroquia, simply walking through the streets of San Miguel gives you a unique sense of the city’s historical charm. The cobblestone sidewalks and vibrantly painted buildings create a festive and colorful backdrop that makes even an ordinary photo look extraordinary.
In addition to everything else, you can also spot agave plants growing in the surrounding areas of San Miguel de Allende. These plants are used to make mezcal, a spirit similar to tequila. However, iny agave that is not grown in the designated region of Tequila (a city in the state of Jalisco), cannot be officially classified as tequila, so it is called mezcal. I actually learned this interesting fact during my trip to San Miguel de Allende!
From Day to Night
San Miguel de Allende is beautiful at any hour, but experiencing it both by day and night adds a magical dimension.
Let’s talk food. The city boasts numerous rooftop restaurants and bars, each offering a unique view. One night, I dined at a rooftop restaurant called El Atrio. The food and cocktails, made with traditional Mexican ingredients, were amazing, but the view stole the show. The restaurant is direct view in front of the Parroquia, which is lit up at night in all its splendor. Dining with that breathtaking view was unforgettable.
Another popular spot is “Sala de Despecho”, which translates to “Heartbreak Room.” This vibrant bar has locations in five countries: Mexico, Spain, Venezuela, Colombia, and the USA. The cocktails are top shelf, with a wide range of choices, and the atmosphere is electric. Large screens play music videos complete with lyrics, encouraging everyone to sing along. It’s not unusual to see people standing on chairs and tables, belting out songs from the 1960s to today. I lost my voice by the end of the night from singing so much, and I loved every minute of it. After partying at Sala de Despecho, we couldn’t resist grabbing some traditional Mexican tacos from a street cart right outside the bar, it was the perfect way to end the night.
After a weekend full of sightseeing, delicious meals, festive nights, and soaking in the oasis that is San Miguel, it was time to move on to another city: León, Guanajuato. I hope you enjoyed reading about my experience, and I encourage you to visit San Miguel de Allende soon!
Wishing you a joyful start to the warm summer months!
Sincerely,
The Eternal Traveler