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If you’re a culture-hungry American planning an international trip soon, chances are Mexico is at the top of your bucket list. It is best known for its warm climate, hospitable locals and rich heritage number one destination for US travelers in 2024.
While Cancun’s luxury resorts and well-visited beaches continue to lead booking trends by a wide margin, other lesser-known destinations are coming into the spotlight, either for their growing importance as a wellness center or for their immense historical value.
Falls under the last category, San Miguel de Allende has skyrocketed in popularity recently. A medium-sized city with just under 200,000 residents, it is the top off-path destination in Mexico this year, even though it has no airport and is nowhere near the coast.
It’s just been recommended on American Express‘ list from Popular destinationsand it has been viewed tens of millions of times, especially on social media TikTokcompared to the previous year.
It has captured the hearts of Americans, and here are 5 reasons why:
The most beautiful small town in Mexico
San Miguel (as it is called in the short form) is not only one of the most beautiful cities in Mexico, but also one of the most culturally charged.
It was founded in the 16th century and continues to exist UNESCO World Heritage status thanks to its preserved colonial core and impressive number of historic buildings.
Americans are eager to take culture-based trips this year, with the majority of them having never visited ancient sites nor marveled at towering cathedrals, and for the odd history buff, San Miguel with its cobblestone alleys and fascinating museums a no-brainer.
La Parroquia de San Miguel Arángel is quite hard to miss: the darling of visiting photographersIt towers over the main square and has a striking pink-painted Gothic façade, an unusual feature for churches on both sides of the Atlantic.
Other attractions include Casa de Allendethe former home of the infamous revolutionary Ignacio Allende, who was involved in the Mexican War of Independence, the San Francisco Church, built in a flamboyant Churrigueresque style, and a lively craft market.
Plenty of unique accommodations to choose from
Imagine staying in the heart of the city, where the rooftop pool offers stunning views of the bell towers and maze of colorful streets, a short walk from the main square, but still a lush green is an oasis where you can relax. relaxed, and the cacophony of the outside world doesn’t bother you?
Or maybe one hacienda dating from the period of colonization, embedded in the tradition of New Spain, with its sun-drenched gardens in Mediterranean stylebeautiful courtyards and charming rooms that, despite being renovated, somehow still exist seep Old world charm?
San Miguel is full of charming, unique places to stay, and let’s face it: if you stay in the center of town, you’ll have no choice but to immerse yourself in the culture, as you’ll likely be housed in a former colonial country house converted into a hotel, in a neighborhood that is hundreds of years old.
According to Tripadvisorthe top three coolest and the most unique hotels in San Miguel are Casa de Sierra Nevada, a listing in Belmond, El Santuario, a hacienda-style guest house, and the rustic, reasonably priced Villa Mirasol Hotel.
Relax as you immerse yourself in the culture
In addition to its eclectic architecture, lavishly decorated Catholic shrines and verdant city parks dotted with graceful fountains, San Miguel is known for its quiet environment and picturesque, laid-back nature, compared to other colonial cities in Mexico.
If you want to relax while soaking up the culture, this is definitely the place to go: while it boasts an abundance of colonial sights, neighboring Guanajuato can feel a little too chaotic, with its incessant traffic and bustling crowds.
Mexico City is ten times worse, and as beautiful as it may be, Guadalajara doesn’t have the highly regarded hospitality of San Miguel, nor the same concentration of wellness centers and spas that the Americans have to offer. first-class treatments.
The two top-rated spas in the city are Sense, A Rosewood Spa, where modern relaxation techniques are infused with native, indigenous ingredients, and Liva Aqua, equipped with eight massage rooms, a sauna, steam room and relaxation rooms.
It is incredibly scenic and safe
Safety is a primary concern for Americans traveling anywhere in Mexico, and the media is largely responsible for that, having painted a bleak picture and portraying the Latin gem as crime-ridden and gang-dominated for decades.
As it turns out, not all parts of Mexico are plagued by rampant crime, and certainly not the picturesque San Miguel.
When walking around the city center, you don’t have to get nervous or clutch your personal belongings every time you accidentally bump into a passerby:
Rates of petty crimes and violence are lower than in the state capital of Guanajuato, and most American tourists report no problems while vacationing in the municipality.
It is remarkably tourist-friendly, with well-lit streets after sunset and a peaceful atmosphere all year round.
That said, don’t make a spectacle of yourself by visiting tourist spots covered in expensive jewelry, nor stray into peripheral, poverty-stricken areas, as you logically wouldn’t do in any destination, including the United States. States. It’s pretty safe, don’t push your luck.
It can be very affordable
In addition to being safe, San Miguel is quite affordable compared to most tourist cities in Mexico. You can stay in a centrally located, non-luxury hotel for a fee between $139 and $277 per night.
Food is also on the cheaper side.
If splurging on good food isn’t an option this time, you can have a plate of breaded tamales milanesa beef, rice and a side salad at a local restaurant less than $15or grab a treat tostada or tacos from a street market for less than five dollars.
While this depends entirely on your desired level of comfort in hotels, the restaurants visited, and whether you’re the kind to take expensive souvenirs, a three-day trip to San Miguel can cost as little as $180, excluding hotels.
As you can see, San Miguel has a very low risk. it has attractive prices, its cultural value is immeasurable, and there are endless cute Instagrammable corners to discover. It doesn’t have an airport, but it’s only an hour and a half drive from both BJX and QRO.
How to get to San Miguel from the US?
BJX is the main international airport serving the state of Guanajuato, with non-stop flights from a number of US cities including Atlanta, as of March this year, Chicago (Midway), Fresno, Los Angeles, Oakland, Sacramento and San Jose (California).
QRO is located near Querétaro, the capital of the state of the same name – San Miguel is close to the border – and hosts flights from Chicago O’Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston (Intercontinental) and San Antonio in Texas.
Arrival in Guanajuato or Querétaro, there are bus connections available for those traveling further to San Miguel de Allende. A scenic train visiting the region’s colonial towns could soon be launched.
After the Mayan and Isthmus trains, which started simultaneously in 2023, local business leaders and tourism officials are now Push for a third scenic train connecting León, Guanajuato, Querétaro and San Miguel de Allende.
The project is still on the drawing board and there is no set start date yet.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
