San Miguel de Allende
In December 2020, I traveled to San Miguel de Allende. I headed for this UNESCO World Heritage Site with no expectations and a lot of anticipation. As a solo traveler, I have to balance structure with time to wander, and San Miguel de Allende was the perfect place to do just that.
Each street is lined with colorful houses and unique doors. San Miguel's roads are quite steep, so I would journey down to town during the day and often catch a $1.50 cab ride back up to my airbnb. One of the best ways to see the town and learn so much is to hop on the trolley. A truly inexpensive way to be taken around and also hear the guides tell you San Miguel's stories.
As my first ever truly solo trip, San Miguel de Allende was perfect. It is super welcoming, absolutely stunning, and a perfect blend of romantic and inspiring.
Getting There
Fly into BJX. Here, you will fill out a customs and visa form. Have a pen with you! A currency exchange station is right past the immigration check point. Make sure to get cash! So helpful for when you stop at the beautfiful Mercados. As you leave the airport, to the right will be the bus stop. Be sure to time your travel well so you don't miss the bus. Give yourself an hour to get through immigration and out of the airport. The bus wil take you from the airport to the larger bus station. Here, you will wait until the bus for San Miguel de Allende arrives to take you on your next leg of the journey!
The bus to San Miguel de Allende takes 1 hr and 20 minutes. Use the www.rome2rio.com website to book your seats! This is a super inexpensive way to get to your destination, and offers you an opportunity to see the landscape. The road is winding and very remote with no signs along the way, so taking a bus is really safe and easy!
Where to Stay in San Miguel de Allende
What to do in San Miguel de Allende
Where to Stay in San Miguel de Allende
An unexpected, perfect airbnb that is something to write home about, Casa Frida is a lovely hacienda with rooftop access to views of all of San Miguel de Allende.
Casa Frida is a medium sized bed & breakfast just a short 10 minute walk from charming town. The host will welcome you and show you to your room where you will find windows overlooking the rose garden. The showers are beautifully tiled and the room is just perfect for a romantic getaway.
In the mornings, the host cooks the most incredible breakfast complete with eggs, beans, peppers, salsa, fruit, bread, and coffee. Just around the corner from the kitchen is the stairwell that leads up to the rooftop terrace. Here, you will see incredible views of all of San Miguel de Allende.
What to do in San Miguel de Allende
San Miguel de Allende is full of beautiful spots to create memories and be inspired by. While some of these places I did plan on going to during my solo travels, others were happenstance, and honestly, were even more noteworthy than the places I had intended to see. From my heart to your itinerary, here are my TOP PICKS for San Miguel de Allende.
Dine: While everything is San Miguel de Allende is absolutely delicious, the top of my list include: Don Taco Tequila, La Posadita, and Momma. From food to views, these restaurants are places of dreams.
Do: Just outside of San Miguel de Allende is a beautiful vineyard. A tour of the vineyard, a tasting, and lunch by the pond is a lovely way to spend the day. Another site just outside of San Miguel is the La Gruta, a romantic hot spring. From the Rosewood Hotel, you can book a hot air balloon ride which is the most incredible experience.
See: The loveliest pink chuch you will ever see is in San Miguel. Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel is absolutely stunning inside and out. The Rosewood Hotel is also a place of dreams, with a rooftop restaurant that boasts exquisite ambiance, food, and drinks. As you walk the streets you will find many places to shop, but my favorite is Mercado de Artesanías.