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Atotonilco & San Miguel de Allende

Atotonilco is an indigenous rural community that will make you feel like you've stepped back in time. It is home to the precious Santuario de Atotonilco, a small church renowned for its stunning frescoes. Dubbed the Sistine Chapel of Mexico, it houses some of the finest examples of fresco art in the country. Over two million devout Christians make pilgrimages to the tiny town each year, coming from all over the country to pray and meditate.

The church also holds great importance in Mexico’s political history. On September 16, 1810, Miguel Hidalgo removed an image of the Virgin of Guadalupe from the wall and affixed it to a spear. He used it as a banner in his fight for Mexican Independence. From there, it was marched to San Miguel. ¡Viva México!

San Miguel de Allende is situated in the Central Mexican highlands, about four hours northeast of Mexico City. It is a city that manages to be both quaint and cosmopolitan at the same time. Once an important stop on the silver route between Zacatecas and Mexico City, its historic center is filled with well-preserved buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries. Now a hub for expat artists, this highland city is known for its Spanish Colonial architecture and colorful facades.

San Miguel has consistently been ranked one of the top places to visit in the world by Condé Nast and Travel & Leisure. Roughly 10% of the town consists of ex-pats, providing a very international feel.

Located at 6,2500ft, expect warm sunny days with highs in the mid-70s and cool, crisp mornings and evenings with lows in the low 40s.

San Miguel is a very walkable town. However, the roads are cobblestone, and the hills can be steep, so comfortable walking shoes are a must!

The town is situated at a higher elevation, so the air is thinner and UV rays are stronger - bring sunscreen!

The weather will be perfect (70s) while the sun is out and chilly at night (low 40s), so bring sweaters and wear layers.

Cobblestone, old roads, and steep hills require comfortable shoes, so pack with comfort in mind.

The Dress Code is Semi-Formal - we'll be outdoors with heaters, and it will get cool at night, so bring a jacket and consider closed-toe shoes over sandals.

- The exchange rate is about $17 Mexican pesos to $1 US dollar.

- You will need Mexican pesos. US dollars are not typically accepted. We recommend carrying cash for transportation, shopping in the artisanal markets, and tipping. Most stores and restaurants will take cards, so we don't recommend carrying large amounts of cash with you.

- Unless you book online/prepay or order an Uber, you must pay drivers in cash. You can easily get pesos at the airport from an ATM upon arrival.

- The best way to get cash is through an ATM in Mexico. While there will be fees, you'll get the best exchange rate. There are plenty of safe ATMs at banks around the main square in San Miguel. (Shout out to: Charles Schwab Bank - free checking, and they reimburse you for all ATM fees.)

Tipping:
- Like the states, in San Miguel, 20% is standard. Some restaurants automatically include a service charge.

- The Spanish word for tip is “propina.”

We are thrilled you will experience incredible dining in San Miguel de Allende. We can't wait for you to soak up the stunning views while enjoying tasty cuisine!

Lavanda Cafe
A small cafe that takes coffee seriously, this place also offers baked goods, breakfast, and brunch options. Expect a line in the mornings.

Raíces Restaurante
South of town in a cute residential neighborhood. Traditional Mexican cuisine: most dishes are made with flavors typically found in Oaxaca. Enchiladas and chilaquiles there are amazing.

Panio
Local bakery specializing in pastries and bread. Perfect for a quick morning snack or midday treat.

Cafe Umaran
Try the carajillo (espresso + licor 43) garnished with a chocolate croissant if you want an afternoon pick-me-up.

La Parada
Enjoy Peruvian-inspired cuisine with a hint of Mexican flavors. Great spot for lunch!

Bastardo Restaurante & Beer Garden
Chef Jorge Avendaño (who used to work at Noma) is full of surprises, with a menú that is simple but constantly changing. Try the carpaccio de lengua if it is on the menu! Also child friendly with a play-place outside.

La Mezcaleria 
The oldest Mezcalería in San Miguel de Allende serving creative contemporary Mexican food.

Don Taco Tequila
Another great Mezcal collection! This restaurant is vegan for our meatless friends. Try the ceviche de nopal.

Antonia Bistro 
A rooftop restaurant overlooking all of Centro San Miguel. Enjoy cocktails and a late lunch or dinner while enjoying the view.

La Sirena Gorda
Great seafood selection! Cool ambiance, and sometimes they have live music.

La Doña 
Traditional Mexican food with a modern twist. Come here to enjoy a fun meal and delicious authentic dishes. Reservations recommended.

The Restaurant 
It is located in a beautiful colonial courtyard and serves a blend of contemporary American and international dishes, focusing on using fresh, local ingredients. Reservations recommended.

Atrio 
A lovely high-end rooftop terrace in the center of town with an amazing view of the cathedral. The international menu features Latin American and Asian influences and a full selection of steaks. Reservations recommended.

Luna Rooftop Tapas Bar
Located at the Rosewood Hotel, this is one of the most popular spots for sunset views and delicious tapas and cocktails.

Bekeb 
Rooftop cocktail bar with gorgeous sunset views and DJ. Creative cocktail menu by a well-known local female mixologist.

Hang out in the main square, “El Jardin”
Known as El Jardin, a tree-lined plaza in the center of town surrounded by gorgeous centuries-old buildings and the famous church of San Miguel, La Parroquia. Enjoy the shade or take in a song from a roving mariachi band while enjoying the sights and sounds of the town square.

Shop the Artisanal Markets (Mercado de Artesanías)
On calle Lucas Balderas, this three-block market is filled with too many stalls to count. Take a stroll and observe some of the techniques and materials that the artisans of the region use, and maybe find a piece of Mexico to take back home!

Fabrica la Aurora
What used to be a textile factory today houses canvasses, sculptures, and artisan products of great artists who live in San Miguel. Browse art from local artists and enjoy a bite at one of the several cafes.

Take a food or walking tour.
San Miguel is filled with art, history, and tucked-away gems. Check out Airbnb Experiences or other local tours to get a local’s perspective.

Tequila Tasting
San Miguel is home to the renowned tequila Casa Dragones. They offer small tastings in their tasting room located inside Doce 18 Concept House off of the main square.

ICAVI (Instituto Cultural del Agave y el Vino) is another amazing tasting experience in San Miguel. Here, you can learn about different kinds of tequila. They also offer tastings of Mezcal and other native Mexican spirits and wines.

Botanical Gardens: El Charco de Ingenio
Outside the city is a 170-acre botanical garden within a nature preserve. It was created in 1990 to preserve the natural environment and features cacti and other indigenous flora.

Instituto Allende
Instituto Allende is one of the beacons for artists traveling to Mexico, and it has been luring art students for more than five decades. The institute lives in an 18th-century historic home. The campus is open to visitors on weekdays and Saturday mornings.

Hola - Hi
Buenos días / Buenas tardes / Buenas noches - Good morning / Good afternoon / Good evening
¿Cómo estás? - How are you?
Mucho gusto - Nice to meet you
Me gustaría - I would like
Yo necesito - I need
¿Tiene? - Do you have?
¿Cuánto cuesta? - How much does it cost?
¿Qué hora es? - What time is it?
A la derecha / A la izquierda / Siga derecho - On the right / On the left / Straight ahead
A una cuadra / A dos, tres, cuatro cuadras - In one block / In two, three, four blocks
El baño - The bathroom
Banco / Dinero / Cambio / La cuenta - Bank / Money / Change / The bill

Uno - One
Dos - Two
Tres - Three
Cuatro - Four
Cinco - Five
Seis - Six
Siete - Seven
Ocho - Eight
Nueve - Nine
Dies - Ten

And finally, if all else fails:
Yo (no) entiendo - I (don’t) understand
¿Habla inglés? - Do you speak English?