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About San Miguel de Allende
Whether you have a few days, a week or several months to spare, here is
a bit of information to give you a taste of life offered in the historic
city of San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico. Tourism is welcomed
year round as it has been named one of the top ten destinations in the
world by Condé Nast Traveler Magazine. Rich in history, 17th century architecture,
ornate cathedrals and charming cobblestone streets, there is an allure
of luxury in San Miguel, a place not to be missed and never to be forgotten.
Nestled in the heartland of central Mexico in the state of Guanajuato,
you will find this charming colonial city rich with the history of Mexico´s
revolution. San Miguel de Allende sits at 6,400 feet among a vast plateau
of rolling hills in the Sierra Madre mountain range. This beautifully
restored 400-year-old colonial silver city, considered by many to be the
most picturesque town, is protected by the government as a Historic Trust
to ensure it remains that way.
One of the pleasing aspects is the superb spring like climate San Miguel
has most of the year. Warm, sunny days, cool nights, and low humidity,
the temperatures range on average from 68º F to 45º F in the winter months.
The rainy season hits between June and October with late afternoon showers
that can linger into the evenings. Be sure to bring a sweater or jacket
for cool evening breezes.
Cultural festivals and religious events are held in San Miguel de Allende
each month. Here is a partial list of some of the better known times of
year to visit.
High tourist season is from December through April, June, July, and August.
* Easter- A series of events starting two Sundays before Easter mark this
highly celebrated time.
* June -- (1st Sunday after the 13th) marks the Dia de Los Locos, a parade
with music and floats.
* Early August- The world-class Festival de Musica de Camara, a classical
Chamber music festival.
* September -- The city comes to life with parades, fireworks, running
of the bulls, concheros dancers, and galas celebrating Independencia.
* 15th-16th of September- Independence Day, celebrated with fireworks,
dances and the ''Grito'' a historic call to arms read at 11 PM in front
of La Parroquia.
* Last Friday in September is when Saint Michael Archangel, San Miguel's
patron saint is honored with fireworks, church bells, parades, Indian
dancers (xuichles) and religious devotion.
* November 1st and 2nd - Day of the Dead.
* Late November - Jazz Festival International.
* December 16-24. Posadas and pastorelas, nativity plays celebrating Christmas.
Long known as an artists´colony, San Miguel offers its visitors an extraordinary
array of concerts, theater, and lectures as well as language and art classes.
It has two famous art and language institutes, the Bellas Artes cultural
center and the Instituto Allende. Be sure to stop by the Biblioteca Pública,
a privately funded public library, the Teatro Santa Ana showing foreign
language films, and the Angela Peralta Theater hosting performances and
folkloric ballets. There are several language schools to choose from for
those interested in studying Spanish.
Sitting in el Jardin, the center plaza in the heart of the city, overlooking
La Parroquia, is a favorite past time for tourists and locals. If shopping
is your passion, there are plenty of stores to find jewelry, silver, tin,
artisans' crafts and folk art. Sport activities include biking, hiking,
golf, tennis, horseback riding, yoga and swimming or relaxing at one of
the natural thermal springs.
Mexico City 171 miles
Querétaro 40 miles
Leon Airport (Silao) 125 miles
Dolores Hidalgo 27 miles
Guanajuato 56 miles
Flying into Leon, Guanajuato (BJX) airport, about 1 ½ hour drive to San
Miguel,is the easiest. Driving time from Mexico City airport is approximately
4 hours. Aeromexico, Continental, American and Mexicana are among the
carries that fly into either of these international airports. Continental
also flies into the Queretaro Airport (QRO) which is only 1 hour away.
Once you have reserved an accommodation, we offer the services of our
bilingual driver, Leandro Delgado of Leandro Tours and Transportation,
for your transport from and to the airport in a private car or van. The
driver’s fare is not included in the rental price. The fare is quoted
based on the airport of arrival and size vehicle required for your transport.
Leandro Tours and Transportation can also be engaged for excursions to
the surrounding sites, cities and beyond.
We hold the keys to carefully selected vacation rentals and vacation homes for the discriminating traveler.
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