A great way to explore San Miguel is by taking an English speaking two hour walking tour of the historic center of town.  This will help you get familiar with the historic sights and get your bearings somewhat.  The tour guide will meet with those that are interested in front of the Parroquia at 9:45 AM every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  

These tours begin at the Jardin at 10 AM.  All proceeds from these tours are donated to a local children's charity ... "Patronato Pro Niños"

The local Audubon Society conducts birdwalks on the first and third Wednesday  of each month. Non-members are welcome with a donation of $150 pesos. The principal site visited is the Charco del Ingenio -- which is our Botanical Garden -- which offers over 4 miles of trails for hiking and enjoying the local flora and fauna. Participants should meet at the entrance to the Instituto Allende by 7:45 a.m.  Be sure and bring your binoculars!!

Visit the "El Charco del Ingenio" which is open all year long.  There are 207 acres of a beautifully maintained ecological reserve and 4 miles of trails. The park offers two tours a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10AM - 12:30PM.  Reservations are not necessary.  Be sure to bring a hat, water and good walking shoes. Tickets are 50 pesos for members and 80 pesos for non-members. Private tours are also available by appointment.

"Leisurely Country Horseback Riding"

Beth and her wranglers are the best!!  What a lovely way to spend some time in the countryside with nature.  Majestic views, ancient ruins, forge the river and a fabulous homemade Mexican buffet at the finish!  Suitable for children over 6 years of age.  They provide the young ones with their own cowboy to lead them.

If you enjoy Gastronomy, then San Miguel Food Tours is for you! These fun adventures allow you to experience the best of our local food scene in San Miguel.  Partake of the wonderfully delicious regional foods while hearing about the culture and food traditions. Being able to interact with the friendly people in San Miguel de Allende will make this a memorable experience that you will want to share with others.

For a unique perspective of San Miguel de Allende, hop on a hot air balloon and see it from the sky.  There are several outfits in town, but we like Globo San Miguel, with over 20 years of experience flying over San Miguel and more than 35 years in the commercial balloon business.  Their pilots are FAA Certified and are among the most experienced in the world.

Take a peek inside some of San Miguel de Allende’s most interesting homes. Tours depart from the Biblioteca Publica (the public library) on Insurgentes #25 every Sunday at 12 noon sharp. Doors open at 11 AM and tickets are $20 USD or $250 Pesos, cash only, to benefit the public library.

"El Santuario de Jesús Nazareno de Atotonilco"

A beautiful Sanctuary, which was built in 1740, is located in the small town of Atotonilco and represents an important shrine for the Mexican people.  It was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 2008 and is referred to as Mexico’s “Sistine Chapel.”   The fully restored walls and ceilings are adorned with intricate frescoes and murals depicting biblical stores.  Atotonilco is located about 10 miles outside of San Miguel. 

The Cañada de la Virgen archeological zone was opened to the public in February of 2011.  After an extensive excavation project uncovering this amazing pyramid and surrounding area, Albert Coffee offers world class day tours to this magnificent site from around 1000 A.D. 

The fee for this tour is $55 USD per person or the peso equivalent. The tours last around 4.5 hours. Tours run at 9 am, Tuesday through Sunday. The site is closed on Mondays.  Includes all transport, entry fees and the services of Albert Coffee as your guide.  This is not recommended for those that have ambulatory issues.  Bring water and a hat for this adventure!!

Not far from San Miguel de Allende, on the road to Dolores Hidalgo, there are a series of thermal baths.  Among them are "El Escondido", with a series of connecting indoor pools where one is hotter than the next. "La Gruta", is a spa with several pools, a cave as well as a restaurant.  "Balneario Xote" has several water slides and fountains as well as pools and this is the perfect place for a family outing with the entire family and kids.

This University town is located 60 miles from San Miguel and is the capital of the state of Guanajuato.  This city is also another UNESCO World Heritage Site in the area.  Guanajuato possesses a very European feel with its many parks and outdoor cafes.  A couple of sites to visit are the Teatro Juarez (Opera House) and the home of infamous Mexican artist Diego Rivera. The annual Cervantino Festival, a 3 week festival of performing arts and culture, is held during the month of October.  This event features music, dance, opera, theater, visual arts and cinema.  You can easily combine visiting Guanajuato with Dolores Hidalgo and Atotonilco.  

Queretaro is located about 45 minutes from San Miguel, which is the capital of the state of Querétaro.  Querétaro’s beautifully preserved historical center is a UNESCO World Heritage site, with some of Mexico’s finest historical architecture.  Its most famous landmark is the 74-arched aqueduct built in the 1730’s.  You will want to include visiting the Plaza de la Constitución, the Church of San Francisco and the Museo Regional.

Approximately 30 miles from San Miguel, the town of Dolores Hidalgo is where the War for Independence began in 1810.  This is where Father Miguel Hidalgo delivered the famous “El Grito de Dolores,” battle cry from the balcony of the local church. The historic city center and main square have been beautifully preserved and maintained.  The town is also known for its talavera tile factories and homemade ice cream sold by local vendors.  A visit to Dolores can be combined with Guanajuato and Atotonilco.  

This former mining boom town is located less than 45 minutes from San Miguel. It was founded in 1576 and became one of the richest colonial mining towns due to its deep seams of gold and silver.  At its peak the population was approximately 70,000 residents. The mines also produced an assortment of minerals from silver to mercury.  During the Revolution of 1910 the mines were shut down and the city became a ghost town.  By 1950 it is estimated that approximately 200 people remained. Newcomers have begun renovating the old buildings, turning them into homes, restaurants and art galleries. Pozos reminds you of what San Miguel was like some 50 years ago.  It’s a nice lunchtime outing.