Tips for a low-cost visit to picturesque San Miguel de Allende

El Universal travel collaborator Viridiana Ramírez came up with an outstanding guide for a weekend in San Miguel on a budget, departing out of Mexico City. Check it out…

San Miguel de Allende is the perfect destination to be walked calmly on foot. Begin your journey in the central square, in front of its architectural jewel, the Parish of San Miguel Arcángel. It is completely carved in pink quarry, and its Neogothic style will impact you.

Afterwards, take a walk through the garden and explore the small craft stalls sheltered under the bay trees.

Meet the house of the prodigal son of the city and Mexico’s Independence icon, Ignacio Allende. The enclosure exhibits an important collection of objects used during the War of Independence period.

If you like museums, do not forget to visit the Mask’s Museum. It is a collection of 500 pieces that document the best folkloric dances of Mexico. Afterwards, you can walk up to the Toy Museum.

The streets of San Miguel de Allende are full of galleries and workshops where fantastic papier maché, blown glass, ceramics, wood or blacksmithing works are showcased, so you can take a souvenir home. The Handicraft Market offers authentic works of art at affordable prices.

Do not miss El Chorro, a stroll along one of the oldest streets of San Miguel de Allende, you will still find the architectural remains of 18th century toilets and lavatories, as well as two three hundred-year old temples amazingly well preserved.

Finally, we recommend the botanical garden Charco del Ingenio, a nature reserve that features an extensive collection of cacti and succulents.

Where to sleep
Rent a private room through Airbnb, from $654 pesos (37 USD), per night; that can sleep up to two people.

Where to eat (Top 5 recommendations)
The chilaquiles of Café Muró, in the street of Loreto.
The eggs to taste with baked bread of Garden Restaurant, in Portal Allende 2.
The pozole of La Alborada, in Sollano 11.
The churros with hot chocolate of San Agustín, in San Francisco 21.
The molcajetes of arrachera and shrimp from the Cantina Los Milagros, in Relox 17.

How to get there (from Mexico City)
Acquire your bus tickets at Reservamos.mx, you will find round trips back and forth from Mexico City at 880 pesos per person (50 USD). Another good piece of advice is to make your reservation of lodging with Airbnb.

Total investment
You can end up paying as little as 87 USD = $1,534 pesos (round bus ticket and one night lodging. The other night is paid by your partner). You have $466 pesos (26 USD) for meals and activities.

That will be the best 115 USD investment you’ve ever done in your life!

Source: El Universal