This trip is such an amazing example of girlfriend's that know you so well, know what you value in life and push you not to always take the easy way. When Nikki and Mallory had approached me abbot this amazing location that had recently been voted as the best small town to travel to in Conde Nest magazine, I was in love. But I had already allocated out my 26 vacation days for the entire year and knew I didn't have any unaccounted for. So politely and sadly, I said I was sad to miss out. But Nikki wouldn't take no for an answer and brainstormed real ways to make it work. She challenged me. I finally said okay and as I was about to book flight, I saw that Blake was out of town for work meetings that same week and I, again, said no to Nikki. Then, I thought to ask my mom to see if she happened to be in town and she was, so I booked the flight! I am so glad I did, it ended up being one of the most remarkable towns and easy getaway trips that I have ever been to and the absolute perfect girls' getaway location. I literally didn't do one thing to plan this trip, leaving it all in Nikki and Mallory's hands. It was such an amazing feeling and I was so thankful to have dear friends who know my love language regarding traveling. I asked my dear friend, Jackie Alvarado, to join us and she booked her flight within 4 hours. This trip taught me the value in YES friends and those who challenge me, as I approach 40 years old!
Even when our Tuesday night flight was delayed leaving San Antonio and eventually detoured to a completely different airport in Mexico, life was good. We had 55 joyful hours head of us in San Miguel de Allende, that would be filled with laughter with these 3 women.
Late night delay in Houston and we decide to have a blinded Gummy Bear Tasting contest. I am pretty sure we made quite the scene.
We had planned to flying QRO but diverted to Leon, in order to make it to Mexico that Tuesday night. Our driver we had hired to pick us up in QRO diverted to Leon and we had a 90 minute drive at midnight to San Miguel. Both airports were nice. The QRO airport drive was less than an hour. We arrived after 2AM in the morning and the AirBNB owner met us at the house then to give us a tour of the absolutely most amazing home I have even seen. The details of the this house were insane.
The next morning, we woke up to the cooks making us an authentic Mexican breakfast before venturing out to explore.
Place of 2000 doors in only 150 private residences.
We got dressed up for a night on the town!
Up bright and early for a bucket list morning. It was nearly 2 years ago that Nikki and I had tried to do a hot air balloon in Sedona, AZ and it was canceled at 4AM when there was no wind. This time is was a success and couldn't have asked for a better experience. We met a awesome couple from San Francisco and had breakfast with them afterwards at the Rosewood Hotel!
That afternoon, our only to-do item was to check out as many roof top bars as we could.
For our last evening, we did a local food walking tour.
This was our view from our home's top patio. It was by far the best view out of ALL the roof top bars we had seen.
The view of the sky and cathedral our last evening and me with everything strapped to me on the way home Friday!
San Miguel De Allende is a super special place that I know Blake and I will visit when we are older. It is out of a story book and I see why they say 25% of the town is retired Americans that found this magical place 30-40 years ago to retire to. I felt extremely safe the entire time.
Notes: San Miguel De Allende
San Miguel’s is a wedding destination
6,500 feet in altitude
Art background in 1940’s
Travel and leisure - named SMA best small city to travel to
172,000 people -2016 census.
5,800,000 visitors.
1740s ? Founded
Nicknamed - Place of 2000 doors in only 150 private residences - there are multiple doors on each builidng and now 2000 doors because they are subdivided.
Flights/Airport:
Can fly into QRO or Leon - we arrived at Leon after flight delay into QRO. About 90 min drive from Leon. Less than an hour drive from QRO. Both airports nice.
Bar recommendations:
Aqualive hotel- old bar in back
Pascal bar- tequila bar - if you take Mezcal food tour, you go here
Best views:
Rosewood Hotel- must do place. Top sunset spot in town - quintessential San Miguel Allende view
Hotel Palomar- best sunset view in city
Roof Top Bars:
Mama Mia - we went late. Nice view.
Quince - see both churches, great drinks
Rosewood
Restaurants:
National dish of Mexico- Chile in regaldo
Hecho en Mexico- great salads & desserts, per our local Airbnb host
Los Miracols - off Relox street is great place to go when hungry for true Mexican food for good value.
Mama Mia- main square- great brunch until 12:30.
Los miracles - awesome resturaunt per our local Airbnb host
Acento- jicama tacos are specialty (Jicama with shrimp tacos were amazing)
Atreo* (need to verify spelling)
Casa 1812 (ate here on food tour) Roof Top patio- there is a regular roof top bar and then an even higher one that serves same food. Go there, view must be better. Traso- in hotel 1810 - quality restaurant - roof top restaurant - food is amazing per local.
Restaurant 1810- 8 cuerpos patio
Monental- ginger margaritas - up hill, great tostadas.
Sunday Brunch at Rosewood - 6 stations and all different.
Museums:
Main square with church behind you - Elimada museum
Bamomexare museum, across Starbucks- old convent monestroy
To- do:
Institute Ayende (wish we had done) - Near Rosewood Hotel, where we had breakfast
Arora fabric- boutiques, expensive, unique, North side of town (take cab)
Other tourists said horse back riding tour to a farm where you spend day with locals was their most favorite experience all week
Sit in park “Jardin” across from large church and people watch, especially in evenings. Ice cream food carts. Shaded areas under trees.
Drink a Paloma: a San Miguel drink staple of Grapefruit soda, Fresca and tequila, lime and salt.
Hot Air Balloon - amazing
Walking Food Tour
Mezcal tasting
Taco Tasting Food Tour was great
Tips From Locals:
Using taxis, per 2 locals we spoke with:
You don’t tip taxi drivers and this is why - tourist tipping negatively affects the local community dynamics because taxis will pass the local woman with 3 children to find a tourist.
Point to point in central SMA is 40 pesos.
Downtown to market is 50 pesos
After buses stop extra 10 for nightime
If you call - then it’s 10 more pesos
Taxi drivers will over charge tourists many times.
Always negotiate fare BEFORE you get in.
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