Location: San Miguel de Allende
Top Things to do in San Miguel de Allende
Top Restaurants in San Miguel de Allende
Top 10 Hidden Gems Things to do in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
High in the cool hills, this colonial gem of cobblestone streets and picturesque churches inspires artists with its color, character and light. Baroque, neoclassical and neogothic mix in the city's buildings, notably at the pink stone 18th-century church on the Plaza Principal. Founded in 1542, the city is a mix of Hispanic and Mesoamerican influences.
Restaurants in San Miguel de Allende
1. Coyote Canyon Adventures
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 851 reviews
Since 2000, Coyote Canyon Adventures is offering the most exciting and highest quality family adventure tours available in San Miguel de Allende. We have half-day, full day and overnight horseback riding excursions available. Our expert cowboy guides lead you safely through working cattle ranches, into Coyote Canyon(a.k.a. Cañada de la Virgen), through its river, over its plains, across its gorges, and down its sheer cliffs, all the while sharing with you their in-depth knowledge of the native flora and fauna. Their horseback riding excursions are exciting and rugged yet can also be tailored for families with small children or for seniors who would prefer a slower pace. Or if you require a little more adrenaline you can add some rappelling at the end of your ride or hike through the canyon.If you are interested in adventure tours we can offer activities such as hot air balloons flights, ATV's tours, rappelling... We also offer the finest tours available of the archeological site named "Sitio Arqueologico Cañada de la Virgen", which is a 1600 year old pyramidal complex in the same area. And many other activities such as hot air balloons flights, ATV's tours, rappelling...
2. Mask Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 430 reviews
By appointment
Reviewed By CarolynH399 - Houston, United States
The mask curator has been collecting masks for 30 years and has hundreds installed in the museum. He is very knowledgeable about the masks and Mexican history. You must call for an appointment. There is also a nice native art shop included in this beautiful bed-and-breakfast attached to the museum.
3. Albert Coffee Archaeotours - Day Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 880 reviews
Albert Coffee Archaeotours, based in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, specializes in day trips to Canada de la Virgen and other sites in the state of Guanajuato. Our tours are guided by actual archaeologists, experts who have excavated Mesoamerican sites, like archaeologist Albert Coffee. One-day excursions to archaeological zones like Peralta and Plazuelas are also offered.
4. Rancho Xotolar
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 556 reviews
Welcome to a Working Ranch "El Xotolar", Experience the wide open spaces of rural Mexico not like a tourist, but as a member of the Morín Ruiz Family on Xotolar Ranch. You will ride through spectacular countryside with breathtaking views and stunning landscapes.Guides Tomás and Felíx Morín share their vast knowledge and skills while keeping your safety in mind.After your ride, enjoy an authentic ranch "comida" (luncheon) of delicious, freshly prepared specialties of Xotolar Ranch along with a cold "cerveza" (beer).We are not a commercial tour company, but family owned and operated. We offer a variety of beautiful scenic rides in the mountains outside of San Miguel de Allende. We are located adjacent to ancient Pre-Hispanic Toltec Pyramids, that you will be able to clearly watch from the distance. We can prove with ID and history, that all the staff that makes the tours are the true natives. Activities: Horseback Riding adventures, Ranch and Rodeo Demonstrations, Camping, Sunset and Evening Adventures Rides, Cattle Drives for Experienced riders.Combo: Hiking tour at Cañada de la Virgin Pyramid-Horseback Riding Adventure. Much more, ASKING!
Reviewed By Cruiser538333
My son, daughter, and her boyfriend, ages 20, 23 and 25 had a wonderful horse ride, accompanied by Rancho Xotolar cowboys. They were picked up at their hotel, right on time, visited the ranch, made fresh cheese, rode for about 3 hrs, through beautiful trails and streams. They returned to the ranch for a healthy bountiful meal, and were driven back to the hotel. Jeans, and tennis or booties fine. And maybe a cap or hat! A wonderful Saturday!
5. Esencia Yoga Spa
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 201 reviews
Esencia Yoga Spa, a Registered Yoga Alliance School, was born out of the passion to share wellness. We believe in the integration of your physical, mental and spiritual health to help you achieve the optimal state of well-being and balance. This is how we created your yoga classes and spa treatments. San Miguel de Allende’s premier yoga and spa center, we are an oasis for relaxation and rejuvenation. The center is a place to play, explore, discover and find your balance. We are a warm environment (often literally!) and feature a variety of daily classes, male and female changing rooms with showers, a fresh juice bar and a spacious classroom where you will find a wealth of new friends and self-awareness. Compassion for others and love of one’s self — wherever we may be — is what defines our “Esencia." Esencia Yoga Spa was created for you and by you....
Reviewed By sofiee2015 - Bangkok, Thailand
I had a wonderful massage with Ciri. The music was relaxing and the room I was in was full of beautiful Indian art. I loved the shoulder and leg/feet part of the massage. Overall it was very relaxing and left me feeling like a fresh new person!
6. Leisurely Country Horseback Riding
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 411 reviews
Go at your own pace to enjoy the country side of Mexico through the river and up the canyon as well as sunset views. We pick you up door to door and offer various excursions daily for the beginner, intermediate and experienced trail riders.
Reviewed By kathyatriverdell - Frankford, Canada
Beth was our hostess and she made this a pleasurable experience for all of us. We are, none of us, experienced riders, but it made no difference. She and two cowboys accompanied the three of us up to the edge of the canyon and then back by a different trail for variety's sake. We had a great ride, followed by a home-cooked, delicious lunch, and then she returned us to our house., from which she had picked us up in the first place. I absolutely loved it. Thanks, Beth.
7. Galeria Atotonilco
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 373 reviews
We are open BY APPOINTMENT only and usually have an Open House the last weekend of every month from noon to 5 pm. Please check our weekly ad in Atencion for directions to the gallery and contact information. Please note: We are NOT a "Museum" or an "Attraction." One of the largest and highest quality folk art collections in all of Mexico, on a gorgeous country property in an architecturally spectacular, much-published building, Galeria Atotonilco is a ten-minute drive north of town. It is an eye-dazzling array of a huge variety of folk art, from funny to exquisite, from all over Mexico. Folk art is a direct route to the true heart of Mexico: it's history, it's traditions, it's myths and legends, it's diverse cultures. Items in all price ranges can be shipped anywhere. We suggest you visit us early in your trip when you have not spent all your money and when shipping can be arranged if necessary. Even if you know little about folk art, we guarantee you will be amazed at the diversity, and we love sharing our knowledge with you. In addition to folk art, you will see country antique furniture, vintage textiles of great beauty, and historic photographs of 19th century Mexico. Within a mile is the historic church of Atotonilco, and the gorgeous country restaurant, Nirvana. Plan to spend at least an hour in our gallery. The time will fly by. Many visitors report that this gallery was the highlight of their visit to San Miguel.
Reviewed By mariet451 - San Diego, United States
My husband and I, with a friend, really enjoyed our visit to this lovely property, with an excellent selection of carefully curated Mexican folk art. The collection is museum-quality, with something for everyone, at every price point, from ceramics, to textiles, masks and beyond. The owner is personable and knowledgable and personally accompanied us to the back gate where a short walk led us to a lovely place for lunch, Nirvana. The property is a beautiful setting for showcasing the colorful artisan works. My husband was thrilled to find curious mezcal figurine bottles he had admired in a private collection in Guanajuato, while I fell in love with the contemporary ceramics of Gustavo Perez. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and would definitely return on a future visit to the area-highly recommended! Visits are by appointment, so plan ahead. We were able to visit with only one day's notice, but the owners do travel to find new acquisitions so advance contact by email or phone is advised.
8. Van Doren Metal Art Workshop
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 268 reviews
Learn How To & Create Your Own Metal Art! Our Creative and Empowering two-day workshops are open to participants of All experience levels. You will learn the most important metal work techniques and processes, including MIG WELDING, SPOT WELDING, PLASMA CUTTING, BENDING SHEARING, GRINDING, PRESSING, RUSTING, FINISHES & MORE!! You will leave with a work of art! Beginners welcomed & encouraged!
Reviewed By Dreamer622263
This was one of the most fun classes I’ve taken! Both Lane and Alex were so helpful and encouraging as we learned how to use the equipment, form ideas, and create! The class was small, lots of individual attention, great lunch in a beautiful setting! I love the piece they helped me create-sent photos to my kids-they are so impressed with their mom and grandma!
9. Museo de Astronomia Prehispanica
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 85 reviews
The Prehispanic Astronomical Museum addresses a 10 year archeoastronomical research made at Cañada de la Virgen archaeological site in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato. The exposition explains the importance of the moon cycle at the site and the use of the pyramid as a calendar device.
Reviewed By 883liz - Chicago, United States
It was so worth the visit.! We stopped for lunch and a tour of the cultural astronomy museum at the Comida Prehispanica and the Mueso de Astronomia Prehispanica after a fascinating tour of the Pyramid at Canada de la Virgen (Albert Coffee). Altogether one of the best experiences of our lovely trip to San Miguel de Allende. Our reception from Dr. Rossana Quiro Ennis and her husband Jesus Real Ruiz was so warm and inviting. First we went to the back patio and watched one of the cooks prepare tortillas on the traditional comal while we began with our meal with delicious salsas and chips made from those ethereal tortillas. Two main dishes followed – one vegetable and the other with meat – then dessert and Mexican coffee. All the ingredients were not only organic and locally grown but food that was available to the indigenous people before the arrival of Spaniards. If this lunch was an example, they ate well! And so did we. When I asked Dr. Ennis how she and her husband decided to open both a restaurant and a museum, she explained, “We both found in cooking a way to connect the cycles of nature with the cycles of the sky, which was one of the main themes in prehispanic cosmogonic knowledge.” After lunch, Dr. Ennis described her involvement in the archeological exploration at the Pyramid. She had began by photographing the cycles of the moon as it rose behind the Pyramid over many years and observing the patterns as they must have appeared to the indigenous builders. As a cultural astronomer, she documented evidence of how the local Prehispanic people constructed the Pyramid to follow the complex, interlocking cycles of the moon and sun that they used to predict vital weather cycles and eclipses. She explained - at the level we could absorb - what she had discovered – and documented in her beautiful photographs. Do make time for this experience! It is uniquely engaging!!
10. El Charco del Ingenio
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 899 reviews
El Charco del Ingenio is a botanical garden and nature preserve just a few minutes from the historical city of San Miguel de Allende. The name comes from a spring-fed pool nestled in an impressive canyon. With great biodiversity, many different species of native plants and animals are in the canyon, the wetlands and the dry scrubland. El Charco hosts an extensive botanical collection made up of cacti and other succulent Mexican plants, many of which are rare, threatened or in danger of extinction. This is a place that was sanctified as a Peace Zone by the Dalai Lama, where you can enjoy the Conservatory of Mexican Plants, scenic overlooks, historic sites, trails, Interactive Garden for Children, camping zone, cafeteria & gift shop, as well as different activities like guided tours, sweat-lodge, workshops, concerts, full moon ceremonies and more.
Reviewed By sharedvision - San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
There are so many wonderful pathways to wonder in this very special Botanical Garden..when we are in San Miguel de Allende each year in February we stroll through the streets on our way to this cacti and native plants of this area..there is a gift store, educational activities and many scenic outlooks.. a coffee bar is available as well
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