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North AmericaMexicoGuanajuato

San Miguel de Allende

Guanajuato, Mexico · North America

About San Miguel de Allende

San Miguel de Allende sits on the route: 10 minutes from Santa Teresita de Don Diego, 55km from Museo de las Momias de Guanajuato.

San Miguel de Allende is a city located in Guanajuato, Mexico. With a population of 174,615, it is an important destination in North America.

On a road trip, San Miguel de Allende sits in Mexico, where you drive on the right. It's in the America/Mexico City time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add San Miguel de Allende to your route.

About San Miguel de Allende

San Miguel de Allende (Spanish pronunciation: [sam miˈɣel de aˈʎende]) is the principal city in the municipality of San Miguel de Allende, located in the far eastern part of Guanajuato, Mexico. A part of the Bajío region, the town lies 274 km (170 mi) from Mexico City, 86 km (53 mi) from Querétaro and 97 km (60 mi)

Read more from the state capital of Guanajuato. The town's name derives from a 16th-century friar, Juan de San Miguel, and a martyr of Mexican Independence, Ignacio Allende, who was born in a house facing the central plaza. San Miguel de Allende was a critical epicenter during the historic Chichimeca War (1540–1590) when the Chichimeca held back the Spanish Empire during the initial phases of European colonization. Today, an old section of the town is part of a proclaimed World Heritage Site, attracting thousands of tourists and new residents from abroad every year. At the beginning of the 20th century, the town was in danger of becoming a ghost town after an influenza pandemic. Gradually, its Baroque/Neoclassical colonial structures were "discovered" by foreign artists who moved in and began art and cultural institutes such as the Instituto Allende and the Escuela de Bellas Artes. This gave the town a reputation, attracting artists such as David Alfaro Siqueiros, who taught painting. This drew foreign art students, especially former US soldiers studying on the G.I. Bill after World War II. Since then, the town has attracted a significant number of foreigners from the US, Canada and Europe, shifting the area's economy from agriculture and industry to commerce that caters to tourists and retired foreign residents. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated the Protective town of San Miguel and the Sanctuary of Jesús Nazareno de Atotonilco as a World Heritage Site in 2008. The area of designation includes part of the town of San Miguel de Allende and part of the town of Atotonilco, which is about 14 kilometers north. The World Heritage Site is highlighted by a core zone of 43 hectares in San Miguel de Allende's well-preserved historic center, filled with buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries. The other part of the World Heritage Site, the Sanctuary of Atotonilco, has a core zone of .75 hectares surrounded by a buffer zone of about 4.5 hectares.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in San Miguel de Allende

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in San Miguel de Allende?

San Miguel de Allende offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to San Miguel de Allende?

Plan your road trip to San Miguel de Allende with Plan Your Road Trips! Add San Miguel de Allende as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is San Miguel de Allende located?

San Miguel de Allende is located in Guanajuato, Mexico, North America. The coordinates are 20.9153 latitude, -100.7439 longitude.

What is the population of San Miguel de Allende?

San Miguel de Allende has a population of approximately 174,615 people, making it a city in Mexico.

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Quick Information

Population
174,615
Continent
North America
Country
Mexico
Region
Guanajuato
Timezone
America/Mexico_City
Coordinates
20.9153, -100.7439

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in Mexico

Police
911
Ambulance
911
Fire
911
Driving side
right

Green Angels (free tourist roadside assistance on federal highways): 078.

Full driving guide for Mexico

Tags

North AmericaMexicoGuanajuatoCity

Worth the detour from San Miguel de Allende

2 notable places within an hour's drive.

museum

Museo de las Momias de Guanajuato

A macabre museum displaying over 100 naturally mummified bodies exhumed from a local cemetery, preserved by the region's dry climate.

55 km · about 65 min drive

landmark

Guanajuato

A colorful UNESCO city built in a ravine, famous for its underground street tunnels, baroque architecture, and the annual Cervantino festival.

55 km · about 65 min drive

When to drive here

Year-round

Tropical latitude: plan around the wet season rather than temperature.

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near San Miguel de Allende.

Colonia San Luis Rey

🇲🇽 Mexico

2 km awayPop. 2,707

Santa Teresita de Don Diego

🇲🇽 Mexico

5 km awayPop. 1,487

La Cieneguita

🇲🇽 Mexico

6 km awayPop. 1,241

Nigromante

🇲🇽 Mexico

6 km awayPop. 1,144

Alcocer

🇲🇽 Mexico

7 km awayPop. 1,224

Corralejo de Arriba

🇲🇽 Mexico

10 km awayPop. 1,026

Palo Colorado

🇲🇽 Mexico

10 km awayPop. 1,172

La Cruz del Palmar

🇲🇽 Mexico

12 km awayPop. 1,009

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence