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Home » Destinations » Mexico » San Miguel de Allende » A Guide to the Best Things to Do in San Miguel de Allende

A Guide to the Best Things to Do in San Miguel de Allende

Posted September 24, 2018, Updated July 11, 2022 //  by Michele Peterson 3 Comments

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If you’re attending the San Miguel Writers Conference, it’s worth planning ahead to make sure you factor in enough time to experience all the wonderful things there are to do in the magical city of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

Here’s why you should attend this writers festival as well as some tips on the best things to do in San Miguel de Allende while you’re there:

1. Mix and Mingle at the San Miguel Writers Conference and Festival

San Miguel Writers Conference and Festival
Meet and mingle with other writers at the San Miguel Writers Conference and Festival

This popular celebration for book lovers, writers, editors and publishers has been taking place for more than 15 years. The official name of this festival is the San  Miguel Writers Conference and Literary Festival, which means that although there are workshops on the craft of writing, there is also a large focus on the appreciation of literature through readings, book sales and talks by celebrated writers.

During the year I attended, the conference  was a jam-packed five days of new ideas, creative writing exercises and inspiring lectures by speakers such as Margaret Atwood and Merilyn Simonds. Expect to do a lot of mixing and mingling.

Although the festival also features  agent pitch sessions and master classes, it’s more of a celebration of the craft writing than an intensive workshop type atmosphere.

Read my post on How to Choose a Writers WorkShop to learn more about the important differences between workshops, retreats and festivals for writers.

2. Soak up the History and Charm of San Miguel de Allende

San Miguel de Allende is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
San Miguel de Allende was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008

Founded in 1542, the UNESCO World Heritage site of San Miguel de Allende features meandering cobblestone streets, leafy plazas and more than 20 colonial-era churches, all carefully restored.

The finest of these is the neo-Gothic Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel, an impressive pink stone structure that appears as though lifted straight out of a fairytale.

Learn more about the city’s colonial architecture, best rooftop views and most photogenic streets in this guide to a weekend in San Miguel de Allende.

3. Spend Time at the Outdoor Cafes and Restaurants

San Miguel de Allende coffee shop
Spend time at a San Miguel de Allende coffee shop

One of the best ways to soak up the atmosphere of this beautiful colonial city is to immerse yourself in its food scene.  Whether it’s enjoying a coffee in a streetside cafe, sipping cocktails in a trendy bar or exploring its vibrant restaurants, there’s much to keep culinary travellers busy for days. Here are some tips on where to eat in San Miguel de Allende. 

4. Shop for Sandals at San Miguel Shoes

San Miguel Shoes in San Miguel de Allende
Shop for a pair of perfect walking sandals at San Miguel Shoes

While it might seem strange to include shopping for shoes as a must-do during a literary festival, once you’ve walked the cobblestone streets of San Miguel for a few days you’ll be more than ready for some footwear. This is where the footwear shop San Miguel Shoes ( Canal 34, Zona Centro ) comes to the rescue. These shoes are both pretty and practical. They are super comfortable to wear and look stylish with both casual and dressy wear.

5. Go Art-Gallery Hopping

Fabrica La Aurora San Miguel de Allende
This former textile mill is now a treasure trove of art, furniture and inspiration

If you have time for only one stop art gallery stop, make it La Aurora Factory, a celebration of art, culture and handcrafted products produced by the many artisans who call San Miguel de Allende home.

Housed within a former textile factory, it’s an expansive space filled with gurgling fountains, jewellery studios, art galleries and cultural displays. Plan to spend a full morning or afternoon here.

6. Spend a Spa Day at La Gruta Hot Springs

Diving into the magic of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico takes on a whole new meaning at La Gruta Hot Springs. Exploring these hot springs is definitely one of the top  things to do while attending the San Miguel Writers Conference.

La Gruta Hot Springs in San Miguel de Allende Mexico
Dive deep at La Gruta thermal hot springs

For me, an afternoon at La Gruta thermal springs was a perfect retreat from the intensity of the conference. It was a time to stop thinking and just float aimlessly in clear, blue waters. La Gruta is a mysterious place, a maze of lush gardens, rocky grottos and interconnected pools of warm water.

Lithium infused waters at La Gruta hot springs near San Miguel de Allende
Love that lithium

7. Explore the Caves of La Gruta Hot Springs

The deeper you go into the heart of the pools, the warmer the water becomes. Writer and artist Colleen Friesen and I swam through a tunnel into a dark cave, lit only by skylights in a domed roof.

A  torrent of water  poured into the pool, offering a back and shoulder massage to those brave enough to stand beneath it.

La Gruta Thermal Hot spring in San Miguel de Allende
Intrepid writer Colleen Friesen enters the tunnel

Later, I floated freely in the waters — rich in lithium — emerging groggy but soothed. My mind wiped clear of  every busy thought, of every colour except cerulean blue.

San Miguel de Allende Travel Guide

Thermal waters near San Miguel de Allende Mexico
Soak in thermal waters

 

Conference Dates: The San Miguel Literary Festival takes place each February. 

How to Get to La Gruta Hot Springs: Buses leave for La Gruta from the historic centre and the drive takes around 15 minutes. Entrance to the pools is 90 pesos plus 50 pesos ( refundable) for a locker

Hotels at the San Miguel Writers Conference: I stayed at Hotel Real de las Minas, a character hotel with lovely  gardens and rather spotty wifi with so many writers trying to log in at the same time. It was the host hotel for the San Miguel Writers Conference.

Official website: Browse the schedule and program  at the San Miguel Writers Conference & Literary Festival. 

For more information on San Miguel Miguel de Allende, check out the blog post on Inspired by Colour in San Miguel de Allende  

 

 You Might Also Like:

For other writers workshops and retreats, see How to Choose a Summer Writers Workshop or Retreat  and Inside the Anguilla Writers Festival. 

If you love San Miguel de Allende, why not consider the Complete Travel Guide to Patzcuaro, Mexico

You can also  Study Spanish in Antigua, Guatemala 

5 Reasons to Visit Valladolid Mexico 

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Beautiful La Gruta Hot Springs San Miguel de Allende Mexico

Michele Peterson
Michele Peterson

Dividing her time between Canada, Guatemala and Mexico (or the nearest tropical beach), Michele Peterson is the founder of A Taste for Travel. Her award-winning travel and food writing has appeared in Lonely Planet’s cookbook Mexico: From the Source, National Geographic Traveler, Fodor’s and 100+ other publications.

Read more about Michele Peterson.

« Guatemalan Shrimp Ceviche de Camaron Recipe
Top 7 Aruba Excursions for Outdoor Adventure Lovers »

About Michele Peterson

Dividing her time between Canada, Guatemala and Mexico (or the nearest tropical beach), Michele Peterson is the founder of A Taste for Travel. Her award-winning travel and food writing has appeared in Lonely Planet’s cookbook Mexico: From the Source, National Geographic Traveler, Fodor’s and 100+ other publications.

Read more about Michele Peterson.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Boomergirl

    February 27, 2012 at 12:01 am

    Loved San Miguel- its famous doors, the two markets, the instituto, the ceramics. Taking the local buses was memorable. I still remember the roads up and down the mountains. Some were pretty steep and I always hoped that the buses’ brakes would hold up. I stayed with family who rented a little house not far from cathedral. Locals wonderful. Somehow we got invited to a real estate couple’s spread high up in the hills for a cocktail party. I’m still green with envy over their one lane lap pool with the view. := )

    Reply
  2. Lesley Peterson

    February 25, 2012 at 3:29 am

    Sounds an exercise to fire up the right brain! San Miguel looks a wonder and the lithium waters sooo seductive…

    Reply
  3. Colleen Friesen

    February 24, 2012 at 3:36 pm

    Ahh…Even though I’m still here in San Miguel, I’m already missing our trip. It’s not the same without my A-Lister Sister. Beautiful post Michele. Thanks for summing it all up so well.

    Reply

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