San Miguel de Allende, located in the central highlands of Mexico, is a little over 6,000 ft. above sea level, in the state of Guanajuato. This lively city is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site, and consists of colorful baroque and neoclassical buildings dating back to the 1500’s. It’s a city rich in Mexican history and culture and offers a thriving art scene with many galleries and working studios. The streets of SMA are lined with cobblestones, trailing bougainvillea, and lush hidden courtyards and the city hosts many festivals & celebrations throughout the year, including a Day of the Dead parade.

My husband and I looked forward to our daily walks up and down its many hills (great workout!) and when we needed a break we headed to the benches and shade provided by the perfectly trimmed Ficus trees of El Jardin (main garden) in the historic central square, the heart of the city. Families who live and work in SMA, enjoy bringing their children to the plaza on weekends to play games and eat ice cream. Here we also enjoyed a view of the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, a pink limestone church with Gothic style architecture, which is even more spectacular when illuminated at night. For the foodie travelling to SMA, there are plenty of restaurants and cafes serving a variety of cuisines and many offer rooftop dining, with amazing sunset views! Atrio was our favorite. The view of the Parroquia church at sunset is surreal. There are a few delish, inexpensive, taco stands as well.

Because of its comfortable climate, architectural beauty, its cultural scene and lower cost of living, SMA has become popular with retirees, particularly American and Canadian, who have chosen to make this beautiful city their home. We felt safe during our visit, as it is a busy tourist destination, and look forward to returning.

Getting There: We flew Aeromexico from Boston, connecting in Mexico City and then another short 1 hr. flight to Querétaro Airport. Once arriving at Queretaro, it’s about a 1 hr. 15 min. drive to SMA. Transportation options include booking a private driver or shared van ride.

Accommodations: SMA offers a variety of places to stay, both upscale and mid-range. We chose Antigua Capilla, a beautiful boutique B&B. We loved the serene courtyard with buzzing hummingbirds and the stunning view from the rooftop.

Things to do in SMA:

- Historic Center, El Jardin, Parroquia De San Miguel Arcangel Church

- Fabrica la Aurora (former textile factory, now full of galleries featuring local artists)

- Biblio Publica Library with beautiful courtyard, cafe & bookstore

- Charco del Ingenio Botanical Gardens

- Guadalupe neighborhood to see the colorfully painted murals

- Outdoor Markets (Mexican artwork, jewelry, textiles & more)

- Book a watercolor, pottery or cooking class

- Day trips: City of Guanutuato, horseback riding, wineries, hot mineral baths

About the Author: I am a resident of Franklin and love to travel and take pics with my iphone 15. I’m a wife, mom of twins and a spirited labradoodle. I am also an advocate for the celiac community since my diagnosis 20 years ago and have a FB page, CeliacCorner. I hope to reassure others with celiac/gluten sensitivity that they too can travel safely with food restrictions, it just involves a little extra research. I found several safe, gluten-free dining options in San Miguel de Allende, but I also walked out of a few establishments because I didn’t feel confident..