Is San Miguel de Allende a big city?

San Miguel de Allende is generally considered a small city or large town, often celebrated as a "best small city in the world". It has a population of approximately 60,000–100,000 within the town proper, though the surrounding municipality reaches over 170,000 residents, maintaining a charming, historic, and walkable atmosphere.

Is San Miguel de Allende a small city?

Tucked in the Colonial Highlands, a half-day's drive northwest of Mexico City, lies a gem that continues to win accolades: San Miguel de Allende, often named the “Best Small City in the World.”

Is San Miguel de Allende big?

While the majority of the population of the municipality of Allende lives in a collection of small rural communities that do not exceed 2,500 people, the largest single population center is the town of San Miguel de Allende, which houses 59,691 people, about 44% of the municipality's population.

Is San Miguel a town or city?

Founded in 1542 by the Franciscan monk, Juan de San Miguel, San Miguel de Allende is a small town with a vibrant and rich history. Today the city maintains its Spanish colonial roots with cobblestone streets and colonial architecture that earned it the recognition in 2008 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Is San Miguel de Allende a walkable city?

San Miguel de Allende is a walkable city, perfect for exploring on foot. Its cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and colorful markets create a magical atmosphere that visitors can experience at their own pace.

SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE - A HUGE Expat Destination!

Is San Miguel de Allende very touristy?

As one of Mexico's most visited cities, San Miguel de Allende saw over 2 million visitors in 2023, surpassing the numbers from 2022 — when it received 1.8 million tourists — and setting a new record for the small city.

What is the safest Mexican city for Americans?

Playa del Carmen

Travelers will find Playa del Carmen north of Tulum, situated along the east coast of the Yucatán Peninsula. Playa del Carmen is famous for being one of the safest places in Mexico, with a dedicated tourist police force that monitors visitor safety.

What is the most beautiful city in Mexico?

1 San Miguel de Allende

The romantic old-world charm of the beautiful colonial civil and religious buildings makes UNESCO San Miguel de Allende the leader of the the most beautiful cities in Mexico; indeed, it may well be the most beautiful city in North America.

Why do Americans like San Miguel de Allende?

Protected Culture

In 2008, San Miguel de Allende became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Much of its cultural charm lies in Baroque architecture from the Spanish colonial era. The Sanctuary of Jesús Nazareno de Atotonilco serves as the pivotal place of cultural harmony between Europe and Latin America.

What airport do you fly into for San Miguel de Allende?

San Miguel de Allende has 2 major airports: Queretaro International Airport and Guanajuato International Airport. The closest airport to the city center is Queretaro International Airport 41 mi away. Queretaro International Airport is also the most popular with travelers.

What is the coldest month in San Miguel de Allende?

For comparison, the hottest month in San Miguel de Allende, May, has days with highs of 87°F (30°C) and lows of 56°F (13°C). The coldest month, January has days with highs of 70°F (21°C) and lows of 42°F (5°C).

Is it safe to walk in San Miguel de Allende at night?

Crime Rates

According to recent data, San Miguel de Allende has a low crime rate compared to other tourist destinations in Mexico. However, it is still important to take basic safety precautions, such as avoiding walking alone at night, keeping valuables out of sight, and being aware of one's surroundings.

Is San Miguel de Allende the best city in the world?

🏆 It's official, San Miguel de Allende is the #1 city in the world according to Travel + Leisure's 2025 World's Best Awards! With its cobblestone charm, rich culture, and vibrant spirit, it's no wonder travelers can't get enough. Want to dive deeper?

What is the best time of year to visit San Miguel de Allende?

The best time to visit San Miguel de Allende is November through April; there's minimal rainfall and high temperatures hover around the mid-70s. Winter nights can get cold as the city sits at an altitude of around 6,000 feet, so plan to bring warm layers for when the sun goes down.

Which is the top 1 beautiful city in the world?

The world's most beautiful cities, according to locals

• Chicago, USA: 83 percent.
• Cape Town, South Africa: 82 percent.
• Sydney, Australia: 79 percent.
• Porto, Portugal: 78 percent.
• Edinburgh, Scotland: 74 percent.

What famous people live in San Miguel de Allende?

San Miguel's writing community is equally impressive. It includes Vance Packard, the author of a groundbreaking expose on the advertising industry. There was also W. D. Snodgrass who won the 1960 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry. Author Beverly Donofrio lives here too.

Where do most expats live in San Miguel de Allende?

Yes, San Miguel de Allende has a significant expat population, and many neighborhoods have thriving expat communities. Areas such as Centro Historico, Atascadero, and Colonia Guadalupe tend to attract expats due to their amenities, cultural offerings, and English-speaking services.

What is the best city in the world in Mexico?

Travel + Leisure magazine again names San Miguel de Allende the 'Best City in the World' San Miguel de Allende has been named the Best City in the World for the second year in a row in Travel + Leisure magazine's 2025 World's Best Awards.

What is the friendliest city in Mexico?

Puerto Vallarta: The Friendliest City in the World

The locals, known for their genuine friendliness, make visitors feel at home from the moment they set foot in the city. This hospitality is not limited to the streets but extends to all corners of the city, including the Hotel Porto Allegro.

What is the most expensive city to visit in Mexico?

This places Los Cabos at the top of the price chart, surpassing even Cancún, Mexico's premiere vacationing spot and one of the country's most luxurious and popular destinations among foreigners and nationals. Baja California's GDP grew of 3.7% in the second quarter of 2023 compared to the same period the previous year.

What is the most Americanized city in Mexico?

Many say that Monterrey is the most Americanized of all the cities in Mexico. Our Centris staff would certainly agree with that statement. In fact, many Centris employees have spent many years in the United States and speak excellent English and Spanish.

What city in Mexico has the worst crime rate?

Yucatán remained the most peaceful state in Mexico, while Colima was the least peaceful. Colima recorded the highest homicide rate on record in 2023, with 111 homicides per 100,000 people.

Where do the rich live in Mexico?

Polanco is a neighborhood in the Miguel Hidalgo borough of Mexico City. Polanco is an affluent colonia, noted for its luxury shopping along Presidente Masaryk Avenue, the most expensive street in Mexico, as well as for the numerous prominent cultural institutions located within the neighborhood.

Is $2000 a month enough to live in Mexico?

But in Mexico, it's a different story. Here, you can live comfortably in many cities for about $2,000 USD a month—including rent, groceries, healthcare, transportation, and even some extras like a gym membership or regular household help.