Travel and Leisure simply revealed their annual World’s Finest Awards with some big surprises across the board, varying from luxury train rides to paradise islands to lively Mexican cities.

We’ll concentrate on the latter as Mexico is one of the most popular summertime getaways and doesn’t constantly need to be the exact same o’, very same o’ experience of swim-up bars and endless buffets.

San Miguel de Allende townscapeSan Miguel de Allende townscape

We at Travel Off Course have actually checked off just about every Mexican getaway from Tijuana to Chetumal, however we have to concur with T & L’s voters that

one sensational city is more than worthwhile of getting the blue ribbon. A popular expat haven and among Mexico’s safest places to visit, it’s not a surprise the classic city of San Miguel de Allende has actually been crowned the country’s leading location.

A Dual Winner (With Great Factor!)

If you’re one of those old-school travelers who still get publications in the mail like me, then chances are you might not be amazed to see San Miguel de Allende as a leading choice.

Vibrant historic street in San Miguel de AllendeVibrant historic street in San Miguel de Allende

San Miguel(to conserve a mouthful )was also crowned as Mexico’s best location last year by Condè Nast for

the fifth straight year, so either this city is truly amazing or T & L readers all cheated on their homework growing up

. We’re persevering, it’s truly awesome (however I did cheat! Sorry, Ms. Slider!). So, with such a historic city where not a whole lot has altered in centuries, why is it getting such prominent acclaim?

Check Out Easily: San Miguel Is One Of Mexico’s Safest Cities

Festive street in San Miguel de AllendeFestive street in San Miguel de Allende

< img width= "1200 "height ="1200" src="https://www.traveloffpath.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Festive-street-in-San-Miguel-de-Allende.jpg.webp"alt=" Festive street in San Miguel de Allende "/ > If you have actually done any research on where

to getaway in Mexico without feeling like your head is on a swivel, opportunities are you have actually stumbled upon San Miguel on a leading 5 list behind Merida. While a lot of travelers south of the border play it safe anyhow by parking their butt at a complete swim-up bar, San Miguel provides you the opportunity to tap into your sense of experience and appreciation of history, where you can easily explore the maze of cobbled roadways throughout this time capsule townscape.

Safety can be a fickle topic, but seldom will you ever hear of any nightmares coming out of San Miguel– even if you’re an untz-untz tourist wanting to fistpump your way ’til dawn.

Aerial View Of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, Latin AmericaAerial View Of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, Latin America

Authorities do a phenomenal task keeping one of Mexico’s the majority of sightly cities perfectly safe, keeping violence to a minimum, and even minor criminal offense is

unusual amongst its 174,000 citizens. Lively Markets & Immersive Activities

A basic walk through San Miguel’s colorful facade-laden streets seems like a living museum, but for a sense of the heart beat of the city, you got ta hit up the marketplaces.

Most popular is Mercado Ignacio Ramírez, where you can score some of San Miguel’s best fresh eats from extra-large tamales, sugar-overload churros, and a variety of mouthwatering tacos.

Butcher In A Market In San Miguel de Allende, MexicoButcher In A Market In San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

Though if you’re more of the artistic type, Mercado de Artesanías is your go-to for handcrafted mementos beyond the usual useless ornaments. Art fans can likewise take part in mojigangas-making, a colorful papier-mâché puppet generally found here for celebrations and other events.

But if you are a food lover, San Miguel will not dissatisfy. In fact, the city is renowned for its own take on barbecue. Lamb tacos, anybody?

One of visitors’ preferred activities is really cooking lessons. Check out Marilau’s ancestral techniques and you’ll never settle for Taco Bell back home once again.

Handcrafted skulls for sale at San Miguel de Allende marketHandcrafted skulls for sale at San Miguel de Allende market

Forget Name-Brand! Remain at A Wonderful Store Hotel San Miguel might have grown in appeal, losing its”concealed gem “status, however you have actually undoubtedly concerned recognize the city still feels genuine, even with significant tourists in a crowd of faces. A lot of travelers decide to stay as close as possible to the town hall, anchored by the unmissable Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel.

You’ll discover extremely few name-brand hotels here, which is all part of the attraction that attracts travelers far from say, Cancun or even Mexico City, in favor of colonial beauty.

View of bell tower in San Miguel de AllendeView of bell tower in San Miguel de Allende

  • According to TripAdvisor, these are San Miguel’s top 5 store hotels for a genuine stay: Casa 1810
  • Centro Hotel Shop Casa Schuck Shop
  • Hotel Casa 1810 Parque Hotel Shop Casa Hoyos– Hotel Boutique Casa de Sierra Nevada, A Belmond Hotel, San Miguel de Allende
  • Travel Pointer: You can select between Querétaro Intercontinental Airport (QRO) and Bajío International Airport (BJX) as your gateway. For my guidance on navigating BJX securely, click on this link.

    Sam Sears Sam, our Lead Writer & Reporter based in San Diego has checked out 36 nations and edited 1000 short articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.

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