San Miguel de Allende, the umber- and ochre-hued Guanajuato destination du jour, has received no end of coverage over the years.
Despite the roving bands of silver-haired transplants you’ll find wandering the streets, the dusky pink of the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, hole-in-the-wall coffee spots-cum-cocktail bars like Tres Hojas Café and tiny tequila tasting rooms do make it an unmissable spot on any Guanajuato itinerary though.
Anywhere else in the world you will find a place like Casa Dragones Tequila Tasting Room, is a 17th-century stone building that once housed the stables of the Dragones, the rebels of San Miguel who masterminded the move to Mexican independence here more than two centuries ago.
Endless strolling and unabashed people watching are recognized musts, while the fabulous breakfasts-and-brunches at Lavanda Café are well worth the almost guaranteed wait (read: curbside queue) to get in.
Souvenirs from San Miguel? Tin, tin and more tin; flaming hearts are classic, while mirrors are pragmatic.
Three places where you must have a coffee in San Miguel:
Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, Plaza Principal, Centro, 37700 San Miguel de Allende, +52 415 152 0544
Tres Hojas Café, Correo 37A, Centro, 37700 San Miguel de Allende, +52 415 170 1376
Lavanda Café, Calle Hernández Macías 87, Centro, 37700 Guanajuato, +52 1 415 152 1610
SMT Newsroom with information from CNN