Short Term Rentals in San Miguel de Allende | Mexico Travel

The Charm of San Miguel de Allende

Nestled in the Bajío mountains of central Mexico, San Miguel de Allende is a historic colonial town known for its gorgeous architecture, thriving arts scene, and lively cultural festivals. As one of Mexico’s best preserved Spanish colonial cities, San Miguel charms visitors with its colorful Baroque buildings, cobblestone streets, and wrought-iron balconies overflowing with flowers.

This high-altitude town enjoying spring-like weather year round has long attracted artists, intellectuals and retirees from abroad. Galleries, boutique shops and restaurants line the downtown area centered around the stunning pink Gothic Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel church.

Ideal Location for Short Term Stays

San Miguel de Allende makes an excellent base for short term stays. Its small-town charm, thriving tourism industry and proximity to major cities like Guanajuato and Querétaro make it appealing for visitors who want to immerse themselves in Mexican culture without venturing too far off the beaten path.

Spending a few weeks or a month in San Miguel allows enough time to settle in and get a feel for the rhythms of Mexican life, without having to commit long-term. Temporary residents can benefit from the vibrant creative community, festival calendar and mild climate during an extended winter getaway or spring/summer trip.

Types of Short Term Rentals

San Miguel de Allende offers diverse short term rental accommodations to suit different tastes, budgets and lengths of stay. Options range from intimate boutique hotels and cozy guest houses to spacious vacation homes and modern apartments.

Boutique hotels provide upscale amenities with unique architecture and interior décor. Some occupy converted colonial-era mansions with leafy courtyards and rooftop terraces overlooking the town and countryside.

Vacation home rentals often offer extra space and privacy, with full kitchens and multiple bedrooms. From colorful casitas to stunning modern abodes, these homes-away-from-home provide a quiet base to return to after exploring.

Furnished apartments in the centro historico put guests right in the heart of the action. Local property managers often stock these units with all the essentials to ease an extended stay, including laundry facilities.

Popular Neighborhoods

San Miguel’s compact walkable center contains the majority of tourist attractions, along with charming plazas, gardens and historic churches. Many short term rentals cluster around this area to enable easy access without a car. Neighborhoods like Centro, Guadalupe and San Antonio each offer unique proximity benefits.

Centro

This vibrant historic district surrounding El Jardín principal plaza allows visitors to step outside and find restaurants, galleries and boutiques at their doorstep. Iconic hotspots like the Parroquia church and Mercado Ignacio Ramírez marketplace anchor the downtown area rich with elegant Spanish colonial architecture.

Accommodations located on or just off Calle Umarán put guests close to cafes, shops and nightlife. Budget options like hostels and guesthouses attract younger travelers and solo wanderers.

Guadalupe

East along Calle Zacateros lie several blocks occupied by this network of narrow cobblestone streets, colorful adobe homes and secluded plazuitas. The vibe here feels more historic and authentically Mexican than the trendier downtown.

Boutique hotels and restored casonas offer charming short term rentals steps from sights like the Mask Museum and Botanical Garden. Guests can easily walk downtown or jump in a taxi to Centro in minutes.

San Antonio

The northern area from Diez de Sollano to Quebrada contains similar historic structures in various states of repair, flanked by larger restored estates and aparment buildings. This zone allows easy highway access towards Celaya and Querétaro.

Larger groups can find substantial vacation homes to rent behind high walls, like spacious haciendas with several bedrooms, expansive gardens and private pools. Staying here provides breathing room away from tourist crowds.

Popular Activities

Aside from simply soaking up San Miguel's charming atmosphere at leisurely pace, many visitors enjoy an active itinerary of arts, dining, shopping and trips to nearby towns. Typical activities make the most of the city's character, landscape and cultural offerings.

Gallery Hopping

Wandering through galleries and boutiques ranks among the most popular pastimes for visitors. Downtown and environs house over 100 galleries showcasing diverse paintings, sculpture, folk art, furniture, jewelry and textiles by local artisans.

The precinct along Hernández Macías hosts a concentration of highlights like Área 52, Casa Dragones and Trejo Silver Workshop to browse original artwork and handcrafted goods.

Festivals and Events

Part of San Miguel's enduring appeal comes from its active calendar of cultural festivities, from elaborate religious celebrations to explosive pyrotechnic displays. Plan short term stays around events like the springtime Easter parade, Independence Day fireworks and jazz festival.

The annual Mexico travel trade show brings industry insiders and international visitors each November. Book accommodations well in advance to join the influx of guests celebrating Day of the Dead revelry.

Nearby Excursions

While most visitors flock here simply to unwind in San Miguel's rarified atmosphere, the town also makes a great base to explore colorful nearby villages. Notable easy day trips reach Dolores Hidalgo, Atotonilco, Pozos and Guanajuato.

Riding the funicular up pastel houses clinging to steep canyon walls shows why Guanajuato earned a UNESCO nod. Non-drivers can also book tours to area wineries, hot springs and sanctuaries like La Gruta cave.

Planning an Extended Stay

San Miguel de Allende appeals especially as a destination for extended stays from two weeks to a month or longer. Retirees, remote workers and creative types from snowy climes are drawn an agreeable climate, rich culture and laidback lifestyle during temporary residency stints.

Know the Seasons

Due to its 7,000-foot altitude, San Miguel enjoys relatively consistent spring-like conditions year-round, aside from a brief rainy season from June through September. Expect warm sunny days and cooler evenings.

Snow rarely falls in town, though winter nights get chilly enough to warrant packing a jacket. Peak tourism runs November to April, with summer offering value rates to offset slightly wetter weather.

交通

Flying into Querétaro, Guanajuato or Mexico City airports provides efficient access to San Miguel, located just a few hours by rental car, bus or private transfer. Non-drivers can easily get around town on foot and taxi.

Most centro landmarks, plazas, museums and galleries lie within a 15-minute walk. Standing queues of green-and-white taxis idle on plaza corners, charging $2 to $5 for quick rides to farther flung restaurants or shops.

Health Services

San Miguel hosts several pharmacies and clinics catering expressly to foreign visitors. Consultations generally run under $50 without insurance. Note that most doctors speak English, with many trained in the US.

The Hospital Médica San Miguel Arcángel operates a modern facility providing bilingual surgical, emergency and diagnostic services. However serious conditions may still require medical evacuation to Mexico City or north of the border.

FAQs

What are the most popular neighborhoods for short term rentals?

The Centro, Guadalupe and San Antonio neighborhoods put visitors steps from the best restaurants, shops and landmarks while offering charming accommodations. Centro provides the most central location right downtown while Guadalupe and San Antonio balance convenience with more space and privacy.

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

Peak tourist season runs November through April when daylight hours are long and weather is warm and sunny most days. June through September brings occasional summer rain showers. San Miguel enjoys spring-like conditions year round due to its high mountain altitude.

What is there to do in San Miguel de Allende?

Top activities include wandering through colorful colonial streets, gallery hopping among 100+ art spaces, enjoying festivals and events year-round like Day of the Dead, and taking easy day trips to nearby pueblos and wineries. The walkable historic center provides endless boutiques, cafes, museums and landmarks to explore.

Is medical care accessible for foreigners?

Yes, San Miguel has excellent medical facilities and bilingual doctors catering to overseas visitors. The Hospital Médica San Miguel Arcángel provides modern emergency, surgical and diagnostic services with internationally trained physicians.