Be careful about visiting San Miguel de Allende, there is something about this small, picturesque town that sucks you in. Sam and I came here for a few days and ended up staying for twelve. Part of it is the great campground in the heart of the city, a rare find in Mexico, with really fast WIFI and very hot showers. And even though we stayed an extra week, we got out much faster than most overlanders, many who end up staying for weeks (or in the case of a German couple, they have been in the campground for five years). It is hard to explain what makes this town so different from other Mexican colonial towns, it is just a place I felt I could live in one day. It had a wonderful vibe. My favorite things about the city were the hilly cobblestone streets, stunning carved wood doors leading into secret court yards, the peach glow from the stones, the great food, the beautiful La Parroquia church that felt like Sleeping Beauty’s castle, rooftop bars, and a very strong arts scene that seemed to cross many different cultures. It is a city full of retired expats, but they seem to blend into the city without changing it too much. It is also full of artists, students and Mexican tourists, but it never felt very crowded or touristy to me.

View from the rooftop bar at the Rosewood Hotel. It was very posh, but you can slowly drink a beer and enjoy the view.

Sam on one the the colorful streets.

I never got tired of this view walking up to the main square.

Walking down the street in one of my favorite areas up in the hills.

Another stunning carved door.

We spent our days walking the steep cobbled streets with no destination, discovering the best churros I have ever eaten, drinking in great bars with views of the city at night and eating food that has been hard to find in other places in Mexico such as fresh crusty baguettes, organic arugula from the farmers market, homemade salami, and amazing Lebanese food with delicious hummus (thanks to the expat community, you can find almost any type of food in SMA).

Waiting in line for the worlds best churros. San Agustin. Go there, get the churros relleno with chocolate. Thank me later.

These were so good we ate them every day.

I am not the only tall girl in Mexico.

There are 2 for 1 drink specials all over town. This was at Hanks. Great expat bar.

At the botanical gardens above the city.

Symphony one day in the main square.

Aztec dancers the next. You never knew what you would get.

Such a great place. We will be back.