This location has been used for many movies. . It's also a popular spot for weddings and…read morereceptions. It's a really gorgeous spot with the view of the cathedral just behind it. There is a small kitchen that serves few light snacks and coffee if you're just strolling through and want to take in the beautiful courtyard.

This is an art school that caters to English speakers. The building is worth a look, it's a nice…read morecolonial style building with courtyards and columns and is a very pleasant space. I was told that the school was started by American veterans after World War II using veterans benefits money. It seems to be a big success. If you are here for a longer time, you might consider signing up for some classes.There are several offices and shops such as a bookstore inside, and in one corner there is a coffee shop that serves breakfast and lunch.

I spent a few days trying out other Spanish schools in San Miguel and then I discovered El Liceo…read more By far my best experience! Great teachers, fun classes and programs totally customizable to your level, schedule and needs. Oh, and a great location!

What an absolute gem! I was lucky to stumble upon Liceo de la Lengua and selected it because it…read morealso has a kids camp. My kids loved it! They went to the various markets, parks and heladerías. Even after a month there, they were happy to go to each day. I really enjoyed my classes and plan to return next summer. Highly recommend!

We arrived for a great breakfast at the outdoor cafe and then visited all the galleries and shops…read morethe rest of the morning. What an amazing venue and lovely way to spend the morning. Although we were there on a nice sunny day, this would also be a great spot to visit if the weather wasn't cooperating. I wish I had brought an extra suitcase, so much great art, items and unique and inspiring pieces.

If you're looking for more of the upscale Carmel-by-the-Sea vibe, you can find it here in spades…read more It's far enough from Zona Centro for you to avoid most of the tourist congestion but close enough to stroll over. Arresting pieces of public art come into view before you get to the entrance of this former textile factory. Too bad they've been placed rather unphotogenically in the parking lot (Photo 8). They've done an excellent job renovating the buildings and sprucing up the grounds. There are three upmarket components to this expansive complex: art galleries, retail stores, and cafes. It can make for a pleasant browsing experience should you be in the mood for it, but if not, it illustrates a rather polarizing divide between the haves and have-nots in San Miguel de Allende. If you're seriously considering a purchase here, you know which camp you're in. There's certainly enough outdoor furniture and ornate bric-a-brac here to fill your summer home. The only items Jamie W and I bought were a pair of iced coffees and an artful slice of apple pie at Geek & Coffee, a charming terrace cafe on the grounds (Photo 16), a pleasant break before we headed back to town. RELATED - Exploring San Miguel de Allende? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/4NSK-pc5tS

This was my favorite gift store in all of San Miguel. Wonderful things and the Papier-mâché they do…read moreis a works of art. Extremely friendly. It is worth going just to see their studio where they make the Mojigangas.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Mojigangas are giant paper-mache puppets used for…read moreweddings (bodas) parties (fiestas) birthday parties (cumpleaños) and holidays (feriados). They are usually seen daily in San Miguel de Allende but right now, during Covid 19, big public parties are not allowed. This is a multigenerational family business with decades of experience. Hermes, our teacher, has been teaching for 35 years. In addition to making Mojigangas, he and another fairly member teach special needs children. Depending on the complexity of your piece, you will go 4 or 5 times and learn the process. Apparently Meryl Streep paid them a visit and only came one day and did a quicker project. As a family of 5, we are doing a skull mask, parrot, dog with wings, a whale and a skull mobile. We had two hours today for $500 pesos a person ($20) and we will go back Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. They are attentive, funny, kind and so proud of their work and Mexican traditions. Paulina speaks some English but they can show you how to do things. If you don't speak any Spanish you might lose out on some of the history but will still get the experience. The workshop is gorgeous! During Covid they take temperatures, hand sanitizer, masks and they steam clean everything before students arrive to make the mojigangas. This is an incredible, reasonably priced and very rare experience. Every member of my family loved it. Our children are 10, 16 and 18 but they can teach smaller children too. They even have monarch butterfly chrysalis in the back yard. During Covid, we worked our on the courtyard. We adore this family and can't believe we get this experience. Hermes Arroyo won a contest out of 24 artists to be part of a delegation to the Vatican. He is extremely talented as is his family. They work together. Very kind, happy people.

The friendliest people! We popped in after dinner one night when they were working and it was one…read moreof my favorite parts of my trip.

I recently had the joy of joining one of Gilda Cabonaro's Culinarian Expeditions cooking classes,…read moreand it was truly an unforgettable experience. Gilda is as warm and welcoming as she is knowledgeable, and her intimate classes feel less like a lesson and more like being invited into a friend's kitchen. She and her husband, Fulvio, divide their time between Florence and San Miguel de Allende, which means she brings the flavors, stories, and traditions of both Italy and Mexico straight to the table. What makes her classes so special is the way she weaves history, culture, and personal anecdotes into each dish. You don't just learn how to cook--you understand why these recipes matter. We prepared tomato confit, pizzelle, chicken piccata, hearty salads, almond torte, and more. Every dish was approachable, bursting with flavor, and something I felt confident I could recreate at home. But beyond the food, it was the laughter, storytelling, and sense of community that made the day so memorable. If you're looking for an intimate and inspiring dive into cooking, culture, and connection, Gilda's classes are something you'll treasure long after the last bite. Contact her for more information: info@CulinarianExpeditions.com https://www.culinarianexpeditions.com