Fans of botanical gardens will likely enjoy El Charco del Ingenio, a 170+ acre garden/ecological…read morereserve in San Miguel de Allende. It's a serene, safe place to wander pathways and explore, even if it lacks anything as colorful, vibrant, or artful as (my favorite), the U.K.'s Kew Gardens. Between the attractive gift shop one enters through, the building that functions as a museum for what you'll see here, and the al fresco cafe where fresh-squeezed juices are well-priced and delicious, you might mistakenly think you're in the Bay Area, with far cheaper prices. It's very aesthetically pleasing. The actual botanic gardens are somewhat less so. A map of the grounds will show you the trails and the layout but it's easy enough to just wander. There's some art (very little), some created habitats (e.g. medicinal plants), a greenhouse, and a lake/pond to cross and see some historic relics. Whether any of this appeals to you really depends on your mood. If you decide to come here I'd recommend you walk from wherever you are. The hilly walk here from central SMA takes you through a really lovely neighborhood of high end homes before suddenly navigating a dirt path with tumbleweeds and cacti. All of this nicely satisfies the desire you have to see things because, once on site here, what you'll see is - I have to admit - less exciting. Finish up with a green juice and purchase some organic honey for those back home. Then enjoy the walk back to where you came from.

This place was great, not only was it affordable but we really enjoyed the hike and the fresh air…read more Some people mentioned walking from the city center but I don't recommend it unless your ready to be tired when you get there. Just park directly at the location or get a taxi to drive you up there. Also it can be a bit challenging for kids and the elderly so I wouldn't recommend making the full circle. I would say to at least cross the mini dam since it was the most beautiful thing there. I also loved the abandoned villa with its ancient oven. The entrance was very nice and it had well kept bathrooms inside as well. Lastly, I would recommend bringing a bottle of water and to add some sunscreen.

I could spout a tired cliche like exclaiming this is the beating heart of San Miguel de Allende…read more Suffice it to say, this is the city's main plaza and the place where everyone congregates. With an abundance of laurel trees and constantly tended gardens, it's directly adjacent to the iconic Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel (review: https://yelp.to/_OoAnNXEyX). A variety of local food kiosks surround the square, and bands of immaculately dressed mariachi musicians serenade visitors for tips. The benches tend to get crowded, especially near sunset, so grab an open seat when you can. RELATED - Exploring San Miguel de Allende? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/ZDY8M2samr

The Jardin Allende is what I like about smaller town in Mexico! It's the life of the place, the…read morespot where everyone gathers, rests, meets, relaxes, it marks the center of the town with a nice decor and energy. Usually you have a nice quiosk for bands to play in the weekend, a cute water fountain that gives charm to the area, benches where people meet, rest, take a break. It is a charming place with more activity in the weekends. Jardin Allende has a nice trimmed garden and nice views of the Parroquia, you can't beat that! Ideal place to rest and get the vibe of the town!

I was surprised that a city as picturesque as San Miguel de Allende doesn't have that many green…read moreparks. Sure, there are plenty of plazas with gardens and benches like Jardin Allende in the center of town, but hardly any expansive parks with shady clusters of trees, kids' playgrounds, and dense greenery. That was why this unique oasis stood out to Jamie W and me, especially since our hotel was just down the street. Attempting to recover from the cobblestone roads, we frequently walked to the park during our stay. We liked watching the schoolkids practicing their shooting skills on the basketball court. In the evenings, amateur guitarists strummed on random benches throughout the park, and on the weekend, artists displayed their works on the main walkway as did vendors hawking souvenirs. Of course, there were also stands selling local snacks. Finally, the eastern edge of the park proved to be an effective starting point for our stepwise climb up to El Mirador. This was one highly functional park and bucolic to boot. RELATED - Exploring San Miguel de Allende? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/goBt38P7tu

Decent spot to take the kids - we had fun for about an hour at the playground and walking around…read more They charge for the bathroom, so that was inconvenient. The walk was near many shops and food stops. Several families here during the week, recommend if in San Miguel.

This is one of my favorite places in SMA. I absolutely love to go during the day to tan, swim, go…read morein the hot tub or thermal bath, and get poolside service for food and drinks. The service is VERY good. I have also gone to Saturday night concerts here, played on the waterfront, with really good food! The Chile Enogada and fish tacos were great. I think you have to at least 12 years old to swim here. They have paddle boards, bikes, and a big beautiful treehouse. I highly recommend for relaxing or attending an evening event.

I think the location is incorrect. My information shows it as northwest of SMA. Haven't been but…read morecame highly recommended and might trump La Gruta as far as highest priority on our bucket list.

I believe a parroquia is considered less than a cathedral in the pecking order of the Catholic…read morechurch, but what do I know? It's still a cool landmark, especially at sunset when the pastel pink hue of the building takes on a seductive glow. It's probably sacrilege to refer to a parish church as seductive, but hey, my knowledge of Catholicism is limited to watching "Conclave" on Amazon Prime. Good flick. Originally built in the 17th century, the church was redesigned in the 1800's to its current more ornate state by architect Zeferino Gutiérrez Muñoz. He took inspiration from European cathedrals, and its fanciful silhouette brings to mind a cross between Sagrada Família and the Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland with a little bit of Petra's pink sandstone thrown in for good measure. It's free to enter the church where you're expected to keep quiet while parishioners pray. Right across the courtyard is the Iglesia de San Rafael, another Catholic church with an equally resplendent interior. It's no wonder the parroquia is the vantage point for notable vista points like El Mirador and popular rooftop restaurants like Quince and Luna Rooftop. It's definitely the city's essential stop. RELATED - Exploring San Miguel de Allende? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/he7dP2ebOv

Extraordinary cathedral with historic architecture. They still hold services and weddings. They do…read moreprefer you to be quiet, and no pets or food is allowed inside.