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You’ve decided to visit a cozy, colorful, and historic town in the eastern part of Guanajuato, Mexico, called San Miguel de Allende — an excellent decision!
We’re here to help you make the most of your vacation by planning when to visit (and when not to) so you’ll experience fewer crowds, the best weather, and reasonable prices.
San Miguel de Allende is a historic town with beautiful architecture, festivals year-round, and temperate weather, but choosing the best time to visit can make the experience even better.
Whether you’re looking for a budget getaway that doesn’t break the bank or uncrowded stores, we can give you the information you’ll need. Let us be your guide!
Why You Should Visit San Miguel de Allende
San Miguel de Allende is rich in history. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site under the Heritage city category. It’s always been a destination of choice for artists.
Even more, its offerings to the world, like its arts, food, and drink scene are constantly changing. You’ll find something new whether you’re looking for fun on one of its rooftop patios or aching to learn about architecture and Mexican culture.
The town holds a variety of weekend music and dance festivals in addition to the various activities that happen year-round.
On top of festivals and culture, San Miguel de Allende is also gaining a reputation for food and drink. There are sit-down restaurants and a municipal market where you can eat as you shop.
It’s also a destination whose reputation is growing on the world stage. In addition, it’s building a reputation as a wine producer with vineyards not far from the town’s center.
Overall Best Time to Visit San Miguel de Allende
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The best time to visit San Miguel de Allende is between November and April, when the town is experiencing spring. These months are dry, with average temperatures of 60 degrees in November and 68 degrees in April.
The winter months often experience brilliant lightning shows. February to April is also when the town’s rooftop patios are at their busiest, partially because rainfall is at its lowest and daytime temperatures are as high as 75 F.
However, if patios aren’t your thing, stay outside and experience the many guided walks and tours San Miguel de Allende offers. If you can only visit in the summer months for a summer vacation, avoid July and August when the rainy season is at its peak.
While May is still a great month to visit, it can be difficult for photographers because it can be dusty at the end of the dry season, right before the rains begin.
To avoid the crowds of tourists and benefit from off-season promotions, visit San Miguel de Allende outside of the Christmas and Easter holidays.
Cheapest Time to Visit San Miguel de Allende
The cheapest times to visit San Miguel de Allende are the months of January to early March and April to September, when there are fewer tourists.
Booking a visit between January and early March will offer some of the most significant discounts on hotels and flight packages because tourists tend to come to this charming town on Christmas and Easter.
Officially, the low season for tourism to San Miguel De Allende starts in April and runs through the rainy season of May, June, and July to August.
In June and July, when it rains often, hotels, and tour packages will offer steep discounts to help boost sales. Just make sure to pack an umbrella and suitable footwear.
While there is a lot of rainfall in July and August, the summer in San Miguel de Allende is warm, and historically you can see average temperatures from 75 to 82 degrees.
Least Busy Time to Visit San Miguel de Allende
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For less crowded shops and markets, book your trip to San Miguel de Allende from April to October. April and May are the two hottest and dustiest months with maximum temperatures of 86 degrees in May.
April is slightly cooler. Local restaurants sometimes close during this time so the staff can go on holiday. Although the rainy season comes in June, July, and August, it’s accompanied by hot temperatures from 72 to 82 degrees.
So, while there will be rain, you’ll likely have plenty of warm days for exploring. In September and October, there are often fewer crowds as kids go back to school.
After Mexican Independence Day on September 15, the crowds start to pick up, but largely October is a relatively tame month. You may see some groups of tourists, but nothing like during the high season.
Worst Time to Visit San Miguel de Allende
If the weather is your main concern, then July and August are the worst times to visit San Miguel de Allende. Both months are known for their hot temperatures, with afternoon rain showers that can be noisy and powerful enough to keep you inside.
If crowds are your main pain point, avoid major holidays like Christmas, Easter, and the Labor Day weekend, when both crowds and prices are at their worst.
Booking even a week or two after these holidays can significantly lower the fares, hotel prices, and the number of people you’ll have to share the town with. Even if you have to book during these times, there is no wrong time to visit San Miguel de Allende.
Even during July and August, the rain usually clears several times a day. That’s why researching ahead, like you’re doing right now, is so important.
It can help you plan alternate activities to do inside if it rains or book an alternative if your preferred tour sells out. You can find many ways to entertain yourself in San Miguel de Allende.
Things to Consider
SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE , MEXICO – MAY 31 : Native Americans with traditional costume participates at the festival of Valle del Maiz on May 31 , 2015/Kobby Dagan/Shutterstock
Now that you know what time of year is the right time to visit San Miguel de Allende, let’s look at a few other things you should consider before you book your tickets:
- High elevation: Parts of the town of San Miguel de Allende sit at an elevation of 6,200 feet above sea level, so it’s essential to stay hydrated and take it slow. Regular exercise at that elevation can seem more difficult, and you could experience altitude sickness on rare occasions.
- Pack good shoes: You won’t need to worry about transportation while visiting San Miguel de Allende since you can see most of the town on foot. However, with all that walking, it’s crucial to pack good, supportive shoes. Invest in good walking shoes and don’t pack your strappy sandals for sightseeing.
- Chilly nights: While the town experiences a stable spring temperature during the day most of the year, it can drop at night. Make sure you pack a warm coat if you like hiking after the sun goes down and in the early morning.
- Be courteous: Although the town is used to tourists, be kind to locals when you’re sightseeing. Move out of the way and stand to the right of the narrow sidewalks so they can go around you.
- Safety: With a high ex-pat population and a dependence on tourists coming back year after year, safety and security are important to the town, and police are often visible. Just make sure to keep valuables out of sight to avoid petty theft.
- Airports: San Miguel de Allende doesn’t have its own airport, but you can fly into three local airports and hire a shuttle for the rest of the way. Queretaro Airport (QRO) is one hour away, Leon airport (BJX) is an hour and a half away, and Mexico City Airport (MEX) is three hours away.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Here are a few frequently asked questions regarding the best time to visit San Miguel de Allende:
What is the rainy season in San Miguel de Allende?
The rainy season is between June and September each year. These are the months when San Miguel de Allende can see up to 5-7 mm of rainfall each month. Outside of these months, San Miguel de Allende can see as little as half an inch of monthly rain leading to dusty conditions during the dry season.
How many days should you spend in San Miguel de Allende?
There’s so much to see and do in the area that you’ll want to plan to stay for at least two or more days.
If you’re planning to try out all the local restaurants have to offer, you may wish to bump your itinerary up to three days. If you’re an artist or photographer, you could easily spend a week just taking in the local culture and letting it inspire you.
What are the hottest months in San Miguel de Allende?
The hot season for San Miguel de Allende lasts roughly three months, usually from May 5 to August 12. In the summer, the average temperature is 70 F with cooler evenings, but the hottest days, especially in August, can reach up to 82 F.
What is the best area to stay in San Miguel de Allende?
Many people find the historic center the best place to stay as it’s close to amenities like markets, restaurants, and many hotels. For history lovers and those who like to photograph cultural sites, it’s an area that also has beautiful architecture.
However, the historic center can get loud, especially during the high season when parties are happening and everyone is celebrating the nicer weather. Staying just outside the center or investing in earplugs can make your stay a bit nicer if you’re a light sleeper.
Do you need a car in San Miguel de Allende?
You don’t need a car to make the most of your trip to San Miguel de Allende. The town is very walkable and can be enjoyed on foot, whether through solo adventures or as part of a walking tour.
If you plan to take a trip outside of San Miguel de Allende or have mobility issues, there is local transportation like Uber, taxis, buses, and even cars for rent. You can also hire a shuttle for the trip to or from the airport.
So, When Should You Visit San Miguel de Allende?
The best time to visit San Miguel de Allende is between November and April when the weather is spring-like with little precipitation. The cheapest and least busy time to visit is during the low season from April to October but avoid major holidays like Easter and Labor day.
July and August could be the worst times to visit if you don’t like hot temperatures, but you’ll still have a great time, and the lines will be shorter. Have a safe trip and enjoy this historic and colorful Mexican town!