What's the best time to visit San Miguel de Allende?
The best time to visit San Miguel de Allende is from November to April, when you can enjoy warm days, cool nights, and minimal rain, perfect for exploring and attending vibrant festivals like Día de los Muertos and Semana Santa. This period also boasts a rich cultural scene with events such as the International Jazz & Blues Festival, offering a blend of pleasant weather and engaging activities.
The Mexican city of San Miguel de Allende is one of the country’s most popular destinations, both for tourism and for living. San Miguel de Allende is definitely a pretty city, with a quaint baroque historic center and colorful cobblestone streets.
The weather is also a big draw—it’s pleasant all year round, with plenty of sunshine and temperatures that are warm but not hot. The large artistic and expat communities mean that it is packed with things to do, including festivals that are famous nationwide.
The city is a great place to visit any time of year but stands out during certain periods. Keep reading to learn more about when to go visit, including when to save money and beat the crowds.
Overall Best Time to Visit San Miguel de Allende
Bill Perry/Shutterstock
The best time to visit San Miguel de Allende is from November to April, which is also the city’s high season. During this time, you have the highest chances of experiencing good weather and catching some of the city’s famous festivals.
San Miguel de Allende has a subtropical climate and is warm all year round. Even in the winter months of November to February, you can expect daily high temperatures to reach the low 70s, although the nights are much colder.
By April, temperatures reach a balmy 85 degrees Fahrenheit. You also have the highest chance of sunny weather by visiting during this time.
San Miguel de Allende experiences the least cloud coverage between November and May. From June to early October, you might get caught in the rain, but chances of rain during the winter are low.
The warm, pleasant weather and mostly sunny days make this a great time to go exploring. Besides walking the streets of San Miguel’s beautiful old town, you can head on day trips, such as an excursion to nearby wineries or hot springs.
Towards the end of the high season, in March and April, the flowers and trees begin to bloom, bathing the city in fragrant blossoms. During this period, you can experience some of Mexico’s most quintessential celebrations.
Early November brings Día de los Muertos, which the city celebrates with art walks and a big parade. In December, celebrate the Christmas season with traditional posada parades, decorations around town, and festive piñata smashing (keep in mind that this is the most popular time to visit, so hotels fill up).
In the spring, it’s time for Easter and Semana Santa, or Holy Week. The faithful hold processions as marks of their devotion, a unique sight. This is also a very popular time for Mexicans to travel since most get time off, so be prepared for the crowds.
San Miguel de Allende is known for its thriving cultural scene. The city is packed with galleries, boutiques held by small designers, and plenty of cultural venues.
You can experience this aspect of the city all year round, of course. From November to April, the cultural scene gets even more special because there are plenty of festivals, such as the International Jazz & Blues Festival, held in February and March.
Cheapest Time to Visit San Miguel de Allende
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico-3 December, 2018: Mexico, Colorful buildings and streets of San Miguel de Allende in Zona Centro of historic city center/eskystudio/Shutterstock
The cheapest time to visit San Miguel de Allende is during the off-season from May to October. The cheapest overall month to visit is September, as long as you avoid Independence Day on September 16th.
Between May and October, there aren’t many major holidays that drive up the prices, and many of the “snowbirds,” North American retirees who migrate in search of warmer weather, head back home.
By mid-May, some hotels in the city offer discounts on rooms of 15%–25%. By September, you can get even more discounts, with many hotels offering 20%–30% off of peak room rates.
September, in general, is the slowest month for traveling to Mexico because many people are nervous about hurricanes. San Miguel de Allende isn’t affected by hurricane season, so you can benefit from discounted rates on transportation to Mexico and around the country.
Traveling from the airport to San Miguel, it’s cheaper to take a bus or shuttle (which you book in advance to save money), but you can save money on car rentals as well during the off-season.
The cheapest month to fly to nearby Querétaro International Airport is August, with discounts possible throughout the rainy season of June–September. Many visitors fly into Mexico City International Airport, the country’s biggest airport.
Flying to Mexico City is the cheapest in September. No matter what time they are visiting, budget travelers should fly into Mexico City because there is more choice, so flights tend to be cheaper.
Least Busy Time to Visit San Miguel de Allende
Rubi Rodriguez Martinez/Shutterstock
The least busy time to visit San Miguel de Allende is during the slow season, between May and October, with things slowing down in October, in particular. “Least busy” in San Miguel de Allende is, of course, a relative term.
This town is one of Mexico’s most popular tourist destinations, so it’s packed with visitors all year round. Retirees flock here in the winter, families visit during the summer vacation periods, and during any national holiday, Mexican visitors pack the streets.
There will always be people around, but during the quieter times, it’s much easier to book a hotel room. October tends to receive the fewest visitors because there aren’t any major holidays or vacation periods.
Early or late September also doesn’t have that many people, but Mexican Independence Day is on September 16th and brings a lot of crowds. The nearby town of Dolores Hidalgo played an important role in Mexico’s independence, so many people use the day as an excuse to visit this part of Central Mexico.
Visiting in October means that you’ll get a quieter experience than the rest of the year. Take time to enjoy a slower, more local pace of travel. At the end of the month, you can see the festivities beginning for Día de los Muertos.
Worst Time to Visit San Miguel de Allende
SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE, MEXICO – DEC 07: The historic Mexican city of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, 07 December, 2013. The city San Miguel de Allende is protected by UNESCO/Sunsinger/Shutterstock
There really is no bad time to visit San Miguel de Allende since this town is pleasant all year round. The worst weather is definitely from June to August, which is the city’s rainy season.
Central Mexico doesn’t get affected by the hurricane season like the coasts, but it experiences a rainy season in the summer and early fall. The rainy season in San Miguel de Allende isn’t too intense, with most showers occurring at night, but you can still expect near-daily showers and humid weather.
As long as you pack waterproof gear or an umbrella, you can still enjoy San Miguel de Allende. The locals also brighten up their experience of San Miguel de Allende during the rainy season with plenty of festivals.
Check out events such as:
- Desfile de los Locos (June)
- Guanajuato International Film Festival (July)
- Wine harvest festivals (throughout August at local wineries)
Due to the warmer weather, wine harvesting season comes earlier in San Miguel de Allende than in European wineries, so in August and September, you can enjoy the best of the local wineries.
Frequently Asked Questions
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
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about finding the best time to visit San Miguel de Allende, which can help you plan your trip as well:
What is the rainy season in San Miguel de Allende?
The rainy season in San Miguel de Allende lasts from June until early October and peaks in June, July, and August.
How many days do you need in San Miguel de Allende?
If you’re just visiting, you only need two days in San Miguel de Allende. However, many people choose to stay here for longer periods.
What airport should I fly into for San Miguel de Allende?
The closest airports to San Miguel de Allende are in Leon and Querétaro, but flying into Mexico City is usually the cheapest option.
Which is better, San Miguel de Allende or Oaxaca?
San Miguel de Allende is better for arts and a lively expat scene, while Oaxaca offers a more authentic glimpse into Mexico.
Is it safe to walk at night in San Miguel de Allende?
Yes, it’s safe to walk at night in San Miguel de Allende. The city is actually one of the safest in all of Mexico.
So, What’s the Best Time to Visit San Miguel de Allende?
San Miguel de Allende is beautiful all year round but is at its best from November to April. This is the city’s dry season, so the weather is warm, sunny, and clear. What are you waiting for — book your trip today!