All Excursion tickets are available here:
Historic Walking Tour of San Miguel – $10 usd – three hours:
a great way to explore the city given its rich colonial architecture, cobblestone streets and art galleries.
Meet in front of the Parroquia – cathedral-like church – in the main square downtown.
Thursday, February 16 — 9 AM
A well-informed guide, passionate about the extraordinary history of San Miguel, will walk you through San Miguel’s glorious past, showing you historic buildings, former convents, churches, markets, and homes. You will learn surprising historic facts, hear stories and “urban legends,” and meet some of San Miguel’s famous personalities. The tour, which includes an in-depth look at the interior of the Parroquia (parish church), will last between two and three hours and covers a ten-block area.
Tour of Elegant Restored Colonial Homes in Downtown - $10 usd – three hours or less:
go behind some of San Miguel’s famous doors to tour the astonishing interiors of these grand residencies. The gardens alone will take your breath away!
Meet in front of the Parroquia – cathedral-like church – in the main square downtown.
Monday, February 20 — 10 AM
Most of central San Miguel was built in the early-to mid-1700s, when the town thrived as a way station along the silver route; midway between the silver mines of the north and Mexico City. Lavish homes were built by wealthy merchants. In other towns in Mexico, these gorgeous homes were destroyed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but because of a series of lucky circumstances virtually the entire town has been preserved in San Miguel.
When San Miguel became a colony for the arts in the late 1940s, individuals began to purchase and restore old mansions (as well as secular and religious buildings) and convert them to impressive private homes. Several families have graciously offered to give us an inside view of their restored colonial homes.
Bus trip to Atotonilco – 15 minute ride – $10 – three hours.
Excursion Option #1:
Offered once only: Tuesday, February 21 — 2 PM
Meet in front of the Conference Hotel (Real de Minas).
Historic Church: “The Sistine of Mexico”: a World Monument Site
The Atontonilco sanctuary is not a huge, spectacular cathedral, but a simple country church, with extraordinary paintings. The walls and ceilings of the interior are nearly entirely covered in mural work, sculpture, inscriptions and oil paintings in a style called Mexican folk Baroque, although indigenous influence can be seen. This mural work has led the complex to be called the “Sistine Chapel of the Americas”.
UNESCO long ago identified the sanctuary as an important World Monument and, ten years ago, allocated funds to restore the paintings. Restoration is now virtually complete. The church also played an important role in Mexico’s war of independence from Spain, which began in 1810.
AND
Galeria Atotonilco: 3000 sq. ft. showroom of the best of Mexican Folk Art, antiques, textiles, and photographs. Voted “Best Gallery” in San Miguel de Allende, 2011.
Galeria Atotonilco houses one of the finest collections of folk art in Mexico. The owner, former ceramic artist Mayer Shacter, travels all over Mexico to find the best artists working today, and then he buys their finest work. Mayer will give a short talk about the history, importance, and variety of Mexican folk art, and then give you the opportunity to view his dazzling collection of paper maché, wood carvings, ceramics, yarn paintings, weavings, and more.
OR
Excursion Option #2:
La Gruta Hot Springs (Separate 90 pesos admission.)
Bring a towel, wear a swim suit, prepare to totally relax! Gardens, restaurant, 3 pools (from hot to tepid swimming), massage available, and the famous “source water cave”.
If you are longing to luxuriate in the San Miguel’s famous hot springs, you will have three hours to do just that. La Gruta Spa’s has several pools including one that takes you through a mysterious tunnel to a cave where you can situate yourself under the forceful stream of water pouring from the cave wall for a reviving shoulder-and-back massage or simply soak in the soothing warm waters. Relax and enjoy! An informal restaurant serves drinks and snacks delivered right to your lounge chair!
Offered once only: Tuesday, February 21 — 2 PM
All Excursion tickets are available here:
