The best views

In the Jardín park you will find the San Miguel de Allende Board of Tourism, which is the place of departure for the tramcar we will take to the highest point of our journey. Prepare your camera!

The tramcar will take you to the lookout point. Begin by admiring the extraordinary panoramic view of the city you will only find here. It will be easy enough to spot the steeple of the Parroquia church, but can you distinguish the domes and steeples of the other temples? Take your time to snap as many photographs as you like. Next you may want to pay homage to the great San Miguel native, Pedro Vargas, whose home you just passed. You might be interested to know that the hotel you see in front of you belonged to none other than Cantinflas. Be sure to leave time to browse and pick up some handicrafts in the Casa de las Artesanías located just across the street.

From here we suggest you leave the tramcar behind and continue on foot. We will first visit San Miguel’s original neighborhood, where Fray Juan de San Miguel found his long-sought fresh water spring. To the left of the observatory you will see the street headed downward, Cañadita de los Aguacates, which will take you to El Chorro. This is the construction site of the first public baths, as well as the washhouses built taking advantage of the pools formed in the bends of the waterways. Today you will be able to see how the system worked until the water was channeled to the houses.

Walk back toward the observatory and turn to your right to go down Diezmo Viejo street. Here you will find the Benito Juárez park, an island of vegetation in the middle of the city. Grandparents try to keep pace with the littlest visitors in their care and people of all ages stroll or jog or play sports, as couples vie for space on the tiny benches reportedly made “especially for two.”

Take your time to meander through this tranquil tropical oasis. To find your way back to the bustle, follow the park’s main promenade until you reach Suspiros street on your right, which leads straight downtown along Jesus street. Be sure to seize every opportunity you can to roam the streets and steal a glance at the magnificent patios of the homes of San Miguel, an exquisite experience for the senses.