It isn’t accurate to say that my limited exploration of Mexico, so far, is due to limited interest in the country. In fact, I have a deep interest in Mexican culture and cuisine, to the extent that the latter is probably my favorite in the world.
Rather, my goal as a traveler was always to visit the farthest-flung places first, and then work my way back. It’s for this reason that it’s taken me until now—I turn 40 next month—to really begin digging deep into Mexico.
Which is not to say my comparison of Guanajuato vs San Miguel de Allende is of two places off the beaten path—if you’ve done any amount of research into either, you know this is not the place. Still, we aren’t talking about Cancún or even Mexico City, here. These are destinations of another sort.
Why It Took Me So Long to Visit These Magical Towns
Whether Guanajuato or San Miguel de Allende, the reality is that Americans have been descending upon both for years—more than a decade, in fact. While I was always somewhat interested in what might be so appealing to them, the reality is that I needed the right occasion. And I got one, when my husband had three days off, and wanted to go to the coolest place within a three-hour flight of Dallas.
Of course, I am not the typical visitor to these towns. Most are people who have barely traveled (maybe only to Cancun or Cozumel), and have to Google answers to even the most basic question, such as “can you use a debit card at an ATM?” or “What language do they speak in Mexico?”. I felt a cognitive dissonance, being a first-time visitor (but an otherwise experienced traveler) in a place that is tailor made for curious novices.
Ways to Compare Guanajuato to San Miguel de Allende
Landscape and cityscape
Guanajuato sits at the bottom of what can be described as a giant bowl, while San Miguel (though also technically surrounded by hills) sits on much flatter topography. While Guanajuato’s colorful cityscape lacks a single point of focus (though it is best seen from the Monument al Pipilo viewpoint), San Miguel’s is defined by the dusty, pink Parroquia de San Miguel Cathedral, which anchors it no matter where you’re standing.
Restaurants and bars
In this regard, I’d say the contest between Guanajuato and San Miguel de Allende is less evenly matched. There are plenty of delicious places to eat and drink in Guanajuato, from street-side cevicherías to high-end hotel restaurants. It’s only in San Miguel, however, that you get luxe rooftop restaurants and bars that are utterly unforgettable. I personally love the Rooftop at Selina, as well as Quince.
Hotels
San Miguel is generally a higher-end destination, which means that there are more high-end accommodations, whether we’re talking locally-run boutique hotels like Cantera 1910, or ones operated by international brands. I found that the quality of hotels in Guanajuato was lower, even for ones that claim to be luxury properties. Plus, mine (Hotel Posada Santa Fe) happened to be on a busy street, which made it almost impossible to sleep.
Prices
Another way of saying this? When comparing San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato on price grounds, the former is definitely more expensive than the latter. With the exception of street snacks (I know a rockin’ tamale truck near the Mercado de Artesanias), you’re going to pay a lot more to eat, drink and sleep in San Miguel than you do in Guanajuato. (You also get what you pay for, however, so keep this in mind).
Vibe
One might expect, given that San Miguel is a higher-end destination than Guanajuato, that it would be snobbier and stuffier. In fact, I found quite the opposite to be true. Not that Guanajuato was snobby or stuffy, but that it simply wasn’t friendly or welcoming. I also personally only felt sketched out in Guanajuato, and on several occasions to boot (namely, near Mercado Hidalgo).
How to Visit San Miguel and Guanajuato
Given that I’m married to an airline employee, it was easy (and free!) for me to fly nonstop to Leon (BJX), an airport that’s less than an hour from Guanajuato and not a whole lot farther from San Miguel. We chose to pre-book a Baijo Go Shuttle, but many travelers to both cities simply take an ordinary taxi, while still others arrange transit through their hotel or other accommodation.
If you end up deciding that you want to visit San Miguel de Allende but not Guanajuato, it could make sense to fly into Queretaro International Airport (QRO), which is on the “other” side of San Miguel and closer to the city. Still another option would be to fly to Mexico City and take some kind of land transport from there, be that a bus, a shuttle or a private taxi.
Other FAQ About Guanajuato and San Miguel de Allende
Is Guanajuato cheaper than San Miguel de Allende?
Hotels and restaurants in Guanajuato are definitely cheaper than those in San Miguel de Allende. In my experience, however, they also tend to be lower quality, and I also find Guanajuato to feel a bit less safer than San Miguel.
Is San Miguel de Allende the most beautiful city in the world?
I’ve been all over the world, and I found myself impressed by the beauty of San Miguel de Allende. However, I definitely wouldn’t say that it’s the most beautiful city in the world; it might not even crack my personal top 10, if I’m honest.
Is Guanajuato worth seeing?
Guanajuato is definitely worth seeing for a day, if you can get there. Some travelers will already be in San Miguel de Allende, which means that Guanajuato is an easy day trip. Otherwise, it’s best to plan on spending at least one night in Guanajuato.
The Bottom Line
Comparing Guanajuato vs San Miguel de Allende isn’t necessarily apples and oranges, not unlike Mexico City and Guadalajara. While both are small cities deep in the interior of Mexico, they have different looks and vibes, and I would argue are each better for a different sort of traveler. San Miguel feels both more upscale and more accessible somehow, with friendlier locals and more laid-back energy. Guanajuato, meanwhile, is more ramshackle, yet can also come off as impenetrable—some might even call it unwelcoming. Need personalized help putting your next trip together? Consider hiring me as your Travel Coach!
