A Travel Through Books Guide to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

Step into the pages of “Rosarita” a novella that is perfectly made for a short weekend trip to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. In 2002, San Miguel was declared a Magical Town and in 2008 became a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its culture, architecture, and its importance in Mexico’s struggle for Independence from Spain.

In 2017, San Miguel de Allende was named by Travel + Leisure magazine as the best city in the world for its quality of service, friendliness, gastronomy, cleanliness, shopping experience and mobility, in addition to its great cultural contribution, architectural beauty, and places of entertainment. This book-inspired travel guide will serve as your compass, leading you to hidden gems, local experiences, and unforgettable adventures inspired by the story. 

WHAT TO READ: Rosarita by Anita Desai

“You had resisted her fantastical tale but now find you would like to believe it. Could she, like a wizard or a magician, bring your mother to life again even if it is a life you never knew or suspected?”

Rosarita is a novella that follows Bonita, a young woman from India who is in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico learning Spanish. While sitting in a park a stranger approaches to say that she looks just like her mother, whom she calls Rosarita. “The Stranger” claims to have known and studied art with her in Mexico decades before. Bonita hasn’t known her mother to have traveled to Mexico or been a painter, yet she remembers a sketch in pastels that hung above her childhood bed. She wonders about this alternative life that her mother lived before and apart from her family. Her mother is Sarita in India, but Rosarita in Mexico, revealing a side of her mother that Bonita had never known. Bonita follows “The Stranger” on an increasingly disorienting and grief stricken journey.

WHERE TO STAY

• Cuna del Cielo – a lush four bedroom oasis on a hilltop above San Miguel de Allende just a 15-minute walk to the town center. Breakfast and fresh juices are handmade each morning and there is an onsite jacuzzi, two types of saunas, and a net with a view of the city that’s perfect to read from. 
• Casa Quebrada Hotel Boutique – a beautiful boutique hotel right in the center of town.
• Mansion San Miguel – an 8-bedroom, adults-only guesthouse within walking distance of the iconic pink church.
• For fans of Hyatt properties, the best place to stay is NUMU Boutique Hotel, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt. The Unbound Collection has beautiful, boutique style properties that have the added benefit of earning you Hyatt points and stays that count toward status. This property is centrally located right across the street from the Rosewood hotel that has one of the best rooftops in the city.

WHAT TO DO

Art is at the center of the story of “Rosarita” so of course you have to experience the various artistic venues throughout San Miguel de Allende including:

• Jardín Allende and the Parroquia (the iconic pink church) where the mystery of the book begins and is a central gathering place on the weekends for music and entertainment.
• Fabrica La Aurora: a renovated textile mill housing cafes, shops & galleries with works by local artists in many mediums
• Mojiganga Estudio: A studio creating mojigangas, larger-than-life-esque puppets made from papier-mâche
• Centro Cultural Ignacio Ramírez El Nigromante: recognized for its extensive contribution to the training of several generations of artists in various branches of the arts.
• Arde Gallery: a gallery featuring contemporary artists and high-quality design objects, such as textiles, furniture, jewelry, and lighting by the most renowned Mexican designers.
• La Biblioteca Publica – a community cultural center and library with a beautiful courtyard.

WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK

• Dinner at Luna Rooftop Tapas Bar, located on the top floor of the Rosewood Hotel. This rooftop restaurant has one of the best views in the city and serves up delicious food with great service.
• Enjoy Tostado Tuesdays at El Manantial. This is the go to place for fans of ceviche, seafood, and the must try ginger margaritas.
• Reservations are essential and well worth it to try the menu at Tostévere, a small Mexican fusion restaurant that fills up quickly.
• Showcasing the culinary genius of Mexican women, Raíces Restaurante SMA is a must visit for authentic Mexican cuisine led by a female chef.

Looking for more inspiration? See our Travel Through Books guide to Mexico City. Want help designing your dream trip? We plan private experiences! We have existing group itineraries in Nairobi and Diani Kenya, Cape Town, South Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa, Zanzibar, Tanzania, Accra, Ghana, Cartagena, Colombia, Bogota, Colombia, Mexico City, Mexico, and Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica that can be customized. Fill out our private trip interest form or email jalisa@bookedtrips.com for more information.