The central Mexican city of San Miguel de Allende was recently crowned the best city in the world by Travel & Leisure. The No. 1 ranking came as no surprise to Ann Dolan, a broker with CDR San Miguel who has lived in San Miguel de Allende with her husband Jim for 25 years. 

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CDR San Miguel also runs the San Miguel Life blog, which has information on restaurants, galleries and other things to do.

San Miguel de Allende's vibrant culture and colonial architecture continue to attract retirees from the United States. Recently, however, more young families have chosen to call the charming city home in 2022. 

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"We are seeing more families relocating here than ever because of being able to work remotely and ZOOM. They love the bi-cultural experience for their children," said Ann Dolan, a luxury real estate specialist with CDR San Miguel, the area's leading luxury brokerage. Dolan, who raised her children there, confirms San Miguel de Allende boasts several excellent bi-lingual private schools.

From the rooftop restaurants to the central El Jardín and the Museo Histórico, San Miguel de Allende has mesmerized our readers, one of whom summarized: "San Miguel is an incredible city, very beautiful, historic, with friendly people, fantastic food and restaurants.

Score: 93.54

But the region around San Miguel adds another delicious dimension: one of the world’s newest destinations for viniculture. La Ruta del Vino (The Wine Route) is in the Bajío area, the mostly rural center of Mexico, known for year-round spring-like weather and backdrops of evergreens, cacti, farms and haciendas.

After months of empty hotel rooms, some destinations around the world have started to reopen, touting their new and improved safety measures as a way to lure back tourists. Few destinations, however, are doing as good of a job with safety as San Miguel de Allende.

#1. SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE, MEXICO. SCORE 96.65

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This year's winner, the Mexican town San Miguel de Allende, is the country's arty enclave.

Far from the packed resort beaches of Cancun, Cabo’s nonstop party atmosphere and the hipsterdom of Tulum, San Miguel de Allende exists as its own singular slice of Mexican life. Located in the state of Guanajuato, 170 miles north of Mexico City, it boasts cobblestone streets and colonial architecture, giving visitors the impression they’ve stepped out of time. Overall, San Miguel de Allende is easy to navigate, safe and rich with activities — an ideal family vacation destination.  

A glass house in the Mexican desert: Just outside San Miguel de Allende, this modernist retreat reflects natural beauty in more ways than one  

One of Mexico’s more cosmopolitan cities, San Miguel de Allende has become home to some of the country’s most talented and innovative chefs. But the local, traditional dishes that have always been there still reign supreme.  

There is magic everywhere in San Miguel: in the brilliant pink sunsets that light up the sky on winter evenings; in the out-of-tune mariachi musicians strolling through the central plaza on Saturday nights; in the always-astonishing bloom of the jacaranda trees each March, which blankets the cobblestone streets in fallen purple blossoms; and in the easy rhythm of small-town life.  

A UNESCO World Heritage site and a beloved city filled with Mexican culture and history, San Miguel de Allende also offers nature- and activity-based options close by. 

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Voted the best small city in the world for 2020, San Miguel de Allende’s appeal extends beyond its Spanish Colonial architecture and colorful facades. A hub for expat artists, this highland city features a diverse and gregarious class of locals—although its far-from-the-coastline location has helped the area remain insulated and authentically Mexican. Take your pick from more than 350 restaurants ranging from five-star restaurants to local mom-and-pop eateries, then take a step back in time with a stroll along the well-preserved cobblestone streets.  

The historic and colorful Aldama Street in San Miguel De Allende is a must-see for any traveler heading to centrally located Mexican city. Roughly 170 miles north of Mexico City, San Miguel De Allende was voted the "2013 Best City in the World" by Travel + Leisure.  

For the second year in a row, Travel + Leisure readers chose Mexico’s San Miguel de Allende as their favorite city in the world, as part of the annual World’s Best Awards. That, of course, meant it was also voted the top city in Mexico, besting such scenic cities as Oaxaca and Guadalajara.