By Publisher Located just a short downhill walk to the town square, Atascadero provides close proximity to the heart of the city. It’s a Neighborhood with deep roots and creative spirit: Originally a sprawling hacienda with orchards and grazing land, Atascadero has long been a peaceful escape. Today, it offers larger lots and more privacy than many other upscale neighborhoods. At the neighborhood’s entrance stands the historic Suites Santo Domingo, born of German immigrant G

By Felecia Ford Sekouna Conté was born into a lineage of musical and dance tradition. He demonstrated exceptional talent from an early age, quickly assuming leading roles in the ensembles he joined and establishing himself as a devoted guardian of ancestral musical knowledge. Originally from Forecariah, Guinea, Sekou was raised in a culture not unlike México, where music and dance are a way of life. He was supported by his family, who valued both his education and his artisti

By Amy G. Rothlin Tucked away just beyond the familiar rhythms of San Miguel de Allende, there is a place where time slows, flavors deepen, and every detail feels infused with intention. Sikelia Gastronomy Club & Garden is not just a restaurant, it is a story of love, nature, and authentic Italian cooking, brought to life in one of the most unexpected corners of town. At the heart of Sikelia are Chef Laura and her husband Justino, an Italian couple whose journey feels almost

By Lisa Babincsak The parking signs in San Miguel are not signs. They are riddles. They are psychological warfare disguised as street regulation. There's the red circle with a black "E" (for estacionar), politely crossed out to indicate "no parking." Simple enough. But then there's an arrow under it. Or through it. Or pointing left while the sign is on the right side of the street. And then sometimes there's a red slash through the arrow too—what is that? No parking ahead? No

By Nikki Miller If you are looking for ways to get more involved in the San Miguel de Allende community and meet new people, 100+ Who Care SMA may be right for you. As a newcomer to San Miguel de Allende, I am impressed with the number of nonprofit organizations, or NGOs, providing important services in and around San Miguel and the engagement of the community as a whole in supporting them; however, like many people I have met, I have found it difficult to learn about the va

By Cat Silver, Interior designer You’ve likely seen that wildly colorful tablecloth fabric everywhere in México: bold yellow and blue flowers on neon orange, lemons, chilis, giant roses. You may not know is that this material—called oilcloth (or hule)—has a history as vivid as its patterns. The concept didn’t begin in México. In Europe, “oilcloth” referred to cotton fabric coated with oil to make it waterproof and durable. Linseed oil, derived from flax seeds, was especially

By Frank "Sugar" Hudson It’s Friday morning and my phone begins to ring. Sure enough, it’s one of the guys wanting to know if the group is going to be visiting a winery that afternoon. The question alerts me that they have something in mind. Is thirty miles too far to travel? How about a small winery, quaint and out of the way? Have you ever heard of Viñedos Los Arcángeles vineyard? The plan develops: a visit to a local vineyard, a glass of wine, and a few unhurried hours t

By Carolina de la Cajiga Names are usually given. Hers arrived. AnaSeshat is not a first and last name, but a single name I received through channeling—a form of communication with higher consciousness. It wasn’t a rational choice; it came to me, and I felt it was my own,” she explains. Seshat is the ancient Egyptian goddess associated with the universal library and the recording of knowledge. Though her origins remain uncertain—whether the daughter or consort of Thoth—her en

By Isabel Castrejón Pascacio In every city where culture thrives, there is an unspoken network of support that keeps creativity alive. Among the most vital threads in that network are couturiers, designers who do more than create garments; they shape identity, preserve craft, and tell stories through fabric. A community that actively follows, celebrates, and uplifts its designers doesn’t just sustain businesses, it builds legacy. Fashion houses endure not only because of sale

Written by Margot E. Sinclair, writer and publicist As Lady Zen’s birthday approaches over the Mother’s Day weekend—on May 9th—a heartfelt tradition will unfold. Each year, she celebrates by hosting a special Mother’s Day concert. This event is not just another performance—it is a deeply personal way to honor her own journey, which began as an orphan, and to give back to the community. This year’s concert carries extraordinary purpose: all proceeds go directly to creating a s

By Randolph Rogers From this semi-arid plain in the shadow of Las Picachos is the San Francisco and San Lucas development off Salida a Querétaro, just 15 minutes from Centro. The trinity of this oasis is lavender, olive trees, and vineyards. It was our destination for a delightful spring afternoon. Specifically, we landed at the rustic brick production facilities, tasting room, gift shop, and restaurant at San Lucas. It was my third time here, and it always delivers a movabl

By Maureen Phillips My dog Gabriel and I left Vancouver, BC, on September 18, 2025, for the long and much-anticipated drive to San Miguel in my trusty 2002 Toyota Camry. We arrived in this beautiful town sixteen days later. But one month into our stay, everything changed. Walking in our San Antonio neighborhood, Gabriel was startled by a dog snarling and lunging behind a large door. Gabriel jumped into the street and was hit by a motorcycle while I stood frozen. He ran up Sti

By Angela Higley Ferro I recently read an article in the New York Times about how to make friends as an adult. A completely valid discussion, especially considering how much harder it can be to connect with others now compared to our childhoods. Life moves quickly; we are busy with work, partners, and children who often serve as our built-in besties. Additionally, as adults, we tend to be more self-aware, grappling with social hesitations that didn’t exist during our younger

By Jonathan Lockwood For around a year Mezcal Spotlight has stayed politely close to home — local bars, local restaurants. Fine. But mezcal doesn't start in a bar. It starts in the ground, in fire, in a family argument about whose abuelo did it better. Cecilia and I have known the unbelievably sweet Alejandro and Bethy of Hacienda Vergel de Guadalupe for several years, but only a few weekends ago finally visited them at their hacienda in San Luis de la Paz, about an hour and

By Frank "Sugar" Hudson May in San Miguel de Allende marks the transition from the dry spring season into the early buildup of summer. It’s one of the warmest months of the year, with increasingly humid conditions and the first signs of the rainy season. The month of May begins with Labor Day, May 1st, which is celebrated with a parade of Union workers. The real celebration begins two day later on May 3rd: Día de La Santa Cruz. Construction workers will show up after attend

By Carla Maria Pérez May in San Miguel brings longer days, brighter sun, and air that feels hotter and thinner all at once. Sit under the trees in El Jardín and you’ll find shade and breeze, a cool oasis in the middle of town. Step onto the surrounding streets, though, and the comfort can disappear quickly. Cobblestones bake, heat rises, and your energy can drain faster than expected. Altitude and dry climate create a onetwo punch for the body. At roughly 6,400 feet, your bod

By Natalie Taylor Daniela Méndez Vega was born in San Miguel de Allende and went to school here. She grew up in a home without books, and the only reading she learned was in school. The only books she had ever seen in a home were those owned by an aunt who kept a whole collection of “pretty books” with attractive leather covers. They were stacked on a shelf along with other knick-knacks, not for reading but simply as “decoration.” When Daniela was fifteen, she experienced a t

By Catherine Marenghi A woman newly arrived in San Miguel shared a complaint on Facebook: She had sampled her first ear of local corn, and she bitterly proclaimed, “Mexican corn is terrible!” To say her statement was sacrilegious would be an understatement. After all, corn is one of the sacred foods of México. It was first cultivated in México thousands of years ago, producing hundreds of varieties, of which this woman had tasted only one. Corn is integral not only to Mexican

By Camie Fenton Our May edition offers a deep meditation on the concept of community. As Charles Woollett concludes on pages 30 & 31, “I am because we are”—a sentiment echoed by Angela Higley Ferro on page 8, who observes that life in San Miguel is less about networking and more about fostering a deep, enduring sense of belonging. Don Krim carries this thread further on page 68, arguing that the best way to break through cultural barriers is to sustain a multicultural identit

By Christina Johnson Dear San Miguel de Allende, I love you for the memories that live in my blood and body, from childhood until this day. Do you remember when I rode my horse into your canyon as a child? The chocolate scent of those sweet white ground flowers. The toothless man collecting sticks for his home fire, and how we laughed together, he and I, as if the afternoon had no intention of ending. Sometimes I didn't come home until the sun had gone to warm yolk, then to c

By Judith Jenya In the welcoming kitchens of San Miguel de Allende, visitors from around the world gather to learn the secrets of traditional Mexican cooking from a woman whose life has been defined by caring for others. Long before she began teaching travelers how to prepare family recipes, Isabel García built a career as a pediatrician, hospital administrator, widow’s advocate, and mother of three. Her story begins in México City, where she was born the eldest of four siste

By Randolph Rogers The two gentlemen whom I refer to are men who have contributed greatly to the fabric of San Miguel de Allende, and specifically to Colonia San Antonio. Their contributions prove that one can make a difference at any stage of life. Fortunately for San Migue, they chose this place, and we are all the beneficiaries. In many ways, they’ve led parallel lives, but that’s where the similarities end. Their journeys were very different, but the common thread is thei

By Don Krim As Jóvenes Adelante’s selection team screens hundreds of 2 biographical videos, and other document submissions from eager undergraduate students, there is another quiet process under way: our own graduates seeking specialized Master’s degrees. Some of those requests I expected - one of my own mentees, for instance, applying for a Master’s in criminal law prior to a further specialization in criminal investigation; another I know seeking an advanced degree to suppo

By Staff Writer San Miguel’s streets really start to heat up by late April. It’s a time to remember that emotional and mental benefits come from taking time off the hot streets and sneaking in a visit to The Spa. Treatments like massages can stimulate the release of endorphins, the body's natural feel-good hormones, which can enhance your mood and promote feelings of happiness. Also expect reduced anxiety (and who is not seeking that?) as engaging in self-care at a spa can