By Carla Maria Pérez A new year always carries a certain energy. It feels like a fresh stretch of road, open and inviting, encouraging us to imagine what’s possible. But instead of making resolutions we abandon by February, what if we approached the year differently? What if we designed a year that actually feels good to live—one built on consistent movement, nourishing food, meaningful connection, and simple, intentional escapes from routine? These pillars work together. The

México City is not a place like any other.  It is vast, vibrant, intense and full of contrasts. It is a place where we constantly move from one world into another. Its scale is overwhelming, its energy unmistakable, its rhythm absolutely unique. It is a city that asks for presence, curiosity and openness. We move through historic neighborhoods, creative districts, lively markets and cultural spaces of remarkable richness. Some streets carry traces of earlier centuries, while

By Bob Graham Up till now, my articles have keyed in on some of the white birds that we see in the San Miguel area. But since I am doing the December Birds of a Feather column, I thought it appropriate, given the holiday season, that I feature some of the red birds that we see in our area. The most appropriate red bird to start with, is the Vermilion Flycatcher .  I have mentioned this beautiful bird before because Lillian Birkenstein , the founder of Audubon Society de Méxic

By Arael Gómez Tello At the foothills of a mountain that separates San Miguel de Allende from Juriquilla, in a still-undefined stretch of México’s winemaking map, there’s a ranch that decided to become a vineyard—or rather, that decided never to stop being a ranch, even after the vines arrived. There, on land where buffalo once grazed—right where Cabernet Franc grows today—a wine is made that doesn’t try to resemble anything else. The project, born more than a decade ago as a

By Cathi House At 6,200 feet altitude, the sharp, clear lines of shadows embellish the colorful walls of San Miguel with layers of patterns cast from exquisitely carved stone moldings, ornate lanterns, balconies draped in greenery... Lime-washed colors glow in the sunlight as though they are illuminated from within. San Miguel has a complex mix of centuries of architectural styles, protected by INAH. A National Monument since 1926, and a UNESCO site since 2008, San Miguel’s h

By Carolina de la Cajiga Aura Moreno  came to San Miguel de Allende for a short visit but ended up staying. “Seeing San Miguel through the eyes of a tourist and those of a resident are two very different things. Since 2020, I’ve been wandering around town calmly—chatting with the lady in the parking lot, the neighbor at a concert, or anyone I meet along the way. My life here is full of unexpected surprises and stories. One day I realized San Miguel had become my home, and my

By Natalie Taylor On the corner of Insurgentes and Pepe Llanos, where the buses make a stop, a small stand calls attention to itself with the lovely aroma that emanates from it. At the far edge of Plaza Zaragoza you can buy small bags of freshly fried churros , either plain or rellenos —filled with chocolate or dulce de leche . The stand is attended by Marlene  and Carlos , sister and brother, whose grandfather began the business. Jose Remedios Navarro and his wife, María Ele

By Pascual Hijuelos In 1819, Théodore Géricault exhibited “The Raft of the Medusa” in the annual Paris Salon. From the onset, the painting stirred intense controversy.  It was a bold  political critique of the monarchy, but more significantly, it was the first painting to depict a contemporary disaster. Géricault meticulously researched the incident that had taken place at sea. He used the survivors as models and even reconstructed the raft. It can be said that Géricault may

By Amy G. Rothlin This month, my recommendation is a little different. Instead of recommending a restaurant, I’m inviting you to step inside the kitchen, specifically, the kitchen of  Chef Rubén Yáñez,  master instructor at the Sazón Cookery School of Belmond’s Casa de Sierra Nevada . If you consider yourself an epicurean, there’s truly no better way to experience Mexican cuisine than by learning to prepare it with your own hands. This might just be the perfect holiday gift f

By Isabel Castrejón Pascacio Gift-giving is more than an exchange of objects - it’s a quiet language of care. And in the world of fashion, gifts become even more personal because they reflect style, identity, and the way someone wants to feel. The holiday season brings with it a special kind of magic. It’s the perfect time to celebrate your loved ones with gifts that are personal, stylish, and meaningful. In the world of fashion, gifts can go beyond trends, becoming cherished

By Charles Woollett Good luck in making unexpected and fortunate discoveries -  It was a serendipitous meeting. At our mutual friend, Michelle Steed’s Casa Grande, Newcomers party over two years ago. Slowly making our way up the stairs, the conversation naturally got around to where are you from? “Bella Vista, Arkansas” , said my wife Linda. “No way - me too!” , exclaimed Tim. And that was the beginning of a dear friendship. As it turns out he'd had an exhibition at Alice Wal

By Tiffany Paige When my husband and I first moved off-grid outside San Miguel de Allende, we wanted more than a solar-powered home, we wanted to live in harmony with the land. Over time, we’ve met others who share that same devotion to conscious living, especially within and around the eco-residential enclave of Águila Real , a community designed around sustainability, open space, and respect for the natural environment. Its neighbor, Hapori Eco Aldea , shares that same visi

By Felecia Ford With her captivating mix of live looping, heartfelt folk, and soulful pop, Colombian artist Stephyloren has become a magnetic presence in San Miguel de Allende. After performing more than 300 concerts across México and recently opening for Siddhartha before 50,000 people in Toluca, she continues to enchant audiences across Latin America with her authenticity and luminous stage presence. Stephyloren’s creative awakening began during the pandemic, when a vivid d

By Robin Loving What happens when unicorns unite? A creative coupling! Unicorn Judith Jenya  was exhibiting her visual art in Guanajuato in 2010 when - during the last hour of the show - Unicorn Mark Johaningsmeir showed up. Thus began their origin story. They swapped stories, then emails, then went to the Cervantino Festival concerts – again and again and again. The final concert of the season was sold out, and then abruptly changed venues. The two volleyed between venues in

By Lisa Babincsak Lately, I find myself reflecting on the most meaningful moments of my life. They weren't filled with material presents. They were moments of true presence and connection. When I look back, it's never the gifts or the price tags that stand out. It's the quiet conversations that lingered long after the candles burned low. The laughter that filled a room without effort. The times someone looked me in the eyes and really saw me—a moment of recognition that felt

By Jonathan Lockwood Some people fall into mezcal by accident. Others follow a winding path. Marcelo Castro Vera is somewhere in the middle. At 43 he has been a hotel man, a mezcal maker and a distiller of all kinds of things that catch his interest. None of it comes from a desire to scale up or build something large. He simply follows what he enjoys, and each project finds its own shape at its own pace. Marcelo studied hospitality management in Switzerland. That’s where he m

By Aundria McMillan Humphrey During a recent afternoon in San Miguel, the gallery Marquesa De Mancera was buzzing with life. Located on Cuna de Allende, directly across from the Parroquia  of Saint Michael the Archangel, the space glowed with color, texture, and story. Visitors wandered through the exquisitely curated displays of Mexican folk art, while staff—trained by Marina herself—shared the stories behind each piece. For Marina Fernández de Córdova , this isn’t just a ga

By Natalie Taylor Jaime Fernández has been an integral part of San Miguel his entire life. His father, Enrique Fernández was governor of the state of Guanajuato from 1939 to 1943, and his mother, Nell Harris, was born in Arkansas but became a resident of México. The two met and married in Guanajuato City, and this is where Jaime was born. In 1949, Enrique and Nell moved to San Miguel de Allende and purchased the ancestral home of the De la Canal family—the current Instituto A

By Erwit Reichert In 2005, on a bustling street corner, a humble  taco  cart was born with a simple but ambitious mission: to be different. It wasn’t just about serving quick food — it was about offering flavors that stayed with you, and service that made people feel at home. From day one, the commitment was clear: impeccable attention, deep respect for every customer, and a dignified presentation. Even from that small street cart, the team wore chef’s whites and gloves, and

By Laura Elisa Some words carry a quiet kind of power. They open doors to deeper understanding, revealing how language can connect us in ways we rarely notice. Interpreting is one of those words—a word that hums with life, empathy, and artistry. To interpret is not the same as to translate.  Translation lives on the page: deliberate, refined, and patient. Interpreting, on the other hand, happens in the moment. It is the art of listening, speaking, and carrying thought across

By Bill Wilson Fiat Lux” Latin for “Let there be Light! — Third verse in the Book of Genesis. “Never stop seeing the light to achieve an excellent photograph," observes San Miguel de Allende photographer Gustavo Coria . Gustavo Coria didn’t start out to be a professional photographer. He studied Veterinary Zootechnician at UNAM in México City. “It’s a profession I do not practice. My experience has focused on photography in its various fields: press, scientific, journalistic,

By Lisa Babincsak There's a special kind of theater in San Miguel—and it's not at the Angela Peralta. It's in the comments section of your local Facebook group. You know the one. Someone asks a simple question: "Can anyone recommend a plumber?"  And within six comments, someone's accusing someone else of being a communist, three people are arguing about ethics, one person's plugging their cousin's business (who lives in León), and someone else jumps in with "Well, I don't nee

By Patricia Schneider Traveling is not about distance. It is about presence, about learning to see, to listen…to feel. With Le Voyage Intime , each journey becomes a conversation between art, nature, craft and the self. I personally accompany a few travelers through México and soon through France to experience places few ever reach: private homes, hidden ateliers, gardens suspended in silence, and moments that transform the way we look at the world. These are voyages - atelie

By Staff Writer Chocolate was first cultivated and used as a ceremonial drink by the Olmec civilization, dating back to the 1500’s. By the 16th century, Spanish explorers of New Spain had taken cacao beans back to Europe where they were used as currency by colonists from Europe and Africa in Latin America. But by the 17 th  century the beans’ attributes in producing the exotic beverage explorers had discovered in the New World were recognized, leading to the establishment of