20 Things to Do in San Miguel de Allende (Mexico)
When you think of a Mexican vacation, you probably envision sandy beaches, turquoise blue ocean waves, and all-inclusive resorts. San Miguel de Allende has none of these things. It’s not a major city full of museums and attractions like Mexico City, either. So, why visit San Miguel de Allende? A vacation here is about feeling, seeing, tasting, and experiencing. My family visited for a week and loved it so much that we returned for a full month. In fact, we almost moved to this beautiful Mexican city. Take a look at my firsthand recommendations for the best things to do in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
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About San Miguel de Allende
With its cobblestone streets, sunset-colored haciendas, and beautiful central square, San Miguel de Allende feels like a little slice of Europe in the heart of Mexico. But it’s a very Mexican town, too, offering traditional cuisine, a penchant for celebrations and festivals, and the patience and welcoming spirit of Latin America.
Located in the state of Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende offers the best blend of its colonial Spanish roots and the culture of Mexico’s indigenous peoples. It is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its historic architecture and role in Mexico’s War of Independence. The city is home to about 170,000 people, with approximately half living in the city and the other half living in surrounding rural communities. San Miguel is also widely regarded as one of the safest places in all of Mexico.
1. Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel
The pink sandstone Parroquia San Miguel Arcángel tops any reliable list of things to do in San Miguel de Allende. This parish church is often used as a symbol of the city. Its neo-Gothic towers and facade were built in 1880, but the original church dates back to the 1600s. The fairytale architecture is so pretty, and it’s my favorite color, too! Along the coast, you may wish for ocean views, but in San Miguel, it’s all about views of the Parroquia.
2. Jardín Allende
San Miguel’s central square, Jardín Allende, is situated directly in front of the Parroquia. The central plazas in most Mexican cities, called zócalos, are located in front of the main cathedral. Since the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel is a parish church, the square is referred to as El Jardín, or The Garden, instead.
Indeed, there is a garden in the Jardín — a beautiful one filled with boxwood shrubs, fountains, and a bandstand. Benches in and around the garden are plentiful, and are often filled with local people and visitors chatting and taking in the scene. Come on weekend evenings to listen to mariachi bands serenading couples and groups, as they offer songs for tips. Restaurants surround the Jardín and, despite the primo location, offer good food at affordable prices.
3. Parque Benito Juárez
Parque Benito Juárez is like a miniature version of New York City’s Central Park. It features a playground, walking/jogging trails, basketball courts, fountains, and permanent exercise equipment. Midweek, we found the park to be a great place to wander or read. On weekends, this green space often bustles with people and offers art for sale by local artists. A visit to Parque Benito Juárez is a must during any visit to San Miguel de Allende with kids.
4. Fábrica La Aurora
Once a textile mill, Fábrica la Aurora now houses dozens of art galleries featuring the works of local and foreign artists. Some of the original factory machines are still on display.
View a wide variety of art available for purchase, from hand-woven placemats and decorative bird feeders to impressive wall-sized paintings and modern sculptures. Fábrica la Aurora is located in Colonia Aurora, a neighborhood just north of Centro known for its creative community. There are multiple dining options on site, including a courtyard coffee shop.
5. Instituto Allende
San Miguel is home to Mexico’s oldest art school, Instituto Allende, which helped establish the city as a world-renowned hub for artists. A full bachelor’s program is available for serious artists. But there are also multi-week or one-week art workshops offered in both English and Spanish. There’s even a summer art program for children.
Sign up for classes on jewelry making, painting, sculpture, weaving, and more. Half-day Drink and Paint Workshops are held on Saturdays for those who want a quick creative experience.
If you don’t have time for a class, then you can still stop by and wander through the galleries. There’s also a small café on-site, El Café Instituto Allende, which is great for a light breakfast, coffee, or a snack.
6. Tianguis de Los Martes
Tianguis de Los Martes is an open-air flea market held every Tuesday across from Plaza La Luciérnaga shopping mall in the Los Frailes area, just outside San Miguel de Allende’s city historic center. It’s an easy cab ride away and well worth the journey. Find everything from clothing, furniture, and toys to freshly cooked hot meals, leather goods, and pet birds for sale.
Although you should not haggle with clerks in stores in the city, feel free to bargain with sellers here for the best price. I’m not much of a haggler and want to support the local vendors, so I just pay the offered prices.
7. Shopping in Centro
Wander in any direction to find an array of boutiques selling Mexican handicrafts and art galleries of all kinds in San Miguel de Allende’s downtown. Street vendors also sell everything from simple toys and handmade dolls to hats and ceramic figurines. I recommend stopping into Artesanías Ono off the main plaza for its beautiful selection of handmade goods, often including leather goods hand-painted by local artists.
Be on the lookout for craft markets during your stay in San Miguel de Allende. You can find these listed under the Qué Pasa header on the Atención News website, or you just may stumble upon one as you explore the city.
Mercado de Artesanías
For a more permanent place to shop for goods made by local artisans, head to Mercado de Artesanías. It’s a short walk from the Jardín, stretching between Calle Colegio and Calle Loreto. This colorful pedestrian walkway is filled with Talavera‑style dishes, Christmas ornaments, jewelry, decorative home items, Day of the Dead keepsakes, and more. Don’t miss the hand‑cut tin art (hojalata), from milagro hearts to decorative mirrors, a signature craft of San Miguel.
8. El Charco del Ingenio Botanic Garden
Escape the city for a bit with a visit to El Charco del Ingenio. This unusual botanical garden features walking paths among wildflowers, cactus, succulents, and other native greenery. Located within an ecological preserve, the gardens offer views of a nearby lake called Presa de las Colonias.
The scenery and trails are lovely, but families visiting San Miguel de Allende with kids will be most interested in a play area that includes a net-climbing structure and a concrete slide shaped like a two-headed snake. (See brief video above.)
To get here, order an Uber or grab one of the many affordable green and white taxis for the 15-minute ride from the city center. If you don’t mind a long, uphill walk, you can hike to the gardens instead.
9. La Esquina Toy Museum
La Esquina Toy Museum shows off the artistry and history of traditional Mexican toys. The museum displays toys from various regions of the country. Read the descriptive signs in English and Spanish. You can buy entry tickets in advance from GetYourGuide.
Head up to the rooftop terrace for city views and to pose for photos with the playful character cut-out. If visiting with children, the most memorable part of your visit will be the experience room, where kids can get their hands on some of the darling playthings.
Stop by the on-site store on the first level to purchase a toy to take home. You can also browse an additional La Esquina Museo Shop, located right next to the Parroquia in the Jardín.
10. Biblioteca Pública
Here’s your chance to put that high school Spanish language to good use by asking a local, “Dónde está la biblioteca?” The Biblioteca de San Miguel de Allende is a library, of course. It offers books in Spanish and English, for kids and adults alike.
But it’s more than that. There’s a cute on-site cafe, plus many locals and travelers come here to hang out in the darling outdoor courtyard. Located on Insurgentes in the heart of the city, the Biblioteca also hosts cultural events and publishes Atención San Miguel, the city’s bilingual newspaper.
Head to the Biblioteca’s gift shop to purchase tickets for their long‑running House & Garden Tour, which offers a rare look inside some of San Miguel’s most exquisite private homes. Even if you’re not joining a tour, pop in to see the impressive ceiling mural.
11. Museo Histórico de San Miguel de Allende
Museo Histórico de San Miguel de Allende is just steps from the Parroquia. It is located within the former home of Ignacio Allende, a leader in Mexico’s fight for independence. The museum highlights the city’s history and its important role in the revolution. Video displays are in Spanish, but most signage is in English. This compact museum takes about 45 minutes to explore.
12. Dining & Drinks
One of my favorite things to do in San Miguel de Allende is EAT! There is something to suit every palate in this small city, from street vendors selling elote and fruits with chile to traditional Mexican fare, rooftop restaurants, and fine dining.
Hecho en Mexico is my family’s go-to spot for its courtyard setting, expansive menu to suit all tastes, and a welcoming staff. Order classic Mexican dishes, like table-side guacamole, enchiladas, mole, and my favorite, Camarones al Guajillo (shrimp served with guajillo peppers and butter sauce). If you’re craving the taste of home, you can also order American fare like fish & chips or burgers.
For a memorable rooftop terrace for sunset drinks, you will love Luna Rooftop at the Rosewood Hotel, where Mexican and Mediterranean cuisine combine. Inventive cocktails and mocktails, along with an extensive wine list, impress almost as much as the incredible views.
Hungry for more? Take a look at my picks for the best restaurants in San Miguel de Allende.
13. San Miguel de Allende Walking Tour
When I first arrive in a new place, I like to book a guided tour to get my bearings, learn local lore from an expert, and ask for recommendations for restaurants and off-the-beaten-path spots.
San Miguel de Allende offers lots of options, from a Historic and Cultural Walking Tour to a Tacos and Tequilas Tour or an Art Walking Tour. Take a look at the many fun and educational options from GetYourGuide.
14. Local Events
San Miguel de Allende is a city that loves to celebrate. In addition to festivals and events for traditional holidays like Christmas, Day of the Dead, and Easter/Holy Week, the city also commemorates La Alborada (the Feast of Saint Michael the Archangel) in late September and hosts the Feria de la Lana y el Latón (Wool and Brass Fair) in mid‑November.
Atención’s Qué Pasa lists a current roundup of concerts, gallery openings, workshops, festivals, and other community events. You can also find printed monthly calendars posted in the Jardín.
Día de los Locos
Dia de los Locos (Day of the Crazies) is one of San Miguel’s most unique and beloved festivals. The highlight is a lively parade that winds through Centro with simple floats, marching bands, and brightly costumed characters. The celebration honors Saint Anthony, namesake of one of the city’s colonias, San Antonio.
My family was lucky enough to experience this playful celebration during our month-long visit in June. Stake out a spot in the Jardín early and bring an umbrella, not just for shade or rain, but to turn upside down and catch the candies flung into the crowd.
15. Hot Springs
San Miguel de Allende sits near a network of thermal waters, and several natural hot springs make it easy to enjoy a warm swim just outside the city. The two most popular and accessible are La Gruta and Escondido Place. Both are family-friendly and offer on-site restaurants, making it easy to spend a full day soaking up the fun.
La Gruta Spa
The area’s original public hot springs, La Gruta is known for its lush gardens and warm pools surrounded by stonework. This is a popular recreational complex, especially on weekends, so arrive early for a more mellow experience.
Escondido Place
Escondido Place offers a resort‑style layout with multiple thermal pools spread across landscaped grounds. Some pools are open‑air, while others are tucked inside greenhouse‑like structures that trap the warmth on cooler days. Although Escondido Place is a day‑use complex, guests of the nearby Lila Hotel receive complimentary access to the pools.
16. Cañada de la Virgen Archaeological Site
Cañada de la Virgen is a culturally significant but lesser-known archaeological site in Mexico, set on 40 acres (16 hectares) about an hour from San Miguel de Allende. Built by the Otomí people, these pyramids were used to track the movement of the sun, moon, and stars.
The attraction comprises four pyramid complexes, an ancient man-made pond, and a ceremonial pathway. My family’s favorite part? Climbing to the top of the main pyramid for sweeping views of the complex and the surrounding countryside.
You must book a guided tour to visit Cañada de la Virgen. Offering a glimpse into the region’s pre-Hispanic history, a local expert will share insights into Otomí beliefs, customs, and way of life. This is definitely worth a half‑day trip. Reserve your Cañada de la Virgen Tour with my trusted partner, GetYourGuide.
17. Day Trip to Guanajuato City
Guanajuato City makes for an easy, rewarding day trip from San Miguel de Allende, just over an hour away. While San Miguel glows in sunset tones, Guanajuato’s state capital is a rainbow of vibrant and pastel colors, creating a storybook backdrop. Book a guided Guanajuato Tour from San Miguel de Allende.
This youthful city is home to one of Mexico’s most respected public universities, the beautiful University of Guanajuato. Other famous attractions include El Callejón del Beso, the narrow “kissing alley” where balconies nearly touch, and the Teatro Juárez, a grand, ornate theater that anchors the lively center. My kids and I loved our day trip to this pretty city, but we recommend skipping the creepy Museo de las Momias, which displays naturally mummified bodies discovered in the city’s old cemetery.
18. Wine Tasting Near San Miguel de Allende
When picturing a Mexico vacation, wine tasting probably doesn’t immediately spring to mind. But the vineyards around San Miguel produce small‑batch reds, rosés, and blends that are surprisingly enjoyable, especially when paired with the lovely Central Mexico scenery.
There are several vineyards in the area, but one of the most polished options is Viñedo San Miguel. It’s known for its elegant tasting room just 15 minutes from San Miguel de Allende’s downtown. Leave the driving to someone else and book a Tour & Wine Tasting at Viñedo San Miguel with food pairings.
19. Dolores Hidalgo & Atotonilco Tour
Both Dolores Hidalgo and Atotonilco played key roles in the start of the Mexican War of Independence. They’re just over 17 miles (28 km) apart and are often visited together during a day tour from San Miguel de Allende. Book your Private Tour to Atotonilco and Dolores Hidalgo from San Miguel with Viator.
Atotonilco is a small, peaceful town best known for the Sanctuary of Atotonilco, often called the “Sistine Chapel of Mexico” for its dramatic Baroque frescoes.
Dolores Hidalgo is a Pueblo Mágico, a town in Mexico recognized by the government for having exceptional cultural, historical, or natural significance. This magic town is known for its deep revolutionary history and lively main square. The Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de los Dolores faces the Plaza Principal, marking the spot where the revolution began. It’s also famous for its creative ice cream flavors, with vendors in the square and local parlors selling unique options, such as blue cheese, sweet corn, avocado, and tequila, as well as more traditional flavors.
20. Spanish Language Schools
Turn your vacation in San Miguel de Allende into a learning experience by enrolling in Spanish language lessons. Adult, teen, and children’s Spanish classes are available at Centro Mexicano, also known as Josephina School. Individual and group Spanish lessons are available. Both my kids and I had a wonderful experience here with friendly, patient, and helpful instructors. Instituto Allende also offers Spanish lessons for adult learners of all levels.
Summer Camp for Kids
My children adored their summer camp experience at Centro Mexicano. After two hours of Spanish lessons, they spent a couple more hours on craft projects, like creating pineapple-shaped piñatas, painting animalitos, or making decorative throw pillows. (Seriously, the crafts they made here were way more impressive than anything my kids have ever brought home from camp in the U.S.!) Once per week, students embarked on a field trip, for instance, making pizzas at Mama Mia Restaurant or shopping at the Tianguis Market.
Where to Stay
Rosewood San Miguel de Allende
For a grand stay, Rosewood Hotel San Miguel de Allende delivers elegance, beautiful grounds, and an ideal location near Parque Juarez. Although certainly not cheap, compared to other Rosewood locations, you get a lot of luxury for your pesos here.
My family didn’t stay overnight, but we spent plenty of time enjoying the vibe and views at the hotel’s Luna Rooftop bar. Day and month passes for the pool and fitness center are available to non‑guests, and our one‑day pool pass ended up being one of our favorite memories of the trip.
Vacation Rentals
During both trips to San Miguel de Allende, we chose a vacation rental. This gave us extra space to relax, sleep well, and prepare simple meals. Staying in a home adds an authentic feel to a San Miguel vacation.
Safe and centrally located neighborhoods include Centro, Guadiana, and much of San Antonio. Find everything from budget-friendly apartments to palatial villas on search platforms. Explore San Miguel de Allende homes on VRBO and compare SMA rentals on Booking.com.
How to Get to San Miguel de Allende
Located in the center of Mexico, San Miguel de Allende isn’t the easiest place to reach. It’s about a 3.5-hour drive from Mexico City. First‑class bus service is available from the capital, and buses in Mexico are known for being especially comfortable.
The easiest option is to fly into León (BJX) or Querétaro (QRO). Although Querétaro is technically a little closer, both airports are about 90 minutes from San Miguel, and I’ve consistently found more U.S. flight options into León.
From either airport, you can take a taxi or Uber to San Miguel de Allende, or book a private car service for a smoother, more reliable ride. For safety and ease, it’s best to arrive before dark. The drive is mostly unlit, passing through quiet farmland and small towns along a two‑lane highway.
If you have a late arrival or early departure, hotels near the León airport are quite affordable, and many offer free airport shuttles. There are, however, no hotel options close to the Querétaro airport.
More Mexico Travel Resources
For a bigger city with an equally charming historic center, I adore Santiago de Querétaro, located about an hour away. Discover the best things to do in Querétaro in my easy-to-follow guide.
The Moon San Miguel de Allende was incredibly helpful when planning our visit.
Dig into my picks for the best restaurants in San Miguel de Allende.
Brush up on your Spanish before your trip and see why I recommend Rosetta Stone for families.
From the ruins at Chichén Itzá to the Caribbean Sea, explore fun things to do in Cancun with kids.
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A Note from Colleen: I paid full price for everything mentioned in this article. I will always let you know if I receive a media rate or comp. All opinions are mine, as always.
I first heard of SMDA when I read 1956 novel aimed at teen girls SENORITA OKAY, nickname of small town Ohio high school student who receives bequest from her art teacher to go study at Instituto Allende. Could be fun read before visit for girls who might then be curious to spot places described (using Google maps, may have found area where title character lives!) Comments below run on a bit, but could add to appreciation of Mexico & its intriguing culture.
Would you know otherwise that un-named nutritious low-cal vegetable “like a big potato…slice(d & eaten) raw with salt & lime juice” that protagonist Triss aka Patricia tries with her new friends at first lunch in SMDA is turnip-like “jicama” (pronounced hicama)? SENORITA OKAY includes other tips for travelers in Mexico that can still be useful.
Also recommended for adults (tho author’s acknowledgement thanks his little daughter for being “reminder that learning a language is child’s play”), entertaining & informative book BREAKING OUT OF BEGINNER’S SPANISH by Joseph Keenan, available both in print & as e-book. 20th Anniversary edition cites compelling reasons to learn a second language, especially Spanish, now ranked as having 2nd largest number of native speakers on the planet.
For Spanish learners, enjoyable way to practice comprehension is watching telenovelas streaming on demand in USA, such as 2021 dramedy PARIENTES A LA FUERZA (on NBC & Telemundo Youtube, Peacock, Spectrum) which is partly set in San Miguel de Allende (mostly 1st, 2nd & final episodes) about a Hollywood screenwriter suffering from writer’s block who was born in SMDA, but strayed from his Mexican roots & family values until he fulfills his mother’s last wish–and returns to fall in love with vibrant Mexican singer he takes back to LA to star in film he wrote with her as inspiration (literally meaning “to breath in”, which many characters do emphatically…and you might need to if reading aloud this long run-on sentence).
Lovely scene where she first sings “their” song “Para Siempre” (Forever is the perfect time to love you) takes place in El Jardin facing La Parroquia lit up at night like an enchanted fairy tale castle, reminding me of Disneyland (see more ties to Magic Kingdom below–it’s a small world after all). She suggests as title for his next film project “Para Bien or Para Mal”/For Better or for Worse, an echo of marriage vows.
100 episode series PARIENTES A LA FUERZA (Family by Force) purposely includes many idiomatic Spanish expressions & traditional sayings, proverbs or “dichos”–like phrase of title–often appearing in visual form, a way to expand beyond basic survival Spanish. Setting of Hollywood “dream factory” illustrates central theme of “Authenticity versus Appearance” with unpretentious, truthful heroine Carmen contrasting with fakery that writer is weary of in his previous personal & professional life.
Riff on his zombie flick tagline “el virus que consumio todo”: wearing drab clothing like “walking dead”, he moans studio has been sucking his blood for 20 years, that he’s been consumed by work (leading to estrangement from his nearest relatives), his manager complains executives have been “masticando” her jugular, also in vein of vampire metaphor. Don’t rely on bland English subtitles as often ignore clever imagery of Spanish dialogue. Gallery of his movie posters foreshadows future story developments.)
On topic of growing up multi-cultural, actor who portrays leading man was born in Brazil of US (non-Latin) parents who raised their 4 children all over Latin America, so he is fluently tri-lingual; his writer wife is Mexican (tho they met in Los Angeles), 2 of their kids also born in Mexico, family home is in LA, with working trips to Mexico & Miami studios.
Disney’s ENCANTO has references to his first major hit telenovela,1994 Colombian feminist story CAFE CON AROMA DE MUJER, involving all aspects of international coffee industry (writer later created UGLY BETTY). He also starred in Mexican LA MENTIRA & both classics are streaming on VIX both featuring characters who are poly lingual, language skills very useful in increasingly globally connected world.
Another, lesser-known Disney movie filmed around San Miguel de Allende is 1955 THE LITTLEST OUTLAW (see Wikipedia article with link to official site for purchase or rental). Mexican cast was bilingual so that film was shot twice with versions in Spanish & American English. I didn’t recognize many locations in movie, but may be before USA ex-pats & tourists helped turn sleepy town into South of the border extension of Disneyland’s carefully manicured Main Street.
More recent animated Disney films on DVD include option for Spanish soundtrack & subtitles, but don’t expect word for word translations. TARZAN–for which Phil Collins sang in multiple languages–features Mexican superstars Eduardo Palomo & singer Lucero (aka “La novia de America”/ American’s Sweetheart) voicing Tarzan & Jane.
Viewers might also play game of catching references to loads of movies–whose titles or catch phrases are often translated into Spanish in PARIENTES A LA FUERZA (May the force be with you)–with major link I didn’t realize until re-watching being THE WIZARD OF OZ: 3 male main characters have imaginative versions of quests by Dorothy’s 3 traveling companions (plus all that road imagery, among other clues); all find loving home and extended family by story’s eventually happy–at least for “los buenos”/good guys–ending.
Carmen is called “torbellino”/whirlwind, evoking famous film tornado or cyclone. PARIENTES dialogue & songs include other words related to air, breezes, spinning like pinwheel or windmill. Also many references to dogs (like Toto): Yuli affectionately calls Carmen “Tontota”/silly; latter’s nickname for cousin is “Roja”/Red as in ruby slippers, Nicknames are popular in Mexico, partly due to many people having same given names. Won’t go into all associations meant by Uncle Juancho’s roosters, but they do crow to announce when sun is rising, appropriate for Sun/star Carmen.
Even unobservant Spanish speakers may be oblivious to symbolism running throughout series, explained in English on the Penso and Parientes Blog. Scholarly book about TELENOVELAS (part of “The Ilan Stavens Library of Latino Civilization”) states on page 63 that genre did not develop from USA soap opera, but rather in pre-electric era when now-classic novels by Victor Hugo, Balzac & Dickens, etc. were read aloud in installments to male workers doing tedious work in Cuban cigar factories. So similar techniques used in study of literature should be applied to telenovelas.
Because of Castro, radio-novela writers left Cuba to work in other parts of Latin America, including prolific influential author CARIDAD BRAVO ADAMS, whose parents were Cuban actors, but moved to Mexico. Her beloved stories LA MENTIRA & CORAZON SALVAJE were made into various versions for film & TV based on her own novels, yet reflecting concerns of contemporary society.
One example of what may be overlooked in PALF is extended “stardom” metaphor: Future film Star Carmen is devotee of Patroness of Mexico, La Virgen de Guadelupe (also namesake of hero’s mother Lupita) aka Queen of Heaven,whose venerated image stands on crescent moon in middle of sunburst. Full name of city of Los Angeles is “El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de los Angeles”. Carmen is life-giving sun (which is astronomically a star) around which protagonist George revolves–he is Planet Earth which is mostly blue from water, his favorite color & element he’s often near (note cloud-like ceiling lamps in his Beverly Hills home).
Sight-seeing couple gaze at ocean by Santa Monica, while in background, beach-side roller-coaster (and world’s only solar-powered Ferris wheel) represent emotional ups & downs of story to come). George also shows her his star on Hollywood Walk of Fame in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. Rainbows are seen as multi-colored large sunshade umbrella in several locations, ribbons, and LGBT pride flag, Iridescent bubbles float in air, mode of transportation used by Glinda the Good in WIZARD OF OZ.
Clincher for importance of astronomy imagery–film studio name ORBIT Studios. Attempting to separate Carmen & George, a rival signs singer up for year-long world tour, time it takes for earth to circle the sun. Be alert for other references to going in circles, as when Andy’s spacey New Age friend asks if he has some “cycle” to close with his father; many bikes, globes, star-shapes. Also note coin-op space shuttle kiddie ride in shopping plaza by fountain. Lots of pizzas too!
Carmen calls her close cousin Yuli (who wears SUNflower print blouse) her shadow, corazon/heart, sister; I think her nickname “Chuli Julie”/Pretty Julie may refer to famous movie star name that’s spoiler). George’s duplicitous ex-wife is Earth’s pale moon who hides her dark side from planet she orbits. Their twin children Paz/Peace & Tomas (aka Tommy Cruz, sound-alike of actor Tom Cruise) seem link to astrological sign of Gemini.
BTW, California was named after mythical Amazon warrior queen Califia in novel read by conquistador Hernan Cortez & mentioned by Cervantes in his own novel DON QUIXOTE, whose title character & side-kick Sancho Panza also seem reflected in PARIENTES A LA FUERZA, as well as suit of armor seen in mansion of one character, which simultaneously seems allusion to Tin Man of OZ, paralyzed without his “oil can”, in need of a heart. The more you know, the more you will notice.
For further help on interpreting visual arts, see eye-opening book READING THE SILVER SCREEN by Thomas C. Foster, author of HOW TO READ LITERATURE LIKE A PROFESSOR.
Hope these hints may enrich the experiences of visitors to Mexico–and those who dream of living there.
Hi Debbie,
Thank you for the thoughtful and insightful tips for learning more about San Miguel de Allende and Mexico!