San Miguel de Allende, jewel of the Mexican Bajío, was once again recognized by the prestigious Condé Nast Traveler Reader's Choice Awards 2025 as the fifth best small city in the world, consolidating its international reputation as a first-class cultural and tourist destination.
This award, which celebrates excellence in destinations around the world as judged directly by readers, recognizes the charm, history and unique identity that San Miguel de Allende offers its visitors.
Located just four hours northwest of Mexico City, San Miguel de Allende has become a meeting point for expatriate artists and local creators, offering a multicultural environment that combines tradition and modernity. Its Spanish colonial architecture, colorful facades and cobblestone streets transport visitors to another era, while contemporary life is reflected in its galleries, stores and cultural spaces that allow visitors to enjoy local and international art.
In this edition of the awards, the Belmond Casa de Sierra Nevada hotel also received important recognition, being distinguished as the 13th best hotel in the world, reaffirming its leadership in hospitality, luxury and exceptional service, and consolidating San Miguel de Allende as a world-class destination.
The gastronomic experience is also part of San Miguel de Allende's proposal. Restaurants offer exceptional culinary experiences, highlighting the fresh and authentic flavors of the region, reinforcing the international projection of the destination.
This recognition from the Condé Nast Traveler Reader's Choice Awards 2025, along with the distinction given to the Belmond Casa de Sierra Nevada hotel, reflects the joint efforts of the tourism, cultural and hotel sectors of San Miguel de Allende, boosting its international visibility and consolidating its position as a benchmark for cultural and luxury tourism in Mexico.
The criteria taken into account in the readers' votes were:
Quality of service: Friendliness, professionalism and attention of the staff in hotels, restaurants and destinations. Infrastructure and amenities: Facilities, rooms, accessibility, safety and comfort in accommodations and transportation. Visitor experience: The overall perception of the trip, from arrival to departure, including cultural, recreational and gastronomic experiences.
Authenticity and local culture: The destination's ability to reflect its identity, traditions, heritage and cultural richness. Value for money: Visitors' satisfaction with what they paid for services and experiences. Tourist attraction and available activities: Diversity and quality of activities, tours, gastronomy and entertainment. Innovation and sustainability: Some readers value environmentally responsible practices, sustainable tourism and innovative experiences.
The participation of travelers from around the world as voters confirms the relevance and preference of the destination at the international level, boosting its global visibility and consolidating its position as a benchmark for cultural and luxury tourism in Mexico, as well as a window to project the identity and cultural richness of Guanajuato to the world.
