San Miguel de Allende is one of the most beautiful colonial cities of Mexico. Located in the high central plateau near the geographical center of Mexico, it lies three and a half hours north of Mexico City and two hours east of Leon, the two nearest international airports. It was established as a Spanish settlement in 1442, and has been designated a national monument of Mexico by the federal government. Cool and green in summer, and dry and moderate in winter (no freezes), the climate is near the ideal.

As its fame has grown in recent years its restaurants and accommodations have expanded in number and quality. The town has over fifty art galleries and many shops with fine local and imported crafts and furnishings. The Angela Peralta Theater presents musical and other fine art events several times a week, and live music is the norm in restaurants, bars and on the streets. Musical groups compete for clients each evening in the main square - the Jardin. The theater is host to a world-class chamber music festival in summer and a jazz festival in winter.