When we decided to spend 28 days in San Miguel de Allende, we were drawn by its vibrant culture, near-perfect weather, and mouth-watering cuisine. It’s a magical place, and it’s easy to see why expats from all over the world are flocking to live here. But with this appeal comes higher prices, and we ended up spending more than we initially expected—particularly on groceries. In total, our family of four spent $3,734.16 for the month, which breaks down to about $133.36 per day. Let’s see how our budget in San Miguel de Allende adds up!
Accommodation
Airbnb – $1,613.41
We stayed in a vacation rental about a 10-15 minute drive from El Centro, the heart of San Miguel. This home had everything we needed: a full kitchen, open-concept floor plan, three bedrooms, and even a washer and dryer. The highlight for us was the beautiful backyard, complete with a swing set where our youngest learned to swing on her own!
Hotels in San Miguel De Allende: Hotels in the center
| Hotel | Stars | Discount | Price before and discount | Select dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel Hacienda Monteverde San Miguel de Allende | ★★★ | -9% | 109 99 | View hotel |
| Dos Casas Hotel & Spa | ★★★★★ | -31% | 434 300 | View hotel |
| Villa Mirasol | ★★★ | -11% | 124 110 | View hotel |
| Hotel Origen | ★★★★ | -31% | 116 80 | View hotel |
| Hotel Casa San Miguel | ★★★ | -38% | 128 80 | View hotel |
| Casa 1810 Hotel Boutique | ★★★★★ | -39% | 544 332 | View hotel |
| Hotel Boutique Hacienda Guadalupe | ★★★★ | -16% | 265 223 | View hotel |
| Hotel Punto 79 | ★★★ | -12% | 102 89 | View hotel |
| Hotel Del Portal San Miguel de Allende | ★★★★ | -15% | 141 120 | View hotel |
| Hotel Ana Catalina and Suites | ★★★★ | -10% | 99 89 | View hotel |
| Hotel La Estación | ★★★ | -13% | 85 74 | View hotel |
| Hacienda El Santuario San Miguel de Allende | ★★★★ | -59% | 352 144 | View hotel |
| Casa de Sierra Nevada, A Belmond Hotel, San Miguel de Allende | ★★★★★ | -7% | 792 740 | View hotel |
| Casa Blanca San Miguel | ★★★★ | -23% | 102 79 | View hotel |
| Hotel Casa Morena | ★★★ | -13% | 89 77 | View hotel |
| Casa Schuck Boutique Hotel | ★★★ | -33% | 497 335 | View hotel |
| Real de Minas San Miguel de Allende | ★★★★★ | -38% | 165 102 | View hotel |
| Mansion San Miguel | ★★★★ | -42% | 262 152 | View hotel |
| Mirador del Frayle | ★★★ | -16% | 79 66 | View hotel |
| Casa Don Pascual Hotel Boutique Sweet Home | ★★★ | -14% | 250 214 | View hotel |
| Imperio De Angeles | ★★★★ | -22% | 78 61 | View hotel |
Eating Out – $139.24
We treated ourselves to a few meals out. Here’s where we spent:
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Brasimix: Delicious local tacos with an awesome salsa spread – $20.39
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Geek & Coffee: A kid-friendly spot we loved – $4.16
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Bastardos: A gastropub where one of us indulged in a drink. Our most expensive meal – $49.64
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Churros y Chocolate: Heavenly churros – $11.22
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Taco Tony’s: Street tacos during our Guanajuato day trip – $13.01
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Estacion Gelato: Sweet treat in Guanajuato – $13.58
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Concha: Two yummy pastries for $1.30
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Cafe 1910: Tasty breakfast burritos – $25.90
Groceries – $857.46
Most of our grocery shopping was done at La Comer, the most convenient option for us as we were outside the city. While it was pricier than shopping at local tiendas, it saved us time. We also checked out SANO, a co-op with organic options. Here’s the breakdown:
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La Comer – $745.51
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SANO – $53.83
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Bodega Aurora – $58.12
Transportation – $954.17
We rented a car, which came with some unexpected fees. Here’s how it all added up:
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Rental car: Initially booked cheaply, but with added fees, it totaled $841.30 or about $30.05 per day. Having the car gave us the freedom to explore, but we weren’t expecting this price.
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Parking: We paid $19.35 for parking in various locations.
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Gas: $93.52
Tourist Attractions – $134.22
We took the opportunity to explore San Miguel and surrounding areas:
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Jardín Botánico: A peaceful botanical garden – $8.39
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La Cañada de la Virgen: A guided tour with the renowned Albert Coffee – $70.34
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La Gruta Hot Springs: A relaxing experience – $46.81
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Funicular ride in Guanajuato: Stunning panoramic views – $8.68
Miscellaneous – $35.66
From children’s ibuprofen to art supplies for the kids, we spent $35.66 on miscellaneous items.
How Can We Improve?
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Cut down on grocery costs: While we needed to buy groceries, shopping at larger chains like La Comer was more expensive. We could have saved by shopping at local tiendas. Sticking to more affordable options would have helped bring our food costs down significantly.
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Walk or use public transportation more often: Renting a car gave us flexibility, but it wasn’t the most budget-friendly choice. Relying on Uber or public transportation could have saved us money. Next time, we might opt for more walking more or use public transport to explore the city.
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Plan for unexpected expenses: The rental car cost more than anticipated. Having a cushion in our budget for these surprises would have alleviated some stress.
San Miguel de Allende was an incredible experience, and though we spent more than we intended, it was worth every penny. Hopefully, with these insights, we can better plan our next trip—and help you do the same!
More on the Blog:
Check out La Parroquia, a must while in San Miguel de Allende.
Our favorite parks to take kids while in San Miguel de Allende.
The ultimate 1 week guide for San Miguel de Allende with kids.
