Travel And Leisure Crowns This Safe, Vibrant City As Mexico’s Best Destination

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Travel and Leisure just revealed their annual World's Best Awards with some big surprises across the board, ranging from luxury train rides to paradise islands to vibrant Mexican cities.

We'll focus on the latter as Mexico is one of the most popular summertime getaways and doesn't always have to be the same o', same o' experience of swim-up bars and endless buffets.

We at Travel Off Path have ticked off just about every Mexican getaway from Tijuana to Chetumal, but we have to agree with T & L's voters that one stunning city is more than worthy of receiving the blue ribbon.

A popular expat haven and one of Mexico's safest places to visit, it's no surprise the timeless city of San Miguel de Allende has been crowned the country's top destination.

A Dual Winner (With Good Reason!)

If you're one of those old-school travelers who still receive magazines in the mail like me, then chances are you may not be surprised to see San Miguel de Allende as a top pick.

San Miguel (to save a mouthful) was also crowned as Mexico's best destination last year by Condè Nast for the fifth straight year, so either this city is really awesome or T & L readers all cheated on their homework growing up.

We're sticking with it, it's really awesome (but I did cheat! Sorry, Ms. Slider!).

So, with such a historic city where not a whole lot has changed in centuries, why is it receiving such prestigious acclaim?

Explore Freely: San Miguel Is One Of Mexico's Safest Cities

If you've done any research on where to vacation in Mexico without feeling like your head is on a swivel, chances are you've come across San Miguel on a top 5 list behind Merida.

While most travelers south of the border play it safe anyway by parking their butt at an all-inclusive swim-up bar, San Miguel gives you the chance to tap into your sense of adventure and appreciation of history, where you can freely explore the maze of cobbled roads throughout this time capsule townscape.

Safety can be a fickle topic, but rarely will you ever hear of any nightmares coming out of San Miguel — even if you're an untz-untz traveler looking to fistpump your way 'til dawn.

Authorities do a phenomenal job keeping one of Mexico's most sightly cities impeccably safe, keeping violence to a minimum, and even petty crime is uncommon among its 174,000 residents.

Vibrant Markets & Immersive Activities

A simple stroll through San Miguel's colorful facade-laden streets feels like a living museum, but for a sense of the heartbeat of the city, you gotta hit up the markets.

Most popular is Mercado Ignacio Ramírez, where you can score some of San Miguel's best fresh eats from oversized tamales, sugar-overload churros, and a variety of savory tacos.

Though if you're more of the artsy type, Mercado de Artesanías is your go-to for handcrafted keepsakes beyond the usual useless trinkets.

Art lovers can also partake in mojigangas-making, a colorful papier-mâché puppet traditionally found here for festivals and other celebrations.

But if you are a foodie, San Miguel will not disappoint. In fact, the city is renowned for its own take on barbecue. Lamb tacos, anyone?

One of visitors' favorite activities is actually cooking lessons. Check out Marilau's ancestral techniques and you'll never settle for Taco Bell back home again.

Forget Name-Brand! Stay At A Magical Boutique Hotel

San Miguel may have grown in popularity, losing its “hidden gem” status, but you've surely come to realize the city still feels authentic, even with notable tourists in a crowd of faces.

Most tourists opt to stay as close as possible to the city center, anchored by the unmissable Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel.

You'll find very few name-brand hotels here, which is all part of the allure that attracts travelers away from say, Cancun or even Mexico City, in favor of colonial charm.

According to TripAdvisor, these are San Miguel's top 5 boutique hotels for an authentic stay:

1. Casa 1810 Centro Hotel Boutique
2. Casa Schuck Boutique Hotel
3. Casa 1810 Parque Hotel Boutique
4. Casa Hoyos – Hotel Boutique
5. Casa de Sierra Nevada, A Belmond Hotel, San Miguel de Allende

Travel Tip: You can choose between Querétaro Intercontinental Airport (QRO) and Bajío International Airport (BJX) as your gateway. For my advice on navigating BJX safely, click here.