Casa Eterea Guidebook: Activities, Food, Travel Tips
City/town information
If you were to paint a romanticised picture of a quaint Mexican town, then San Miguel de Allende is exactly what you'd imagine. Cemented in history as the first municipality declared independent of Spanish rule during the Mexican War of Independence in the early 19th century, this charming cobblestone city is nestled in the Bajio mountains of central Mexico. Its colourful facade and fairy tale-like church, Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel, made it a Unesco World Heritage Site and it most recently bagged Travel + Leisure magazine's top award for The World's Best City last year.
Part of its lore is that Beat Generation writers Neal Cassady and Jack Kerouac spent many drunken nights here in the 1960s. Cassady died tragically in the outskirts of the city, while Kerouac drew inspiration for his classic novel On The Road from his time here. It still attracts artists and writers and the small city has retained its bohemian and creative allure.
152 locals recommend
San Miguel de Allende
If you were to paint a romanticised picture of a quaint Mexican town, then San Miguel de Allende is exactly what you'd imagine. Cemented in history as the first municipality declared independent of Spanish rule during the Mexican War of Independence in the early 19th century, this charming cobblestone city is nestled in the Bajio mountains of central Mexico. Its colourful facade and fairy tale-like church, Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel, made it a Unesco World Heritage Site and it most recently bagged Travel + Leisure magazine's top award for The World's Best City last year.
Part of its lore is that Beat Generation writers Neal Cassady and Jack Kerouac spent many drunken nights here in the 1960s. Cassady died tragically in the outskirts of the city, while Kerouac drew inspiration for his classic novel On The Road from his time here. It still attracts artists and writers and the small city has retained its bohemian and creative allure.
Food scene
The MOST amazing view of the famed San Miguel church. Extremely romantic and classy atmosphere. Call to make reservations beforehand.
72 locals recommend
Atrio Restaurant
3 Cuna de AllendeThe MOST amazing view of the famed San Miguel church. Extremely romantic and classy atmosphere. Call to make reservations beforehand.
Atop the swanky Rosewood Hotel is Luna Bar. Go for drinks and sunset cocktails for one of the most beautiful views of San Miguel.
59 locals recommend
Luna Tapas Bar
11 Nemesio DiezAtop the swanky Rosewood Hotel is Luna Bar. Go for drinks and sunset cocktails for one of the most beautiful views of San Miguel.
Modern Mediterranean food - you can't go wrong with this place. Beautiful atmosphere.
9 locals recommend
Bocaciega
18A QuebradaModern Mediterranean food - you can't go wrong with this place. Beautiful atmosphere.
Chic, cosy and unpretentious. This gorgeous owner-run restaurant serves modern Mexican food.
12 locals recommend
Tostévere
4 CodoChic, cosy and unpretentious. This gorgeous owner-run restaurant serves modern Mexican food.
Do you love seafood? This place is INCREDIBLE.
My favourite dishes:
1) Tacos Baja
2) Shrimp Aguachile (verde)
3) Octopus Carpacio with papkrika
4) Tuna Tostadas
5) Peruvian Ceviche
6) Ginger margaritas
51 locals recommend
El Manantial
78 BarrancaDo you love seafood? This place is INCREDIBLE.
My favourite dishes:
1) Tacos Baja
2) Shrimp Aguachile (verde)
3) Octopus Carpacio with papkrika
4) Tuna Tostadas
5) Peruvian Ceviche
6) Ginger margaritas
Fantastic breakfast place, with great coffee. Our favourite dish is the "casuela".
102 locals recommend
Lavanda Café
48 Calle del Dr Ignacio Hernandez MaciasFantastic breakfast place, with great coffee. Our favourite dish is the "casuela".
Incredible breakfast place, with a view. Their grilled cheese sandwich is to die for.
20 locals recommend
Inside Cafe
66 InsurgentesIncredible breakfast place, with a view. Their grilled cheese sandwich is to die for.
The best Peruvian restaurant in San Miguel. Go for ceviche and Pisco Sour cocktails.
110 locals recommend
La Parada
94 RecreoThe best Peruvian restaurant in San Miguel. Go for ceviche and Pisco Sour cocktails.
La Mezcalería
47 CorreoSwedish Mexican fusion. We love it!
City advice
Getting around
Airport Transfers
San Miguel de Allende is easily accessed by 3 airports. Please note the corresponding travel times from these airports.
Querétaro Airport [QRO]: 1hr 10 mins
Leon Del Bajio Airport [BJX]: 1hr 45mins
Mexico City Airport [MEX]: 3hr 45mins
PRIVATE CAR SERVICE:
We put all our guests in touch with Efrain, who is an English-speaking, reliable and reasonably priced private driver. Please send us a message, so we can share his contact number.
Don't miss
Horseback Safaris
The most popular activity at Casa Eterea. Get picked up on horseback right outside the mirrored house, and embark on a 2-hour long journey through ravines and cliffs, taking in the beauty of the Los Picachos mountains.
The gentlemen who guide our guests, are our neighbours, and true Mexican cowboys who spend their days herding cattle. The horses are their own, and well loved and taken care of. They offer this experience to our guests as a personal favor to me. A truly authentic experience.
COST: 1400 pesos per person
*The cowboys earn the full cost of this experience.
**Pay cash on day
Don't miss
At-home Massages
We have the best masseuse in San Miguel come directly to the mirrored house to give incredible at-home massages.
Cost: 1500 - 2000 pesos per person
Timings: 60 - 90mins
Extra charge: 500 pesos (one-time fee) for the masseuse to travel to the mirrored house.
*Pay cash on day
Don't miss
Private Chef
Greta Ortega, the owner of one of the best restaurants in San Miguel, will prepare an exquisite 4-course meal for a truly unforgettable dining experience.
Dinner [food only]: 3000 pesos per person
Dinner [with wine pairings]: 4000 pesos per person
Guests usually book this service for proposals, anniversaries, and birthdays.
Don't miss
Casa Eterea Food Delivery
We have a partnership with MiVida, one of the best restaurants in San Miguel, to provide a food delivery to Casa Eterea. Menu can be found within the home.
*Pay cash on day
Don't miss
Photoshoots/ Proposals at Casa Eterea
PHOTOGRAPHERS:
Please contact us if you'd like to hire a photographer during your stay. We have the contact of some fantastic photographers.
PROPOSALS:
We have the contact of someone who can help organise an unforgettable marriage proposal at the mirrored house. Private message us for the contact.
Don't miss
ATV Tours
For those seeking a little adrenaline and adventure, we recommend going on an ATV Tour. This tour does not happen in the direct vicinity of the house, but instead in the greater San Miguel region.
Cost: 1400 - 3000 pesos per person
Don't miss
Guided Hikes
Our house manger Oscar will take you on a guided hike through the gorgeous Los Picachos mountain range. This hike does not require any technical skill - but you will encounter beautiful topography such as riverbeds and steep cliff-sides.
This hike accesses areas that horses are unable to go, and therefore it is a different view from the horseback safaris on the mountain.
Cost: 900 pesos (total cost)
What to pack
Temperature
San Miguel is a mountainous region but has a desert climate. This means strong sun in the days, and cold temperatures at night. In the summer, it experiences rainfall for 3 months of the year. In the winter, while the days are extremely sunny, the nights can be very cold. Please pack a good jacket.