San Miguel de Allende is the ‘Best Small City in the World’ According to Condé Nast Traveler’s 2020 Readers’ Choice Award: ‘The Heart of Mexico’ returns to RCA as one of only two Mexican destinations to be included in the World’s Best Cities as Ranked by Travelers
SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE, Mexico — Oct. 6, 2020 — San Miguel de Allende, located in the Mexican state of Guanajuato, returned to the annual Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards announced this morning. San Miguel de Allende came in at the top of the “Small Cities in the World” list as one of only two Mexican cities to make the list, the other being Mérida, Yucatán. San Miguel de Allende is also home to four of the top 15 “Best Hotels in Mexico” as ranked by readers: Rosewood San Miguel de Allende (No. 1), Hotel Matilda (No. 2), Hotel Casa Rosada (No. 5) and Dos Casas Hotel & Spa (No. 13).
“We are more than proud to return to the RCA list this year, and I am more than proud to thank the readers of Condé Nast Traveler for this honor that is, without doubt, a reflection of the welcoming nature of our residents and the hard work our tourism infrastructure does on a continuous basis,” said San Miguel de Allende’s Mayor, Luis Alberto Villarreal García. “Considering the current situation of the tourism industry, we are overjoyed with this recognition,” added Laura Torres Septién, President of the San Miguel de Allende Tourism Board. “We welcome any and all good news that gives a sense of normalcy.”
The UNESCO World Heritage city started its reopening process on July 15after a four-month closing of its entrances to non-residents. With more than 200,000 inhabitants, San Miguel de Allende has reported one of Mexico’s lowest numbers of cases of Covid-19, a result of strict health policies and its local “Heath First” certification, which was launched on May 25, and reinforced by certification with the WTTC “Safe Travels” stamp on July 2.
With local hotels already able to book up to 50 percent of available rooms and 37 non-stop flights per week arriving from the U.S. to Guanajuato’s international airport (BJX), which serves San Miguel de Allende, the city is now looking to regain its footing in the business and romance travel markets.
San Miguel de Allende first appeared on the CNTRCA in 2013. Most recently, it was recognized as the “Best Small City in the World” in 2017 and 2018. This year, more than 715,000 Condé Nast Traveler readers submitted an incredible number of responses rating their travel experiences across the globe.
“The results of this year’s survey, conducted at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, are a testament to the lasting power of a meaningful travel experience,” said Jesse Ashlock, U.S. Editor of Condé Nast Traveler. “The winners represent the best of the best for our audience and offer plenty of trip-planning inspiration for all the adventures we can’t wait to have next.”
The Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards are the longest-running and most prestigious recognition of excellence in the travel industry. The full list of winners can be found here.
The 2020 Readers’ Choice Awards are published on Condé Nast Traveler’s website at www.cntraveler.com/rca and celebrated in the November issue of Condé Nast Traveler U.S. and U.K. print editions.
