Destination:
Days: 8On this winter holiday in Colonial Mexico, visit the country’s very own Santa’s Workshop, better known as Tlalpujahua, a Pueblo Magico famous for producing ornate Christmas baubles. Then, the magic continues with an exploration of Tzintzuntzan to create Christmas decorations.
After, a stay in San Miguel de Allende offers the chance to experience Mexico’s Christmas traditions by visiting an authentic posada, pastorela, and a life-size manger in the city center.
You will also explore some of Colonial Mexico’s beautiful cities and towns including Guanajuato, Dolores Hidalgo, and Atotonilco. If you don’t want the fun to stop, speak to a Journey Mexico Travel Planner who would be happy to add extra days to the itinerary (perhaps some winter sun in the Riviera Maya?).
HIGHLIGHTS
Christmas town, Tlalpujahua – Discover this gorgeous Pueblo Magico, known across the world for producing ornate Christmas baubles
Traditional posada – Witness this famous Mexican Christmas tradition in which a candlelit procession winds its way through the streets
San Miguel de Allende – Explore one of the most beautiful small cities on the planet, taking in its gorgeous architecture and marveling at its Christmas decorations
Guanajuato – Take a cultural tour through this stunning city taking in its architectural features and visiting the ornate Jaurez Theater
Day 1: Arrival in Mexico City
Welcome to Mexico! After being greeted at the airport, you will be privately transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure. Why not visit one of Mexico City’s world class restaurants such as Pujol or Contramar?
Alternatively, you could enjoy the delights of 50 Mils, the in-house bar at the Four Seasons, which was named one of the 50 Best Bars in the World in 2018.
Overnight: Four Seasons Mexico City
Day 2: Visit Mexico’s Santa’s Workshop, Tlalpujahua
Enjoy a private transfer to Tlalpujahua, a Pueblo Magico of cobblestone streets and gorgeous architecture, which is famous for its production of ornate Christmas baubles.
Admire the skills of the town’s artisans who create these beautiful pieces in front of you. Take the time to visit an interactive workshop to find out how the ornaments are made using a blown glass technique.
Overnight: Casa Grande Hotel Boutique
Day 3: Tour Tzintzuntzan, Patzcuaro, and artisanal villages
Today, visit archeological site Tzintzuntzan where an artist will help you to create magical Christmas crafts from wheat straw and corn husk.
Also, enjoy a guided exploration through the historic center of Patzcuaro and visit Santa Fe, a charming village known for producing clay items. Here, attend a local artisan workshop to learn about the ceramic and pottery process and to get your hands dirty and have a go at making a piece yourself.
Overnight: Casa Grande Hotel Boutique
Day 4: Head to San Miguel De Allende, take a city tour, watch a traditional posada
Today, under the tutelage of your expert guide, enjoy a special walking tour of the historic center of San Miguel de Allende, discovering the city’s Christmas highlights.
Stroll through the streets around El Jardin (the main square) and see the public celebrations including the Christmas Fair at the Plaza, the flower stalls, and Christmas trees.
In the evening, with your expert guide, enjoy a traditional posada, a candle-lit procession that winds its way through a different neighborhood each night. After, watch a pastorela, a lively reenactment of the shepherds on their journey to see baby Jesus.
*Schedules and specific events for these days are subject to change.
Overnight: Rosewood San Miguel Allende
Day 5: Visit Christmas exhibitions, Noche Buena (Dec 24th)
Today, enjoy a special time visiting some of San Miguel’s most iconic Christmas exhibitions. Stop at the famous Instituto Allende and City Library and observe the local people bustling around the colorful market as they prepare for Noche Buena, the most important Christmas celebration in Mexico.
Overnight: Rosewood San Miguel Allende
Day 6: Enjoy Christmas Day at leisure (Dec 25th)
Spend Christmas day relaxing at your hotel in the pool or the spa. If you’d like, speak to a Journey Mexico Travel Planner who would be happy to organize a special outing or book a beautiful dinner at one of San Miguel’s many excellent restaurants.
Overnight: Rosewood San Miguel Allende
Day 7: Tour Guanajuato (Dec 26th)
Enjoy a private city tour of Guanajuato, the colorful capital of the state with the same name. After descending on the city center in style — via cable car — enjoy a full-day exploration of this incredibly interesting destination.
Join your expert guide as they point out the city’s many historical gems and hidden treasures. See the Juarez Theater, built during the opulent era of Porfirio Diaz, and Alhondiga de Granaditas, site of the first rebel victory in the War of Independence. Finally, stroll along Callejon del Beso, a narrow alley with a romantic and tragic history.
Overnight: Rosewood San Miguel Allende
Day 8: Visit Dolores Hidalgo, a ceramic workshop, and Atotonilco (Dec 27th)
Today, discover the place in which the fight for Mexican independence was allegedly born, Dolores Hidalgo. Follow your guide on a fascinating trip through Mexico’s rich history and into its colorful present. Explore the streets, churches, and museums learning about the crucial moments that led to the country gaining independence from Spanish rule. Afterward, you may flaunt your creative skills in a ceramic painting workshop.
Next, you will be driven to Atotonilco, home to the Sanctuary of Jesus Nazareno de Atotonilco, a mural-filled church which has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Explore its Mexican baroque art work and find out why the sanctuary is dubbed the Sistine Chapel of Mexico. Upon completion, you will be driven back to your hotel in San Miguel de Allende for the rest of the evening at leisure.
Overnight: Rosewood San Miguel Allende
Day 9: Depart from Leon Guanajuato Airport
You will be met in your hotel lobby by your driver and transported to the Leon Guanajuato airport to board your flight home. If you’d like to book an extension to your vacation, speak to a Journey Mexico Travel Planner who will happily organize the details for you.
Dates
Our trips are fully customized, allowing us to build your itinerary for any time of the year.
Prices
Our custom-tailored journeys start from $1,000 USD per day for two travelers. Contact us today to discuss your travel desires and design a personalized proposal with exact pricing.
Please note, our pricing guideline is a starting from price and is not necessarily applicable to the suggested hotels contained within the suggested itineraries on this web site. Itineraries are customized prior to final pricing.
