Best Museums In San Miguel De Allende, Mexico

Visit the best museums in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico! Learn about the city’s history, culture, architecture, and art scene.

Best Museums In San Miguel De Allende

We’ve loved our time in San Miguel de Allende. Thanks to house sitting, we’ve been able to explore this beautiful city multiple times. We’ve walked through neighborhoods, admired architecture, and eaten at some of the best restaurants in San Miguel de Allende. We’ve also been able to visit the city’s museums.

If you’ve been thinking about visiting this charming city, take this as a sign! Just take one of the many cheap flights to Querétaro, León, or Mexico City. Within a few hours you could be standing in what we consider to be the best museums in San Miguel de Allende.

Museo La Esquina del Juguete (Mexican Toy Museum)

If you love toys (who doesn’t?) you’ll be sure to love this museum. Museo La Esquina del Juguete has over 3,500 pieces in it’s collection. Collected over 57 years, these handmade toys display the creativity, craftsmanship, and materials of various regions throughout Mexico.

We couldn’t believe how detailed some of the toys were. Especially some of the miniature toys. There were even miniatures of miniatures! Some of our favorite pieces, though, were the dolls and Ferris wheels. There are both permanent and temporary exhibits spread throughout multiple floors. There is also a small gift shop.

Museo La Esquina del Juguete (Mexican Toy Museum)
Address: Núñez 40, Zona Centro, 37700 San Miguel de Allende, Gto.
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 10 AM to 5:30 PM, Sunday 11 AM to 4 PM, closed on Mondays.
Admission Cost: Adults are 50 Pesos ($2.50), children under 12 are 35 Pesos ($1.75).

The Mask Museum

One of the best museums in San Miguel de Allende is, without a doubt, the Mask Museum. This collection of over 650 Mexican masks has been lovingly and diligently put together by Bill LeVasseur. Bill has been fascinated by Mexican masks and masked dancing for decades. Over the years he has visited remote indigenous communities and has observed and documented many masked dances.

Bill and his wife Heidi are also the owners of Casa de la Cuesta, a beautiful Bed and Breakfast. The Mask Museum is adjacent to their B&B. Visits to the museum are by appointment, which we made ahead of time. When we arrived, we started in the B&B’s dining area. Bill introduced himself and told us about his collection. Then as a group we all walked over to the museum. From there we were told to wander and stay as long as we liked.

Next to the many masks were text and photos that explained what ceremonies or dances the masks were used for. All of the masks in the museum have been used in an indigenous performance. There were also videos of indigenous dancing. We stayed for quite a while and Bill came and checked on us a few times to answer any questions we had. We could tell how passionate he was about these incredible masks.

*Note: Photos and video are not allowed inside the museum. However, Bill gave us special permission.

The Mask Museum of San Miguel de Allende
Address: Cta. de San José 32, Azteca, 37700 San Miguel de Allende, Gto.
Hours: Visits are by appointment; you can email info@casadelacuesta.com or call +52 415 154 4324.
Admission Cost: Adults are 100 Pesos ($5).

Museo Histórico Casa de Allende

This museum was once the home of Ignacio Allende, one of the main instigators of the 1810 insurrection that started the Mexican War of Independence. Construction of the mansion began in 1764 by Ignacio’s father, Domingo Narciso de Allende. It became a museum in 1990.

The building has been restored and the history of the town is now displayed across the many rooms of the home. A special section is dedicated to the life and death of Ignacio Allende. Our favorite displays were where they recreated what the room was once used for. Overall, the Museo Histórico Casa de Allende is a beautiful building and a great place to learn about the history of the city.

Museo Histórico Casa de Allende
Address: Cuna de Allende 1, Zona Centro, 37700 San Miguel de Allende, Gto.
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM, closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Admission Cost: Adults are 60 Pesos ($3).

Museo Casa del Mayorazgo de la Canal

This is a very small museum, but since it’s free we think it’s worth checking out. The entrance is on Calle Canal through beautifully carved wooden doors. Museo Casa del Mayorazgo de la Canal was built in the 18th century. In 1981, the house was purchased by Banco Nacional de México (Banamex). After many years of restoration, it reopened its doors in 2010.

Now a cultural center, it houses temporary exhibits in a side gallery. During our visit there was a photo exhibit, but we weren’t allowed to take photos. There is also a video in Spanish explaining the history of the house. The open courtyard is very pretty.

Museo Casa del Mayorazgo de la Canal
Address: Conde de La Canal 4, Zona Centro, 37700 San Miguel de Allende, Gto.
Hours: Monday through Friday 9 AM to 6 PM, Saturdays and Sundays 10 AM to 6 PM.
Admission Cost: Free.

Centro Cultural Ignacio Ramírez “El Nigromante” – Bellas Artes

The Centro Cultural Ignacio Ramírez “El Nigromante” is one of the best museums in San Miguel de Allende. It is also affectionately known by locals as “Bellas Artes.” It is located in what was once a convent. Built between 1755-65, it has served many purposes over the centuries, including being an elementary school and housing cavalry regiments during the Revolution. It eventually became an art school.

Currently, there is a dance studio, ceramics studio, and space for temporary exhibits. During our visit, there was an art exhibit by Enrique Díaz. His pieces were of popular Mexican characters and how he imagined they’d respond to the Covid pandemic.

The building itself is a piece of art as well. There are murals throughout, done by early students of the school. One that caught our eye was called “El Fanatismo Del Pueblo” by Pedro Martínez. There is also an unfinished mural by Davíd Alfaro Siqueiros. Make sure to spend some time in the courtyard and stop into the bookstore.

Centro Cultural Ignacio Ramírez El Nigromante
Address: Calle del Dr Ignacio Hernandez Macias 75, Zona Centro, 37700 San Miguel de Allende, Gto.
Hours: Monday through Saturday 10 AM to 6 PM, Sunday 10 AM to 2 PM.
Admission Cost: Free.

Final Thoughts On The Best Museums In San Miguel De Allende

San Miguel de Allende has quickly become one of our favorite cities in Mexico. We’ve enjoyed getting to know more about the city’s history and what makes it so unique. We hope to continue our exploration of San Miguel de Allende and add more museums as we visit them.

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