2. San Miguel de Allende • Mexico
The cost of living in San Miguel de Allende is a bit lower than many of Mexico’s coastal towns and summer is the off season so there are plenty of hotel bargains (a room with a private bath as low as $32) to be found. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located in central Mexico’s Bajío Mountains, known for beautiful colonial and Mexican Baroque architecture as well as amazing year-round 70º weather. This lovely city is also known as the place to visit if you’re in need of serious relaxation. You can stroll through cobblestone streets soaking up the history, check out the central plaza, El Jardin, or enjoy a leisurely meal at one of the many rooftop eateries. Odds are there will be a festival going on too. And you must make time to visit at least one of the three hot springs (La Taboada, La Gruta, and Escondido) just outside of the city.
