I visited this WHS in January 2022 and spent 3 days here. It is certainly one of the most famous colonial towns in Mexico and it attracts lots of expats and retirees from North America.

San Miguel de Allende's star attraction to me are the few remaining "corazon de manzana" gardens and groves behind the colourful facades of San Miguel de Allende. Most are part of boutique hotels and posadas or privately owned. They are comparable to Marrakesh's riads in a way, were you can relax and unwind though still being bang in the centre of town. Between the Jardin Allende and the main Gothic church, on the floor lies the UNESCO WHS inscription plaque in the form of a brass UNESCO certificate. The best views of town are from one of the long straight uphill streets leading to the panoramic Mirador de San Miguel de Allende and perhaps the most photographed street is Aldama street with the different cupolas and towers in the background.

Just a short drive out of town, lies the sleepy town of Atotonilco, which is worth visiting mostly for its lavishly painted sanctuary interior. For a few pesos more, the old lady selling religious items, will let you in the side chapel, nicknamed "the Sistine chapel of Mexico". I wouldn't go that far, but it still is certainly worth visiting and a worthy extension the San Miguel de Allende proper. Just in front of the sanctuary here, again on the floor, is another UNESCO WHS inscription plaque. The UNESCO symbol here is overused and can be seen on the litter bins, benches, lamp posts, etc.

Don't forget to visit the minor church or former royal hospital of San Juan de Dios while in San Miguel de Allende as it's part of the Camino Real WHS. Here too, a stone replica of the UNESCO WHS certificate can be found on the floor opposite the square, replacing the old black UNESCO WHS metal markers which have gone missing.