The charming colonial town of San Miguel de Allende is every photographer’s dream. Offering the perfect environment that awakens all of our senses… incredible light, vibrant colors, sounds of the music of this fascinating culture, and the bustle of life in a community filled with creativity. Life—la viva—is celebrated each and every day!
Located in the historic, central highlands of Mexico, San Miguel de Allende offers a gracious environment for exploring the culture of this vibrant town. Travel + Leisure readers named it the #1 City in the World for 2024.
Join us for an unforgettable learning experience in the beautiful setting of San Miguel de Allende.
Getting to San Miguel
Once your San Miguel de Allende workshop has been confirmed, the Administration office will email additional information about your workshop, including an invoice and general information containing details about booking your travel.
It is very important to confirm your workshop status before making travel arrangements. Travel to and from Mexico is quite straightforward. You need a valid passport and an airline ticket—the rest should be easy. There are daily, direct flights from various U.S. cities into the international airports at León, Guanajuato (BJX) and Queretaro (QRO)—both about 1.5 hours away from San Miguel. You can also consider flying into Mexico City (MEX), approximately 4 hours away. We recommend that you book your airport shuttle to San Miguel de Allende with BajioGo Shuttle. You do not need to rent a car, as San Miguel is a city that is best experienced on foot. Should the workshop travel to locations further from campus, Santa Fe Workshops arranges transportation for the group.
Our San Miguel Campus
Our home is Hotel Posada de la Aldea, a charming hotel complex in the heart of San Miguel de Allende. Located just blocks from el Jardín, the central plaza, La Aldea offers comfortable, convenient hotel rooms, a restaurant, classrooms, and office space for our staff. Its extensive grounds, featuring beautiful gardens, fountains, a swimming pool, and secluded courtyards, provide a stimulating, private, and serene backdrop for photographing and enjoying the creative workshop process. The staff at La Aldea offers excellent customer service and attention to detail.
We highly suggest that you consider adding a day or two before (or after) your workshop. Past participants often comment that they would have loved some extra time in San Miguel to explore the town and the area further. Please also make note that San Miguel is located at an elevation of 6200 feet; it can take a day or two to adjust to the altitude if you are not used to it. If you would like to add extra nights at Hotel Posada de la Aldea, please let the Administration office know and we will arrange this for you (payment for extra nights will be collected with workshop balance).
Hotel Posada de la Aldea
Calle Ancha de San Antonio 15
San Miguel de Allende, GTO Mexico 37700
Website: hpa.hotellaaldea.mx
Accommodations
We encourage participants to stay on campus at Hotel Posada de la Aldea for ease of proximity to workshop activities and well-priced rooms.
For 2025, here are details on the accommodations offered for our programs:
Festival Week in San Miguel; September 25 –29 (week 1): Double accommodations (for couples or friends taking the workshop together) are $415 per person for 6 nights (approximately $70 per person, per night), Wednesday through Monday, or $830 per person, single accommodations for 6 nights (approximately $140 per night), Wednesday through Monday. Additional nights at the hotel can be arranged for participants; please discuss needs with the Administration Office in Santa Fe.
The Art of Abstract Photography: A Creative Retreat; October 6 – 10 (week 2): Double accommodations (for couples or friends taking the retreat together) are $415 per person for 6 nights (approximately $70 per person, per night), Sunday through Friday, or $830 per person, single accommodations for 6 nights (approximately $140 per night), Sunday through Friday. Additional nights at the hotel can be arranged for participants; please discuss needs with the Administration Office in Santa Fe.
October 13 – 24 (weeks 3 & 4): Double accommodations (for couples or friends taking a workshop together) are $415 per person for 6 nights (approximately $70 per person, per night), Sunday through Friday, or $830 per person, single accommodations for 6 nights (approximately $140 per night), Sunday through Friday. Additional nights at the hotel can be arranged for participants; please discuss needs with the Administration Office in Santa Fe.
Participants can also choose to book their own accommodations in town.
Meals
Our meals together in Mexico foster an important group sharing and networking experience; they also provide convenience and a variety of good food. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten/dairy free options are limited at the hotel.
For 2025, here are details on the meals offered for our programs:
Festival Week in San Miguel; September 25 –29 (week 1): Breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant is included Thursday through Tuesday. Lunches are served buffet style on campus Thursday through Monday. Also included is a final celebratory dinner at the end of the workshop week.
The Art of Abstract Photography: A Creative Retreat; October 6 – 10 (week 2): Breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant is included Monday through Saturday. Lunches are served buffet style on campus Monday through Friday. Also included is a small group dinner with an instructor and a final celebratory dinner at the end of the workshop week.
October 13 – 24 (weeks 3 & 4): Breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant is included Monday through Saturday. Lunches are served buffet style on campus Monday through Friday. Also included is a final celebratory dinner at the end of the workshop week.
Take a closer look at San Miguel
Watch our inspirational video Inside San Miguel to get a preview of the beautiful San Miguel de Allende, and the festive time of year Santa Fe Workshops spends in Mexico. Please join us for a season down in San Miguel!
