Puerto Vallarta, San Miguel de Allende rank among world’s 5 best small cities in Condé Nast Traveler readers’ poll

Readers of the highly regarded magazine Condé Nast Traveler have named two Mexican towns — Puerto Vallarta and San Miguel de Allende — as the second- and fourth-best small cities in the world. 

The port and resort city of Puerto Vallarta on the state of Jalisco’s Pacific coast finished a close second behind only Canada’s Victoria, which was voted No. 1 for the fourth year in a row. The historic colonial town of San Miguel de Allende, in the state of Guanajuato, was edged out for the No.3 spot by Florence, Italy.

Condé Nast Traveler is part of the Condé Nast media empire that includes such high-end magazines as The New Yorker and Vanity Fair. Nearly 800,000 of its famously discerning readers participated in its annual Readers’ Choice Awards, with the two Mexican destinations in the poll’s top 10, joining such favorite sites as Venice (No. 9), Porto (7) and Lucerne ( 5).

Why San Miguel is the world’s No. 4 small city

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of San Miguel de Allende has made Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards list seven years in a row, thanks to the city’s blend of colonial charm, modern amenities and cultural offerings

“A hub for expat artists, this highland city is known for its Spanish Colonial architecture and colorful façades,” the magazine said.

Condé Nast Traveler referred to the city’s vibrant art scene with attractions such as Fábrica La Aurora, a former textile factory that is now home to galleries and pop-up shops. It also mentioned the Rosewood San Miguel de Allende hotel, “a hidden oasis” in the middle of the city. 

Why Puerto Vallarta is the world’s No. 2 small city

Puerto Vallarta reinforced its position as the second-best small city in the world for a second consecutive year, despite a prevalent stereotype that Condé Nast debunked

“Puerto Vallarta is often associated with cruise ships, crowded beaches, and bars hosting rowdy groups of spring breakers — but there’s so much more to this Pacific coast getaway,” the magazine said.

Highlighting the Old Town’s charm and its “winding cobblestone streets lined with bougainvillea,” the magazine invited travelers to explore lesser-known spots like Ocean Grill, an open-air restaurant set in a rocky cove, and Yelapa, a secluded beach that can only be reached by boat.

6 Mexican destinations made the Best Beaches list  

The magazine also asked readers to name their favorite beaches, dividing the results by regions. For the Americas, Tulum was named second-best (behind only Hawaii’s Hanauma Bay), joining two other Quintana Roo beaches — Playa del Carmen (No. 11) and Playa de Akumal (13). 

Puerto Vallarta claimed the No. 15 spot to go with its second-best small city honor. The two other Mexican beaches selected were Playa Balandra, Baja California (5) and Playa del Amor, Marieta Islands (16).