San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

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It’s Cinco de Mayo. Celebrating Mexico in a cultural capital

For Cinco de Mayo, we’re in San Miguel de Allende, a colonial-era city that’s ramping up for a special year. Located in eastern Guanajuato, Mexico, it was named the American Capital of Culture in 2019 in celebration of its cultural heritage. This city’s history makes it a perfect destination to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Spanish for ‘Fifth of May’, the holiday commemorates the Mexican Army's 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla. The victory was especially significant because the Mexican Army overcame France despite having a much smaller, less equipped force. Symbolically, it provided hope for the resistance, even after the French later took over Mexico City.