* * * COVID-19 NOTE * * *
Dear Friends and Family:
As you all know the situation with the COVID-19 (coronavirus) Pandemic is still unfolding and has impacted all our lives.
Although our wedding planning began some time ago and our celebration is still several months out, we are continuously monitoring the situation and will immediately inform you if any changes are necessary regarding our wedding details. Our hope is that social distancing and international travel restrictions will be lifted well in advance of our wedding date.
All events planned for our wedding will take place outdoors to alleviate concerns that some of you may have.
We are looking forward to the pandemic’s quick passing and wishing you all health and safety.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
san miguel de allende
It’s wonderful!
The moment we first set foot in San Miguel de Allende 4 years ago we fell in love with the magic of this beautiful city and we hope and expect you'll feel the same!
Voted "Best City in the World" by Travel + Leisure, including this year, this UNESCO World Heritage city has been attracting writers, artists, well-heeled retirees and expats for decades. With its cobblestone streets, colorful colonial facades, fuchsia bougainvillea and intricate wooden doors, it’s no surprise Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler both named San Miguel the #1 city in the world. An enchanting oasis of restaurants, hot springs, quaint shops, art galleries and organic restaurants, it is impossible not to fall in love with the people, culture, and history of this picturesque city.
Most everything in the city is walkable, however the cobble stone streets require good walking shoes. Taxis are readily available and can be arranged by your house or hotel staff. Renting a car is not necessary.
November brings warm days and chilly nights. The days will be mid-70s (24°C) and sunny, while the nights can get down to the 50s (12°C).
The city sits at an elevation of 6,235 feet (1,900 meters) above sea level. As such, the days are mostly temperate, not humid, and the nights cool or chilly at times. Mosquitoes are not common as they are at lower elevations.
Many places take credit cards but we recommend carrying pesos with you always, you will encounter cash only places or street vendors that will only accept pesos.
Although English is readily heard and spoken throughout the city center, using any Spanish you can muster is helpful, as the people are very friendly and willing to try to understand you.
TRANSPORTATION
FLIGHTS
QRO AIRPORT
Querétaro (QRO) is the closest airport and is about a 1 hour taxi or shuttle ride from San Miguel de Allende.
Once you arrive a QRO there is a taxi kiosk with the prices listed in pesos.
BJX AIRPORT
Guanajuato/Del Bajío International (BJX) is another great option just outside of Guanajuato and Leon, about 1.5 hours away from San Miguel by taxi or shuttle.
This may be the preferred option from the San Francisco Bay area as some direct flights are available.
MEX AIRPORT
Mexico City / Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) is 3.5 hours away by car, shuttle, or bus.
Although it is is the farthest of the 3 airports from San Miguel, it is very accessible and inexpensive as nonstop flights are available from most major U.S. cities and Europe. There are also inexpensive connection options to either QRO or BJX.
If you decide to connect, be sure to give yourself enough time to go through customs.
TRANSPORT TO/FROM THE AIRPORT
From the QRO or BJX airports, we recommend you take a pre-arranged taxi or shuttle to San Miguel. Arrangements can often be made through your hotel.
From MEX airport we recommend a pre-arranged shuttle or first class bus. Due to the drive from BJX or MEX we recommend all arrivals and departures during the daytime if possible.
Additionally, shuttle services can be arranged with the local companies listed below:
BajioGo
USA 1 (202) 609-9905 Mexico +52 (415) 152-1999
Jesús 11, Centro, San Miguel de Allende Guanajuato, México 37700
Shared shuttle service pairs you up with other passengers who are arriving or departing at the same time as you.
Shared shuttles service from León (BJX), Querétaro (QRO) and Mexico City (MEX) airports 24 hours a day. Shared shuttles have no minimum of passengers and have a maximum of three pick-ups on outgoing trips and will only wait for other passengers arriving at the same or similar time as you on incoming trips.
San Miguel turistic
Mexico +52 415 153 1539
Calle Umaran 20B, San Miguel de Allende, Gto., Mexico
San Miguel Turistic has more than 20 years servicing travelers. A local San Miguel business, it services all 3 airports mentioned above, as well as sightseeing tours.
FIRST CLASS BUSES TO/FROM MEXICO CITY
ETN or Primera Plus are the 2 first-class bus companies servicing Mexico City (CDMX) and San Miguel.
Travel time is about 3.5hrs. The buses are very comfortable, with toilets, personal screens, and snacks provided. They are either direct or have one layover at Queretaro Bus Terminal. There are 2 ways to travel from MEX airport to San Miguel via the bus system:
Option 1
Taxi from MEX airport to Mexico Nortel Bus Terminal (Terminal Central de Autobuses del Norte).
Purchase bus ticket to San Miguel de Allende via ETN or Primera Plus (may or may not layover at Queretaro).
Arrive at San Miguel de Allende bus terminal and take taxi to final destination.
Option 2
From MEX Airport take first class Primera Plus bus to Queretaro.
Arrive at Queretaro and purchase ticket to San Miguel de Allende via ETN or Primera Plus.
Arrive at San Miguel de Allende bus terminal and take taxi to final destination.
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This website is helpful and provides step-by-step information on the 2 options listed above.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Stay in a cool place!
There is no shortage of beautiful and unique places to stay in San Miguel de Allende.
A matter of personal preference but we highly encourage those in larger groups to stay in one of the many historic homes/villas in the city, many of which come with house staff to make your stay more comfortable.
For those traveling with less people or if you prefer more seclusion, you can find many a beautiful boutique hotel in the center of town. No matter where you make arrangements, we recommend you stay in or near the City Center. Doing so will place you near all the events and eliminate the need for numerous taxis rides, as the entire center is walkable.
READ: Don't wait until the last minute!
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PRIVATE HOMES / VILLAS
Can be found using the following services:
AIRBNB
Premier San Miguel
HOTELS
Too many to list however here are a few outstanding locations for every budget:
The Rosewood
~$450/night
Casa 1810
~$300/night
Villas Santa Monica
~$180/night
Hotel Casaliza
~$80/night
Live Aqua Resort Hotel
~$375/night
Belmond Casa Sierra Nevada
~$420/night
Hotel Casaluna
~$80/night
Casa Rosada
~$180/night
NOTE: We do not currently have a hotel block so please take advantage of such services as hotels.com where you can find better rates than at the hotel's website!
EXTENDED VACATION
For many of you, this may be your first or second time in Mexico. If so, we highly encourage you to take advantage to extend your trip and explore other parts of the country. Mexico is a large and diverse nation, and it may surprise you how much the cuisine, landscape, and people vary throughout.
Below are a few itineraries for those who wish to extend their stay to 7 days, 10 days or 2 weeks.
7-DAY
Explore Guanajuato State
San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Dolores Hidalgo, Atotonilco
Explore the Capital
Mexico City - Teotihuacán, San Miguel de Allende, Querétaro
Go West
San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Guadalajara - Tlaquepaque
10-DAY
Explore Jalisco – Tequila Style
San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Lagos de Moreno, Guadalajara - Tlaquepaque, Tequila
Explore Colonial Mexico
San Miguel de Allende, Queretaro, Mexico City, Cuernavaca, Puebla
Tropical Escape – West
San Miguel de Allende, Puerto Vallarta, Punta Mita, Sayulita
Tropical Escape – East
San Miguel de Allende, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum
15-DAY
western & central mexico
Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara - Tlaquepaque, Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico City - Teotihuacán, Puebla, Oaxaca
central mexico & the yucatan
San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico City - Teotihuacán, Cancun, Mérida, Chichen Itza, Valladolid, Tulum, Playa del Carmen
central mexico, oaxaca, & chiapas
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico City - Teotihuacán, Oaxaca - Monte Albán, Puerto Escondido, San Cristobal de la Casas, Palenque
* * *
Those wishing to stick to smaller and more off-the-beaten path towns might want to visit one of the many MAGICAL TOWNS of Mexico. These towns have been singled out due to their unique setting, architecture, or cultural heritage.
You can find a list of these towns here:
NOTE: San Miguel de Allende was one of the first towns on this list but was subsequently removed (elevated) due to its inclusion into the UNESCO World Heritage program.