San Miguel de Allende

WHEN TO GO

With its temperate climate, San Miguel de Allende is popular year-round—especially with weekenders from nearby urban centers such as Mexico City. The city fills up with foreign tourists at Christmas, Easter, and during festivals in September. The Day of the Dead festival, another fantastic cultural spectacle, takes place in the beginning of November.

HOW TO GET THERE

The León-Guanajuato airport (BJX) and Queretaro airport (QRO) are about 90 minutes from San Miguel de Allende. Airlines such as Continental, American Airlines, and Aeroméxico serve both airports, with frequent flights from the U.S. in the high season (roughly Thanksgiving–Easter). A taxi ride from either airport to the city can be pricey (up to $90), but several local transportation companies run airport shuttles that are much cheaper. Viajes San Miguel and Bajio Go Shuttle make airport trips into town for around $30 per person.

GETTING AROUND

The easiest way to get around San Miguel—at least its city center—is on foot. This is also the best way to experience its historic character and beauty. Those looking to go farther afield will find taxis are available throughout the city, but especially around the Jardín Principal. Taxis charge a flat fee of 25 pesos ($1.90) for the first one and a half kilometers of your trip. If you have trouble locating a cab, ask locals for a sitio (taxi stand), and they'll be more than happy to point out one nearby. There are also buses to nearby villages and small towns; they leave from the small plaza near the main market.

TOURIST INFO

San Miguel de Allende Tourism Office
8 Plaza Principal
San Miguel de Allende
Mexico
Tel: 52 415 152 0900

San Miguel's Tourist Information Office, located inside city hall, facing the Jardín Principal, offers helpful advice to travelers and has a good selection of city travel guides and magazines. A kiosk in the Jardín has tons of info, newspapers, tourism magazines, and good maps.—Maribeth Mellin