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Pros & Cons of Visiting San Miguel
Pros: Sunny Weather (warm in the winter, cool in the summer), Low Humidity, Ancient Architecture, Art Galleries , UNESCO Heritage Site, Friendly People (Mexicans and Expatriates and fellow visitors), 200+ Restaurants, Easy to get around, Dry climate Oct-May, Active US consulate, Spanish schools, Excellent services
Cons: High Altitude effect on heart conditions, Difficult walking for handicapped, You may fall in love with San Miguel and want to move here for the weather and grand life.
Travel + Leisure's 2010 World's Best Awards
San Miguel de Allende, Voted Best City in Mexico/Latin America & 4th Best City in the World
Condé Nast Traveler 2010 Reader´s Choice
San Miguel de Allende, Voted 5th Best City in the Americas
San Miguel de Allende, Voted Best City in Mexico/Latin America & 4th Best City in the World
Condé Nast Traveler 2010 Reader´s Choice
San Miguel de Allende, Voted 5th Best City in the Americas
VOGUE
An Unbiased Backgrounder for Visitors
Click on en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Miguel_de_Allende for:
Setting your Objectives
Three dozen to choose!!! Fun, Culture, History, Art Galleries, Shopping, Spanish study, Art Instruction, Fiestas, Religious Holidays, Music (Jazz or Classical), Meeting people, Researching living in SMA, Restaurants, Golf, Horseback riding, Pre-Colombian ruins, Visiting other towns in Mexico, Spas, Theatre, Arts and Crafts, Dancing, Monarch Butterfly tours, Writing workshops, Cosmetic Surgery, Cinema festivals, Museums, Walking tours, Charco (Botanical Gardens), Sightseeing, House & Garden Tour, Therapies, Pilates, Beauty Salons, House hunting, Buying art, Photography, Dentistry, Assisted Living.
Scheduling your visit
Plan for weather you like. For current weather see weather.com/weather/today/San+Miguel+de+Allende+Mexico+MXGO0501
For San Miguel’s weather history see weather.com/outlook/travel/businesstraveler/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/MXGO0501
Plan for fiestas and Festivals by clicking on sanmiguelguide.com/fiestas.htm
Planning Your Visit
The more time you invest in researching and planning for your trip to San Miguel, the greater will be your reward. We have listed dozens of sources of information to make your trip the best vacation you have ever had. We have divided these sources into print publications, websites, multimedia productions, and maps.
· Review 11 periodicals (weeklies, monthlies, quarterlies).
· There are 22 books for you to read about San Miguel.
· There are two print directories with white and yellow pages.
· There are more than a dozen websites that are locally produced.
· There is a growing list of national and international websites that devote a section to San Miguel de Allende.
· If you want a colorful dvd that shows off San Miguel, order one of these 4 multimedia productions.
· If you want to get a feel for the layout of San Miguel, then printed maps and website maps are for you.
Traveling to San Miguel
There is no regularly scheduled flight to San Miguel. You must land in Leon Guanajuato, about 1 hour away by car, or Queretaro, about 1 ½ hours away. Airlines include Continental, Delta, American, AeroMexico. For all methods, see wikitravel.org/en/San_Miguel_de_Allende.
Where to Stay in San Miguel
HOTELS & B&Bs: There are more than a hundred hotels and B&Bs in San Miguel with price and amenities for every taste. See Hotels and B&Bs in San Miguel for name, location, # rooms, price range, email, website etc.
HOUSE RENTALS: If you plan to spend a week or more, consider a house rental from one of 10 specialized agencies. For contact information see House Rental Agencies in San Miguel. Some real estate brokers also list house rentals, see Realtors Offering House Rentals in San Miguel.
CONCIERGE? If you need help on where to stay in San Miguel, contact our >>>Access Concierge Service for a no fee advisory session, email us your question and tell us the date and time we may call you to help or call us at (415) 462 6399 Vonage (US phone).
Where to Dine in San Miguel
Gastronomy in SMA: There are more than 200 Restaurants in San Miguel, so you won’t go hungry. For a complete menu of SMA dining places, see Restaurants in San Miguel and you can search by 32 cuisines, 3 price ranges, 31 neighborhoods and more.
Where is the Action after Dark in San Miguel
FUN is a key cultural pursuit in San Miguel and there are more than 40 Bars and Nightclubs in San Miguel for a good time after dark.
Where to Pray, confess, and meet your new friend(s)
There are over two dozen Churches in San Miguel (and other religious or spiritual organizations) for you to attend in SMA.
Communications to and in San Miguel
Telephone. Your hotel or B&B will have local phones.
Mobile phones. If your US phone doesn’t work you can buy an inexpensive cell phone and buy time for your calls.
Calling Home. Most hotels have free or inexpensive Vonage or similar calling privileges.
Calls from Home. Calls to San Miguel from the US are 011-52-415-xxx-xxxx.
Getting Around
Walking. This is the best way to get around. Sidewalks are narrow. Many streets are cobblestones.
Buses are available to all parts of San Miguel and nearby towns.
Taxis are available and safe. In town, the fixed cost of a short ride is 25 pesos (about $2 usd). Tips are not expected.
Limos. There are several limo services for rides to airports or Mexico City or for tours.
Shuttles. There are several shuttles available.
In Town Itineraries
There is plenty to do in San Miguel, most in walking distance from your hotel or B&B.
Out of Town Itineraries
Check out Places to Visit for surrounding sites.
Health Issues (066 for emergencies)
Having a health emergency? Need plastic surgery? Contact one of the many doctors listed at accesssanmiguel.com/category-doctors.html or call 066 for Red Cross (Cruz Roja) or Hospital de la Fe 152 2233, 152 2320, 152 2329 hospitaldelafe.com.
Security and Safety in San Miguel (066 for emergencies)
San Miguel is known as a very safe city. Crime statistics are published weekly in Atencion.
Lost your passport, so you need to contact Ed Clancy the US consul in San Miguel? Need to call the US embassy? Need to call the police? Need to call the local hospital? See Emergency Numbers.
Money and Costs of Visiting San Miguel
Most hotels and restaurants take credit cards, but some don’t like to pay American Express card fees, so some may limit cards to Visa, Master Card, and Discover. Not all stores take cards, so arm yourself with cash for shopping sprees. You may find that smaller stores can’t change big bills, so carry smaller denominations for convenience.
If you need cash
San Miguel can be quite reasonable as a tourist destination. There are hotels, restaurants and shops for every pocketbook.
HAVE FUN IN SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE!!!!