Flying in
  If you're flying into Mexico, there are two easier ways to get to San Miguel de Allende. (There is no really easy way, maybe that's part of San Miguel's charm...)

  One, fly into Leon, Guanajuato (the airport is outside of the city, at Silao) and get a shuttle from the Leon airport into San Miguel de Allende. The shuttle takes about an hour and a half and costs US $28 per person, if there are two people or more on the shuttle. Here's the shuttle company we always use. They are very polite, totally reliable, and they give our guests a special rate.

http://www.viajessanmiguel.com/leon.htm

  The other alternative, which may be less expensive, airline ticket-wise, but is more time consuming and more of a hassle, is to fly into Mexico City. There is a first-class bus (it takes around 3 hours and costs around US $20.00 each way) that leaves just about every hour, directly from the Mexico City AIRPORT (so you don't have to mess around with Mexico city taxis and traffic and such), to Queretaro, where you can take an inexpensive bus to San Miguel (45 minutes to an hour). This is the least painful and least expensive way to get to SMA from Mexico City.

Miscellaneous Airline Information
  AeroMexico is generally the cheapest airline from the United States. (It is often cheaper to fly out of Tijuana, Mexico, if you happen to live nearby.) Tip: If you have any Delta frequent flyer miles, they usually work with AeroMexico.

  Allegro airlines has some very inexpensive fares from Oakland, Las Vegas and Tijuana to Leon and Mexico City.  http://www.allegroair.net/start.htm

Schedule Suggestions
  Try to avoid very late-arriving flights and very early outward-bound flights, as the roads from/to Mexico City and Leon are not terribly safe in the dark (not because of banditos, but because of rambling livestock, iffy narrow lanes, non-existent shoulders and a general lack of lighting). If you come in late, you might have to spend the night in Mexico City or Leon, which would be more complicated and expensive―but then, maybe you want to see the Mexico City lights and sights (and smog) or spend a morning shopping for shoes in Leon, Mexico's leather capital...

  If you come into the Leon airport very late, and decide to stay the night, consider staying in Guanajuato instead of Leon. Gto. is a really beautiful city, and it's the same distance as Leon from the airport. (About a US $20 cab ride.) Then, after paying the famous Gto. mummies a visit, catch an inexpensive hour-and-a-half bus to San Miguel the next day.

 As for a place to overnight in Guanajuato, There's Casa de Pita. We haven't seen it ourselves, but many former guests tell us it's a nice, inexpensive place with very friendly people--and it's very near the historic centro. http://www.casadepita.com

El autobus
  Within Mexico, the bus is often the best way to travel. First class is worth the extra cost, as it means fewer stops and faster trips, not to mention air conditioning, cushy chairs and sometimes a free coke and even a movie. Here are links to Mexico's two major bus lines:

 Primera Plus
http://primeraplus.com.mx/iata/

 ETN
http://etn.com.mx

 A more comprehensive listing of bus companies in Mexico by Yahoo.com

Getting to the Casita once in San Miguel
  The Casita is located in a small private walkway and rather hard to find, even for the local taxi drivers. A map with the exact address will be sent to you with your reservation confirmation. You will need to phone us 10 to 15 minutes before you plan to arrive.

If you're arriving in a Viajes San Miguel Shuttle from Leon, the driver should know to call us about 15 minutes before arriving. We will meet you at the Casita.

  So, it is important that you let us know, in advance, the when and how (bus, shuttle, car?) you plan to arrive in San Miguel de Allende, so that we can make a plan to meet.


FYI:   The sun is quite brutal at this altitude, and sunscreen is obscenely expensive here...so bring your own. And, although we are in the high desert, there's no shortage of water in which to frolic. Hotel pools and nearby hot springs make it very worthwhile to bring a bathing suit (and that sunscreen, of course), even in winter.

  If you have any more travel questions or concerns, or would just like to know about the weather and what to bring, please email us.