FAQs

Question

Is It Safe in San Miguel de Allende?

Answer

San Miguel de Allende has been named the best city in the world by various travel publications. And with its vibrant arts scene, live music every night of the week, traditional culture, gourmet food, almost always perfect climate, and Spanish colonial surroundings, it has been attracting tourists and expats for many decades. As with anywhere, there are certain isolated neighborhoods you don’t want to be wandering around late at night. But in the historic centro, the main tourist area, you can go freely between its plazas, restaurants, bars, shops, and more any time. Common sense stuff. Nate and Nicole have visited twice in the past year and have felt just as safe as they do in any other city but please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

Question

How does transportation work from the airport?

Answer

We suggest arranging your ride in advance. Our Airbnb's and hotels have offered to arrange us rides in the past or we have service recommendations on our "Travel & Stay" section on the website or other recommendations. We have also collected recommendations from our past visits if you would like to reach out to Nate and Nicole. You will provide your flight information so they can be waiting for your arrival. Once you land and go to exit the airport, your driver will typically be waiting for you in the lobby with a sign or your name typed on their phone to identify. They will take you to their car in the parking lot and drive you safely into the city. Our cars in the past have been a standard sedan vehicle. We understand your concern, and you can always reach out to Nate and Nicole with questions or message them along the drive. Taxis in San Miguel de Allende are generally safe and reliable. It is recommended to use authorized taxi services or marked taxis or Uber to ensure a secure transportation experience. We suggest reserving a private driver in advance as we have done this plenty of times and have had no issues.

Question

What will the weather be like?

Answer

November is the start of the dry season. Temperatures will range from a high of 78°F to a low of 50°F at night. It is described as pleasantly warm with a gentle breeze. San Miguel is in the desert, which means gorgeous days and cool nights. Chance of rain is low during November but it did happen to rain when we were there last year and had packed an appropriate rain jacket in case. We suggest bringing a jacket for the possibly cool mornings and evenings as well as comfortable walking shoes.

Question

What is the dress code?

Answer

The callejoneada and welcome cocktails will have a theme of "Tequila Sunset" - sunset colors encouraged. The dress code is dressy casual- comfortable yet tasteful in a dress, skirt, or long pants and stylish top or button-down. Comfortable shoes are recommended for the parade as the streets are cobblestone with uneven surfaces. The wedding will be cocktail attire. Fun colors & bold prints and textures are encouraged! San Miguel is known for it's colorful streets and culture, and we invite you to take that into consideration as you decide what to wear to feel your best. All events will take place outdoors, so please keep this in mind as you think about attire.

Question

Do I need pesos?

Answer

We typically take out a few thousand pesos (~$200 usd) prior to leaving through our bank or on arrival at the airport ATM. There is no need for large amounts of U.S. dollars or pesos in SMA as most restaurants, bars, and hotels will accept U.S. credit card. ATM machines are readily available throughout the city. Some smaller denominations of U.S. dollars and/or pesos are helpful for tipping, the artisanal markets (e.g., Mercado de Artesanías), and buying souvenirs, snacks, or water along the way. Please note whether your transportation will need to be paid in cash - usd or pesos.

Question

Do I need to know Spanish?

Answer

San Miguel De Allende is a tourist friendly place and there is a large population of Expats. Most people speak some English, or there is someone nearby that does. That being said, learning basic Spanish phrases is very helpful, and locals appreciate the effort!

Question

Is the water safe to drink?

Answer

When in doubt, drink bottled water. Most of the moderate to high-end hotels and rental homes/Airbnbs have water purification systems (as has been the case everywhere we've stayed), but check with management just in case. Note ice cubes made from purified water have a hole in the middle. While we never want to dissuade you from street tacos in any situation (the best street tacos open around 6:30/7 p.m.), crowds usually indicate a popular, vetted vendor.

Question

Do I need a passport?

Answer

Yes! Please make sure your passport is valid, or leave ample time to renew or get one. Passports generally take 6-8 weeks. You can also expedite the passport process for an additional fee. For more information, visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply.html Please note: You do not need a passport to book your flights, but you must have a valid passport at the time of check-in for your flights. So, if you're sure you're able to attend and want to book your flights (the earlier the better as prices tend to increase over time) you can do so without a passport.