Travel & Accomodation
How to Get to San Miguel de Allende
The closest domestic airport from San Miguel is in Leon, Guanajuato (BJX). The closest international airport will be Mexico City (MEX). From either airport you can rent a car and drive to SMA; 2 hour drive from Leon, 5 hour drive from Mexico City. You also have the option of taking a bus that takes you directly to San Miguel de Allende town square.
How to get there, common flights, rental car info. We are working on this page to get you the best deals out there. Hang tight!
Flying
Guanajuato International Airport:
This the main airport for the state of Guanajuato and serves as the regional airport for the cities of the Bajío region, including León, Guanajuato, Celaya, San Miguel de Allende, and Dolores Hidalgo, among others.
BJX Airport has multiple daily flights to/from the following destinations in Mexico: Mexico City; Monterrey; Ciudad Juárez; Puerto Vallarta; Cancún; Tijuana; and Guadalajara. BJX Airport’s international flights include Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth; Houston; Chicago; and Los Angeles.
Airlines serving BJX include Volaris, American Airlines, Continental, ExpressJet, Aviacsa, Mexicana, MagniCharter, Aero California, and Aeromexico.
General information about León Airport, GTO, the “Guanajuato International Airport”:
– It has several car rental agencies.
– Address: Km. 5.5 Silao – León Highway, Nuevo México, Zip Code 36270, Silao, Guanajuato
– Phone: +52 (472) 748 21 20
I have found tickets as low as $100 way and back from Tijuana airport to Leon Guanajuato Airport. Keep in mind this is with no carry-on and no checked in bag, just a personal item (purse or backpack). What I usually do is I buy a “Premium” ticket which includes both a carry-on and a checked bag, and the rest of my ‘crew’ gets economy. Then we all share those two luggage.
Here is a link to their website, but make sure to go in an incognito tab or they will hike up the prices:
Once you arrive in Guanajuato you will either need to take a bus or rent a car and drive around 2 hours to get to San Miguel de Allende.
*Note: As of 03/13/2024 I found a roundabout flight with a layover in Puerto Vallarta for $30 from Saturday December 6th at 7:00AM to Wednesday December 10 at 5PM! $30!!!
I have found tickets as low as $800 way and back from Marseille to Mexico City Airport. This is including a carry-on and a 25kg checked bag under:
KLM: Dec 2 17:20 MRS to Amsterdam (AMS, 2 hour flight)
2 hour 45 minute layover
Aeromexico: 22:15 AMS to MEX (12 hour flight)
Here is a link to Google Flights, but make sure to go in an incognito tab or they will hike up the prices:
Once you arrive in Mexico City you will either need to take a bus or rent a car and drive 5 hours from Mexico City to get to San Miguel de Allende.
I have found tickets as low as $100 way and back from Juarez airport to Leon Guanajuato Airport or Mexico City Airport. Keep in mind this is with no carry-on and no checked in bag, just a personal item (purse or backpack). What I usually do is I buy a “Premium” ticket which includes both a carry-on and a checked bag, and the rest of my ‘crew’ gets economy. Then we all share those two luggage.
Here is a link to their website, but make sure to go in an incognito tab or they will hike up the prices:
Once you arrive in Guanajuato or Mexico City you will either need to take a bus or rent a car and drive either 2 hours from Leon or 5 from Mexico City to get to San Miguel de Allende.
*Note: As of 03/13/2024 I found a roundabout flight for $40 from Friday December 6th to Thursday December 10! $40!!!
3 Ways to arrive at SMA from the Airport
Taking a Bus:
The most common means of transportation to San Miguel de Allende from León Guanajuato Airport (El Bajío Airport) and Mexico City Airport is by public or luxury bus.
The good news is that it’s the most economical way to travel. However, keep in mind that public buses run on fixed schedules, so you should check before setting out.
Ordering a Taxi:
From León Guanajuato Airport (El Bajío Airport) to San Miguel de Allende, you can take a taxi. This is the next most affordable option and is great if you’re tired and want to avoid the chaos of riding a public bus.
However, these services operate on-demand, which means you have more flexibility and independence with your schedule and can organize things based on your convenience. The only thing we recommend is checking out several operators before deciding on one.
Cost – Prices start around $60. We recommend comparing prices before choosing one.
Renting a Car:
If you plan to do the drive yourself so you can fully control the route and the stops you make in between, car rental services are also available. Since there are many, we suggest asking around and checking reviews.
It’s best to choose a service provider that guarantees maximum transparency with the travel experience and has no hidden charges at the end of the trip. I’ve used Hertz before and it was pretty easy. When picking up the car, they tried to charge me with their insurance. I had to argue with them so they wouldn’t charge it, like $150, since my credit card already had me covered.
Cost – Rental cars are the most expensive option. I’ve been able to get a car for $40/day.
You can rent a car in advance and split it with your travel buddy. If you are traveling alone, contact me and I can figure out who is arriving the same day if you’d like to split a car with one or more people attending the wedding.
Note: The roads in San Miguel are extremely small. Unless you are well used to driving in small narrow streets I suggest NOT renting an SUV. The more compact the better
Accomodations
When it comes to finding accommodation in San Miguel de Allende, you’ll be delighted by the wide range of options available. Rest assured that you’ll have no trouble securing a place to stay during your visit.
Hacienda La Romita is a spectacular place to stay. We actually toured it as a wedding venue, and we almost chose it! The owner is local and very down to earth, he has amazing recommendations on where to go, where to eat. He even offers excursions at an additional cost such as:
-a tour of the hacienda’s winery
-ATV tours
-horseback riding
-hot springs (5 min drive)
and more.
Fits up to 20 people, at $2750 for two nights (minimum), that comes out to less than $140 per person for two nights. This includes a pool. If you want to stay here but are not sure how to round up 20 people, let us know and we can organize it!
Concepción Hotel Boutique is an adults-only property located in San Miguel’s historic center, a short walk to all the most significant sights such as the churches, market and great restaurants. Below, I have compiled a selection of different places to consider, catering to various accommodation preferences.
Casa de le Noche is a boutique hotel located four blocks from San Miguel’s beautiful garden park and has both a colorful ambiance and history. A brothel for more than twenty years until it was closed by the police, today Casa De La Noche is owned by an American expat who has decorated it with vibrant local folk art, carved wooden furniture and Mexican tiles. Your stay includes a vegetarian Mexican breakfast, purified water and a shared kitchen for making light fare.