DO I NEED A PASSPORT TO TRAVEL TO MEXICO?
You must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months from your day of arrival in Mexico.
IS SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE SAFE?
Yes! San Miguel is considered one of the safest cities in Mexico, with lower incidents of violence than virtually any other area of Mexico, including the resort areas of Cancun and Cozumel. It has been referred to as "Mexican Disneyland" for its idyllic and friendly nature. Although San Miguel is very safe, we still urge you to employ the same common sense you would use in any city.
WHAT SHOULD I PACK?
The weather should be sunny and warm (82F-84F), while most nights will be cool and clear (50F-54F). However, note that the altitude – 6,400 ft – means that you’ll need hats/sunscreen during the day, and layers at night.
Shoes: The streets of San Miguel de Allende are made of cobblestone and are definitely not "heel" friendly. We suggest that you bring comfortable shoes for exploring the city during the day and heels, dressy sandals, or wedges for any of the wedding events.
WILL THE WATER MAKE ME SICK?
Unfiltered tap water is not safe to drink. However, San Miguel is a gourmet foodie’s paradise, and almost any Airbnb, hotel, or restaurant in the city will use purified/filtered water. As a foreigner, if you are served water or ice at a hotel, it’s fair to assume its drinkable. A rule of thumb is that ice from filtered water is cylindrical with a hole down the middle. When in doubt, use bottled water, as it is readily available.
CAN I USE MY PHONE IN MEXICO?
Most carriers do not charge a roaming fee in Mexico, and your phone should work the same as it does in the US. When calling local numbers from your cell phone, enter the country code (+52) followed by 1, and then the number. On most phones, you can access the “+” by holding down the zero key.
WHAT KIND OF MONEY IS USED IN MEXICO?
The Mexican currency is the peso, which trades at approximately 20 pesos to 1 US dollar. San Miguel is an extremely well-developed city, with numerous ATMs available in the main Centro area. Money Changers are also available in banks, though ATMs generally provide the best exchange rates.
DO THEY ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS?
In addition, most major U.S. credit cards are accepted by most hotels, restaurants, and vendors in San Miguel – and you’ll incur no additional fees for using your card in Mexico. However, be sure to notify your bank of your travel plans! Otherwise, your bank may put a security block on your card.
WHAT ARE TYPICAL TIPPING PRACTICES IN MEXICO?
In San Miguel, tourism is the city’s main industry, and therefore many San Miguelitos rely on tips to supplement their livelihood. A tip is always very subjective, but here are a few general suggestions:
– Airport/hotel baggage handlers: $1 USD per article of luggage
– Taxi driver: Not expected
– Waiters: 10-15% of tab – though service is often already included, check the bill before tipping.
– Maids/cleaning staff: $1-2 USD per day per guest
ARE ELECTRICAL OUTLETS THE SAME IN MEXICO?
Yes! Outlets in Mexico are type A/B – the same as the US.