Travel tips · San Miguel de Allende · Mexico
San Miguel de Allende travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Microstar, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
San Miguel is a Mexican town with a deep Catholic festival calendar and a strong role in the War of Independence, which is why Allende's name was added to it. Since the 1950s, art schools and foreign residents have also shaped it, so English is widely spoken and galleries, language schools and expat organisations sit alongside traditional barrios. Processions with mojigangas, giant papier-mâché puppets, accompany many weddings and festivals.
Key facts
- Language
- Spanish
- Currency
- MXN
- Plugs
- Type A and B sockets, 127 V, 60 Hz
- Tap water
- Do not drink tap water; use bottled or purified water.
- Emergency
- 911
Things to know
- Greet people with 'buenos días' or 'buenas tardes' in shops and on quiet streets; locals do so with each other.
- Dress modestly in churches, and avoid visiting during services unless you are attending.
- Make way for weddings and processions with mojigangas passing through the centre; they often fill the street.
- Try some Spanish; many locals appreciate visitors who do not assume everyone speaks English.
- Fireworks and church bells are part of local life, including early in the morning; complaints are not appreciated.
- Eat lunch at the Mercado Ignacio Ramírez or in the San Antonio barrio for much lower prices than the centre.
Tipping
Tip 10–15% in restaurants and bars. Taxi drivers do not expect tips, but rounding up is appreciated; guides and drivers on day trips usually receive 10% or more.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Buenas tardes | Good afternoon |
| ¿Me puede ayudar? | Can you help me? |
| La cuenta, por favor | The bill, please |
| Con permiso | Excuse me (passing by) |
| Salud | Cheers |
What to wear
Casual but tidy clothes are the norm; evenings are cool all year at this altitude, so bring a jacket. Flat, grippy shoes are essential on the steep, uneven cobbles.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type A and B sockets, 127 V, 60 Hz
- Drinking water
- Do not drink tap water; use bottled or purified water.
- Emergency number
- 911
- Phone and internet
- Mobile data and Wi-Fi are reliable in town; coverage can be weak in the countryside around the vineyards and hot springs.
- Time zone
- America/Mexico City
The centre is generally calm and well policed, but take normal precautions with bags in crowds during festivals. The steep, uneven cobbles and high kerbs cause more visitor injuries than crime, so watch your footing, especially after dark and in rain.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Mexico's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in San Miguel de Allende?
Tip 10–15% in restaurants and bars. Taxi drivers do not expect tips, but rounding up is appreciated; guides and drivers on day trips usually receive 10% or more.
+Can you drink the tap water in San Miguel de Allende?
Do not drink tap water; use bottled or purified water.
+What plugs are used in San Miguel de Allende?
Type A and B sockets, 127 V, 60 Hz
+What language is spoken in San Miguel de Allende?
Spanish.