San Miguel de Allende is in the state of Guanajuato, in the central part of Mexico. You’ll find it about 170 miles north of Mexico City, 39 miles northwest of Queretaro, 89 miles southeast of Leon, and 580 miles south of Laredo.

These distances are important because, to reach San Miguel, you will probably either fly, drive or take a bus from these other cities.

Flying. There are three possibilities. To land in Mexico City and take one bus to Queretaro and a second bus to San Miguel, or to get a shuttle for about $50. To land in Leon, and take a cab or hire a driver, in advance, to pick you up and take you to San Miguel. Finally, there is a new airport in Queretaro, with limited service to and from the United States.

In fact, the Queretaro Airport is so new that there are only a few flights, so the most popular way is to land in Leon and hire a driver. A cab, or a personal driver, will cost about $75 USDollars each way. Or, you can make reservations through a travel agency for a van for about $30 USDollars one way. It is about an hour and a half ride from Leon to San Miguel. Queretaro to San Miguel is slightly less.

Buses leave San Miguel from the bus station on Calzada Estacion, at the lower end of Canal. If you’re taking the bus any distance, see if an express or first class bus is available. Otherwise you’ll stop for every person, every town you go through.

ETN offers luxury service with only 24 comfortable seats, big bathroom, a movie and free sandwich and soda from San Miguel to Queretaro and to Mexico City. Be sure to make reservations.

Pegasso Plus and Primera Plus offer first class service. Pegasso Plus also has second class service. Flecha Amarilla has second class service. In short, there are several companies and all charge about the same. Just go to the bus station and choose the company that has a bus when you want to leave.

Driving. Get a map of Mexico and choose a border crossing. Many prefer to cross at McAllen TX or Laredo TX but there are crossings all along the border. Before you drive into Mexico, stop and buy Mexican insurance for your car. Your US insurance is not good in Mexico. Be sure to have your passports, driver’s license, proof of ownership (or written permission from your lease company), notarized proof of the insurance you just bought and a credit card.

After you cross the border, your car will be checked to make sure all the paperwork is legal and you will then be required to buy a sticker for your car. You may be stopped again, about 20 miles after you cross the Mexican border, and customs officials can, or choose not to, check all boxes, suitcases and contents of the car. For heaven’s sake, don’t bring any guns, drugs or plants.

There are free roads, and cuotas, or toll roads, if you decide to drive. Take the cuotas wherever they are available. They’re expensive, but worth it in time and distance saved.

If you have car trouble, just wait at the side of the road and, in time, a Green Angel will stop by to help. After the car is running again, give the Green Angel a generous tip and pay for his gas any parts used.

Remember to get pesos so you can pay for the tolls and the gas. Gas stations can be few and far between, so fill up when you see a station and you are only half full. Gas today is about $2.75 a gallon. Be sure the pump says “zero” before the attendant starts to pump the gas (there are no self-service stations in Mexico).

Remember … you will need a passport to visit Mexico and return home, no matter how you travel.

Buen Viaje!