TRANSPORTATION
Upon arrival at your housing destination, a member of the MedSpanish staff will be there to greet you, orienting you to the program and schedule of class and clinical rotations.
TRANSPORTATION (San Miguel de Allende)
There are 3 ways to fly to San Miguel:
Leon – State of Guanajuato (Gto) (Leon airport code = BJX) Fly into Leon. Go through customs and look for Viajes San Miguel shuttle service. They will be holding up a placard with your name on it. This shuttle MUST BE PREARRANGED through Viajes San Miguel. The shuttle costs about $54 USD for a round trip reservation & they will expect you to pay the round trip fare at this time. They will accept US dollars. You will be driven directly to your housing accommodation. The trip takes about 1.5 hours from the Leon airport to SMA. This is definitely the easiest route.
Queretaro (airport code = QRO), State of Queretaro. Fly into QRO then take an official taxi (the booth where you can purchase tickets is inside the station). It is better to pay in pesos, since they will give you a lower exchange rate. There are cash stations inside the station where you can get pesos, but it would be great if you came with $500 -$ 700 pesos. The taxi to San Miguel costs 390 pesos ( ~ $35.00 USD) to San Miguel de Allende. Travel time, depending on traffic, is approximately 45 min – 1 hour.
Mexico City (D.F.) Fly into Mexico City.
Consider using the bathroom and getting cash, before leaving the customs area.
Go through customs and immediately upon passing through the door, you will see an official who can put your luggage on a dolly and take you to Primera Plus bus lines, all within the confines of the airport. Tip him $4-$5 USD. He will bring you to the counter of Primera Plus Bus Lines & will wait while you purchase your ticket ($225 pesos, ~ $20 USD – they take credit cards) to Queretaro. He will then bring you and your luggage downstairs. The buses run every 40 minutes until 10 PM. Be sure that you get there early enough, or you will be spending the night in Mexico City. Airport security is excellent and the busses are right there. If you do take a taxi, because you have to spend the night, take only AUTHORIZED Taxis (buy the tickets at booths). CASA GONZALES is a great place to stay if you are in Mexico City.
Get your snack or other necessities, before you tip the transporter, because once you are left at the bus stop you WILL NOT be able to walk away from your bags. The buses leave on time, and the trip to Queretaro is 3 hours, depending on traffic. You will get a small snack on the bus.
Upon arriving in QRO, you will need to take an official taxi to San Miquel de Allende (SMA). The booth where you can purchase tickets is inside the station – pesos only. There are cash stations inside the station where you can get pesos, but it is easier if you come into Mexico with $500 -$ 700 pesos.
The taxi to San Miguel costs 390 pesos (~ $35.00 USD) to San Miguel de Allende (travel time is 45 mins – 1 hour). This is a much more complicated route – but may be the most affordable.
Please send us your airline and travel arrangements at least 2 weeks prior to your arrival. After contacting Viajes San Miguel please confirm with us, so that we know when to expect you!
RENTING A CAR: Not recommended. San Miguel is a walking town and there is literally no place to park! Cabs in San Miguel are between 2 and 3 dollars anywhere, but always ask the amount first!
www.viajessanmiguel.com
