A Return Trip to San Miguel de Allende
This was our third trip to Mexico and second visit to San Miguel de Allende. With everything in the news and the events at the US-Mexico border taking place, my friends have been questioning how safe it is to travel to Mexico.
First Visit to Mexico
Our first visit was to Playa del Carmen in February 2013. Our second and third trip were to San Miguel de Allende ten years later. Although we were alert to any signs of danger, there was never a time when we felt unsafe.
Playa del Carmen is a beach town with many tourists. San Miguel, on the other hand, is in the highlands of central Mexico. Both are wonderful places. But we prefer the laid-back atmosphere of San Miguel. That is why we decided to return.
First Trip to San Miguel
There were many differences between our first and second trip.
Our first trip to San Miguel. was in August 2022. We flew via United Airlines from Greensboro, North Carolina to Chicago O’Hare to Houston, Texas to Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico. From Leon we took the BajioGo shuttle for the hour and a half ride to our loft on Calle Relox in San Miguel.
Calle Relox is in Zona Centro and close to everything. Our loft was a roomy efficiency apartment with a king size bed and nice en suite bath. It also had AC if you are so inclined. But the most impressive thing was the rooftop terrace. There was a breath-taking view of the entire city.
The month of August is during the rainy season. It rains almost every afternoon and sometimes there are storms at night. There are advantages to this season because everything is green and lush. And the rains cool things off. But carry an umbrella!
Most Recent Visit
Our last trip was in May 2023. This time we flew with Delta Airlines. Our route took us from Greensboro to Atlanta to Mexico City to Leon. From Leon we took a private car to our townhouse on Calle de Aldama.
May is the hottest month of the year in San Miguel. It is dryer, dustier and browner. Although it cools off at night, it gets warm in the afternoons.
My sister accompanied us on this trip. Therefore, we needed something larger than an efficiency apartment. As a result, we rented a two-bedroom townhouse located in a gated cul-de-sac near Parque Juarez in colonia El Parque. It was about a fifteen-minute walk to Zona Centro. However, there were grocery stores, restaurants, and many things nearby.
The Townhouse had two outdoor areas and a rooftop terrace but no AC. However, it had fans and large screened windows that kept the place comfortable for the most part. It was very roomy and nicely decorated and had a fully equipped kitchen. We enjoyed our stay very much.
Is Mexico Safe?
On our first visit to San Miguel, we also spent a few days in Guanajuato City. It is a university town and much smaller than San Miguel. We stayed in a bed-n-breakfast that was exceptional. When we arrived I asked our host, Rafael, about safety. He assured us Guanajuato was safe anytime of day or night.
That has been our experience with each of our visits to Mexico. As with all travel, you must pick the places you visit carefully and always stay alert. But, in Mexico, we have found most everyone to be polite, friendly, and helpful. Our safety has never come into question.
For more information on safety, see the website for for the US Embassy in Mexico.