lbw14

Hi! My husband & I are planning a 1-week trip to Mexico at the end of December.

Originally, our plan was to spend the whole time with Mexico City as a base (see the Teotihuacan pyramids, Xochilmilco, the museums, etc.) and maybe spend one night outside the ciy (but keep our hotel for convenience). Maybe in Taxco? Or could that be done as a day trip? (it doens't look like there are good places to stay) Or Puebla? Or further afield like Morelia?

Then, I was thinking that maybe it would be better to spend half time based in San Miguel Allende. It sounds like that's a safer place... Does anyone know if it's safer in regard to not getting sick with Montezuma's Revenge or the like? We wouldn't rent a car in Mexico City, but could we do so in San Miguel Allende (so we could see the surrounding towns) or is driving just as difficult there? Or, maybe we could do one night in the middle of the trip in SMA? (like we had thought abt doing with Puebla, etc.)

I appreciate any advice you can give me...

THANKS!

Bill_H

<b>Does anyone know if it's (SMdA) safer in regard to not getting sick with Montezuma's Revenge or the like?</b>

I've been to SMdA twice for a week each time and never come close to getting sick just by taking the basic precautions.

<b>We wouldn't rent a car in Mexico City, but could we do so in San Miguel Allende (so we could see the surrounding towns) or is driving just as difficult there?</b>

Lots of extremely narrow one-way lanes in SMdA, many very hilly. I don't think there's a single traffic light either, IIRC. I think it would be a bad place to have a rental car, especially since it's pretty compact. To visit other nearby towns like Guanajuato or Queretaro or Dolores Hildago you can take a bus or hire a cab (which is what we did).

<b>I appreciate any advice you can give me... </b>

I think you will enjoy SMdA ... one of the most pleasant places we've visited in Mexico.

Bill

yestravel

I love Mexico City and there is certainly much to see there. However, I wouldn't want to spend more than a few days there at a time--way too crowded and polluted. Taking a bus to SMA is a great idea. It's a charming town and agree that's it an easy place from which to visit other enjoyable villages, Delores Hidalgo, Guanajuato and/or Queretaro. Another nice place to visit is Pozos about an hour outside SMA. We stayed there for 2 nights and really enjoyed getting away from the hustle bustle in SMA. No need to rent a car unless you really enjoy getting about and exploring on your own. We've done it both ways.

Perhaps we missed something in Pueblo but one day/night in Pueblo was about it for us.

Regarding getting sick -- Been to SMA many, many times and this last time did have some trouble with something I had eaten, but that was the first time that had happened. Never have had any problems in Mexico City. Just follow all the rules you'll read about regarding food and drink and you should be fine.
Taxco is another fabulous place to visit--in the other direction from SMA though. You could also stop at Cuervanaca for a night on the way to Taxco if you decide to go there.
Enjoy your visit to Mexico.

Dude

Taxco is three hours each way so definately not a day trip. Nice place to stay overnight, or stay in Cuernavaca on the way to or from. Going another direction Puebla is worth the trip.

mikemo

You'll have problems getting reservations here in San Miguel de Allende between Chistmas and New Year's.
You can easily get a www.primeraplus.com.mx bus res and ticket on line from either MEX or Mex Norte to Queretaro and take a bus (or door-to-door taxi to SMdA if two or more).
Colonial Qro., SMdA, and Gto. are worth visiting.
Lived here 3.5 years, drink the water (now filtered and purified), use common sense, and never been ill.
M (SMdA, Gto.)

Stewbear

You are Way over thinking this. Mexico City is no more likely to give you the revenge than any place else in fact probably less. I disagree with the previous poster. A week is NOT enough time to see all the sights of Mexico City. You can easily fill a week never going anywhere twice. Xmas week/NYE are a marvelous time to be there. We did the Xmas/New Years in 1999/2000 staying at the Hotel Majestic with a fabulous view of the Zocalo &amp; all the festivals. WE had dinner at the Roof top restaurant Then retired to our room to watch &amp; toast the NY in. Best one ever!

yestravel

To clarify my previous comment about spending only a few days in Mex City. Yes, there is plenty to do for a week and even longer. My point is that the city, while fabulous, is very crowded and very polluted. For me taking it in small doses has worked better. Also, one of our visits was over New Years and on New Years Eve Day and New years Day most of the museums and stores were closed. The Zocalo is defintely something to see during the holiday season.

In regards to Morelia -- it's a University city and another lovely colonial town with elegant Spanish architecture. From there you could visit Patzucuaro.

uvmtrev

Hi,
I've been to SMA many times, beautiful town to relax in. There isnt much too do other than relax there and wander through the markets, tour the churches... that sort of thing. Driving there is no fun, the streets are tight and the buses are wayyy oversized. The town is small enough to explore on foot. I wouldnt worry about the revenge, it really is out of your hands, but I'm sure you'll be fine.
Queretaro is a very nice, clean city. I think you would enjoy it very much.
I'm headed there tomorrow for the weekend. It is the cat's meow.
T

Stewbear

I do agree with Yestravel as far as things are closed on NY's day but makes for a wonderful day for strolling the city. Also While I dearly love Morelia &amp; especially Patzcuaro I suspect that the same is true there as well as SM.

glover

I think a combo of half week to 4 days in Mexico City and a few in San Miguel is perfect. We've done this many times
and, as others have said,it's very easy to do. Guanajuato is lovely too and easy to get to from SMA. We also loved Morelia - but it's a longer (though lovely) bus ride from Mex City - 4-5 hours? So you might save that for another time. As others have said - there's plenty to do in Mex City for a whole week - so you couldn't go wrong doing that either. But 3/4 in Mex City and 1/4 in SMA would be a nice mix i think.

kaneda

I did a few good day trips from Mexico including Taxco. There is an absolutely huge Sunday market in Mexico City as well as a night market most nights near Belle Artes subway station. Acapulco didn't take long by bus. Some good museums (all museums and sites are free on Sundays in Mexico).