I'm sure the answer is here somewhere, but I can't find it! What is the best economical way to get two people from the airport at Leon/Guanajuato to San Miguel de Allende and back? Do the busses come to the airport? Should I use one of the shuttle services? All else being equal, ETN looks like the most comfortable way to go, but can't seem to find out whether they serve the airport.

There are no busses at BJX.
Check the www.tripadvisor forum for SMdA.
That said, www.viajessanmiguel.com as they have the best advertised door to door shuttle fare - $24. pp.
We have used nearly all over the years, but always go with the least expensive: have used them many times in the last several months.
M

Thanks, Mikemo. I see you are the resident expert on SMdA - I'll gladly take your advice.

Slight problem - the url for Viajes San Miguel isn't working. May be a temporary problem; if not, I'll try email or phone.

f,
I called today and they are aware that their web site and e-mail are down (a bit odd).
They are struggling to correct the problems.
M

Would you think I am nuts to rent a car? Wanted to spend 3 nights in San Miguel and 2 nights in Guanajuato city?
Thanks

Two years ago I rented a car and visited SMA, Guanajuato, and Queratero. I would not have done it any other way, and will do so again. Driving underground in Guanajuato is really neat!!!!

I have driven "Semi-Pro" on nearly all the great racetracks of the world.
If you can afford a rental car and have parking (in SMdA, Gto, and Qro.) sure, as the Mountain roads are great fun.
FD: I now have a WRX (turbo, awd, 5 spd) literally "made" for our roads.
M

I just posted a question similar. I'm flying into BJX the 23rd of February - wondering if it's difficult to rent a car and drive through the DH / Sta Rosa / SMdA areas. I live in Costa Rica so can read signs in Spanish - if there ARE any signs.

The auto rentals are expensive at BJX, but so are taxis, and the road from Gto. - Sta. Rosa - Dolores Hidalgo is "challenging". DH - SMda is easy.
Road and highway signs in Mexico are quite straightfoward (since NAFTA).
The Guia Roji "Por las Carreteras de Mexico" is our fav road map guide.
M

Thanks mikemo. Myself and a friend are flying in BJX the 26th - staying in guanajuato 1 night and then have 3 days to look for hand painted tiles (I build houses) to ship back to Costa Rica. Could you recommend a couple things - where to go first, second & third? We were thinking Sta Rosa, Diloris Hildago, SMdA. Should we have a hotel in one place and do day trips? Should we look for hotels when we get there and play it by ear? I would love to have a rental car for the freedom of stopping when we want to see things. You say it's confusing and expensive. Do you think it would be best to hire a driver/taxi to go from Guanajuato to X, and then so on and so on? We like to walk, so once we're in a town, we're fine. Any advise on little inexpensive hotels in these 3 towns would also be greatly appreciated. I'm guessing it's like Costa Rica, seems like only the expensive hotels - or the chains are listed in the travel websites.

Thanks much!

Logistically, I think spending the first night in Guanajuato is most reasonable as you get get an "early" start to the Ceramic Workshops on the East side of the city.
Gorky Gonzales Quinones www.gorkypottery.com
Pastita area E past the Jardin Embajadoras and baseball park.
Capelo e-mail [email protected]
Valenciana area road to Dolores Hidalgo km 5
Gorky and Capelo use traditional majolica technigues.
Mayolica Santa Rosa road to DH km 13 e-mail [email protected]
In Dolores Hidalgo,
Carillo Vertix Hermanos Puebla #54
Juan Vazquez Puebla #56/58
Azulejos Talavera Cortes C. Distrito Federal #8
De Talavera Puebla #60
All are quite close to one another in town.
Many other shops on the road out of town to San Miguel de Allende. Most shops here are more expensive than the primary workshops listed.
Check out the "major" auto rental companies at BJX.
Go to the www.tripadvisor.com forums for Guanajuato and SMdA and type in hotels (or anything else of interest) in the search boxes and you'll get lots of feedback. Lots of comments under hotels on those forums as well.
M

Have taken buses and driven oursleves in the areas you mention. Much prefer driving oursleves over the buses (akthough the buses are fine). We've never had any problems driving in those areas -- roads are well marked and well maintained. We also didn't have parking problems which may have been a fluke. Googled car rentals BJX and picked the one with the best rates.

Thanks Mikemo. Do you know of any little maps of just this area? Don't really need a map of all Mexico, but would be nice to have something in the car when we take off. I think we're going to stay at El Zopilote mojado for a night - and you're saying there are some places to check out in the city (Guanajuato)? East side? I'll print out your post and maybe the owners can help me with directions. I haven't really seen anything on places to stay in Santa Rosa - would you recommend just shopping there and passing on to Hildago or SMdA for hotel? We're not fussy, just want something clean and a big plus would be good margaritas /mex food within walking distance. Thanks for your help.

k, do a google "maps of Mexico".
The first has all the state maps divided and detailed. Simply print what you need.
Restaurants in Gto.: Chez Nicole (my DIL has restaurants in London and NYC named Nicole) and Turco 7 downtown.
A restaurant or two in Sta. Rosa, but I would not stay there.
Dolores Hidalgo has great Revolutionary history, but a full day is enough: had Carnitas on Sunday at Carnitas Vicentes' original place on C. Marino Balleza/Av. Norte just NE of the Jardin (great ice cream in the Jardin) - very good, but not as great as the place on the road to DH that (after 16 years, I'm told) just closed here.
Five hungry folks ate chopped lomo; beans; sides and drank for $180. pesos, so a screaming bargain.
I would personally overnight in Gto. and SMdA. Check www.travelbymexico.com/guan/casaanita for lodgings here. Antonio and Maru get super feedback and are wonderful folks. The location on C. Jesus is great and you may find on street, centrally located, free parking there -rare in this pueblo.
Buen viaje.
M

Hey Mikemo, One more question you might be able to help me with, and I'd be oh so greatful. As I mentioned, I'm looking to buy a boat load of tiles and bring them back for the houses I build. I'm going to need to find someone / or a company who can help me get them from there to Costa Rica where I can receive them. I've found folks to help me in other countries in Central America, but I'm a bit of a fish out of water in Mexico - any ideas? We're talking like a crate full of tiles, maybe 2000 to 3000 (not a fedex kind of package). I've used DHL from Guatemala, they were great - someone put a ton of furniture I bought on a plane and I picked it up and paid minimal impuestos and the transport wasn't much either. Any advise would be appreciated.

Kelie

There are many commercial pack and ship places here (DHL; FedEx, etc.).
I know Gorky and others pack and ship, so you might ask them who they use/recommend.
Shipping to the US is quite expensive, so perhaps a "long distance mover" from here or Gto. might be more reasonable.
M

Just returned from Border Crossings www.bordercrossingsma.com
They have a direct link to UPS for shipping > 150 pounds.
M

There is a (casal) tile outlet here called Hacienda Style SMA.
Google same for location and contact info.
Unfortunately, their web page is still nonfunctional.
Looks like all of the "mail-drops" have direct links to the major shippers.
M

Thanks a bunch mikemo, very helpful. It's really nice of you to answer all these questions for people. I'll be checking out all the places I've seen you recommend (tile, restaurants, etc.)