Flying Versus Driving To Our Home In San Miguel de Allende

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Our VivaAerobus plane decorated in one of our two state soccer teams!

An interesting experiment and one that turned out well.  Because of recent events we made the decision to fly to San Miguel de Allende.  Driving is fine for me, I can go all day.  The last two trips we stopped in Matehuala and spent the night in nice Airbnb for less than $25.  That splits it into roughly four hours each day.  We're not in any hurry anymore and it's the least expensive way other than the bus. The bus is only overnight and its a 10 hour trip with all the stops and no one wants to be on the highway at night.  

We purchased tickets on VivaAerobus for $79 each (bus is $90 but we would get a 50% senior discount).  We don't pay for seats and we had never had a problem until this trip.  Queretaro has become very popular for tech and aviation companies.  They had offered $36 each to change the flights and we should have taken the offer.  We didn't take it seriously as it is a trick to get you tu buy seats.  We got to the airport in Monterrey and they told us they were booked.  Viva will offer 25% voucher, food, lodging and transport but in this case we were put on the standby list and we made the flight. 

We drove through Monterrey and hopped on the toll highway to the airport.  It can save a lot of time if there are accidents in morning traffic.  Well worth the $1.50 and it drops us 600 meters from the airport parking.

Sardines!

Taxi service from our house to the airport is 1000 pesos.  Uber are not allowed in the airport so that was out and the other option is to take a bus to Monterrey and then a taxi for 650 pesos.  We took our car to the airport and parked in ParkIn which is off airport property but less than five minutes to the terminal.  They have a seven day promotion for 1400 so that was cheaper, faster, and hassle free.  Overall time was four and half hours from house to house.  We were in SMA in time for a nap arriving at 1:30 p.m.  

It was nice to not have any hassles.  The route we usually take from home to Linares, Galeana, and San Roberto has been a nightmare with kidnappings, blocking highways and setting vehicles on fire not to mention the unmentionable of ice chests and blanket rolls.  Driving through Monterrey to Saltillo and beyond is a safer option but now the Guardia Nacional and fake state and Guardia Nacional are setting up checkpoints as you enter Hwy 57 from Saltillo and asking for hundreds of dollars.  This trip, nothing to worry about.

We got together with our neighbor Cheryl who lives a block away.  She's a good friend and we enjoy seeing her.

We are learning the bus routes here in San Miguel.  The bus charges 8 pesos per person.  The city is small enough that there are only 10 routes and they all pretty much go to or come close to everwhere you want to go.  I went to La Comer yesterday.  I left the house at 5:20, made my quick purchases, and I was back home by 6 p.m.  To get to centro in an Uber is between 90 and 135 pesos.  On the bus we walk three blocks to the libramiento and the bus picks us up and in 15 minutes we were there.  

Rooftop view from El Pegaso!

Juan's birthday is also this weekend.  Last night he wanted to have dinner at El Pegaso, a popular spot with tourists and the rving group.  They have a wonderful rooftop and the service is pretty good not to mention the food.  We decided to take the bus and the trip was ten minutes each way.  We did some walking in the Parroquia after dinner.  The place was packed with tourists.  They are fascinated by the church and just sit there and chat while taking pictures.  

Church watchers.  Oh, and that's the birthday boy!

Typical bus in SMA!  Clean and in good condition.

Today we had breakfast at the Restaurante 1910.  It's a small restaurant 10 minutes walking and we have always had good meals.  Good Mexican and international food and their salsa is the best.  I told the owner it's a good thing they don't serve the salsa in a glass!   A friend called during our bus ride from the restaurant to the Sunday market on the road to Queretaro.  She asked if SMA is expensive.  It's what you want it to be.  Hotels are 350 to 10,000 pesos a night and sit down meals can be from 85 pesos on up. The Rosewood hotel is one of the most expensive hotels and is known for it's rooftop garden and views.  Many tourists go there for a drink and watch the sunset.  

Tonight is the La Trattoria at the fork in the street on Ancha San Antonio.  It will be a glass of wine and an appetizer.  We'll have drinks and a movie here at home afterwards and a slice of his birthday cake.