Do I need to own a car in San Miguel de Allende?

Because of the very narrow streets and difficulty finding parking in San Miguel de Allende, it seems easier to me to walk everywhere.
 
However, I don’t always want to hike up a high incline street if I've done some shopping. Finding a cab is no problem for 35 pesos (less than US $2) daytime and 40 pesos (slightly more than US $2) after dark. I can take a bus across town for 6 pesos (about 33 cents).
 
I don't miss having to gas-up, buy insurance or worry about...

Because of the very narrow streets and difficulty finding parking in San Miguel de Allende, it seems easier to me to walk everywhere.
 
However, I don’t always want to hike up a high incline street if I've done some shopping. Finding a cab is no problem for 35 pesos (less than US $2) daytime and 40 pesos (slightly more than US $2) after dark. I can take a bus across town for 6 pesos (about 33 cents).
 
I don't miss having to gas-up, buy insurance or worry about any vehicle maintenance. Life seems less complicated without all that. 

 

( Steep streets of San Miguel Allende, Mexico, pictured.) 

I agree with Kat Ballou. Residents who choose to live in Centro (downtown) and the adjacent neighborhoods in San Miguel de Allende, really do not need a car to get around town. It is so easy to catch a cab and rates are very affordable. Many rent a car or hire a driver to make once a month shopping trips to nearby cities.

 

I know quite a few residents, however, who do end up purchasing a vehicle after living in San Miguel for awhile. Having a vehicle allows them to...

I agree with Kat Ballou. Residents who choose to live in Centro (downtown) and the adjacent neighborhoods in San Miguel de Allende, really do not need a car to get around town. It is so easy to catch a cab and rates are very affordable. Many rent a car or hire a driver to make once a month shopping trips to nearby cities.

 

I know quite a few residents, however, who do end up purchasing a vehicle after living in San Miguel for awhile. Having a vehicle allows them to make trips to stores like Costco in Celaya or Querétaro (40 minutes and 1 hour away); Walmart in Querétaro; and to see doctor specialists in Querétaro as well. A vehicle also provides mobility when it comes to taking trips to fun places like Puerto Vallarta, Troncones, Mineral de Pozos, and Guadalajara.

 

For residents who choose to live in gated communities located 10 to 20 minutes from Centro such as Club de Golf Malanquin, Rancho Los Labradores, and Otomí; having a car is essential to get into town and to and from the grocery store.

 

(The beautiful abandoned buildings of Mineral de Pozos, Mexico, pictured.)

 

 

You don’t need to own a car in San Miguel de Allende. Taxis are very inexpensive here and they are easy to come by. A taxi ride costs around 35 to 40 pesos (US $1.75 to $2.00) to go anywhere within San Miguel. If you go a little bit further, they will charge you more.  For example, if you take a taxi from San Miguel to La Comer, which is a big a supermarket outside of Centro, it would cost around 40 pesos ($2) since it’s a little farther away.
 
Taxis here in San...

You don’t need to own a car in San Miguel de Allende. Taxis are very inexpensive here and they are easy to come by. A taxi ride costs around 35 to 40 pesos (US $1.75 to $2.00) to go anywhere within San Miguel. If you go a little bit further, they will charge you more.  For example, if you take a taxi from San Miguel to La Comer, which is a big a supermarket outside of Centro, it would cost around 40 pesos ($2) since it’s a little farther away.
 
Taxis here in San Miguel do not have a meter. They have a flat rate that you will pay for a certain distance. They know that from Centro to La Comer is 40 pesos. If you are unsure, it is better to ask the driver how much the ride will cost before you get in the taxi.

 

(Centro area of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, pictured.)

No, you don’t need a car in San Miguel de Allende. There are lots of buses to choose from, or you can hire a taxi or Uber etc. with driver to take you to your destination be it a few blocks or to Queretaro, etc.
 
San Miguel was built with narrow streets for horses, and some people are hesitant to navigate these streets in cars. Also, the increasing traffic problem is discouraging to some, especially during long weekends and vacation time when tourists from Mexico City,...

No, you don’t need a car in San Miguel de Allende. There are lots of buses to choose from, or you can hire a taxi or Uber etc. with driver to take you to your destination be it a few blocks or to Queretaro, etc.
 
San Miguel was built with narrow streets for horses, and some people are hesitant to navigate these streets in cars. Also, the increasing traffic problem is discouraging to some, especially during long weekends and vacation time when tourists from Mexico City, Monterrey, Queretaro, Guadalajara, etc., flock to San Miguel.
 
At these times, finding a place to park is a problem but thousands of parking spaces are being added away from centro.  It’s a bit of a challenge for the authorities to find solutions for traffic and but they are working hard and solutions have started and more are coming.
 
San Miguel de Allende, as a very popular wedding destination, has its streets alive on weekends with hundreds attending weddings at the Parroquia. On a typical weekend there are at least six major weddings with those attending coming not only from within Mexico but also internationally, including Europe.

 

(Pictured: Getting married street scene in San Miguel de Allende.)