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2027 Conference

Travel & Accommodations

Everything you need to plan your visit to the San Miguel Writers’ Conference & Literary Festival. From getting here and choosing where to stay to exploring the city, we’re here to help you make the most of your time in San Miguel de Allende.

Getting Here

Getting to San Miguel

This year, we are excited to share that you can book your shuttle service through registration.

Airports

The following airports provide the most convenient access to San Miguel de Allende.

  • León/Guanajuato International Airport (BJX) - Approx. 1.5 hours drive time.
  • Querétaro International Airport (QRO) - Approx. 1.5 hours drive time.
  • Mexico City International Airport (MEX) - Approx. 4 hours drive time.

León (BJX) and Querétaro (QRO) are the closest airports and are the most popular choices for Conference attendees. Both offer frequent flights from many U.S. and Mexican cities.

Travelers flying from California may find convenient nonstop service through airlines such as Volaris and Viva Aerobus, which offer affordable service on many U.S.–Mexico routes.

Airport Transportation

We’ve partnered with trusted local transportation provider to help make your arrival as easy as possible. BajioGo, provides direct airport transfers between San Miguel de Allende and:

  • Querétaro International Airport (QRO)
  • León/Guanajuato International Airport (BJX)
  • Mexico City International Airport (MEX)

Mexico City Airport Transfers
If you’re arriving through Mexico City International Airport (MEX), you have two convenient options:

  • Private Airport Transfer (see above)
  • Luxury Bus Service. Mexico’s first-class bus system is comfortable, safe, and affordable. Direct service to San Miguel is available from Mexico City’s Central del Norte Bus Terminal through carriers such as ETN and Primera Plus.

Booking Your Airport Shuttle

This year you can book your BajioGo shuttle during registration. Please contact us at events@sanmiguelwritersconference.org if you have any questions.

Accommodations

Where to Stay

San Miguel de Allende offers a wide range of accommodations, from luxury hotels and charming boutique inns to vacation rentals and budget-friendly options. Whether you prefer to stay in the heart of the historic center or at the Conference venue, you'll find accommodations to suit every travel style and budget. You can book your room at Hotel Real de Minas during registration.

Official Conference Hotel

Hotel Real de Minas

Hotel Real de Minas serves as the official campus of the San Miguel Writers' Conference & Literary Festival and is the most convenient place to stay during the Conference. Most Conference activities, workshops, and keynote presentations take place here, allowing you to enjoy the event without the need for daily transportation.

When you register for the Conference, you'll have the opportunity to reserve your room at Hotel Real de Minas at our special Conference rate.

  • Special Conference pricing
  • Daily breakfast
  • Early check-in (subject to availability)
  • Late check-out (subject to availability)
  • Applicable taxes

Camino Viejo al Panteón 1 · Corner of Stirling Dickinson & Ancha de San Antonio · San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico

REGISTER

Venue

CONFERENCE HOTEL MAP

The San Miguel Writers’ Conference & Literary Festival takes place at Hotel Real de Minas in San Miguel de Allende.

Cam. Viejo Al Panteón 1 (corner of Stirling Dickinson and Ancha de San Antonio) · San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico

Explore

Explore San Miguel

The San Miguel Writers' Conference & Literary Festival offers more than inspiring conversations and world-class authors. It's also an opportunity to experience one of Mexico's most celebrated destinations.

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage City, San Miguel de Allende is known for its colorful architecture, vibrant arts community, exceptional restaurants, and welcoming atmosphere. Whether you arrive a few days early or extend your stay after the Conference, you'll discover countless ways to explore and enjoy the city.

Tours & Excursions

Tours & Excursions will be announced soon

Stay tuned.

Practical Tips

Know Before You Go

A little preparation goes a long way. From what to pack to local customs, these tips will help you arrive ready to enjoy your time at the Conference and explore everything San Miguel de Allende has to offer.

The average temperature in February ranges from 55°F/12°C to 75°F/23°C. Please dress warmly and in layers so you can stay comfortable throughout the day. Good walking shoes are also important. San Miguel is built on a hill with many cobblestone streets.

While many places in San Miguel accept credit cards (including the Conference Bookstore), you’ll want to have some pesos on hand for taxis (these typically cost 80 Mexican pesos or around USD $4 to get anywhere in Centro/Downtown) and smaller transactions. We recommend using your ATM card to withdraw pesos at a good exchange rate. There is an ATM at the hotel, and we also recommend using the ATM at the airport if you are flying in.

In case of an emergency, please dial 911. These numbers work in Mexico just as they do in the U.S. If you don’t have an emergency but would like to contact a doctor while you’re in town, we recommend the following clinics and hospitals: THE CLINIC SAN MIGUEL (Website: theclinicsma.com/en. Email: recepcion@smahealthservices.com. Phone: +52 (415) 152-2255), HOSPITAL JOYA SAN MIGUEL (Website: https://hospitaljoya.com/en/san_miguel_de_allende/. Phone: +52 (415) 152-5900)

If you have accessibility support needs (mobility, hearing, vision), email Jeanne Mills at jeannemillssma@outlook.com. While the Hotel Real de Minas has a pet-friendly guest room policy, we kindly request that only designated service animals accompany attendees in conference spaces. This helps ensure a welcoming, comfortable, and distraction-free environment for everyone.

Helpful Downloads

Placeholder — additional guides will be added after August 1.

Your Well-Being

Health & Safety

Your well-being is important to us. San Miguel de Allende has long been recognized as one of Mexico’s most welcoming destinations, attracting visitors from around the world who come to experience its rich culture, vibrant arts community, and historic charm. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning for another Conference, you’ll find San Miguel to be a friendly, walkable city with excellent visitor services and healthcare resources.

Staying Safe

San Miguel de Allende is known for its welcoming atmosphere and vibrant pedestrian streets. To help make your visit as enjoyable as possible, we recommend:

  • Keep valuables secure and out of sight.
  • Carry only the cash you’ll need for the day.
  • Stay aware of your surroundings in busy public areas.
  • Use authorized taxis or trusted transportation providers.
  • Keep a copy of your passport and important travel documents in a secure location.

If you'd rather not walk after dark, taxis are plentiful, affordable, and readily available throughout the city.

On-Site Medical Support

Throughout the Conference, an on-site medical doctor and registered nurse will be available to assist with minor medical concerns, evaluate health needs, and coordinate additional care if necessary.

Conference Physician

Dr. Name (Placeholder)
Phone: Placeholder
Location: Placeholder

Conference Nurse

Dr. Name (Placeholder)
Phone: Placeholder
Location: Placeholder

Medical Care

In the event of an emergency, dial 911. Emergency services can be reached throughout Mexico using the same number as in the United States and Canada. For non-emergency medical care:

The Clinic San Miguel

theclinicsma.com/en
recepcion@smahealthservices.com
+52 (415) 152-2255

Hospital Joya San Miguel

hospitaljoya.com/en/san-miguel-de-allende/
+52 (415) 152-5900

Accessibility & Service Animals

We're committed to creating a welcoming Conference experience for all attendees. If you have accessibility needs related to mobility, hearing, vision, or other accommodations, please contact us before your arrival.

Accessibility Coordinator
Jeanne Mills (Placeholder) · jeannemillssma@outlook.com

Hotel Real de Minas offers pet-friendly guest accommodations. To maintain a comfortable environment for all attendees, we kindly request that only designated service animals accompany participants in Conference meeting rooms and event spaces.

Travel FAQs

Is San Miguel Safe?

February is one of the most comfortable times of year to visit San Miguel de Allende. Bring comfortable walking shoes, a light jacket or sweater for cool mornings and evenings, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat, a refillable water bottle, a small day bag for Conference materials, and any prescription medications you may need.

Crime on a National Level
Crime on a Local Level

Still have questions? Reach out through our Contact Form — we're happy to help!

We're Here to Help

Whether you have questions before you travel or need assistance while you're in San Miguel de Allende, we're happy to point you in the right direction — Conference logistics, accommodations, transportation, accessibility, and general travel questions.

Registration

Diana Guerra, registrar@sanmiguelwritersconference.org

Hotel & Shuttle Reservations

Alicia Falango events@sanmiguelwritersconference.org

Patrons & Sponsors

Renee DiMuzio conference@sanmiguelwritersconference.org

We look forward to welcoming you to San Miguel de Allende and the San Miguel Writers' Conference & Literary Festival.

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