A Leisurely Walk from our Front door to the Jardin

If you're wondering just how far we are to San Miguel de Allende's town square and main church, the "Jardín" and "Parroquia", as they are locally called, scroll down to see a google map with walking directions from Antigua Capilla Bed & Breakfast to the corner of the Jardín.

This route can take under 10 minutes if you're from New York City or our home town of San Francisco, but beware of a phenomenon known as "Mexican time".  You will slow down to absorb the surroundings, chat with complete strangers, people watch, eat something from a food stand, walk through an open gate just to see what's on the other side, step into a church or 10 to marvel at the baroque architecture, and on and on.  If you are afflicted, you might not make it to the Jardín until...mañana!   

Here are a few points of interests along the route:

• The Artisan Market: A small detour down Cuesta de San Jose takes you to the artisan market or "mercado de artesanias" located at the end of the street.  You'll be there in 5 minutes.

• "La Esquina" Museum of Mexican Toys: At about the halfway point, you'll reach a toy museum housing all kinds of traditional and modern Mexican toys. 
  

• Nuestra Señora de la Salud Church: About 5 minutes from the B&B, you'll see the 18th century church built by Luis Felipe Neri on Mesones Street. The facade of this church is recognizable by its characteristic crest in the shape of a large seashell.  The church served as the chapel of the Colegio de San Francisco de Sales next door, where both Ignacio Aldama and Ignacio Allende attended school.

• ATM Row:  Just past the toy museum on San Francisco Street, you'll see several banks, all with ATM vestibules.  If you are in need of some pesos, this is where you want to get them.  The rest of the out of town visitors will be forming lines at the two banks on the square, which you will be very happy to avoid.  You'll get the best exchange rate by withdrawing directly from your bank account at the interbank exchange rate of the day. 

A great alternative to walking are the very inexpensive, safe and plentiful taxis.  Flag one down anywhere in San Miguel or call them to pick you up at the B&B, and you’ll be taken to your destination in no time.  Current taxi rates are $40 pesos for a flagged taxi and $50 pesos for a called taxi.