San Miguel de Allende, founded in the 16th century, derives its name from Juan de San Miguel, a priest, and Ignacio Allende, a leader in the Mexican Independence movement. Rated the best small city in the world for travelers by Condé Nast Traveler in 2017, 2018, and again in 2021, the town in central Mexico is a favorite to visit. More than 60 nationalities are represented in San Miguel, which had a population of about 174,000 as of 2020, with up to 10% of the population being American retirees. Nowadays, it is common for houses to sell in San Miguel for no less than $1 million U.S. dollars, an astronomical price for the locals who can no longer afford to live in their town. The north-south migration and the impact of their presence in the city are among the many phenomena we consider during our time in San Miguel.

Our Travel Study Program aims to provide each participant with an excellent cultural and educational experience within the boundaries of one of the most spectacular regions of Mexico: San Miguel de Allende while developing a better understanding of Mexico’s history and culture. Our program includes visits to several cities outside San Miguel, such as Dolores Hidalgo, Queretaro, Comonfort, and Guanajuato, including visits iconic local sites such "La Capilla Sixtina de Atotonilco,” one of the most important churches in México. Talks with political, academic, and religious leaders and visits to community centers and agricultural projects will help us better understand their actual cost, both to the benefit of North Americans and the poverty of Mexican farmers. Finally, our program includes participation in San Miguel de Allende's cultural festivities that take place during the dates of our Travel and Study program.

Safety is important. No one wants to have a trip ruined by crime or even just by the fear of it. So, when considering visiting San Miguel de Allende for our Travel Study Program, we wanted to ensure it was safe before implementing it. And since you've landed here, you're probably doing the same thing! So, first of all, Yes, San San Miguel de Allende is a safe travel destination! It's one of the safest cities in all of Mexico and safer than some US cities. As with anywhere, we still want to operate with a certain amount of care and follow the typical travel safety tips with petty crime being the primary concern. The city experiences minimal political tension or civil unrest. Female participants often must take their safety more seriously. Many parts of Mexico have recently focused on improving women's safety, and San Miguel de Allende has rolled out its program, Seguro Taxi (The Safe Taxi Orogram), implemented in 2022.

Although San Miguel de Allende offers a wide variety of hotels with an average price of 120.00 dollars per night, participants of our program stay in a local guest house, which provides us with a closer experience of the local culture and idiosyncrasy. Mrs. Conchita Arellano has been providing us with lodging since 1999. Not only will you enjoy a local family atmosphere when staying in her house, but Conchita and her family are dedicated to the needs and activities of our group while we develop our activities. Conchita has more than one guest house, so we may all be in two different buildings, although we will be close enough to each other. Suppose a participant decides to stay in a local hotel. In that case, they will be responsible for their ground transportation from and to Conchita's house from their hotel, as well as for their food and the corresponding program costs.

Centro Romero's Travel Study Program includes ground transportation from and to the airport on the scheduled travel dates. Ground transportation before the scheduled arrival or departure dates is not included and will be the responsibility of the participants traveling outside the program travel dates. While in San Miguel, Centro Romero will provide transportation from Conchita's guest house to the program's pre-selected visit sites and back to Conchita's guest house at the end of the programmatic visit. San Miguel de Allende is an excellent place to walk around; participants will be responsible for any transportation costs outside the previously scheduled visits.

Founded by the Spanish in the early 16th century, Guanajuato the town's fine Baroque and neoclassical buildings, have influenced buildings throughout central Mexico. Guanajuato has been officially designated the "Cervantes Capital of America" due to The International Cervantino Festival. The festival is celebrated annually throughout Latin America to honor Miguel Cervantes. Still, Guanajuato has become the centerpiece of such an annual celebration that takes place each October for two to three weeks, a cultural buffet of music, theater, art, folklore, and more! . At Centro Romero we tend to schedule our Travel Study Program with the itinerary of the three-week festival, offering a visit to Guanajuato and participation in the festival as an optional activity as it requires additional ground transportation and an overnight in Guanajuato.

As part of the tradition of the Centro Romero Study and Travel Program, the last two nights in the city of San Miguel include an evening in a hot spring cave (included in the activities on the penultimate night of the program), in which we will have the family of Mrs. Conchita Arellano as our guests. We will conclude our visit to San Miguel with a Mexican party sponsored by Conchita's family, offering us the opportunity to thank the family for their hospitality and enjoy an informal and relaxed atmosphere before returning to the United States.

The fees paid for the Travel Study Program do not include the following:

Airfare.

Expenses en route to or from Guanajuato.

Additional personal ground transportation expenses outside program official activities.

Daily supper/dinners.

Any evening activity outside the official programmatic itinerary.

Alcoholic beverages.

Medical expenses. We strongly recommend that every participant obtain traveler medical insurance before their trip and program activities begin.

Our next travel study trip has been scheduled for fall 2025. We will publish prices in spring 2025. If you are interested in participating in the fall 2024 trip, please email us at travelstudy@theromerocenter.com