1) Check your passport for expiration date – it should be at least 3 months later than the dates of our workshop.
2) You will be given a travel visa of some kind probably on the plane to Queretaro, Leon or Mexico City. Fill out both sides. When you arrive in Mexico they will of course check your passport and take 1/2 that form. The other half you will need to save and hand in when you leave the country.
3) You will have a van waiting for you at your arrival airport. They will be carrying signs with your name (probably misspelled) or the name of the company BajioGo or even the name of 1WorldArtTravel (me).. If your flight is delayed or you wind up missing a flight you need to call me at 917-273-7768. I will be in San Miguel and will go to their office to notify them. Those of you coming in to Queretaro or Leon will have the van paid for - but do leave the driver a tip. They take dollars or Mexican Pesos so $2 is about 40 pesos –ok for a tip. FYI the address of Casa de la Noche is Organos #19
4) There is a pretty darn good art supply store in San Miguel called El Pato. They usually have odorless thinner and lots of other goodies. If you’re painting in oils you might want to bring a solvent that’s safe for flying https://www.gamblincolors.com/oil-painting/gamsol/ Notice where it says: Gamsol’s flash point is so high it can ship via air cargo as a non-hazardous material. So this is safe to fly with. Of course as with all artists materials you should not take them on board but instead place them in your luggage with the rest of your “artist colors made with vegetable oil and no solvent”. http://www.1worldarttravel.com/flying-with-paints1.html In 24 years of bringing groups of artists to foreign countries there have been 2 cases of people having their paints confiscated. In one case the client yelled and screamed at the TSA agent. She was sent home but they allowed her to return the next day. Hint: don't yell and scream at anyone!
5) You will all be given the code to use to get into the Casa de la Noche
6) The hot water is pressure driven. Turn the hot water on all the way, wait for it to get really hot then use the cold to adjust it. For some reason the faucets are not labeled H and C for hot and cold but F and C for frio and calor.
7) Hairdryers are available at the reception desk (there is not an unlimited supply). Breakfasts will be served at 8 AM every day.
8) Might want to bring ear plugs for the occasional fireworks that go on at night.
9) It's chilly in the morning in San Miguel.. Check out the long range forecast https://weather.com/weather/tenday/l/San+Miguel+de+Allende+Mexico+MXGO0501:1:MX
10) In the mornings the store owners are washing the sidewalks so some of the streets can be slippery. Keep that in mind when you plan on what shoes to bring.
11) If you plan to bring a smart phone or computer or tablet these devices are dual voltage so there's no need to bring a transformer. Matter of fact the electrical receptacles are like ours so no need to bring an adapter either. . But there might be one or two receptacles that are two prong and if you computer charging cord is three prong you will need this kind of adapter. They are cheap on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/CableWholesale-Wholesale-Grounding-Converter-30W1-32200/dp/B000I96AUM
2) You will be given a travel visa of some kind probably on the plane to Queretaro, Leon or Mexico City. Fill out both sides. When you arrive in Mexico they will of course check your passport and take 1/2 that form. The other half you will need to save and hand in when you leave the country.
3) You will have a van waiting for you at your arrival airport. They will be carrying signs with your name (probably misspelled) or the name of the company BajioGo or even the name of 1WorldArtTravel (me).. If your flight is delayed or you wind up missing a flight you need to call me at 917-273-7768. I will be in San Miguel and will go to their office to notify them. Those of you coming in to Queretaro or Leon will have the van paid for - but do leave the driver a tip. They take dollars or Mexican Pesos so $2 is about 40 pesos –ok for a tip. FYI the address of Casa de la Noche is Organos #19
4) There is a pretty darn good art supply store in San Miguel called El Pato. They usually have odorless thinner and lots of other goodies. If you’re painting in oils you might want to bring a solvent that’s safe for flying https://www.gamblincolors.com/oil-painting/gamsol/ Notice where it says: Gamsol’s flash point is so high it can ship via air cargo as a non-hazardous material. So this is safe to fly with. Of course as with all artists materials you should not take them on board but instead place them in your luggage with the rest of your “artist colors made with vegetable oil and no solvent”. http://www.1worldarttravel.com/flying-with-paints1.html In 24 years of bringing groups of artists to foreign countries there have been 2 cases of people having their paints confiscated. In one case the client yelled and screamed at the TSA agent. She was sent home but they allowed her to return the next day. Hint: don't yell and scream at anyone!
5) You will all be given the code to use to get into the Casa de la Noche
6) The hot water is pressure driven. Turn the hot water on all the way, wait for it to get really hot then use the cold to adjust it. For some reason the faucets are not labeled H and C for hot and cold but F and C for frio and calor.
7) Hairdryers are available at the reception desk (there is not an unlimited supply). Breakfasts will be served at 8 AM every day.
8) Might want to bring ear plugs for the occasional fireworks that go on at night.
9) It's chilly in the morning in San Miguel.. Check out the long range forecast https://weather.com/weather/tenday/l/San+Miguel+de+Allende+Mexico+MXGO0501:1:MX
10) In the mornings the store owners are washing the sidewalks so some of the streets can be slippery. Keep that in mind when you plan on what shoes to bring.
11) If you plan to bring a smart phone or computer or tablet these devices are dual voltage so there's no need to bring a transformer. Matter of fact the electrical receptacles are like ours so no need to bring an adapter either. . But there might be one or two receptacles that are two prong and if you computer charging cord is three prong you will need this kind of adapter. They are cheap on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/CableWholesale-Wholesale-Grounding-Converter-30W1-32200/dp/B000I96AUM
12) Notify your bank about your travel plans so they don't block any charges they see on your card from Mexico. I also recommend paying for dinners and other things with cash as often as possible. I always like to bring some pesos with me to avoid taking time to get to an ATM. The exchange rate is fantastic for us. An example: Just 3 1/2 years ago if you had a dinner that costs 220 Mexican Pesos that would have been about $22, Today? How about $11!! Eat up.
13) It can get cool at night and early in the morning so I would think about layers. Of course that depends on whether you're a warm weather person or a cold weather person. A light jacket and/or light sweater are good to have. Shorts are ok but you don't see them that much down there. Light weight cotton clothing is a good start. Sun tan lotion is important as is a good hat to block the sun and save your face. Good sturdy walking shoes or even good sturdy tennis shoes will be a good idea. It's very casual there but one set of clothes without paint stains on it might be in order for dinners out.
14) Remember that your van is paid for. Occasionally the driver might not know that but just tell them. Leave a tip though.
13) It can get cool at night and early in the morning so I would think about layers. Of course that depends on whether you're a warm weather person or a cold weather person. A light jacket and/or light sweater are good to have. Shorts are ok but you don't see them that much down there. Light weight cotton clothing is a good start. Sun tan lotion is important as is a good hat to block the sun and save your face. Good sturdy walking shoes or even good sturdy tennis shoes will be a good idea. It's very casual there but one set of clothes without paint stains on it might be in order for dinners out.
14) Remember that your van is paid for. Occasionally the driver might not know that but just tell them. Leave a tip though.