Here are professionals, workers and service providers we have used satisfactorily or have very reputable friends share their experiences with them. Each service call is different, personalities are different, and you may not have the same positive experience. But these people are our suggestions. If you have people you'd like to recommend, send us their names--use the "Contact us" button on the left of this page. If you have had a bad experience with anyone we've recommended, also let us know.
Airport transportation, tours, drivers
American Express Viajes Vertiz Travel Agency, Hidalgo #1-A, Centro (across from Harry's), 152-1856, info@viajesvertiz.com, $95 per van that seats six to or from Leon Airport.
Fernando Ibarra, Cinco de Mayo, Col. Allende, 152-3934. $65 per car to or from Leon Airport, $175 per car to or from Mexico City airport, personalized tours.
Angelica Transportation and Tours, Purisima #4, Col. San Antonio, 152-6305, cel 044-415-153-5067, www.angelicatours.com
Teocalli Tours and Transportation, Refugio Norte #4, Col. San Antonio, 154-7339, 044-415-101=5953. www.tours-in-mexico.com
Rafa Tourist Tours, Col. Guadalupe, 152-7196, 044-415-149-8463, rafatours@hotmail.com
Appliance repair, including refrigerators:
Margarito Galvan Rico, 044-415-151-0468
Art supplies:
El Pato, Margarito Ledesma #19,Col. Guadalupe two blocks west of Aurora, 152-0830
Lagundi, Umaran 17 at Hernandez Macias, 152-0830, also does framing
Auto Mechanic:
Clinica Automotriz, Laureles 5, 152-4459, bilingual manager Jenero Green. Also does vehicle emissions testing for your twice-yearly window stickers.
Book store:
Libros el Tecolote, Jesus 11, same courtyard as Cafe Parroquia, 152-7395, tecolotebooks@yahoo.com
Cardiologists:
Dr. Esmeralda Altimerano Cardosa, 01-442, 207-5065, or 01-442-341-3538, in Doctors office wing of Hospital Angeles, suite 110.
Dr. Jorge Alvarez, Hospital de la Fe, Libramiento Hwy. #43, west of Mega glorieta, 152-2233
Computer repair and instruction:
Eduardo Lara Salinas, Indio Triste 7, Los Frailes, 152-0009, 044-415-153-2222
Dentists:
Dr. Jorge Vargas and son, Libramiento Queretaro (half block east of Pollo Feliz across from Mega), 152-1081 and 152-1986. Laboratory on premises.
Dermatologist:
Dr. Blanca E. Farias de Villarreal, Hernandez Macias 85A, 152-2321
Doctor, house and hotel calls:
Dr. Jorge Martinez, 044-415-153-8832
Dog boarding and grooming:
Tato & Lore, Prol. Pila Seca #2, 154-7063
Clinica Izcuinapan (Veterinarian Rodrigo Garibay), Relampago 22, Col. La Lejona, 120-0043, 044-415-151-9325, garibaymjr2000@yahoo.com.mx
Electrician:
Master Electricians: English-speaking father/son team with 40+ years SMA experience. Extensive American clientele. Reasonable rates. References. Juan Ruiz Rodriguez, 415-152-5821, or cel 044-415-101-6780, 044-415-107-7330. (Juan is the son of our housekeeper and we've used him a lot.)
Electronics repair and installation:
Daniel Guerra, 15406331, 044-415-153-2583
FM3 expediter:
Patty Garcia, 044-415-149-3122, patgar5@yahoo.com
FM3 paperwork to renew it yourself:
Escritorio Publico storefront across street from Immigration, end of Canal (Calzada de la Estacion). Also does photos for all government needs. Immigration and the Escritorio Publico are both open 9 am-1 pm M-F.
Framing of artwork:
High end: Lavinia's Framing, Refugio Sur 35, Col. San Antonio, 154-5344, lavinaj@prodigy.net.mx
Boni Marcos y Molduras, Mesones #5 (inside courtyard, to left rear of vet clinic), no phone. Bonifacio Juarez speaks some English.
General practitioner:
Dr. Chris Ramaglia, Pila Seca 52, 152-2111
Hair cutting and styling:
High end: Christine Conway, The Cutting Garden, Codo 4 near Tenerias, 154-4258 (From London, did Margaret Thatcher's hair)
Men and women, about 80 pesos a cut, Estetica Unisex Bandala, Hernandez Macias 62 across from Hotel Sautto, no phone, also does manicures and pedicures, walk-ins.
Handyman, including most electrical:
Elias Olalde, 152-6412, 044-415-103-6506
Hospitals:
Hospital General of San Miguel, 60 beds, 60 doctors, ER staffed 24/7. Formally the Felipe G. Dobargenes Hospital, it is open to all. Basic ER visit is 63 pesos, additional charges based on ability to pay if you're not in the government's Seguro Publico insurance plan (not IMSS). Take road to Queretaro out of town almost to glorieta of the four heroes statues (by city hall) and come back toward San Miguel, staying in right service lane road. Turn right onto Avenida Primero de Mayo (no sign--look for new white Alternative Justice hall on right and Construrama sign on building on left where you turn). Go to end to yellow and blue hospital on right side. Dial 066 or 152-0911 for emergencies to get an ambulance. Excellent care the two times we've had to use it. We prefer it to Hospital de la Fe--it's larger, newer, and has more full-time doctors.
Hospital Angeles de Queretaro, Bernardino del Razo #21. 01-442-216-9717. More expensive private hospital in Queretaro, considered the best in the region.
Immigration attorney:
Ubaldo Aguado, 044-415-151-4822. Also handles applications for Mexican drivers licenses.
Internists:
Dr. Salvador Quiroz, Hospital de la Fe, 152-2233
Dr. Rodriguez, Santo Domingo 2, 152-2937 (Medical director of Hospital General, office hours 5-8 pm)
Laundry and dry cleaning, including rugs and comforters:
Carlos, Lavanderia Express, 154-5441, 044-415-149-2174. Free pickup and delivery to your home.
Mail service:
La Conexion, Aldama 3, 152-1599, laconex@prodigy.net.mx, www.laconex.com
Medical lab tests:
Bios-Lab, Hidalgo 22 (inside hotel), 154-7322
Orthopedist and orthopedic/traumatology surgeon:
Dr. Michael Schmidt, 20 de Noviembre, 328 Sur, Queretaro, 044-01-442-213-4683
Physical/rehabilitation therapist:
Rosa Maria L. Rabern, Esperanza 3, Col. San Antonio, 152-4733. Bilingual, clinic at home, will do hospital and home visits. Uses TENS electrical stimulation equipment as well as exercises and physical manipulation.
Propane delivery to home:
Gas Express, 152-7777
Plumbers:
Ilias, 044-415-101-9307
Satellite TV--DISH:
Daniel Guerra, 154-6331, 044-415-153-2583
Shipping U.S./San Miguel:
Mark Bartell, bartell@cybermatsa.com.mx
, 415-152-8108 (tel/fax), 415-153-3371 (cell). Private shipping service, will do small household moves of cartons only. Call to arrange shipping to his US address for his next drive to SMA.
Leo Chow, leochow@aol.com, also manager of Z-Club and of Scorpio Internet Cafe. Call in SMA first: 152 8190, cel 044 415 101 9764. US cel 214 460 0829, Vonage 214 257 0358.
