How to Set Up Utilities in San Miguel de Allende (CFE, Water, Internet)

Setting up utilities in San Miguel is straightforward once you know where to go & what to ask for. Most new residents have everything running within a week of moving in. Here is the practical playbook for electricity, water, gas, internet & trash.

1. Electricity (CFE)

CFE (Comisión Federal de Electricidad) is the national utility. Bills are issued bimonthly (every two months). To transfer service into your name after purchase or rental, take your escritura or rental contract, ID, & a recent CFE bill from the property to the CFE office at the entrance to town. The cambio de nombre (name change) is free & takes about 30 minutes.

• Payment: Pay online via the CFE portal, at OXXO, at a bank, or through your Mexican bank app.

• Typical residential cost: $30 to $80 USD bimonthly for a Centro home without AC, more if you run AC heavily in summer.

• Tip: San Miguel's climate rarely needs heating or AC, electric bills are usually low compared to US norms.

2. Water (SAPASMA)

SAPASMA is the municipal water utility. Like CFE, request a cambio de nombre at the SAPASMA office with proof of ownership/rental & ID.

• Payment: Pay at the SAPASMA office, OXXO, or online.

• Typical cost: Around $15 to $40 USD/month for residential.

• Reality check: Tap water is not potable. Every home uses a 20-liter garrafón (delivered weekly by truck for around $30 MXN each) or installs a filtration system.

3. Gas (LP)

Most homes use LP gas delivered by truck (stationary tank or rooftop tanque estacionario). You do not "set up" service in the utility sense, you simply call a company (Gas Natural Allende, Gas Imperial, Vela Gas, etc.) when the tank is low. They top off your tank & you pay the driver.

• Typical cost: $30 to $80 USD per refill, every 1 to 3 months for an average household.

• Tip: Check the gauge weekly. Running out on a Sunday means cold showers until Monday.

4. Internet

You have real options in San Miguel. The main providers:

• Telmex/Infinitum: Widest coverage, fiber to most Centro & expanding to all major colonias. $30 to $50 USD/month for residential fiber.

• Izzi: Fiber & cable, competitive pricing & speeds. Strong in Centro & San Antonio.

• Totalplay: Premium fiber, good speeds & reliability where available.

• Starlink: Reliable backup or primary option for outlying properties without fiber. About $50/month + equipment.

Setup is fast. Telmex/Izzi typically install within 3 to 7 days of request. Take ID, proof of address, & be available on installation day.

5. Trash

Municipal trash collection runs several times a week throughout Centro & most colonias. There is no "setup", you simply put bags out the morning of pickup. Some HOAs or condo communities handle trash internally. Recyclables can go to the municipal recycling drop, or to organizations that collect for charity.

6. Cellular Service

Telcel & AT&T Mexico both have strong coverage in San Miguel. Prepaid (amigo, AT&T prepago) is easy & cheap, $20 USD/month for plenty of data. Bring an unlocked US phone & buy a Mexican SIM, or use eSIM apps.

The Order of Operations

1. Get your address confirmed in writing (lease or escritura).

2. CFE name change first (the bill is the most commonly requested "proof of address" comprobante).

3. Water & internet next.

4. Buy a phone SIM same day as electricity.

5. Order gas when needed.

For broader cost-of-living context, see the cost-of-living guide. For move logistics, the honest look at moving covers the first 30 days.

If you would like a current introduction to specific gas, internet & filtration providers I trust in San Miguel, reach out.