Private Tour to Dolores Hidalgo and San Miguel from Guanajuato
Description
Departing from Guanajuato City upon arrival in Dolores Hidalgo, visitors will be transported back in time as they explore the town's well-preserved colonial architecture, charming streets, and historic buildings. Dolores Hidalgo is famous for its role in the Mexican War of Independence, and visitors can learn about this important event by visiting the town's Independence Museum and the famous bell tower where the call to arms was made. Next, the tour heads to San Miguel de Allende, a Unesco World Heritage site famous for its stunning colonial architecture, vibrant arts scene, and lively atmosphere. Visitors will enjoy a guided tour of the town's most iconic landmarks, including its impressive churches, plazas, and historic buildings. The knowledgeable guides will provide historical and cultural insights that bring the town's past to life.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Santa Rosa de Lima is a small town located in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico. It is named after Saint Rose of Lima, the patron saint of the Americas. The town is known for its beautiful colonial architecture and is a popular destination for tourists who are interested in Mexican history and culture. One of the main attractions in Santa Rosa de Lima is the church of the same name, which was built in the 18th century and features stunning baroque architecture. Another notable attraction is the nearby Sierra de Lobos Natural Reserve (or sierra de Santa Rosa), which is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. The town is also famous for being the birthplace of Felipe Angeles, a prominent military figure in the Mexican Revolution. Today, Santa Rosa de Lima is a peaceful and charming town that offers visitors a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of Mexico.
The Independency Museum (Museo de la Independencia) in Dolores Hidalgo, Mexico is a historical museum dedicated to the Mexican War of Independence. The museum is housed in the former residence of Miguel Hidalgo, a Catholic priest and key figure in the Mexican War of Independence. The museum's exhibits showcase the history and culture of the region during the period of the war, including weaponry, uniforms, and artwork from the era. The museum is known for its collection of artifacts related to Hidalgo and the Mexican War of Independence, including the original bell that Hidalgo rang to call for rebellion against Spanish colonial rule. The museum is considered an important cultural and historical site in Mexico, attracting visitors from around the world who come to learn about this pivotal moment in Mexican history. $ 60 MXN extra cost.
The Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Dolores is a historic church located in the town of Dolores Hidalgo. The church was built in the 18th century and is considered a significant example of Mexican Baroque architecture. The exterior of the church features intricate stonework and a striking facade adorned with statues of saints and religious figures. The church is also known for its association with the Mexican War of Independence. It was here that Father Miguel Hidalgo, a priest and one of the leaders of the independence movement, delivered his famous "Cry of Dolores" speech on September 16, 1810. This speech marked the beginning of the war against Spanish colonial rule and is celebrated as Mexico's Independence Day. Today, the Parroquia remains an important landmark and cultural site in the town, attracting visitors from around the world who come to learn about its history and significance.
The Mausoleum of Jose Alfredo Jimenez is a monument dedicated to the memory of the famous Mexican singer-songwriter Jose Alfredo. He was a prolific songwriter and performer who is credited with popularizing the ranchera music genre in Mexico and beyond. The mausoleum was built in 1974, a year after Jimenez's death, and is located in the Panteón Municipal de Dolores Hidalgo cemetery, where Jimenez is buried. The monument is a striking structure featuring a statue of Jimenez standing atop a pedestal, surrounded by a circular pool of water. The monument is adorned with mosaics and inscriptions paying tribute to Jimenez's life and legacy. The monument is also an important symbol of Mexico's rich cultural heritage and the lasting impact of its most famous artists and performers. $ 50 MXN extra cost.
The Sanctuary of Atotonilco was built in the 18th century and is known for its stunning Baroque architecture and elaborate decoration. The church features intricate stonework and a colorful interior adorned with frescoes and sculptures depicting religious scenes and figures. The church is also known for its unique combination of Christian and indigenous symbols and iconography, reflecting the blending of cultures that occurred during the colonial period. The Sanctuary of Atotonilco is also significant for its role in the Mexican War of Independence. It was here that Father Miguel Hidalgo, a leader of the independence movement, sought refuge and gathered support for his cause in 1810. The church is now considered a national monument and a UNESCO World Heritage site, attracting visitors from around the world who come to admire its beauty and historical significance.
The church's striking Neo-Gothic facade features two tall towers and rose-colored stone, making it a beloved symbol of the town. The Parroquia de San Miguel dates back to the 17th century, but the current facade and towers were constructed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The church's interior is equally impressive, featuring intricate stonework, colorful stained glass windows, and a number of valuable works of art. The church is also known for its lively bell tower, which houses a set of massive bells that are rung by hand several times a day. The Parroquia is an important cultural and religious site in San Miguel de Allende, and attracts visitors from around the world who come to admire its beauty and historical significance. The church is also a popular venue for weddings and other special events, and hosts a variety of musical performances and other cultural events throughout the year.
Free time to Eat and take pictures
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Please wait in the hotel lobby or adress that you provide to us 10 minutes before your scheduled pickup time and check the calls and messages of your cell phone, we will contact you before picking you up.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(13)
The Driver Gaspar was super knowledgeable of all the places we visited. The driver knew all the roads and followed all the road rules.
This is a must-do day trip from Guanajuato. Firstly, our guide Ramses was amazing! He was so kind and knowledgable, and his pacing of the tour was fantastic. The first part of the tour was visiting the memorial and museum for Jose Alfredo Jimenez. We were unfamiliar with this beloved Mexican singer, but his monument (and the cemetary in which he is buried) is just so beautiful and charming. We absolutely loved it. Then, his museum (which you do need to pay for (but it's not expensive)) had two interactive exhibits that help you truly appreciate his music. This, along with memorabilia and artifacts from his life make this museum so wonderful. It was an unexpected first part of our day, but it ended up being our favorite part of the day trip1 We appreciated learning the history at Dolores Hidalgo and understanding its significance to the Independence Movement. The church there was beautiful and we even got to see a wedding party taking photos! We loved the stop at Atotonilco to see the "Sistine Chapel" of Mexico. That church was also gorgeous. Lastly, San Miguel de Allende's main square and stunning church were just jaw dropping. All of these stops on the trip were fascinating, and we loved our day!
Awesome trip with our guide Javier! Felt like a long day but totally worth all the cities we visited and the history lessons we got. We got a chance to customize a bit how we wanted to spend our alloted time at each location. Of note, WhatsApp is preferred for communication (efficient communication experience overall with them), you might need to go elsewhere for pick up but not far (depending on whether streets are accessible to tour vans that day or not), be ready to try/buy a lot of amazing treats/drinks along the way, and bring any motion sickness remedies (some roads can be a little rough)! Enjoy!
Enjoyable experience with good guides. We were able to hit several highlights within Guanajuato with being based in the capital.
Very nice places we visited, give you a brief explanation of the history. Very comfortable transport. The guide didn't interact with us that much. The place where we got to eat we did not like it at all, they have good attention but the food is not good, expensive, there were many flies. San miguel de allende overrated.
Hola Nadyr, muchas gracias por tomarte el tiempo de compartir tus comentarios. Nos alegra saber que disfrutaste los lugares visitados y la comodidad del transporte. También tomamos en cuenta tu observación sobre la interacción de la guía; sin duda es un punto que revisaremos para seguir mejorando la experiencia. Sobre el restaurante, nos gustaría aclarar para futuros viajeros que nosotros no asignamos ni llevamos a un restaurante específico. La elección del lugar donde comer es completamente realizada por cada turista. Durante el recorrido podemos sugerir opciones, pero la decisión final —incluyendo el restaurante que mencionas— fue tomada por ustedes de acuerdo a sus preferencias, lamentamos la experiencia pero nosotros no elegimos el lugar. Anteriormente nosotros si elegíamos el restaurante, pero eso generaba problemas dado que cada persona tiene preferencias y presupuestos diferentes, es por eso que decidimos hacerlo totalmente libre con recomendaciones. Agradecemos mucho tu retroalimentación. ¡Saludos cordiales!
Do this trip! You will see so many treasures and each spot has something different to offer. My guide was the best! He knew everything about everything and was great about communicating to see how much time I wanted to spend at each place. The tours last stop is San Miguel Allende where you’ll have plenty of time to sightsee and maybe grab a meal or some drinks! This is not a long day if you enjoy seeing interesting things and like to know a bit about the country you are visiting. This was an irreplaceable part of my Guanajuato experience. Go have some fun!
Great way to explore more than one place. Alejandro was a great guide and amazingly knowledgeable in history. He made our experience very comfortable and enjoyable. Thank you!!
Reyes was very attentive and did his very best. This is a long trip and maybe we didn’t realize how exhausting it was. We felt shuttled around between several Dolores Hidalgo locations- so hoping in and out just to see one thing. It became tiring after a couple times. By the time we got to San Miguel, we were exhausted!!! We simply ate, walked a tiny bit and then requested to leave. Reyes was very alert on how we were feeling and would accommodate us- there was a craft fair at one location and he gave us time to show. My fiancé really enjoyed chatting with him while shopping. Reyes had a personal connection to a few locations which was lovely to get to know him better. This is a long trip, I might cut out Dolores Hidalgo part and go straight to San Miguel. And I recommend eating at San Miguel. We found good food at a random spot. I highly recommend this company. They are responsive and accommodating.
Hello Melissa, thank you so much for your thoughtful review — we truly appreciate it! We’re very happy to hear that you had a great experience with Reyes and that his attentiveness and flexibility made a positive difference during your trip. We’d like to share for future travelers that this tour can be customized. For those who prefer a more relaxed experience focused only on San Miguel de Allende, it is absolutely possible to skip Dolores Hidalgo — we just need to know this preference at the time of booking. In your case, as this request wasn’t specified in advance, the guide followed the standard itinerary as advertised. We really value your feedback, especially regarding the pace of the tour, as it helps other travelers choose the option that best fits their travel style. Thank you again for your recommendation, and we hope to welcome you back in the future! Best regards.
Met our expectations. Staff were friendly, knowledgable interesting places learn more about Mexican independence.
Alejandro was a good guide. The arrangements went smoothly and the ride was comfortable. We were staying in Guanajuato and we wanted to see San Miguel de Allende. This tour was a good way to do that. A couple of the stops were not exactly what we would have chosen, specifically the tomb and house of José Alfredo Jimenez, but those are apparently highlights of Dolores Hidalgo. For us, the best part of the visit to Dolores Hidalgo was the stop at the artisan market where we bought some lovely ceramics. The tour includes 2 hours of free time to wander around San Miguel de Allende. It’s worth seeing and that amount of time was just right. Overall, a worthwhile day trip from Guanajuato.
