Getting to Dolores Hidalgo is an adventure. Driving through the winding mountainous roads to get there, you wonder at the beauty as well as the seeming danger. Once you arrive, it is as though you have set foot into another time.
When you enter the town, one of the first things you will see is a large statue of the town’s namesake. Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla is the man credited with launching the independence movement that led to the Mexican Revolution. He is an acclaimed hero, honored by almost all Mexicans, and has no peer. You will hear about the “Grito de Dolores,” which is his yell of “Mexicanos, viva Mexico!” September 16th is Mexico’s Independence Day, and as the heart of the movement, Dolores Hidalgo is a great place to visit at this time, although you will need to make reservations in advance.
One of the most unique things about Dolores Hidalgo is its ice cream. While sitting in the plaza, a European-style manicured beauty with plentiful iron and wood benches, we were offered ice cream by a vendor. He had over fifty flavors to choose from, including avocado, beer and tequila. Seeing our amazement, he generously gave us samples of the more unusual varieties, which were surprisingly delicious. So, if you find yourself in this quaint city, you must try the ice cream, if only to say that you have eaten avocado ice cream, or whatever your favorite may turn out to be!
Across from the park is a huge church called the Parroquia de Nuestra Senora de Dolores. This church is considered to be a historical monument, as Father Hidalgo gave his call to independence from this very site. If you are interested in learning more about Hidalgo’s role in Mexican Independence, head over to the Museo de la Independencia Nacional, which as its name implies, gives the traveler information about the independence movement.
While meandering down the main path, you will find that you can pick a restaurant by the smell of the tantalizing pollo rostazado (roasted chicken) coming from the doorway. Ironically, just as you smell your lunch, you may be simultaneously stepping around a rooster to get inside the door. Dolores Hidalgo offers many opportunities to experience culinary delights, including fresh fruit from vendors, sandwiches and tacos from stands, small eateries and full-sized restaurants.
After a nice lunch, check out the shopping in this area. Prices are simply unbelievable. If you are a fan of the bright multicolored talavera pottery that is produced in this region, you will find that you can purchase a box of tiles for what amount to pennies per tile, as well as top quality locally produced talavera plates, vases, lamps and figurines. These make excellent gifts, and in this area, the prices are about a fifth of what you would pay for the same item in the United States.
You will have to make certain to visit the antique and furniture stores that are a little-known treasure in Dolores Hidalgo. These stores also function as small factories and workshops, and offer fine craftsmanship. You can order furniture made to order, or choose from a variety of unique, handcrafted pieces. The style is rustic, but it is much more individualized than the rustic pieces you will find in Northern Mexico, or in most import shops in the United States. The prices are extremely affordable. More than one person, including us, has filled up a truck with furniture and sent it back to the United States. Also, if you are looking for one of those charming antique Mexican doors, you have found the place. If you do decide to purchase a significant amount of tile or furniture, make sure to ask around in order to find the most reputable shipping company. Some of the expatriates in nearby San Miguel de Allende can be good sources for this sort of information. You want to make sure that you find someone who is both honest and who is familiar with customs regulations. Even after factoring in the cost of shipping the furniture back home, you will find that it is a better deal than buying it in the United States, not to mention that you will have a selection of very fine pieces to choose from.
Should you decide to stay overnight, there are several charming hotels that are very affordable. You will hard-pressed to find a place that charges over US $30 per night. Like any hotel in Mexico, check out the room before you pay, in order to make sure that you get one with good ventilation and the ambience you would prefer.
At 50,000 people, Dolores Hidalgo is a charming place that is well worth the scenic drive to get there. It is one of the most relaxing places in Mexico that I have been, and there is plenty to enjoy in this mountainous village.
