Car rental in Leon and the Bajio

Driving times from BJX

• Leon (approx. 25 to 30 minutes).
• Guanajuato city (approx. 30 to 40 minutes): a UNESCO World Heritage centre. Park at the edge and walk in; the historic core is a maze of tunnels and alleys.
• San Miguel de Allende (approx. 1 hour 15 minutes): the best known destination in the state.
• Dolores Hidalgo (approx. 1 hour), on the way to San Miguel.
• Queretaro (approx. 2 hours).

Business travel in the industrial corridor

Many of our BJX customers are here for work. The industrial parks around Silao, Leon, Irapuato, Salamanca and Apaseo concentrate automotive and manufacturing operations, and two or three meetings in a day rarely works without your own vehicle. If you need a Mexican tax invoice (factura), say so when booking.

Driving in the Bajio

The highways between the main cities are toll roads and in good condition, but the booths largely take cash: carry pesos even though the rental is paid by card. Morning fog is common in winter between Silao and Guanajuato, and the tunnel network under Guanajuato city regularly confuses satellite navigation.

Which car works best in the Bajio

This is more highway than city driving. Between Silao, Leon, Guanajuato and San Miguel de Allende you are on well-maintained toll roads, where an economy car does the job. Inside Guanajuato city it changes: the tunnel network and the alleys make a small car clearly easier, and the usual approach is to park at the edge and walk in.

If you are here for work and visiting several industrial parks in a day, the distances between Silao, Irapuato and Salamanca add up quickly, so fuel economy matters more than size. If you need a Mexican tax invoice (factura), say so when booking so the details are right from the start.

Arriving at the airport

The airport is in Silao, between Leon and Guanajuato city. The region's toll roads mostly take cash only, so carry pesos even though the rental is paid by card. Morning fog is common in winter on the stretch towards Guanajuato, and the tunnel network under the city centre regularly confuses satellite navigation.

Conditions at a glance

• Age: minimum 18. Drivers aged 18-24 and 65-70 pay 5 USD per day.
• Documents: a valid licence, plus a passport if you are a foreign visitor - your entry stamp allows up to 90 days.
• Payment: VISA, MASTERCARD or AMERICAN EXPRESS in the renter's name. We do not accept cash.
• Deposit: 150 USD with TT1 cover, 350 USD with LDW2, or 2,500 USD with no cover.
• Insurance: US liability insurance is not valid in Mexico, and most collision cover issued by US companies does not apply either.

Full detail on cover, deductibles, additional drivers and roadside assistance is in our frequently asked questions.

Frequently asked questions about renting in Leon and the Bajio

See all our frequently asked questions (Spanish).