How To Visit Grutas De Tolantongo In Mexico
Outside the hustle and bustle of Mexico City, In the Hidalgo state, you will find Grutas de Tolantongo. Grutas de Tolantongo comes from the Aztec language meaning “Caves where it feels warm.”
It has been a destination attracting local visitors throughout the years, looking to become a top trendy hot spot very soon.
What is Grutas de Tolantongo?
Grutas de Tolantongo is a system of caves and grottoes through which water flows into a Tolantongo river. The whole area is a creation of mother nature working hard over thousands of years.
The caves were first officially introduced to the tourism World in the mid-1970s and that is also when a simple spelling mistake in a newspaper gave the caves its name.
Over the years a resort was built by the community of local families to cater to hundreds of tourists visiting daily with a system of mineral hot pools, hotels, and restaurants.
Until this day the resort is run by the locals and your visit is a great way to support the local economy.
Where Are Grutas de Tolantongo?
Depending on the traffic, you can get to this superb location within 3-4 hours of leaving Mexico City. As with many gems, it is not the most accessible destination, but you can bet it’s an escape worth visiting.
Tucked away from the city, you will discover an oasis in the middle of a semi-desert climate.
You’ll be able to disconnect with some spotty cell phone coverage while taking in the Mexican desert countryside, passing little to no towns on your drive.
How to Get to Grutas de Tolantongo, Mexico
There are numerous modes of transportation options. However, the most convenient is to take a personal car (rental), especially if you’re with friends or family.
You will have the space and save on some traveling time. If you are thinking about renting a car in Mexico, here is everything you should know beforehand. Parking costs $30.00 MXN per vehicle.
Public transportation, such as a shuttle service, autobus, or collectivo (shared van), is the most cost-effective. Take note your arrival time will be a bit later, leaving you less time to explore every nook and cranny of Grutas Tolantongo.
Another popular option is to hire a tour guide. The tours range in price depending on the length of your stay. Most visitors usually opt for a day trip (5 am-7 pm).
Many solo travelers who do not speak the language feel the most comfortable taking this route. It’s an easy, stress-free, and safe option to access this wondrous place.
There will be areas that require you to hike up steep areas. Suppose that sounds different from something you’re interested in doing. In that case, you can take shuttle vans around for a reasonable 10 MXN.
How to Get to Grutas Tolantongo from Mexico City
If you’re coming from Mexico City all options have pros and cons depending on personal preferences, but overall it’s not hard to get to Grutas de Tolantongo from Mexico City.
- Taking a group tour — usually a quick day trip from Mexico City. Nice way to meet people and not have to worry about anything.
- Renting a car and driving to Tolantongo from Mexico City or Queretaro or San Miguel de Allende.
- Public bus from Terminal del Norte.
If you chose to get to Tolatongo by public bus, keep in mind that it requires multiple changes. You need to check the schedule of Ovnibus and Estrella Blanca companies – both operate daily to Ixmiquilpan from platforms 7 and 8.
Then, in Ixmiquilpan, you can take a taxi directly to Tolantongo (for about $40), or you’ll need to first get the bus from the terminal to Mercado Morelos (after walking 20 minutes) to catch a collectivo (shared van).
The last collectivo from Ixmiquilpan to Tolantongo leaves at 6:30 pm, and the last one from Tolantongo to Ixmiquilpan departs at 5:30 pm. I personally don’t recommend that option unless you’re very short on time.
Grutas de Tolatongo Tours
You can visit the resort by booking a small group tour from Mexico City. The tour leaves first thing in the morning (6 am) and it includes