How to Visit Las Grutas de Tolantongo Hot Springs Hidalgo Mexico

Las Grutas de Tolantongo Hot Springs in Hidalgo, Mexico is a place unlike any other, so if you’re looking for an amazing and unique travel destination, this is it!

The site remained a well-kept secret until the 1970s when the resort and grottos were constructed and the word got out. Las Grutas de Tolantongo has since become a popular destination for people from all over the world.

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Best Way to Get to Las Grutas de Tolantongo Hot Springs

Getting to Las grutas de Tolantongo can be a bit of a struggle due to the long drive. I recommend the Full-Day Tour Exploring Las Grutas de Tolantongo in Hidalgo for a hassle-free experience.

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Las Grutas de Tolantongo offers stunning landscapes, crystal clear water, and plenty of thermal activity to enjoy. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing getaway or an adventure-filled vacation, Las Grutas de Tolantongo has something for everyone.

This guide will tell you everything you need to know about planning your visit to Las Grutas de Tolantongo Hot Springs, including how to get to Las Grutas de Tolantongo, tips on what to bring with you, and what to expect when you arrive. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get started!

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What is Las Grutas de Tolantongo Hidalgo Mexico?

Las Grutas de Tolantongo is a hidden gem up in the mountains at 4,200-feet (1,280m) above sea level in Mezquital Canyon. It is a collection of hot springs pools built into a cliff in Hidalgo, a four-hour drive from Mexico City.

Tolantongo isn’t just a town but an interesting geological feature, a box canyon deep in the Valley de Mezquital. The name Tolantongo comes from the Nahuatl word Tonaltonko, meaning “Home where it feels warm” or “Place with warm flowing waters.”

The water gets its heat thanks to an underground source that flows through limestone deposits from surrounding volcanic mountains.

Although its official name is Las Grutas de Tolantogo (the caves/grottos of Tolantongo), the hot spring has been called in many ways such as Grutas Tolantongo, La Gruta de Tolantongo, Grutas de Tolantongo, Las Grutas Mexico, Tolantongo Caves, or Mexico City/Hidalgo hot springs.

With its turquoise thermal waters and lush surroundings, Tolantongo is a bucket list destination for all types of visitors. There are three hotels, campsites, restaurants, ziplining, suspension bridges, a river, and a canyon. In addition, there are more than 30 warm mineral pools located next to the hotels on the mountainside and two main caves.

How to Get to Las Grutas de Tolantongo in Hidalgo, Mexico

If you’re wondering how to get to Las Grutas de Tolantongo, don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.

There are two airports near Las Grutas de Tolantongo. Although Queretaro International Airport (QRO) is closer, it’s usually cheaper and more convenient to fly to Mexico City International Airport (MEX).

Below, you will find three different ways to get to Las Grutas de Tolantongo from both Mexico City and Queretaro, which include joining an organized group tour, driving a rental car, or taking public transportation.

1. Getting to Las Grutas de Tolantongo via All-Inclusive Tour – Cheapest, Easiest & Most Convenient Way

A group tour is the best option if you’re looking for an affordable and convenient way to visit Las Grutas de Tolantongo because you won’t have to deal with any of the logistics.

All you have to do is show up on time for the tour pick-up, enjoy the ride, have a wonderful time at Las Grutas de Tolantongo, and return on the same day. There are two full-day tour options for you to take from Mexico City and Queretaro below.

From Mexico City: Full-Day Tour Exploring Las Grutas de Tolantongo in Hidalgo

You’ll be leaving Mexico City first thing in the morning at 6 AM to start your way towards Las Grutas de Tolantongo – Tolantongo Caves. You will enjoy breakfast in the pueblo magico town of San Cristobal, Hidalgo, one of the best Mexico hidden gems before heading to Tolantongo Hidalgo.

Once there you can enjoy a fun-filled day exploring this incredible natural paradise located 1280 meters above sea level!

You will have access to not only hot springs but also waterfalls and other features that make it such an amazing place. Don’t forget about the suspension bridge and make sure to combine the relaxation of the hot springs with hiking and add the zipline for more adventure.

With this tour, you will have approximately 7 hours to explore Tolantongo Hot Spings and Caves, compared to only 4-5 hours with other Tolantongo Cave tours.

From Querétaro: English-Speaking Full Day Tour to Tolantongo Caves

This tour from Queretaro includes entrance tickets, guide, and transportation. Since Queretaro is closer to Hidalgo than Mexico City, this tour departs at 8 AM.

2. Getting to Las Grutas Tolantongo by Car from Mexico City or Queretaro

Even though getting to Las Grutas de Tolantongo by car can be a bit tricky if you’re not familiar with the area, it is possible.

It only costs $20 pesos ($1USD) per day to park at Tolantongo but since the distance is quite far and you may not want to drive at night in Mexico (for safety reasons), you will also want to factor in the cost of accommodation – which I will go into details over the next section.

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🚗If you are coming from México City by car

Tolantongo is often thought of as the Mexico City hot springs, but it’s actually about 200km away and takes about four hours to drive one away. You should use the paid highways or toll roads (also known as couta roads) since they tend to be safer and more well-maintained than the free roads.

If you’re coming to Hidalgo from Mexico City by car, take the main road out of Mexico City called México-Pachuca Highway (Mexico 85) and drive towards Pachuca. Before you reach Pachuca City, take a left turn and head in the direction of Actopan. You’ll need to take the main road there until you reach Ixmiquilpan.

Once in Ixmiquilpan, take the road to the Church of San Antonio where you’ll exit toward the Cardonal municipality and find signs leading to Las Grutas de Tolantongo.

The highways outside of Mexico City are mostly okay, but the roads in Hidalgo can be a little bumpy. If you are renting a car, it may be better to consider a full-sized car.

Useful tip: Cell signal may not be stable, so make sure to download an offline map from Google Maps. For your safety, you should not be driving after dark. As a result, you may want to leave early or rent accommodation to stay the night. More information on where to stay in Tolantongo will follow.

🚗If you are coming from Querétaro City by car

It takes about 3 to 3.5 hours to drive from Querétaro City to Tolantongo. You will want to take the main road that goes to Mexico City, passing through the towns of San Juan del Río and Palmillas. In Palmillas, make a left turn onto the road to Hichapan. Drive on this road until you reach Ixmiquilpan.

Once in Ixmiquilpan, take the road to the Church of San Antonio where you’ll exit toward the Cardonal municipality and find signs leading to Las Grutas de Tolantongo.

3. Getting to Las Grutas de Tolantongo by Public Transportation

Getting to Las Grutas de Tolantongo by public transportation is possible, but it’s quite risky since there is no direct route and the buses are not always on time. Even when all goes well, it can take about six hours for you to get to Las Grutas de Tolantongo – so you lose a lot of precious time.

🚌If you are coming from Mexico City

If you’re coming from Mexico City, head to Terminal del Norte (North Terminal) and take a bus to Ixmiquilpan Hidalgo City on platform 7 or 8 of the OVNIBUS or FLECHA ROJA line. When you arrive, take a colectivo (small shared van) from the parking lot at the Ixmiquilpan bus station to the Ixmiquilpan center city.

The colectivo should only cost about 10-15 pesos. When you get there, walk to the north of Ixmiquilpan city, past the “Morelos Market” (Mercado Morelos). Finally, find a microbus station in the “San Antonio” parking and take a microbus directly to Grutas de Tolantongo.

🚌If you are coming from Queretaro City

If you are coming from Querétaro City, take a bus from the bus station near the stadium on Sale B of the CONEXION line, with directions to Huichapan-Ixmiquilpan-Pachuca. When you arrive, take a colectivo (small shared van) from Ixmiquilpan bus station to Ixmiquilpan center city. Once there, walk to the north of Ixmiquilpan city, past the “Morelos Market”. Finally, find a microbus station in the “San Antonio” parking and take a microbus directly to Grutas de Tolantongo.

Where to stay at Las Grutas de Tolantongo

There are five onsite hotels, three of which — La Gruta Hotel, Paraíso Hotel and Paraíso Escondido Hotel – are open all week, while the other two — La Huerta Hotel and Molanguito Hotel – are only available on the weekends. The hotels offer very modest accommodation, and Paraíso Hotel has the newest facilities. In addition, you will have the option of camping at Las Grutas de Tolantongo.

🏨Las Grutas de Tolantongo Resort Hotels

Las Grutas de Tolantongo is a resort area, but don’t think of it as a luxury place to stay, The hotels in the resort areas are actually very basic and modest.

Tolantongo Hotels do not have online booking system in advance, which means that you need to arrive early in the day to reserve a room. Without booking in advance, there is no guarantee that you will get a room and the chance of you getting one gets slimmer and slimmer by the hour.

So how early should you get there? We are talking as early as when the site opens at 7 AM – which means that you have to start driving from Mexico City or Queretaro City from 3 to 4 AM (when it’s still pretty dark and not safe to drive).

It’s quite troublesome to do the logistic of renting a car, driving, and renting a place to stay in Las Grutas de Tolantongo, so I do recommend you take the tour instead – especially for solo travelers.

Though this is not an option for the faint of heart, if you insist on renting a room at Las Grutas de Tolantongo Hotels during your visit, here are a few things you should note:

1. Make sure you have enough Mexican pesos because the hotel accepts cash only. Room rates start at 700 pesos ($35 USD) for a single room and go up to 2,000 pesos (around $100USD) for a triple room.
2. Arrive between 7 AM to 9 AM to make a reservation for the rooms
3. The hotel rooms only have the basic service (room, bathroom, and shower). There is no TV, Wifi, or phone services.
4. The room cost doesn’t include admissions tickets to the park. In order to stay at the hotel, you need to have the ticket for every day of of your stay, including the arrival day (check-in day) and the departure day (check-out day). In other words, even if you stay one night, you will have to pay for two days of the park admissions tickets.
5. The hotels have quiet hours after 11 PM

🏕️Las Grutas de Tolantongo Camping

For nature lovers, Las Grutas de Tolantongo Camping is a great way to experience the park’s natural wonders.

If you bring your own equipment, you can register at the campsite rental booth for free and do the setup on your own. If you do not have camping equipment, tent rentals are available. You can rent a tent and any other necessary equipment at Tolantongo. This will allow you to camp in any of the areas designated for camping.

The cost of renting a tent is by night, around $120-$300 pesos ($6-$15USD) for up to 8 people, and the staff will help you set everything up. In order to camp for one night, you will need to purchase two park tickets – one for the day of arrival and one for the next day of departure.

For more comfort, you can add a ground pad for 140 pesos ($7), an inflatable air mattress for 350 pesos ($17USD), or a blanket for $120 pesos ($6USD).

For the cold season between December – March, you will want to use blankets. In the rainy seasons between July and August, avoid camping near the river.

Tolantongo Admissions Tickets

The park is divided in 2 zones: El Paraíso Escondido Zone and La Gruta Zone. La Gruta Zone includes cavern, tunnel, river, and swimming pools. El Paraíso Escondido Zone includes thermal pools, zipline, trekking trails, and swimming pools.

If you take a tour to Tolantongo, the admissions ticket is already included. If not, it’s 150 pesos ($7USD) for the day and allows you to enjoy all of the natural attractions in both zones (the caves, tunnel, river, thermal swimming pools, trekking, suspension bridge, and waterfall) as well as certain services like basic medical care, bathrooms, and park security.

Admissions fees apply to everyone entering the park over the age of five. If your kids are under 5 years old, they can enter the site for free.

The zipline costs an additional $200 pesos ($10USD) and parking is $20 pesos per day if you’re driving your rental car.

One day’s admission at Tolantongo is for the park’s regular hours of 7 am to 8 pm. This means that if you stay beyond 8 pm, you’ll be charged extra for the next day’s entrance fee as well.

Las Grutas de Tolantongo is open all days of the year., including the holidays. Within the park, you will find:

• Caves, Tunnel, Waterfalls, and Swimming Pools: Come explore the natural wonders of Hidalgo from 8 am to 5 pm
• Thermal Pools and River: Take a dip in the soothing thermal waters from 8 am to 9 pm
• Restaurants and fast food kitchen: Grab a bite at a restaurant or a fast food spot on-site from 8 am to 10 pm
• Grocery & convenience stores: Stock up on snacks and drinks from 8 am to 10 pm

Things to do at Las Grutas de Tolantongo

The canyon is huge and stretches across the Tolantongo River. You’ll find warm and hot waters running through it, as well as waterfalls and natural pools scattered around the hill. Man-made constructions have spoiled some of the natural beauty, but it’s still worth a visit. Here’s an overview of what you’ll find within Grutas of Tolantongo:

Hot spring natural spa/pools

The main attraction at Tolantongo Caves is the hot spring pools, located in the upper part of Tolantongo. They were originally created by natural waterfalls, but there has been a lot of construction to create more and more pools using the same rocks to replicate the original effect. You can relax and unwind in the thermal pools while admiring the spectacular views over the canyon.

Opening hours – 08:00 am a 09:00 pm

Grutas (caves), waterfalls, tunnel

The caves are a must-see when visiting Tolantongo. With rushing waterfalls and a dramatic tunnel, it’s easy to see why these natural wonders are so popular. Make sure to bring your water shoes as the walk can be a bit slippery. You won’t be able to bring your personal belongings into the cave, but you can leave them in the lockers by the entrance for 80 MXN pesos.

Opening hours – 8:00 am a 5:00 pm

The Tolantongo River

The Tolantongo River is beautiful and refreshing! You can enjoy the stunning view of the river as you take a walk along its banks. You can camp by the river when it’s not during the rainy season.

Tolantongo Ziplines

If you’re an adventurer and thrill-seeker, you can’t miss the ziplines. There are four different courses of zip lines that will take you flying through 1,890 meters (over one mile) of distance, and it only costs 200 pesos ($10 USD) extra.

The maximum weight per person is 200 lbs and the minimum age is 10 years old. It is not recommended for people who have pregnancy, heart conditions or problems, hypertension, or neck pain.

La Gloria Tolatongo

Just below the Tolatongo waterfall entrance is a swing bridge that takes you to La Gloria Tolatongo, a property with extra cost. But it’s worth it for an extra 100 MXN as La Gloria Tolantongo is far less crowded than Grutas de Tolantongo. After a 20-minute hike through lush vegetation and man-made pools, you’ll arrive at a spectacular waterfall and natural pools.

The Best Time to Visit Las Grutas de Tolantongo

Las Grutas de Tolantongo is located in Central Mexico, which is known to have an “eternal spring” climate. This means that its temperature ranges from the low 70s to the high 80s year-round so it feels like springtime for most of the year.

The best time to visit Las Grutas de Tolantongo is basically any time outside of the rainy season in July-August. If you do visit during this time, you will want to stay at the hotels over camping. If the hotel is sold out and you have to camp, make sure you stay away from the river to avoid flooding.

Tips to Make the Most of Your Tolantongo Trip

In order to have the best experiences at Tolantongo, here are a few things you should be aware of:

1. When planning a trip to Tolantongo, it’s important to bring plenty of cash with you. They don’t take credit cards anywhere on the property, so be sure to have enough for your hotel or campsite (if you’re booking one), your Tolantongo entry fee, food and drinks, and any other incidentals.

When in doubt, always bring more money than you think you will need because there are no ATMs at Tolantongo. The closest ATM is actually in Ixmiquilpan which is an hour’s drive away.

2. While the caves can be a bit treacherous with all the stones and water, it’s worth it to explore the unique and beautiful landscape. Make sure to wear water shoes though, as there are sharp rocks that can easily injure your feet, and the ground is usually wet.

3. There’s no “low-season” when it comes to vacationing at Tolantongo –but if you want to avoid the crowds, it’s best to go during the week.

4. The property allows you to bring your own food and drinks, so make sure you’ve got your favorite snacks with you. That way, you can save money!

5. If you stay the night, make sure to have enough money for the park ticket for every day of your stay.

6. Bring a waterproof phone holder to keep your phone and some cash safe with you.

7. Pack a bathing suit, towel, sunglasses, and some extra clothes

8. Be prepared to cope with on and off phone signal and limited Wifi by downloading your favorite music, ebooks, or shows in advance. You will realize that you don’t miss the Wifi that much if you come prepared!

9. If you want to stay close to the pools in the main area, book the Paraìso Escondido hotel.

10. Tolantongo park is huge. You can go from one attraction to another through the trails or take the inner park shuttle, which costs 60 MXN pesos per person regardless of how many trips you take.

11. Cameras, gopros, and drones are allowed, so be prepared to take some amazing photos.

12. Don’t bring pets with you as they are not allowed.

Las Grutas de Tolantongo Hidalgo FAQs

Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Las Grutas de Tolantongo Hidalgo.

The Wrap Up: Las Grutas de Tolantongo Hidalgo Mexico Trip Planning Tips

If you’re looking for a beautiful and secluded hot springs destination in Mexico, look no further than Las Grutas de Tolantongo. This hidden gem is located in the state of Hidalgo and can be reached by joining an organized group tour, renting a car and driving, or taking public transportation.

Although I often recommend driving a car for more flexibility in your travel schedule, I actually think it’s better to join an organized tour to visit Las Grutas Tolantongo. Renting and driving a car to Tolantongo requires a lot of logistics, more money, high risks, and extra stress that I think are not necessary for a vacation.

If you want to drive to Tolantongo Caves, rent a car with Discover Cars for the lowest rental rate and cheap full coverage insurance.

Since its location is a bit remote, there is no direct route for public transportation and it may take you 6 hours to get to the destination through multiple connections. Since the transportation system in Mexico can be unpredictable, especially in rural areas, I’m also not recommending this option.

Joining an organized group tour won’t give you as much time as if you stay on-site for the night, but it is the safest and cheapest way to visit Las Grutas de Tolantongo. You won’t have to worry about any logistics and have plenty of time to explore the hot springs.

From Mexico City: Hot Springs in Tolantongo Full-Day Tour with Lunch

From Querétaro: English-Speaking Tour to Tolantongo Caves

No matter how you choose to get there, you will have a memorable experience at this natural wonder!

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