How to Get to Tolantongo from Mexico City (The 3 Best Option, and the Worst Option)
Visiting Grutas de Tolantongo in Hidalgo Mexico?
You’re in the right place because I’ve been to Tolantongo Grutas several times — both on a tours and on my own.
⭐️ Interested in a tour? My pick for Best Tolantongo Tour is this Exploring the Waters of Tolantongo Tour, with a near-perfect 5 Star rating.
In this article, you’ll discover how to get to Tolantongo from Mexico City, and my top Las Grutas Tolantongo travel tips.
As one of the best off the beaten path Mexico travel destinations, planning a trip to Las Grutas de Tolantongo (pronounced toe-lon-tawn-go) can prove tricky — but I’m here to help.
I first went on a group tour to Tolantongo, which is the easiest way to visit.
It’s also the best option if you don’t want to deal with driving, and don’t want to rent a Grutas Tolantongo hotel room or camp in a tent.
Plan to stay overnight at Tolantongo, the most famous Mexico hot springs?
There’s info below about Grutas de Tolantongo Mexico hotel options, and about camping in Tolantongo.
You’ll also see how to get to these natural pools in Mexico by car or public transportation bus, if you don’t want to take a Tolantongo tour (which is my #1 recommendation for how to get to Tolantongo).
In short, this article covers absolutely everything you need to know about visiting the gorgeous Grutas Tolantongo in Mexico.
Ready to discover the famous Tolantongo caves and hot springs?! Let’s get to it!
How to Get to Tolantongo from Mexico City
Quick Guide: Top 3 Grutas de Tolantongo Tours from Mexico City
#1 TOP PICK
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Exploring the Waters of Tolantongo Tour
✔️ Round-trip transportation
✔️ Entry tickets and guide
#2 PICK
Tolantongo Hot Springs & Thermal Baths Tour
✔️ Entrance tickets
✔️ Traditional Mexican breakfast
#3 PICK
Best Private Tour to Tolantongo Pools
✔️ Private transportation
✔️ Admission tickets
How to Get to Tolantongo from Mexico City
Where is Tolantongo Grutas located?
Tolantongo Grutas is in Hidalgo state, in Central Mexico.
It is located about 4 hours from Mexico City by car, 4.5 hours from Guanajuato, 4 hours from San Miguel de Allende, and 3 hours from Queretaro City.
You can check out the Grutas Tolantongo Mexico map below for a visual.
The Tolantongo caves complex is located in the municipality of Cardonal, in San Cristobal City, Hidalgo, Mexico.
It is quite rural, but still, many make the trek to check out what are known as the most beautiful hot springs in Mexico.
How to Get to Tolantongo from Mexico City
Tolantongo Grutas Map
Tolantongo Grutas is way up in the mountains in Hidalgo state. It sits at 4,200-feet (1,280 m) above sea level, in Mezquital Canyon.
Mezquital is what’s known as a box canyon, meaning it’s shorter and narrower than larger river canyons.
It is surrounded by hot springs and underwater thermal pools, which heat all the waters throughout Las Grutas de Tolantongo, Hidalgo, Mexico.
Don’t miss the Tolantongo Cave and Tunnel — the site’s main water source.
How to Get to Tolantongo from Mexico City
What’s the best way to get from Mexico City to Tolantongo Caves?
You have three options on how to get to Tolantongo from Mexico City: 1) Take this group tour, 2) Rent a car and drive, and 3) Go via public transport.
The easiest way to visit is on a Tolantongo tour — however, no matter the option you choose, know it’s not too hard to get to the Tolantongo springs, even though they are a bit remote.
Don’t let the remoteness frighten you, Tolantongo is well worth a visit! All your options to get to Tolantongo Caves from Mexico City are listed below.
There’s also some additional information to follow that lists the pros and cons of each option.
- Taking this group tour with a Tolantongo guide — I went with a group tour and highly recommend you doing the same, unless you want to spend the night at Tolantongo.
- Renting a car and driving to Tolantongo from Mexico City or other nearby cities, like Queretaro or San Miguel de Allende.
- Public transportation by bus, then a taxi or colectivo (small, shared van). ⚠️ Note: There is no direct route to Tolantongo from Mexico City.
How to Get to Tolantongo from Mexico City
1. Mexico City to Grutas de Tolantongo Tours
A Hidalgo Tolantongo group tour is the most convenient way to visit Tolantongo.
It is my top pick for how to get to Tolantongo from Mexico City if you only have one day, or don’t want to spend the night.
The highest-rated and best Mexico City to Grutas Tolantongo tour is Exploring the Waters of Tolantongo Caves (Rated 4.95 out of 5 Stars, with 3,850+ ratings).
⭐️ three reasons why I recommend Tolantongo tours
1. With day tours of Tlantongo, you save money by not paying for a hotel room at one of the Las Grutas Tolantongo resorts, and returning to Mexico City the same day.
2. Not dealing with a rental car, insurance, gas, and driving in a foreign country makes a Las Grutas Tolantongo tour the easiest option.
3. Tolantongo public transportation is a bit confusing and can take about 6-8 hours, so you lose a lot of time to travel.
🚌 Note: If you want to take public transport to Tolantongo, head here for directions.
The tour is often less expensive than renting a car in Mexico City and diving to Tolantongo yourself.
For solo travelers who don’t have others to split the car costs with, the tour is the way to go.
In addition to the cost, you have the convenience of not having to deal with driving or figuring out public transportation — plus you’ll have a tour guide to point out all the coolest things to do and see.
💎 Looking for a TOLANTONGO private tour
With a perfect rating, this Grutas de Tolantongo Private Tour from Mexico City is the best one available.
It has one-day and two-day options, should you want to stay at Tolantongo overnight.
For the complete list of the best Mexico City to Grutas Tolantongo Tours, check out the linked article.
CAN I TAKE A TAXI FROM MEXICO CITY TO TOLANTONGO?
No — This is an 8-hour drive roundtrip, so it’s near impossible to take a cab from Mexico City to Tolantongo Grutas.
If you don’t want to rent a car and drive, this Tolantongo tour will be much cheaper than a taxi (if you could even find one).
How to Get to Tolantongo from Mexico City
2. Driving from Mexico City to Tolantongo Grutas
🚙 MEXICO CITY CAR RENTALs
Wondering how to get to Las Grutas Tolantongo from Mexico City?
Besides this group tour, the easiest, most convenient way to visit Tolantongo from Mexico City is by booking your rental car from Discover Cars.
Make sure to fill up your gas tank in Mexico City, as many of the gas stations near Tolantongo keep irregular hours and are often closed on weekdays.
After all, Tolantongo is located in a rural part of Mexico.
🗺 MEXICO CITY TO grutas de tolantongo MAP
How far is Tolantongo from Mexico City?
In normal traffic, the Mexico City to Tolantongo drive time is about four hours.
The Mexico City to Tolantongo distance is 126 miles (202 km).
Are there hot springs in mexico city?
No — The Grutas Tolantongo hot pools and caves, which some mislabel as the CDMX hot springs, are located about a four hours drive from Mexico City.
Though Tolantongo is known as the “Mexico City hot springs,” you may now see that’s a bit misleading.
While some would consider Tolantongo near Mexico City, it’s also not super close.
You’ll want to download an offline map from Google Maps or Maps.Me, as your signal will likely go in and out.
📲 Note: A Mexico SIM card will come in handy here, but you’ll still likely lose cell phone signal at some point.
However, this is a relatively straightforward, easy drive.
You pretty much take Mexico 85 (Mexico-Pachuca Highway) the whole way, so even if this will be your first visit to Tolantongo Grutas, it’s not too complicated or confusing.
🚙 Mexico cuota roads vs Libre Roads
When driving, make sure you only use the toll road, Mexico 85 (Mexico-Pachuca Highway).
You’ll need to have about $300 pesos ($15 USD) in pesos for the tolls, and then $300 pesos for the drive back to Mexico City.
In Mexico, toll roads are called cuota roads. The Mexican cuota roads are considered safer and are usually better maintained than libre roads, or free roads.
🤔 What type of car do I need to drive to Tolantongo?
You’ll be fine on the roads if you’re renting a standard-sized car rather than an SUV, as there’s paved roads the whole way on the drive from CDMX to Tolantongo Grutas.
Once you get to the rural parts of Hidalgo state, there are some switchbacks on intimidating, steep mountain roads with corkscrew bends — but this road trip is still doable in a rental car.
The one thing you must keep in mind is this: Don’t drive at night.
It is not considered safe to do so in most parts of Mexico, as many roads in rural area aren’t always well-maintained, and/or well-lit at night.
For more information and Mexico driving tips, check out Renting a Car in Mexico City: Everything You Need to Know.
🏨 Staying Overnight at Tolantongo Hotels
If you’re thinking of driving back to Mexico City the same day, please reconsider as it’s a four hour drive each way!
If there’s an accident or bad traffic, the drive from Tolantongo to Mexico City can take even longer.
There are onsite hotels in Tolantongo, so your best bet is to rent one of those instead of driving at night.
While I find it much easier to stay on the property, there are off-site hotels near Tolantongo as well.
The off-site hotels near Tolantongo aren’t much cheaper, and there are also restaurants inside Tolantongo you have access to, which is a nice perk.
🏨 How to book Tolantongo Hotels
Head here to find out how to book your Tolantongo resort hotel, because you have to do it in person.
🏩 For a guide to the different Tolantongo hotels themselves, check out these 6 Best Hotels at Tolantongo Grutas.
They don’t offer online booking, and they don’t accept credit cards anywhere at Tolantongo — which is perhaps the most important Tolantongo tip of them all!
That’s right: Tolantongo is ONLY CASH!
🏨 What’s the average Las Grutas de Tolantongo resort price?
On the lower end, you can expect to pay $800 pesos ($40 USD), but the nicer Tolantongo resorts cost up to $2800 pesos ($165 USD).
- Paraíso Hotel: $1600-2800 MXN pesos ($90-165 USD)
- Paraíso Escondido Hotel: $1050-2200 MXN pesos ($50-125 USD)
- La Gruta Hotel: $800-1300 MXN pesos ($37-52 USD)
- La Huerta Hotel (Weekends only): $1050-1450 MXN pesos ($50-80 USD)
- Molanguito Hotel (Weekends only): $800-1050 MXN pesos ($45-65 USD)
How to Get to Tolantongo from Mexico City
3. Mexico City to Tolantongo Bus & Colectivo
Though doable, there’s not a direct route on public transportation or via public bus, as Tolantongo is quite rural.
In fact, I don’t recommend getting there via public transport, but that doesn’t mean you can’t!
Below, you’ll find a rundown of how to get from Mexico City to Las Grutas Tolantongo by bus and public transport, which can take about 6-8 hours.
If that sounds like a lot, book a Tolantongo tour from Mexico City instead.
👉 Step #1: Mexico City to Ixmiquilpan
Head to Mexico City Terminal del Norte (North Terminal Bus Station), and catch one of the buses leaving to the Central de Autobuses de Ixmiquilpan Station from Platform 7 or Platform 8.
Central de Autobuses de Ixmiquilpan is the main bus terminal in Ixmiquilpan, Hidalgo.
This is the first stop you’ll make, as there’s no direct Mexico City to Grutas de Tolantongo bus.
Though it’s the most popular and most used and largest bus company in Mexico, the ADO bus does not have service from Mexico City to Ixmiquilpan — so you’ll go via the Ovnibus, Frontera or Estrella bus companies.
Ovnibus, Frontera and Estrella Blanca have daily departures to Ixmiquilpan, but do check their schedule ahead of time.
Ticket prices vary, but cost about $300-400 pesos ($15-20 USD), and you can buy yours here or at the bus station.
👉 Step #2, Option 1: Ixmiquilpan to Tolantongo Taxi
In Ixmiquilpan, you can take a taxi directly to Tolantongo. To save some money, you can take the colectivo instead (see info below).
The taxi will cost about $600-800 pesos ($30-40 USD), depending on your negotiation skills.
The drive from Ixmiquilpan to Tolantongo Grutas takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes in normal traffic.
👉 Step #2, Option 2: IXMIQUILPAN TO TOLANTONGO Colectivo
If you want to take the colectivos (small, shared vans) instead of the taxi, you’ll need to first get from the bus terminal to Mercado Morelos (Morelos Market).
It is a 15 minute walk using these directions, or you can take a colectivo there. To take the colectivo, just look for the one marked “Mercado Morelos” leaving from the bus terminal.
Morelos Market is the largest Ixmiquilpan market, and the last stop before Las Tolantongo Grutas.
🚾 Note: If you need to use the bathroom or buy anything, like water shoes or a waterproof phone holder, do that here.
To get the colectivo to Grutas Tolantongo, walk to the parking lot near the San Antonio Church; you might have to ask a friendly local where this is.
Once there, you’ll catch the colectivo van that says “Las Grutas de Tolantongo.”
The colectivo from Ixmiquilpan to Tolantongo costs about $50 pesos ($2.50 USD).
The drivers really hate to break large bills, and sometimes won’t even do it, so you’ll want to have small bills or coins to pay.
⚠️ Tolantongo travel tips
The last colectivo from Ixmiquilpan to Tolantongo leaves at 6:30pm, and the last one from Tolantongo to Ixmiquilpan departs at 5:30pm.
Keep this in mind because you’ll ave to leave Tolantongo by 5:30pm if you’re going by colectivo, unless you’re staying the night.
⭐️ Best Tolantongo Tours from Mexico City
If the thought of a Grutas Tolantongo tour now seems like a better idea, do yourself a favor and book this Exploring the Waters of Tolantongo Tour with Arturo.
It is rated 4.96 out of 5 stars, so you’re in good hands.
While it may seem more expensive up front, you get to Tolantongo quicker, and don’t have to pay for a hotel or rental car.
For most travelers, the tour to Tolantongo ends up being about the same price as going on your own — and you save a lot of time.
How to Get to Tolantongo from Mexico City
Tolantongo Packing List: What to Bring to Tolantongo Grutas
Let’s start with some of the less-obvious things you’ll want to bring, followed by a more generalized packing list for Tolantongo.
You can also download your FREE printable packing list for Mexico in the linked article.
It has suggestions for Mexico beach and nature vacation packing, and also Mexico City packing tips.
1. Water shoes
Do you need water shoes for Tolantongo?
Yes — While water shoes sometimes seem optional, they are necessary at Las Grutas Tolantongo because the ground is not paved.
I have been to Tolantongo a few times, and never saw anyone without shoes on.
You will really mess up your feet if you don’t have good-quality water shoes like these, as the entire Grutas de Tolantongo complex is unpaved and rocky.
2. Waterproof phone holder or Waterproof pouch
You’ll also want this eaterproof phone holder to carry your phone and some cash around.
These waterproof fanny pack pouches are another great option, if you need to carry around more than just your phone.
3. Cash/Pesos: Tolantongo is CASH ONLY
They don’t take credit cards anywhere on the property, so bring enough cash for a hotel or campsite (if you’re booking one), your Tolantongo entry fee, food and drinks, incidentals, etc.
Depending on your travel style, consider bringing $1,500-$3,000 pesos ($75-$150 USD) per person.
⚠️ Tolantongo travel tips
Whatever amount you think you’ll need, you may want to double it just in case.
There’s no ATMs at Tolantongo Grutas — and in fact, the closest ATM is actually about an hour away.
The reception desk at Hotel Paraiso Escondido can provide you pesos, but with a 10% surcharge.
You can avoid this high commission fee by showing up with as much as you need for your entire Tolantongo trip.
Overnight Tolantongo Packing List
If you’re staying overnight, know the WiFi at Tolantongo is limited.
You’ll want to fill your laptop and/or phone with pre-downloaded podcasts, movies, shows, a book or two, journal, etc.
Make sure to bring all the chargers you’ll need for those gadgets, and even this external battery for your overnight stay at Tolantongo Grutas.
Don’t forget your PJs, this reusable Water-To-Go Bottle, and some non-perishable foods in case you need a late night snack and all the onsite eateries have closed.
The Tolantongo restaurants close from about 10pm-7am.
⚠️ Note: Water-To-Go Bottles add an extra level of water filtration, so you don’t get sick in Mexico during your Tolantongo trip.
These bottles have a triple filter, and make all Mexico tap water safe to drink.
🧳 packing list for Tolantongo Caves
- Bathing suit
- Sarong or Cover-up
- Water shoes
- Change of clothes
- Waterproof sun hat
- Sandals and/or sneakers
- Waterproof dry bag
- Reef safe sunscreen
- Mexico SIM Card
- Sunglasses
- Eco-friendly bug spray
- Body Wash & Lotion
- Shampoo & Conditioner
- Water-To-Go Bottle
- Phone holder
- GoPro
- External battery
- 10′ Phone cable
How to Get to Tolantongo from Mexico City
What do you wear to Grutas de Tolantongo?
First and foremost, water shoes are a must!
Beyond that, a bathing suit for swimming and a cover-up for walking around, plus a sun hat and sunglasses will come in handy.
🧳 FREE Printable Mexico packing checklist
Wondering exactly what to pack for Mexico? Download your FREE printable ultimate packing list for Mexico in this Mexico packing guide article.
This multi-page Mexico packing checklist covers everything you’ll want to bring, and more importantly, what not to bring to Mexico.
Tolantongo Admission Prices
How much are Tolantongo tickets?
A Grutas Tolantongo entry ticket is $180 pesos (about $9 USD) for the day, which includes access to everything in the park.
Keep in mind the $180 pesos entry cost covers only your admission to Tolantongo Grutas.
\Wondering, How much does it cost to go to Tolantongo in total? Let’s break this down:
Besides your entry tickets, consider other expenses inside like a hotel, campsite, locker rental, food and drinks.
To be safe, plan for about $500-1,500 pesos ($25-75 USD), or up to $5,000 pesos ($275 USD) if you get a hotel room.
The zipline costs an additional $250 pesos ($13 USD), but if you want an amusement park experience, this is the perfect place for it.
Driving your rental car? Tolantongo parking is $30 pesos ($2 USD) per day.
If you’re renting a Tolantongo campsite or Tolantongo hotel and staying overnight, you’ll have to pay an additional $180 pesos ($9 USD) to cover the next day’s admission cost.
👪 Visiting Tolantongo with kids
Wondering, How much is Tolantongo kids admission? Kids under 5 years of age enter free!
This is a family-friendly place, and you’ll see a lot of families with kids of all ages.
There’s a carnival atmosphere here, and with the camping, an old school summer camp vibe.
Do you need to book in advance to visit Grutas Tolantongo?
No — You can buy tickets when you arrive.
To buy your tickets to Tolantongo, head to the taquilla (ticket booth) as you enter this popular Mexico tourist destination.
Make sure you save your tickets if you’re staying overnight because you may have to show them to enter the park the following day.
🚨 Staying overnight? You must pay for a second day
Your $180 pesos ($9 USD) Tolantongo tickets cover one day’s admission for the park’s regular hours of 7am-8pm.
If you stay past 8pm, you’ll be charged for the next full day admission — an additional $180 pesos.
This means that for anyone staying overnight, the Grutas de Tolantongo price will be $360 pesos ($18 USD), not $180 pesos.
The good news? You have access to the park for the entire second day until they close at 8pm.
Also, you have early morning access on the second day, which is a great time to get your Grutas de Tolantongo pictures.
How to Get to Tolantongo from Mexico City
What are the best things to do at Grutas Tolantongo?
There are actually several things to check out including the famous Tolantongo Hot Pools and the equally-beautiful Tolantongo River.
If you’ve never been, you might not know that Tolantongo is a large site. It spans more than one mile (1.6 km), and consists of four distinct natural areas.
Not sure what to do at Grutas Tolantongo? Here are the must sees Tolantongo sites:
- The Tolantongo pools — The most famous of all Tolantongo things to do
- The Tolantongo river — Another Instagrammable Tolantongo site
- The Tolantongo cave — The word gruta means cave (or grotto), so of course there just so happens to be one here
- The Tolantongo tunnel — Located right next to the cave
- Note: There are other attractions as well, but these are the main water activities.
There’s also an onsite zip line, suspension bridge, swimming pools, Tolantongo hotels, campsites, about 10 restaurants, convenience stores, small grocery stores, lockers, medical service facilities, other attractions, and more.
Yes, Tolantongo is a big place — and there are a lot of things to do in Grutas Tolantongo during your visit. For this reason, you should consider spending the night at Tolantongo, if your itinerary permits it.
Check out the Grutas Tolantongo map below to get a better idea of the size, and keep scrolling for a deep dive into the four main areas — AKA all the must see Tolantongo sites.
How to Get to Tolantongo from Mexico City
1. Tolantongo Cave and Tunnel
The cave and the tunnel are right next to one another. This area is among the three most popular areas at Tolantongo, including the river and pools.
To enter, you’ll get in line, which moves fast, and pass under a small waterfall. Inside, the cave and tunnel are both dark, so be aware.
When visiting Las Grutas Tolantongo, staff members positioned inside have flashlights, but some people bring a headlamp to explore deeper parts of the cave.
This is actually part of a larger system of caves.
Where does the water from Tolantongo come from?
The cave and the tunnel area of Tolantongo is where most of the hot water comes from, which then feeds out to the whole site.
These thermally-heated waters flow out from this gruta (cave), and travel all the way to the end of the Tolantongo canyon — feeding the entire site along the way.
Do note that because of all this water-flow, there is a strong current here. Definitely don’t skip this area, but do use caution inside the Tolantongo cave and tunnel.
How to Get to Tolantongo from Mexico City
2. Las Pozas Tolantongo Pools: The Instagram Spot
These are Tolantongo hot springs where most of the Instagram shots and social media reels happen.
If you’re looking to get the Instagram money shot and don’t want any other people in your photos, you need to be at the pools within the first 30 minutes of opening.
After the first hour or so of being open, the Tolantongo pools will be full of people all day, as they are one of the most popular places in Tolantongo.
🚌 TOLANTONGO shuttle to the pools
The pools are located in the extreme upper part of Tolantongo. It is a long, steep, rocky climb up from the base, so please don’t attempt it.
You’ll want to take the Tolantongo shuttle, which costs only a few pesos — and is well-worth the cost.
How to Get to Tolantongo from Mexico City
3. Tolantongo Suspension Bridge & Cave
Located right next to the pools, don’t pass up the chance to walk across the suspension bridge to get some amazing views of the canyon below.
You’ll also see another small tunnel by the pools here, which has some of the warmest water at Tolantongo Grutas.
The Gruta Escondida, meaning “hidden cave,” might not be as cool as the main, long tunnel, but don’t skip it.
To find this hidden cave, head to the small opening at the bottom of the cliff across from the suspension bridge.
There’s water gushing in all directions here, so be careful as it will be slippery.
How to Get to Tolantongo from Mexico City
4. Tolantongo River
While the Tolantongo pools are the most photographed place, the river is one of the most beautiful places at Tolantongo.
It cascades down in sections, and at each section, you can sit under the water as it falls on you for a hydro-massage.
Make sure to give yourself plenty of time here, because the Tolantongo River is magical!
🤔 Is Tolantongo worth it?
Yes — The river alone is worth visiting, and it’s just one part of the site.
Personally, I find the river to be the best spot at the Tolantongo complex, though the pools are the main draw.
How to Get to Tolantongo from Mexico City
5. La Gloria Tolantongo & Tolantongo Zipline
La Gloria Tolantongo is a separate section of Tolantongo, which has nice waterfalls and several natural pools.
The Tolantongo La Gloria Park entrance fee is $150 pesos ($7 USD) — and extra cost on top of the regular Tolantongo entry fees.
You access it by walking across a bridge near the staircase just below the Tolantongo Cave and Tunnel.
🎟️ Zipline at Tolantongo Grutas
Here in La Gloria, you’ll also find the Tolantongo Zipline — the highest zip line in Hidalgo Mexico!
It’s 2,625-feet-long (800 m), takes you over a few areas of the park, and is relatively inexpensive at $250 pesos ($12 USD).
The entire course for the zipline at Tolantongo takes about one hour to complete.
Even if you don’t do the zipline, La Gloria Tolantongo is worth visiting because it’s far less crowded than Tolantongo.
If you want natural beauty, cool rock formations and lush vegetation, head to La Gloria.
How to Get to Tolantongo from Mexico City
6. Tolantongo Hiking Trails
There are some pretty trails going through the valley around Tolantongo.
These are easy hikes among the lush greenery and towering cacti — but you do need the right footwear, like Teva sandals, Chacos or Keen shoes.
Check this video for a preview of the trails, and don’t forget to pack sneakers or hiking sandals if you’re planning to take a nice walk or hike.
⚠️ Click the link for more tips on what to bring to Tolantongo.
🏊♀️ Tolantongo Swimming Pools
Las Grutas de Tolantongo has a few man-made pools, or regular swimming pools onsite.
A summer playground for Mexicans taking weekend escapes, the swimming pools can get just as crowded as the natural pools.
If you want to work on your tan, there’s lounge chairs by the pools, and restaurants nearby — however, it’s these pools that are the main attractions of Tolantongo.
How to Get to Tolantongo from Mexico City: FAQ
How do you pronounce Tolantongo?
The correct Tolantongo pronunciation is toe-lon-tawn-go.
If you were wondering, How do you say Tolantongo? — you weren’t alone! This is a common question, so we had to clear it up before we continue.
With that out of the way, here’s the rest of the info about visiting Tolantongo that you came here for.
If you want answers to other common Las Grutas Tolantongo Frequently Asked Questions, keep scrolling to the end of the article.
How to Get to Tolantongo from Mexico City
Is there a Tolantongo Airport?
No — If you’re wondering, Are there Grutas de Tolantongo flights?, sorry to bear bad news, but no, there aren’t.
However, there are a few airports near Tolantongo, located within 3-4 hours of the site.
How to Get to Tolantongo from Mexico City
What’s the closest airport to Grutas de Tolantongo?
The closest Grutas de Tolantongo airport is Queretaro International Airport (code: QRO).
However, most people visit from Mexico City, and use MEX International Airport.
How to Get to Tolantongo from Mexico City
What airport do you fly into for Grutas de Tolantongo?
The best Tolantongo airport is Mexico City International Airport (code: MEX) because it offers the most direct flights.
How to Get to Tolantongo from Mexico City
Is Tolantongo worth visiting?
The majority of visitors will LOVE Tolantongo, as it’s such a beautiful place.
Do keep in mind that it gets very crowded, especially on weekends.
For some visitors, it may feel commercialized at Tolantongo.
I know someone who went and hated it because it wasn’t “real nature.” This is true — while there are a lot of natural attractions, Tolantongo is also a water park.
How to Get to Tolantongo from Mexico City
Is Tolantongo safe for visitors?
For the vast majority of people, Tolantongo is perfectly safe —even if you’re traveling solo.
Of course, you’ll want to remain aware of your belongings while visiting.
How to Get to Tolantongo from Mexico City
How much time do you need at Tolantongo?
1-2 Nights — Want to know how much time to visit Grutas Tolantongo you need? While some people visit in a day, I recommend staying at Tolantongo at least one night, if not two nights.
If you want to visit at a very leisurely pace, book three nights at a Tolantongo hotel.
You can also combine your visit to Grutas Tolantongo with popular places nearby, like San Miguel de Allende (4 hours away), Guanajuato City (4.5 hours), and Querétaro (3 hours) — three Mexico UNESCO World Heritage Sites!
How to Get to Tolantongo from Mexico City
What’s the best time to visit Tolantongo Grutas?
Weekdays — As a year-round destination, and one of the best overnight and day trips from Mexico City, Tolantongo is VERY crowded on weekends and holidays, so try to visit during the week when it’s much more pleasant.
Tolantongo is open all year (even holidays), so there’s not exactly a best time to visit Grutas de Tolantongo by month of the year.
Just remember this and you’ll be OK: If you want to avoid the crowds, it’s best to go during the week.
Located in Central Mexico, it has what is known as an “eternal spring” climate, so expect springtime temperatures for much of the year.
You can comfortably visit Tolantongo during most months of the year because of this temperate climate.
In fact, it makes for a great day trip from San Miguel de Allende, Santiago de Querétaro, Guanajuato and Mexico City.
⚠️ Tolantongo travel tips
The one thing you might consider is the rainy season vs dry season.
For more info on the dry and wet season in Tolantongo Grutas, click the link.
How to Get to Tolantongo from Mexico City
What is the best month to visit Grutas de Tolantongo?
March to June — The Spring months are lovely, but do avoid Semana Santa (Holy Week).
This is the week before Easter, and known as the worst week to travel anywhere in Mexico because of large crowds.
The hottest month in Tolantongo is April, when you can expect daytime highs of 85°F (30°C), and nighttime lows of 56°F (13°C).
However, you shouldn’t get any rain and swimming in the water will cool you off.
The coldest month in Tolantongo is January with daytime highs of 69°F (20°C), and nighttime lows of 44°F (7°C).
How to Get to Tolantongo from Mexico City
Can I visit Tolantongo in winter?
Yes — However, if you’re camping in the winter months of November to February, you’ll want to pack accordingly.
You can expect Grutas de Tolantongo weather temperatures to dip to about 50°F (10°C) at night.
Again, if you’re renting a hotel room, these Tolantongo temperatures shouldn’t be an issue.
Still, pack warm clothes when you visit the Tolantongo pools in winter because it gets colder than many expect for Mexico in winter.
How to Get to Tolantongo from Mexico City
What’s the Tolantongo weather like?
The Tolantongo climate is moderate, and usually humid but cool.
It is a year-round destination, so this is what you can expect pretty much all year.
🌡️ Average Tolantongo Weather Chart
How to Get to Tolantongo from Mexico City
When is the Tolantongo Grutas rainy season?
The Tolantongo rainy season runs from about late-June to early-September. Rain at Tolantongo is heaviest during July and August.
In these wet season months, you might want to consider one of the hotels at Tolantongo over camping.
Las Grutas de Tolantongo Mexico resort prices average about $60 USD per night, so not too steep.
How to Get to Tolantongo from Mexico City
When is the Tolantongo Grutas dry season?
The dry season at Tolantongo Grutas is from October to May.
While it can always rain at any time of year, you likely won’t see rain at Tolantongo Grutas during these months.
How to Get to Tolantongo from Mexico City
What is Las Grutas Tolantongo hot springs?
Short answer: One of the best Mexico hidden gems there is, and the best hot springs in Mexico!
It is a must see for many, and known as one of the best places to visit in Mexico.
Still wondering, What is the description of Tolantongo? Here’s a longer answer:
Grutas Tolantongo is a turquoise water playground or water park, and one of the most Instagram worthy places in Mexico.
While you may hear Las de Grutas Tolantongo called the “hot springs near Mexico City,” they are about 4.5 hours away — making them one of the best Mexico City day trips, located about four hours north of the city.
More accurately, they are the Hidalgo hot springs, since they’re located in Hidalgo state.
Want to know How far is Tolantongo from CDMX? You can get answers to all your Mexico City to Grutas Tolantongo questions by clicking that link.
How to Get to Tolantongo from Mexico City
Is Grutas Tolantongo natural?
Mostly — The one manmade Tolantongo area is the pools, which is the most famous part of the site.
Now, the waters at Tolantongo are natural and free-flowing, but the pools themselves are manmade.
How to Get to Tolantongo from Mexico City
How hot is the water at Grutas Tolantongo?
The water temperature at Tolantongo hot springs ranges from about 75-95°F (24-35°C), depending on where you are in the park.
The enclosed tunnels are much warmer than places in the open-air, like the Tolantongo river and pools.
However, most visitors will find all the Tolantongo water and places to swim quite pleasant.
How to Get to Tolantongo from Mexico City
Why is Tolantongo water blue?
The baby-blue water at Tolantongo gets its color from the high mineral content in the water, particularly a high content of calcium and magnesium.
The water comes up directly from a thermal spring beneath the Earth.
The rocks underground where these thermal waters flow have a high mineral content, which turns the water a bright blue color when it reaches the surface.
Among the main natural attractions at Tolantongo, don’t miss the aqua blue Tolantongo River.
Running down the center of Mezquital Canyon, the river is colored by the mineral salts it picks up as it flows through the site.
How to Get to Tolantongo from Mexico City
Why is Grutas Tolantongo so special?
Been wondering why Grutas Tolantongo is so special? As you can see in Tolantongo photos, these natural hot springs are GORGEOUS!
This natural oasis also boasts geothermal pools, and offers the best glimpse into Mexico’s semi-desert zone.
The word tolantongo comes from the Nahuatl Aztec word tonaltonko, meaning “where it feels warm.” Like the name says, the water at Tolantongo is always warm.
How to Get to Tolantongo from Mexico City
What are the best things to do in Hidalgo Mexico?
Curious about some other unique places to visit and things to do in Hidalgo state?
This lesser-visited state has some of the best nature in Mexico, though it’s virtually nonexistent on most tourism radars.
There are actually a few other amazing things to see in Hidalgo, Mexico, for those who want to explore beyond Las Grutas Tolantongo Mexico.
- Colorful town of Pachuca, Hidalgo
- Basaltic Prisms in Huasca de Ocampo
- Toltec Ruins in Tula de Allende (Tollan Ruins)
- Real del Monte pueblo magico (magic town)
🌮 Hidalgo Barbacoa tacos in Mexico
Hidalgo is famous for one of the best tacos in Mexico — barbacoa (barbecue).
Barbacoa is a favorite in all of Mexico, and comes from Hidalgo state; some say the best barbacoa in Mexico is from Tulancingo, Hidalgo.
Related Article: How to NOT Get Sick in Mexico: 10 Tips You Need
When visiting Grutas Tolantongo, make sure you pull over to the side of the road on the drive and sample some authentic Hidalgo barbacoa tacos.
If you don’t have time, you can eat barbacoa at Tolantongo (but it won’t be as good).
🌮 Note: This is only prepared on weekends, as barbacoa is a weekend food in Mexico. While weekdays are far less crowded at Tolantongo, this provides a good reason to visit on a weekend.
How to Get to Tolantongo from Mexico City
These cocinas economicas (cheap eateries) are located throughout Grutas Tolantongo. They are open from 8am-10pm, and their menus are about the same.
The Tolantongo restaurant prices are affordable.
Most offer a menu del día (multi-course lunch combo) for about $75-85 pesos (about $4.25 USD) which includes a soup, main course, and usually a dessert or a drink.
Besides the restaurants, you’ll also find a grocery store here and there to pick up a bag of chips, sandwiches, cookies, sodas and other snacks.
The grocery stores and convenience stores are a great way to save some money on food.
How to Get to Tolantongo from Mexico City
Is there parking at Tolantongo Grutas?
Yes — It costs $30 pesos ($2 USD) per day to park at Tolantongo.
The parking lot is located right off the main road as you enter Las Grutas Tolantongo.
How to Get to Tolantongo from Mexico City
Rules at Grutas Tolantongo to be aware of
In an effort to protect the natural environment at Grutas Tolantongo, and protect yourself and fellow visitors, authorities are doing their best to protect space with these strict rules:
✔️ Reef safe sunscreen is recommended — but you can do your part to practice responsible tourism in Mexico and opt for a long sleeve bathing suit (rash guard) instead of sunscreen.
✔️ Only your camera and towel are permitted inside the gruta (cave); backpacks aren’t allowed inside this area of Tolantongo.
✔️ Wondering, Is Tolantongo pet friendly? No, pets are not allowed in the park.
✔️ For those camping, you’re not allowed to use soaps and detergents in the water, but there are showers and sinks near the campgrounds.
✔️ You can’t bring in outside food and beverages, and security guards may check your backpack to confiscate them.
✔️ When swimming, babies must wear water diapers.
How to Get to Tolantongo from Mexico City
Is there a Grutas de Tolantongo map?
Need additional Tolantongo information?
The official Grutas de Tolantongo website provides a lot of great information, like this map of Tolantongo.
If there was anything not covered in this article, I’m sure you’ll find it on their site.
Final Thoughts: How to Get to Tolantongo from Mexico City
As you can see, there are quite a few things to do at Tolantongo Hidalgo Mexico.
There’s no wonder why it’s one of the best places to visit in Mexico, and most popular places in Central Mexico for tourists.
If you love being in nature, enjoy venturing off the beaten path, and want to visit one of the most beautiful places in Mexico, then Tolantongo is worth visiting.
If you have a free day on your Mexico City itinerary, don’t skip it.
The easiest way to visit, especially if you have limited time, is on a Grutas de Tolantongo tour.
⭐️ My pick for the Best Tolantongo Tour is this this Exploring the Waters of Tolantongo Tour with Arturo — Rated 4.95/5 Stars with 3,850+ reviews ⭐️
Of course, you can also rent a car in Mexico City and drive to Grutas Tolantongo, or take public transportation.
With these, you’ll have to sacrifice 1-2 days of your Mexico City trip — though it’s a worthwhile sacrifice!
I hope this guide to Tolantongo answered all your questions about visiting, and thoroughly explained all your different options.
If not, check out these other articles I’ve written on Tolantongo and Mexico City: