Las Grutas Tolantongo: What You Need to Know BEFORE Visiting Mexico’s Hot Springs
Want to visit Las Grutas de Tolantongo in Hidalgo Mexico?
You’ve come to the right place because I’ve been to Tolantongo Grutas twice.
So get ready, because you’re about to discover all my Las Grutas Tolantongo travel tips, so you can visit the famous Mexico hot springs like a pro.
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 went on a group tour to Tolantongo, which is the easiest way to visit.
My pick for Best Tolantongo Tour this Exploring the Waters of Tolantongo Tour, with a near-perfect 5 Star rating, and thousands of reviews.
It 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?
There’s info below about Grutas de Tolantongo Mexico hotel options, as well as info about camping in Tolantongo in this article.
You’ll also see how to get to these natural pools in Mexico by car or bus, if you don’t want to take a Tolantongo tour — which is actually my #1 recommendation because it’s the easiest way 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 Visit Las Grutas de Tolantongo Mexico
Where is Tolantongo Grutas located?
Tolantongo Grutas is in Hidalgo state, in Central Mexico. It is located about 4 hours north of Mexico City by car.
Coming for another place?
It is 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.
It is quite rural, but still, many make the trek to check out what are known as the most beautiful hot springs in Mexico.
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 Grutas 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 a group tour, 2) Rent a car and drive, and 3) Go via public transport — though this is not recommended, as it can take up to 6 hours each way.
No matter the one 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.
1. Best Grutas de Tolantongo Tours
A Hidalgo Tolantongo group tour is the most convenient, and often, the most inexpensive way to visit Tolantongo.
There are group tours, or you can opt for a private tour to Grutas Tolantongo.
The highest-rated and best Mexico City to Grutas Tolantongo tours is Exploring the Waters of Tolantongo Caves (Rated 4.95 out of 5 Stars, with 2,500+ 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
Considering a private tour of Grutas Tolantongo for just you and your group? (Or just you 😎)
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.
🚙 BEST Mexico City to las Grutas de TOLANTONGO TOURS
2. Driving from Mexico City to Tolantongo Grutas
🚙 MEXICO CITY CAR RENTALs
Wondering how to get to Las Grutas Tolantongo from Mexico City?
Besides a 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 — Located about a four hours drive from Mexico City, the Grutas Tolantongo hot pools and caves, which some mislabel as the CDMX hot springs.
While some consider Tolantongo near Mexico City, it’s definitely not super close.
Though Tolantongo is known by names, like the “Mexico City hot springs,” “hot spring Mexico City” and/or “Tolantongo Mexico City,” you hopefully now see that’s a bit misleading.
You’ll want to download an offline map from Google Maps or Maps.Me, as your signal will likely go in and out because Grutas Tolantongo is located in a remote area.
A Mexico SIM card will come in handy here, but you’ll still likely lose cell phone signal at some point.
⚠️ This is actually why many opt for a tour to Grutas Tolantongo because the logistics can be intimidating.
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 (about $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.
However, this road trip is still doable in a rental car (I’ve done it 🚗).
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.
For more information and Mexico driving tips, check out Renting a Car in Mexico: 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.
There are off-site hotels near Tolantongo, but it’s easier to stay on the property.
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
Keep reading to find out how to book your Tolantongo resort hotel, because you have to do it in person.
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, and they only accept pesos (not U.S. dollars, Canadian dollars or euros).
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.
You’ll go via the Ovnibus, Frontera or Estrella Blanca bus companies.
⚠️ Note: The ADO bus, the most popular, most used and largest bus company in Mexico, does not have service from Mexico City to Ixmiquilpan.
Ovnibus, Frontera and Estrella have daily departures to Ixmiquilpan, but do check their schedule ahead of time.
Ticket prices vary, but cost about $300-400 pesos (about $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 (about $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.
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 San Antonio parking lot near the San Antonio Church.
You might have to ask a friendly local where this is, or use this map.
Once there, you’ll catch the colectivo that says “Las Grutas de Tolantongo.”
The colectivo from Ixmiquilpan to Tolantongo costs about $50 pesos (about $2.50 USD).
⚠️ 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 have to leave Tolantongo by 5:30pm if you’re going by colectivo, unless you’re staying the night.
Also, 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 for the Tolantongo colectivo van.
⭐️ 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.
Is there a Tolantongo airport?
No — If you’re wondering, Are there Grutas de Tolantongo flights?, I’m 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.
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, or the new Mexico City Airport called the AIFA Airport.
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.
Since most Tolantongo visitors come from Mexico City, the info in this article thoroughly covered the Mexico City to Grutas Tolantongo route.
If you’re coming from Queretaro or San Miguel de Allende, there is some info below.
🚙 San Miguel de Allende to Tolantongo Grutas
Coming from San Miguel de Allende Mexico? Use this map for directions to Tolantongo Grutas.
I am unaware of any San Miguel de Allende to Grutas Tolantongo tours at this time.
- San Miguel Allende to Tolantongo drive time: 4 hours
- San Miguel Allende to Tolantongo distance: 154 miles (247 km)
- San Miguel Allende to Tolantongo map: Click here
🚙 Queretaro to Tolantongo Grutas
For those going from Queretaro to Grutas Tolantongo, you can book this Queretaro to Tolantongo Hot Springs Tour.
If you’re driving from Queretaro City to Tolantongo, use this map for directions.
- Queretaro to Tolantongo drive time: 3 hours
- Queretaro to Tolantongo distance: 120 miles (194 km)
- Queretaro to Tolantongo map: Click here
Staying at Tolantongo Resort
There are five onsite hotels at Tolantongo, the La Gloria Tolantongo Resort located on the northwestern side of the site, and also campgrounds at the Tolantongo Resort.
💡 Note: Though it has “resort” in the name, think modest accommodations, and not fancy Grutas de Tolantongo all inclusive resorts or anything like that.
These are modest hotels, but they get the job done.
Three of the Tolantongo hotels are open all week; La Gruta Hotel, Paraíso Hotel (the new hotel) and Paraíso Escondido Hotel.
The other two, La Huerta Hotel and Molanguito Hotel, open on weekends only.
In total, there are about 350 hotel rooms at Tolantongo, with single rooms, double rooms, triple rooms and some quadruple rooms available.
The only way to book Tolantongo hotels is in person.
If the Tolantongo resort rooms sell out, you can also stay at the best hotels near Tolantongo, like Hotel Boutique Otomi.
However, it is much more convenient to stay at Tolantongo Grutas, so book your room as soon as you arrive.
As Tolantongo gains in popularity, they are continuing to build more and more hotels here.
For now, I’ve stayed at Tolantongo Resort before, and the facilities are quite nice (keep reading for more info).
What’s the best hotel at Tolantongo?
In my opinion, the best Tolantongo hotel is Hotel Paraiso.
It is located at the top of the site, near the famous Tolantongo pools you’ve seen in all the Instagram photos.
This is the newest and nicest hotel at Tolantongo.
Though rooms don’t come cheap at $1600-2800 MXN pesos (about $90-165 USD) per night, you’ll have spectacular mountain views, air conditioning, WiFi, cable TV and a hot shower.
This is the also closest to an actual Tolantongo hot springs resort that you’re going to get.
It is located closer to the aguas thermales (thermal pools) than any other hotel Tolantongo has, so it gets fully booked early.
To save some money, opt for the older Paraíso Escondido Hotel, which averages $1050-2200 MXN pesos (about $50-125 USD) per night.
There’s also the Tolantongo La Gloria Hotel, with double and single cabins.
La Gloria is a smaller area within the Tolantongo resort complex, but it’s on the same property.
It’s less crowded than Tolantongo itself, so La Gloria feels more exclusive.
The next time I visit Tolantongo Mexico, I plan to stay at La Gloria to be away from the large crowds at Tolantongo, and near all the lush greenery at La Gloria.
Las Grutas de Tolantongo Hotels
While we’re not talking luxury here, the Tolantongo Hidalgo hotels are definitely a great, inexpensive overnight option.
They do look nice from the outside, but don’t have many amenities besides hot water and cable TV (in some rooms).
The last time I stayed at Tolantongo resort, my hotel provided a bar of soap, towel and bottle of water in the room.
Rooms don’t have air conditioning, but you shouldn’t need it anyway.
Being in such a rural part of Mexico, don’t expect much in the way of WiFi either.
Now, there is WiFi at Tolantongo, but you’ll want to download your podcasts, movies, books and shows before you visit Tolantongo, as the signal isn’t great.
It’s not terrible, but don’t plan for fast WiFi at Tolantongo Grutas.
🚨 You can only book Tolantongo hotels on-site
For those who like to plan their trips, this part can be a bit scary: Tolantongo doesn’t have advance bookings at their Mexico resort — only onsite, in person rentals.
In fact, this is why I opted for a Tolantongo Mexican Hot Springs Tour the first time I visited. I was too scared to risk not getting a room!
However, there are about 350 available Las Grutas de Tolantongo cabañas-style hotel rooms, so it’s highly unlikely they’ll run out.
Now, if you’re not someone who likes to go camping, you don’t want to risk them running out of rooms — even if it is unlikely.
To be safe, make sure the first thing you do when you arrive is get your Tolantongo hotel rooms situated.
Otherwise, you might end up having to stay at the camping site.
The second time I visited Tolantongo, I stayed in the resort.
I opted for the slightly more expensive room that had a balcony and nice view of the Tolantongo River 😍 For an extra $15 USD, it was well worth the upgrade.
How much do hotels at Tolantongo cost?
Las Grutas de Tolantongo resort price rates range from $800-$2,800 pesos per room (about $45-165 USD).
As you would imagine, the cheaper rooms often get rented first.
Prices can vary, but here’s a general idea on what you can expect. Keep in mind that these are the daily room rates, not per person prices.
- Paraíso Hotel: $1600-2800 MXN pesos (about $90-165 USD)
- Paraíso Escondido Hotel: $1050-2200 MXN pesos (about $50-125 USD)
- La Gruta Hotel: $800-1300 MXN pesos (about $37-52 USD)
- La Huerta Hotel (Open weekends only): $1050-1450 MXN pesos (about $50-80 USD)
- Molanguito Hotel (Open weekends only): $800-1050 MXN pesos (about $45-65 USD)
Tolantongo hotel rooms have one, two, three bed options, and the ones with three beds cost the most.
A few hotels at Grutas Tolantongo have four beds, or three beds and a sofa bed.
Some rooms have balconies, which is a nice upgrade for only about $250 pesos ($12 USD) more — I highly recommend this!
The last time I visited Tolantongo, We had a balcony room overlooking the river, and it was amazing.
Since room rates vary from $800-$2,800 pesos per room (about $45-165 USD), keep that in mind when figuring out how much cash to bring to Tolantongo.
▶︎ Head here for more info on what to bring to Tolantongo Grutas.
⚠️ Note: You have to pay in pesos, as Tolantongo is cash only.
🏨 how to rent a room at Tolantongo resort
On the day of your stay, head to the Tolantongo hotel rental booth as soon as you arrive. This way, you not only secure a room, you get your choice of room.
The cheaper hotel rooms at Tolantongo Resort tend to go first, so make renting a room your first priority when you arrive.
Arrive as early as you can to the Grutas Tolantongo resort rental booth. Las Grutas de Tolantongo opens at 7am, but it’s not necessary to get there right at 7am.
If you can, visit Tolantongo on a weekday when there are far less people, and hotel room rentals are easier.
⚠️ Tolantongo travel tips
If you want to take those people-free, Instagram worthy Grutas de Tolantongo photos, you’re going to want to rent a hotel room.
When you stay at Tolantongo, you have access to the site before it opens to the public, which is the best time for photos.
This is how I was able to get my own Instagrammable Tolantongo photo.
Las Grutas de Tolantongo Camping
When you arrive at the park, head to the campsite rental booth and reserve your site.
If you’re bringing your own equipment, you won’t have to pay anything for the campsite, but you still have to register.
⛺️ Tolantongo Tent Rentals & More
If you don’t have camping equipment, Tolantongo rents everything you need!
The best part about camping at Tolantongo? Grutas de Tolantongo staff will set everything up for you after you rent it.
They have tents (doubles and singles for those who want their own tent), inflatable mattresses, blankets, and a grill for cooking your food.
Tent rentals range from $120-$300 pesos ($6-$15 USD), a ground pad is $150 ($7 USD), an air mattress is $350 pesos ($17 USD), and lockers for your personal belongings are $150 pesos ($7.50 USD).
Camping at Tolantongo is not only budget-friendly, it’s also peaceful because you get to fall asleep to the sounds of the water flow at this natural wonder. You’re also right next to the warm river waters for an early swim.
While you will hear loud music during the day, there is a no noise policy after 10pm. However, the bathrooms, dressing rooms and showers in the camping areas are open 24 hours a day.
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.
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 water shoes, as the entire Grutas de Tolantongo complex is unpaved and rocky.
2. Waterproof phone holder or pouch
You’ll also want a waterproof 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.
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.
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 an external battery for your overnight stay at Tolantongo Grutas.
Don’t forget your PJs, this 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
🧳 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 ($9 USD) for the day, which includes access to everything in the park. Kids under 5 years of age enter free.
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.
If you’re driving your rental car, Tolantongo parking is $30 pesos ($2 USD) per day.
💸 Note: You must pay the fee for Grutas Tolantongo parking in pesos; dollars aren’t accepted.
If you’re renting a Tolantongo campsite or Tolantongo hotel, you’ll have to pay an additional $180 pesos ($9 USD) to cover the next day’s admission cost.
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.
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, and the highlight of Grutas Tolantongo for most visitors
- 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, this is the source of the hot springs water
- 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.
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.
2. Las Pozas Tolantongo Pools: The Instagram Spot
These are hot springs in Tolantongo 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 for your own safety.
While not totally an unsafe walk, it’s not convenient or easy. For this reason, you’ll want to take the Tolantongo shuttle, which costs only a few pesos per person.
The driver will wait to fill the van before going, which can be a while if you visit during the week when there’s less people.
If you pay $30 pesos (about $1.50 USD) they’ll take you alone, and won’t wait for it to fill up.
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.
Given that, and ALL the other accidents that can happen while traveling, it’s never a bad idea to get Mexico travel insurance.
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.
🤔 wondering, 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.
I usually spend the most time here, especially during the day when the pools are most crowded.
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.
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.
⚠️ Head here for more tips on what to bring to Tolantongo.
7. 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 around Tolantongo Grutas
This can be the tricky part for some visitors because the attractions in Grutas Tolantongo are spread out in a mountainous area.
You can walk from some parts of the site to others, drive your rental car, or take the shuttle.
For example, Las Pozas (The Pools) are located in the extreme upper part of Tolantongo. It is a long, steep, rocky climb up from the base near the river, so please don’t attempt it.
There’s a colectivo (shuttle van) available in the parking lot for a small fee of $10-15 pesos per person ($1 USD) — which you will definitely want to take up and back down.
The Tolantongo shuttle service runs from about 7am to 8pm.
🚌 Note: The driver will wait to fill the van before going, which can be a while if you visit during the week when there’s less people. If you pay $30 pesos ($1.50 USD) they’ll take you alone, and won’t wait for it to fill up.
You’ll find the shuttles at the microbus station near the main entrance, and at the entrance to the Tolantongo Pools.
Las Grutas Tolantongo Guide & 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.
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.
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 much time do you need at Tolantongo?
Want to know how much time to visit Grutas Tolantongo you need? though many do Tolantongo as a day trip, I recommend staying at Tolantongo at least one night.
If you can, opt for two nights in Grutas Tolantongo. Want to visit at a very leisurely pace? Book three nights at a Tolantongo hotel, and trust me, you won’t regret it.
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!
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.
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 Pro 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.
Besides that, I always tell people that if you just remember this one piece of Tolantongo advice you’ll be OK — If you want to avoid the crowds, it’s best to go during the week.
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).
Can I visit Tolantongo in winter?
Yes — You can expect Grutas de Tolantongo weather temperatures to dip to about 50°F (10°C) at night, but daytime temperatures will be much warmer.
If you’re renting a hotel room, the 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.
If you’re camping in the winter months of November to February, you’ll definitly want to pack accordingly with cold-weather clothes you can layer, and even thermal PJs so you sleep comfortably.
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
☀️ Visiting Tolantongo in Summer: You’ll likely have warm to hot days, and cool nights. You might have some rain showers, usually in the afternoon, but they tend to pass quickly.
🍂 Visiting Tolantongo in Fall/Autum: You’ll likely have warm days, and cool nights. You likely won’t have rain, but it’s possible.
❄️ Visiting Tolantongo in Winter: You’ll likely have warm days, and cold nights. You likely won’t have any rain.
🍃 Visiting Tolantongo in Spring: You’ll likely have warm to hot days, and cool to cold nights. You likely won’t have rain, but it’s possible.
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.
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.
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.
It is one of the best Mexico City day trips, located about four hours north of the city. Tolantongo is also one of the most Instagram worthy places in Mexico.
You may hear Las de Grutas Tolantongo called the “hot springs near Mexico City,” though they are about 4.5 hours away.
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.
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 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.
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.
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!
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.
This natural oasis also boasts geothermal pools and offers the best glimpse into Mexico’s semi-desert zone.
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.
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.
Related Article 🤢 How to NOT Get Sick in Mexico: 10 Tips You Need
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.
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 ($4.25 USD) which includes a soup, main course, and sometimes 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.
Is Tolantongo fid-friendly?
Visiting Tolantongo with kids? 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.
Is there a Grutas de Tolantongo map?
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.
6 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.
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.
- General Tolantongo information
- Tolantongo travel guides
- Hotels at Las Grutas Tolantongo
- Camping at Las Grutas Tolantongo
- Tolantongo restaurants and food
- Tolantongo admission prices
- Transportation: How to get to Tolantongo
- La Gloria Tolantongo (which is NOT part of Grutas Tolantongo)
- You can also download a Map of Grutas Tolantongo on their site
My Final Thoughts on Visiting Las Grutas Tolantongo Hot Springs
We’ve reached the end of this EPIC Grutas Tolantongo Travel Guide!
As you can see, there are quite a few things to do at Tolantongo Hidalgo Mexico — so I hope my guide will help you go to Grutas Tolantongo like a pro!
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.
💧 Love waterfalls and natural places? The Mexico Huasteca Potosina, located in San Luis Potosi State, is similar to Las Grutas Tolantongo. Check out this Huasteca Potosina travel guide.
Though most would enjoy experiencing a place like this, it is a bit remote so you’ll have to sacrifice 1-2 days of your Mexico City trip.
However, you won’t regret it after visiting Grutas Tolantongo.
I hope this complete 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: