Grutas Tolantongo, Mexico: Travel Guide
Welcome to this guide to Grutas Tolantongo in Mexico.
This awesome destination is slowly growing in popularity, however, is still very much off the beaten path!
Tolantongo is located in the rural state of Hidalgo, and is known for its green rivers and thermal caves.
Once you get here you’ll know what all the fuss is about, and you may even find a day isn’t enough time (thankfully there’s a few lodges on-site that are perfect for a stay).
Grutas Tolantongo Backpacking Guide
In this guide, we’ll explore everything you’ll need to know about Tolantongo.
This includes the best things to do, why you should visit, the best time to visit, where to stay and our own recommendations based on our own experience.
BLATAM backpacking data:
- 📍 Where is Tolantongo? Central Mexico
- ⏰ Time needed? 1-2 Days
- 🏔 Terrain: Arid Mountains
- ☀️ Best Time to Visit? February-April
- 💯 BLATAM Rating: 10/10
Where is Tolantongo?
Tolantongo is a small rural area in the state of Hidalgo. It’s surrounded by imposing canyons, and even just getting here is an experience in itself (we’ll be covering this in more detail later in this guide).
It’s roughly 200km north of Mexico City, making it a popular day trip for those coming from the capital (although there’s other closer places like Ixmiquilpan which are better to base yourself in).
Speaking of which, Ixmiquilpan is the closest major city from Tolantongo, which is 44km away.
Is it safe to visit Tolantongo?
The state of Hidalgo is one of the safest you can visit in all of Mexico!
It’s all very much tranquilo in these parts, and even the major city of Pachuca was fine to walk around. In all honesty, we never at all felt unsafe in Hidalgo.
And Tolantongo is very safe, given it’s in a remote area, and also as there’s security presence within the tourist destination.
The only thing to keep in mind is that it will be quite slippery given the rocks are wet (it is a canyon with rivers after all). Just wear some half-decent Hiking Boots when walking down, and you’ll be fine!
TIP: We recommend these solid pairs of hiking boots when heading to Mexico. For the ladies out there, these comfortable boots are a great alternative.
Is Tolantongo Worth Visiting?
I (George) have spent around a year traversing all corners of Mexico, and Tolantongo sticks out as one of the most memorable that I have visited so far.
The setting itself is a sight to behold, with a giant waterfall with thick vegetation hanging overhead. Then you have the stunning green pools, as well as the river wrapping around the entire site (you can easily see this all from a vantage point above).
If that’s not enough, then you also have the giant desert mountains that surround you from all corners. In other words, charge yo camera up before coming here!
The climate is pretty good year-round, and it’s also worth visiting sooner rather than later as international tourism hasn’t yet caught on (I was the only gringo in the entire place). This doesn’t mean it’s empty though – as there were lots of locals taking advantage of this site. So be sure to arrive early in the morning to escape the crowds.
How many days do you need to visit Grutas Tolantongo?
This really depends on you and your time available.
Whilst a stretch, you could make Tolantongo as a day trip from Mexico City, however, you’ll be travelling the whole day with minimum time there.
It’s similar if staying in Pachuca, however, this is more of a reasonable launching point as you’re already in Hidalgo.
2 days would be the best in the above cases, as you’ll also be able to get some awesome evening views after everyone has gone home (the site closes, however you can still see from the panoramic viewpoints, as well as from your accommodation).
1 day in Tolantongo is also good, but you’ll need to be close by to make the most of it, such as in the city of Ixmiquilpan.
Got travel insurance for Grutas Tolantongo?
Things to do in Grutas Tolantongo
Although it’s a small site, there are quite a few things to do here, hence why we recommend spending a minimum of a whole day here.
The Caves
The caves are one of the main highlights, which are filled with warm water (it’s heated from the rocks below). One of these caves is great for going on a short walking tour, where you’ll be able to explore the cavern with a small pool at the end. The other larger cave is perfect for swimming and chilling out in, and there’s a waterfall in the middle which is fun to swim under.
The River
Outside, the waterfall descends into the terrain below, forming a winding river that extends further than you can see. Due to the presence of rare minerals and salts in the river, it gives the water a bright green and blue hue which can easily be seen from far away.
Going for a dip here is nice for when the sun is at its hottest, however, be careful when moving between pools as there are lots of rocks (and the current can be strong in some parts).
The Mirador
When arriving, you’ll have to walk down from the car park to reach the site. Along the forested path there are a couple of clearings, which are perfect for getting that perfect shot of the bright green river. We also found a cool tree worthy of a photo too (although whether it’s still there or not I cannot confirm!).
Grutas Tolantongo Travel Tips
Now we’ll explore our top recommendations for when heading to Tolantongo, all from our own personal experience in this gem.
- It’s best to stay in nearby Ixmiquilpan, so that you can arrive here early in the morning. Most crowds start to gather at the site around 10-11am. Otherwise being located within the site will be perfect, although it will be more expensive.
- Taking the shuttle here is the most economical option, which leaves every 1/2 hours from the main shuttle centre in town. If you want more flexibility, then getting your own wheels would be best (just make sure you can stomach heights though – as the ride down the canyon is not for the faint of heart!).
- Although I only stayed here for a day, I’ve seen many photos of those staying overnight… and I think it’s a much better idea. You’ll be able to get down to the river and falls’ much quicker, and also enjoy the scenic landscapes when there’s less people around too.
Where to Stay in Tolantongo
There’s several options when it comes to staying in or near Tolantongo.
The best option of all is to stay in Ixmiquilpan. The city is home to several hotels and hostels, and also has a charming centre with many different food options and markets on hand.
Hotel Avenida Ixmiquilpan will be your best bet, which is in the city centre and the closest to the bus station.
For those who want something booked which is close to Tolantongo, then Hotel Boutique Otomi is the closest hotel which can be booked online (in the town of Cardonal, which is 26km away).
Actually within the destination itself, there are several hotels, as well as the option of camping which is cheaper (starting at a nightly price of $6). Unfortunately, they can only be booked in person, so you’ll need to organise it on the day when you arrive.
How to get to Grutas Tolantongo
Given Tolantongo is located in quite a rural area, getting here is going to be an adventure in itself!
The closest major airport is in Mexico City, which is useful given it’s one of the most connected airports in Latin America. From here you’ll need to head to the state of Hidalgo, which is north of the capital.
The North Bus station in Mexico City has hourly buses leaving for Ixmiquilpan, with the journey taking around 3-4 hours. Once here, you’ll need to head to the tourist shuttle site (you can also ask locals “Como ir a Tolantongo” and they’ll point the way).
From Ixmiquilpan, the shuttle bus leaves most hours until around 3:00pm (as the site closes in the late afternoon). The journey takes around an hour to arrive.
Best Time to visit Tolantongo
Tolantongo has a temperate climate, and is cool during the winters, whilst oppressive and hot during the summers.
The dry season begins in November and lasts until April. As it coincides with the Mexican winter season, temperatures will be more comfortable with a daily average of 64-72°F, which can drop as low as 46°F (given the arid, desert-like climate – so be sure to bring extra layers).
Don’t forget your Water Purifier & Filter Bottle!
When it comes to rainfall, Tolantongo in the dry season has anywhere from 0-3 rainy days each month (December is the driest month for a visit).
The wet season starts around May, and lasts up until October. Temperatures slightly rise, with daily averages of 66-75°F. At night it can drop to around 55°F, which is more comfortable than the lows of the dry season.
Rainfall starts to pick up more, and during the wet season we can expect anywhere from 7-13 rainy days each month (July is the wettest month of the year for a visit).
The overall best time to visit would be the months of February to April, as they are still within the dry season, whilst having some warmer Spring temperatures.
Grutas Tolantongo Travel Guide
Thanks for reading our comprehensive guide to Tolantongo in Mexico!
This awesome gem is steadily growing in popularity, and just looking at photos will show you why. Stunning mountains, green rivers and waterfalls… It’s one of the most scenic areas you can visit in Central Mexico.
In this guide we’ve covered everything you’ll need to know about Tolantongo, including when to visit and how to get there. We’ve also added our own top recommendations, so you can have the best experience possible here.
We hope you enjoyed reading this guide! If you have any questions, feel free to drop a comment below and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
If you’re already on the road, or planning a trip through Mexico, be sure to read our backpacking Mexico guide for where to head next in Central Mexico.
👉🏽 P.S. If you’ve found this guide helpful, buy us a coffee here to say thanks! Or, support us by downloading our South America Travel Bible to get our best content.
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