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Grutas Tolantongo ultimate travel guide

Grutas de Tolantongo is an outstanding thermal water park, located in Hidalgo remote mountains north of Mexico City, the Grutas Tolantogo are a real gem to the eye and also to the body. The hot pools are filled with naturally mineral-infused water heated by the volcanic mountains surrounding it. General weather is cold but thankfully the water in the pools and the river is pleasantly warm. The hot spring resort has plenty to offer, including natural cliffside infinity pools, swimming pools and a thermal tunnel with a temperature between 96 to 100.40 °F to relax in. There are also waterfalls and beautiful turquoise rivers meandering through the lush vegetation, and mysterious grottos and caves to explore. Kids can find their own little corner of paradise there too, enjoying themselves in the waterslide pool. Oh, did we mention there is also a zipline You can camping next to the river but during weekends. To enjoy all the beauty of Las Grutas, it is honestly better to go durign the week

How to get there

Getting to Grutas Tolantongo BY CAR from Mexico city  follow google map direction click here

BASIC RECOMENDATIONS

  •  Drive with all the necessary care.
  • Don’t drive tired or drunk. Become aware and take care of the integrity of your loved ones who assist with you.
  • Carry out a general check of your vehicle before traveling (Air level of tires, oil, brake fluid, etc.)
  • Try to travel by day, to avoid getting lost on the road. Do not throw garbage out the window.
  • Obey the road signs

GUIDED TOUR might be best way to get to Grutas Tolantongo as the roads through the mountains can get pretty rugged and bumpy. 

Getting to Grutas Tolantongo BY BUS from Mexico City

  • Go to the North bus station and take a bus on platform 7 or 8 of the OVNIBUS or FLECHA ROJA line, with direction to Ixmiquilpan Hidalgo City. 
  • Next, when you arrive at Ixmiquilpan Hidalgo City, you need to take a collective from de Ixmiquilpan bus station with direction to Ixmiquilpan center city, passing for the municipal garden and the municipal presidency until arrive front to the “Morelos Market”
  • After that, you need to walk to the north of the Ixmiquilpan city, passing for the “Morelos Market”. 
  • Finally. You need to locate a microbus station in the “San Antonio” parking. There is a microbuses base directly to Grutas Tolantongo

Best time to visit Grutas Tolantongo

Tolantongo is open all year! It is located in Central Mexico, which has what is known as an “eternal spring” climate, so it has springtime temperatures for most of the year.
You can comfortably visit Tolantongo during most months of the year because of this temperate climate. The one thing you have might consider is the rainy season — July-August Tolantongo is always very crowded on weekends. If you can, try to visit during the week.

Ticket prices

Grutas Tolantongo ticket cost 150 MXN approx. 7 USD per person and per day Prepare CASH All pays in the park (restaurants, hotels, grocery stores, etc.) are in CASH. The next ATM is in Ixmiquilpan Hidalgo City (1 hour from de park) 

  • With your general ticket you can access to all attractions: (Cave, Tunnel, River, Swimming, trekking, Thermal Pools, Suspension Bridge, Waterfalls, etc.) in the both areas: Paraíso Escondido zone and La Gruta zone.
  • Ticket life is from 7am to 8pm. (The ticket is not for 24 hours)
  • Children from 5 years pay complete general entrance. Before 5 years don’t pay park ticket.

There is parking at Grutas Tolantongo Car parking fee 20 MXB per vehicle per day

Hotel/resort/accommodation

Grutas Tolantongo has four onsite hotels and campgrounds total 300 rooms +
Tolantongo doesn’t offer advance online bookings at their resorts; you can only rent them onsite and in person CASH only in pesos. Room rates vary in price from $700-$2,000 pesos ($35-$100USD)

The hotels look quite nice from the outside, but won’t have many amenities besides hot water and cable TV (in some rooms).
Being in such a rural part of Mexico, don’t expect much in the way of WiFi either — so download your podcasts, movies and shows before you visit Tolantongo.

HOW TO BOOK ACCOMMODATION

Booking a stay hotel/resort at Grutas Tolantongo has to be in person NO ONLINE RESERVATION at the moment

  • Upon arrival head to the Tolantongo hotel rental booth, choose a room of your choice
  • Room rates range from $700-$2,000 pesos ($35-$100USD), the cheaper ones rent first, so make renting a room your first priority when you arrive at Tolantongo.
  • Arrive as early as you can to the hotel rental booth; Tolantongo opens at 7am.
    If you can, go on a weekday when there are far less people and rentals are easier.

CAMPING

Camping at Grutas Tolantongo you can bring your own equipment and you won’t have to pay anything for the campsite, but you will have to register For those who don’t have their own camping equipment, Tolantongo rents everything you could possibly need — from tents, inflatable mattresses and blankets, to even a grill for cooking your food! Tent rentals range from $120-$300 pesos ($6-$15USD), and add-ons vary from $140 ($7USD) for a ground pad, to $350 pesos ($17USD) for an air mattress.

CAMPING TIPS

  • Don’t play music or make disturbing noises after 11 pm
  • In rainy seasons (Last weeks of July and August) camping is not recommended near to the river.
  • If you bring food or drinks. Set the trash into the containers designated in the camping zone
  • Take care of your belongings, the park is not responsible for loss of objects.
  •  It is strictly prohibited, the felling of any shrub, plant or tree, as well as the hunting of birds and animals present in the area. In the same way it is strictly forbidden to paint or scratch walls, trees, rocks, signs in the whole park and on the road of arrival.
    In case of breach of any of the clauses or recommendations of this point, he may be awarded an economic sanction, imposed by the Supervisory Board and the Administration of the place; In cases of high severity, shall be referred to the competent judicial authorities.
  • Set your wood fire far of your camping tent to prevent accidents.
  • Access is not allowed with pets throughout the park and in the camping area in general.
 

What to pack Grutas Tolantongo

  1. Pack CASH 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/drinks, incidentals, etc.Depending on your travel style, consider bringing $1,500-$3,000 pesos ($75-$150USD). Whatever amount you think you’ll need, you might want to double it, as there’s no ATMs at Tolantongo… and the closest ATM is actually an hour away 
  2. Water shoes and waterproof phone holder to carry your phone and some cash around all day.

  3. OVERNIGHT TOLANTONGO PACKING LIST
    If you’re staying overnight, know the WiFi at Tolantongo is very limited, if it works at all. You’ll want to fill your laptop and/or phone with pre-downloaded podcasts/movies/shows, a book, journal, etc. Make sure to bring any chargers you’ll need for those gadgets.

    Don’t forget your PJs, and some food and your reusable LifeStraw water bottle, in case you need a late night snack and all the onsite eateries have closed.

    Clothing, Bathing suit
    Cover-up, Water shoes, Sunglasses
    Sun hat, Sandals or sneakers
    Toiletries, Waterproof dry bag
    Reef safe sunscreen 🦟 Eco-friendly bug sprayBody wash & lotion
    Shampoo, Conditioner, Charger and external battery

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