Tolantongo is a 4 hour drive from Mexico City and it’s the most dreamy place that you could imagine. If there were no people.
We arrived pretty early, but it was still packed. Since me and Caroline are always looking for the perfect angle to shoot from, we already saw that the other side was still closed. We waited until it opened so that we could both take turns to run downstairs for the perfect shot. Even though I don’t think it’s the perfect shot (because of people who were giving me anxiety but that’s a story for another time) it still looks so beautiful and amazing.
I recommend to arrive when they open and immediately go to the right side and wait. It seems that the right side opens a bit later than all the other pools. Not sure if that’s common, but that’s what happened when we visited the place.
How to get there?
You basically have four options to get to the Grutas of Tolantongo. All can be good options. Depends how you travel ofcourse.
1. Book a tour to Tolantongo
The best part about this option is that you have to put 0 effort in arranging everything. Just get in the car and take a nap until you arrive at your destination. Afterwards they will drop you off at your accommodation. You can book your tour here.
A full day tour is around 80-120 USD. Depends which tour and also if you book it with more people or not. I wanted to do the Airbnb experience, but I found a better option.
2. Take a bus to Tolantongo
Most people think is the cheapest option, but actually it’s not. You will probably have to book an accommodation near Tolantongo since it’s a long bus drive. If you add up all the costs it will be the same price as a tour or even more expensive. So save yourself the headache.
If you are coming from Mexico City, you must first 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 arriving 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.
3. Rent a car
Always a good option, but same situation. You have your own comfort, but the costs will be the same as a tour and a bus ride. Think of rental costs, petrol and any accommodation costs if you decide to stay overnight if you arrive late. In addition, it can be a huge hassle to figure out the roads if you are not familiar with driving in Mexico City.
If you are not doing this as a day tour from Mexico City and were already road tripping by car, then this is 100% your best option. I recommend booking with Discover Cars. They offer cheap prices. You can pick up your car at the airport or city center.
4. Book a private taxi
A private taxi is 4000 MX/200 USD for 4 people. This is the option that we choose and it was the best and the cheapest one (if you are with at least 4 people). You have your own comfort, but also pay less than all the options above. You only have to pay for the entrance at Tolantongo and for your lunch.
Prices
The ticket price for the entrance is 150 MX/7 USD per person, per day. With your general ticket you can access the cave, the tunnel, the rivers, the thermal pools, the suspension bridge and the waterfalls. This is in both areas: Paraíso Escondido zone and La Gruta zone.There are different options to swim and to do some hiking.
Tickets are available from 7am to 8pm. (It’s not a 24-hour ticket).
Accommodation
If you choose to do a road trip or make it an overnight trip you have a few options for accommodation that are close to the caves or the thermal pools.
- La Gruta Hotel: 750-1050 MX
La Gruta is close to the caves, the tunnel and the turquoise river. They offer 100 comfortable rooms, some of which have a beautiful view of the turquoise river and the great mountains.
- Paraíso Escondido Hotel: 800-1800 MX
Paraíso Escondido hotel is close to the landscapes and has big and comfortable rooms, ideal for friends and family. This hotel is near the thermal pools. There are 87 rooms and 10 cabin rooms.
- Paraíso Hotel: 800-1800 MX
Paraíso hotel is a new hotel that is equipped with the necessary services and just a few meters from the thermal water pools.
All of the hotels don’t have a reservations option, but are in service all day. I recommend to call ahead. All hotels offer single and double rooms. La Gruta and Paraíso Escondido hotel also offer a triple room.
Extra tips to visit Tolantongo
- Don’t take too many valuables with you
- Bring a change of clothes and a towel
- Wear shoes that can get wet or bring extra flipflops/sliders
- Bring a waterproof phone case
- For the photographers: definitely bring your camera. Be careful with the water though.
- Bring snacks/drinks or money for food.
Tolantongo is definitely worth the detour from Mexico City! I hope this blog will help you to get to Tolantongo in an easy way. If you want to read more about Mexico, you can find some more blogs here and here.
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