Las Grutas De Tolantongo: How To Visit Mexico's Stunning Mountainside Terrace Hot Spring

Mexico is full of surprises, and one of the hidden gems is the box canyon of Tolantongo and its thermal waters and grottos.

Mexico is full of excellent attractions. Its attractions range from famous destinations like Chichen Itza to hidden gems such as the hot springs at Tolantongo (at least a hidden gem to the outside world - it's a famous destination locally). Tolantongo is a box canyon with a resort in the Mexican state of Hidalgo. It is popular for swimming, relaxing in the hot springs, hiking, ziplining, and more.

Toloantongo is just one of the many stunning natural attractions in Mexico. Other excellent natural attractions include the petrified (travertine) waterfalls of Hierve el Agua and the famous picture-perfect cenotes of the Yucatán Peninsula. Take the time to hire a car and really get out and explore the adventure-filled country.

Tolantongo is a stunning box canyon in the Mezquital Valley, around 200 kilometers north of Mexico City. It is famous for its hot springs and travertine pools. The canyon is located some 1,280 meters (around 4,000 feet) above sea level, and the wider zone is semi-desert with the canyon forming a microclimate. The canyon forms an oasis in an otherwise semi-arid region.

This is one of the most stunning destinations within a drivable distance (around 4 hours) of Mexico City. The environment is studded with cacti and dramatic rock formations that have been carved by the waters over the eons. The river (called the Tolantongo River) running through the canyon is aqua-blue or turquoise. It is colored by the high content of mineral salts dissolved into it as it passes through the mountain.

The main attraction at the canyon is two grottos ('Las Grutas' in Spanish) found at the closed end of the canyon. A small heated river flows out of the grottos down the canyon floor. The larger grotto is a karst cave, and inside, visitors find stalagmites and stalactites.

Related: Visit The Sacred Cenote That Was Once Home To Chichen Itza's Tributes & Rituals

Above the grotto is a small 15-meter (45-foot) deep cavern called a 'tunnel.' The 'tunnel' offers warm water showers from the warm water spraying out from the walls and ceiling. The temperature inside the 'tunnel' is similar to a steam bath.

It is forbidden to go into the tunnel with food or drinks, and be aware that the surfaces can be slippery. The water temperature of the river in the canyon is pleasant with it being between 36 and 38 ºC

Tolantongo is also home to some of the most stunning hot springs in Mexico. The mineral-laden hot spring waters have created travertine pools. Ideally, Tolantongo is a place where visitors will stay overnight - to really enjoy it, plan on spending three nights there (or at least two nights). Pass the day soaking in the hot springs and the thermal river.

Compare these stunning travertine pools to other famous travertine pools around the world, like the travertine pools of Pamukkale (right by the ruined ancient Roman city, Hieropolis) and the stunning Mammoth Hot Springs in the United States' Yellowstone National Park. While Canada's Banff National Park may not have travertine pools, it does have stunning hot springs that people can soak in.

Related: Long Before The Aztecs, This Ancient City Was One Of Largest In The World (And It's A Day Trip From Mexico City)

The resort complex there have three hotels with heated pools near the bottom of the box canyon. The resort has restaurants, a grocery store, campgrounds,

Opening Hours:

The entry ticket is good for all the natural attractions of Tolantongo (the caves, the tunnel, the swimming pools, the thermal pools, and hiking).

The prices for a single hotel room start at $800 Pesos (around $47 USD), and standard double rooms are from $1,300 Pesos (or around $76 USD). Camping is also an option inside the park.

While the best way to get there (and to explore Mexico) is to hire a car and drive around, there are small buses going to Tolantongo from Ixmiquilpan. It is possible to take a bus from Mexico City to Ixmiquilpan and from there go to the grottos. For more information about getting to Tolantongo - refer to its official website.

Note that this is a popular destination for Mexicans from Mexico City, so it can get busy on the weekends. Access is via an unpaved road winding its way down the canyon walls. The park is open every day of the year - including the holidays.

Aaron is a first-hand traveler who has visited more than 80 countries around the world. He is passionate about traveling and opening up the world for other intrepid explorers. He can be reached on Instagram at aaronspray