Do you want to know how to get to grutas tolantongo? Would you like a reliable, inexpensive and fast transport from Mexico City and Toluca? How far is it from Toluca to grutas tolantongo? Probably you do not expect all this information in one place, so I put together a complete and simple guide that you can use at any time.
What is Grutas de Tolantongo?
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Tolantongo is a small town 120 kilometers to the southwest of the national capital. Located in the state of Hidalgo, Tolantongo is 45 minutes from Pachuca and ten hours from Mexico City. The area of Tolantongo is completely dedicated to tourism and with good reason. The town offers at least four caves that are open for tourism and offer beautiful sights in them.
The Grutas de Tolantongo (Tolantongo Caves) is located about 35 km from the city of Pachuca and about 1 hour from Tizayuca. The caves were discovered in 1560 by a monk named Father Pedro Sanchez de Aguilar who was looking for water during an expedition with his brother Friar Francisco Sanchez de Aguilar. He found that there were two large openings on opposite sides of the mountain and he named them “Cueva Grande” (Big Cave) and “Cueva Chica” (Small Cave).
The caves are made up of three different areas: Natural Caverns, Man-made Caverns, and Underground River. The Natural Caverns consist of stalactites and stalagmites that have formed over thousands of years due to rainfall seeping through cracks in the ceiling and coming into contact with limestone rock formations beneath the surface.
Where is Grutas de Tolantongo located?
Grutas de Tolantongo is located in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico. The caverns are found along the narrow road that leads to the town of Tolantongo. There are signs on the road that will point you in the right direction.
The Grutas de Tolantongo are located about a two-hour drive from Mexico City and about a 45-minute drive from Pachuca. If you want to get there by car, take Highway 85 south out of Mexico City until you reach Highway 95D. Then take Highway 95D north until it intersects with Highway 95E. From there, take Highway 95E east until it intersects with Highway 190, and then continue on 190 until you reach Hwy 55D/Nahuatlaca Road (also known as Callejones de Nahuatlaca). Turn left onto this road and follow it all the way down until it ends at Hotel Grutas de Tolantongo entrance gate.
Must Visit Places in Tolantongo
Grutas de Agua Caliente (Water Hot Caves)
There are three main types of caverns at this site: “Las Grutas de Piedra” or Stone Caves, “Las Grutas de Agua Caliente” or Hot Water Caves and “Las Grutas de Laja” or Flintstone Caves. Each cave has its own unique characteristics and can be visited separately or together on a single tour.
Hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily
Fee: $38 pesos per person (includes a guide and transportation)
Location: Located about 30 minutes from Toluca by car, the Grutas de Agua Caliente are accessed via a winding road that passes through several miles of pine and oak trees before descending into an enormous canyon where the caves are located.
Tolantongo cave
The caves were formed by an underground river that eroded its way through the limestone bedrock. The water continues to flow through them today, creating formations such as curtains, columns, and draperies. There is over 2km of tunnels in the system with some caverns containing waterfalls and pools of fresh water. A number of rooms have been converted into restaurants and bars that offer drinks and food for visitors who choose not to crawl through the tunnels on foot or horseback.
Tolantongo tunnel
The Tolantongo Tunnel is located in the state of Hidalgo and has a length of 5.5 kilometers.
The tunnel is part of the Toluca-Mexico City highway, which connects the capital with the neighboring state of Puebla. It was built in 2009 by Grupo Higa, a company owned by Carlos Hank Rhon’s family. The company also built another controversial project: a new airport for Mexico City that has since been canceled.
The tunnel has been controversial since its construction because it cuts through a natural reserve and an area inhabited by indigenous communities who claim their lands were invaded without their consent.
The Tolantongo River
The Tolantongo River is a beautiful place to visit. It’s not far from Mexico City and makes for a great day trip. The river has numerous waterfalls, natural pools, and caves to explore.
Tolantongo is located about an hour from Mexico City in the state of Hidalgo. The town itself is quiet and peaceful with friendly people. There are no restaurants or hotels just yet but there are plans to build them in the coming years so keep an eye out for that if you’re planning on visiting soon!Also Read This: Visit Las Grutas De Tolantongo
