Like a lot of people, I first saw Grutas de Tolantongo’s hot springs on Instagram.

And like a lot of people, I was immediately hooked.

I had to see them for myself.

And I wanted to do it on my own. No organized tour. No tour guide dictating how long I could spend in those gorgeous cliff-side pools. I also wanted to do it there and back in one day.

The problem? Doing it on my own was going to be a long haul: multiple buses, an inconvenient shuttle schedule, and most likely 10 hours on the road!

So, alas, I was pretty much stuck with taking an organized tour.

Then I saw the price: $100–yikes! (It’s now $136).

In the end, I went with Mexican Tales.

This is my review of the tour. Did I feel rushed? Did we get enough time at the hot springs? Was it worth the price?

And was it worth the 4 AM pickup time?

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What You Need to Know About Tolantongo

Grutas de Tolantango sits about 200 km (125 miles) north of Mexico City in the state of Hidalgo. This is semi-desert country. Dry hills, Cacti everywhere. Not where you’d expect to find a hot spring.

Tolantongo is tucked away at the bottom of a canyon, and the only way in is a road that winds down the side of the canyon wall. At the bottom, everything changes. The air turns humid, the hills turn green, and a bright baby blue river heated to 37 degrees Celsius (99 degrees Fahrenheit) runs through the middle of it all.

Most importantly, though, Grutas Tolantongo is not a national or state park. It’s a private resort managed by a cooperative of over 100 local families. Picture a sprawling canyon hugged by mountains, with naturally heated pools, rushing waterfalls, and a bright blue river that looks too good to be real. The resort also runs private shuttles from the nearest large town, Ixmiquilpan, for those attempting the trip without a tour.

Beyond the famous cliffside pools, there’s plenty more to explore: Caves, waterfalls, ziplining, and even a suspension bridge. If you want to stay overnight, the resort offers three no-frills hotels and a camping area where you can sleep under the stars to the sound of the river. Once I saw the actual river and the campsite, I was kicking myself for not staying overnight.

Booking a Tolantongo Tour

Many tour companies offer Tolantongo trips, so it can be hard to choose which one. I booked a tour with Mexican Tales Travel Experience because of their stellar reviews and early departure. I wanted to get to the hot springs before everyone else. And we pretty much did.

It set me back $100—not cheap, but still more affordable than what my hostel was charging. Mexican Tales now charges $136 (2026).

Tours fill up fast, so book at least two days in advance. I tried booking the day before, and I was out of luck! All sold out!

The tour company was excellent at communicating with me. They texted me via WhatsApp with pickup information and suggested items to pack.

I originally booked the tour on the GetYourGuide platform, but it’s no longer listed on the site. You have to book it through Viator. Same early pick-up time!

Pack Wisely: Don’t Skip These!

A little preparation goes a long way at Tolantongo. Here’s what you must bring:

• Water shoes – The surfaces can be crazy slippery, and the riverbed is lined with sharp rocks. These are great shoes!
• Waterproof phone case – A must-have for the cave. Tolantongo sells them, but the one I bought there leaked. (RIP, phone.)
• Swimsuit – Wear it under your clothes so you’re ready to jump in right away.
• Towel – A microfiber one is best—compact and quick-drying.
• Dry bag – For stashing essentials like money, keys, and sunglasses.
• Change of clothes – You will want dry clothes for the ride back! It’s a long drive and you don’t want to sit in wet clothes.

You can pack snacks and water, but know that Tolantongo has strict rules about bringing in food and water into the caves and pools.

The Tolantongo Experience: What It’s Really Like

• 4:15 – 4:30 AM: Early pick-up (yep, it’s brutal!)
• 8:00 AM: Arrive at Tolantongo (finally!)
• Cliffside geothermal hot spring pools—Instagram vs. reality
• Tolantongo Cave and Waterfall—An unexpected highlight
• Tolantongo River—More than just a pretty view?
• 12:30 PM: Depart Tolantongo (reluctantly)
• 5:00 PM: Arrive back in Mexico City (traffic permitting)

Getting to Tolantongo: Departure and Arrival

The tour company was very punctual in picking me up at my hotel. The guide messaged me at 4:11 to tell me he and the driver were 5 minutes away and arrived at 4:14 a.m. After that, they picked up the rest of the group members. There were ten other people on the tour.

We arrived at Tolantongo at 8:01.

Cliffside Pools: Instagram vs. Reality

The moment we arrived at 8:01, we made a beeline for the famous cliffside pools. No time to change into our swimsuits, so yes, wear it under your clothes.

And yes—they are as breathtaking as they look online. Perched along the canyon’s edge, these pools offer jaw-dropping mountain views. And we were wise to arrive so early as the place had only a handful of guests. You could get a pool all to yourself!

However, let’s be real: The water is warm, not hot. If you’re expecting a toasty spa-like soak, you might be a little underwhelmed. Go for the pools higher up on the cliffs as their water is hotter than the ones below.

By 9:00 AM, the pools were filling up.

One hour here was plenty before the “wow” factor started wearing off.

Pro Tip:  Bring a dry bag and/or a phone case to protect your stuff from getting wet at the pools.

Breakfast: Fueling Up Mexican-Style

After soaking, we hit one of the resort’s ten restaurants for breakfast. The menu? Classic Mexican staples like chilaquiles, enchiladas, omelets, and huevos rancheros. Prices ranged from MXN$90–120. Not bad!  But coffee was pricey at MXN$20.

Tolantongo Cave & Waterfall: The Unexpected Highlight

This was way more fun than the pools! A hot waterfall crashes over the cave entrance, creating a natural steam room. Inside, warm water flows all around you, with some sections having a surprisingly strong current. No need to know how to swim. The water only reaches chest level. Just be prepared for crowds!

Also, note that Tolantongo has strict rules about bringing anything inside. No food or water. Yes, you can bring your phone inside the cave. But without a waterproof case, your phone WILL get wet. I guarantee it!

The resort has a store near the cave where you can buy a “waterproof” phone case. The one I bought at the store leaked and got my phone all wet, so again bring your own waterproof case or leave your phone at home. But then no photos!

Plus, there are no lockers to store things! We had to leave our towels, shoes, and other belongings on the ground outside the cave. Anyone could steal our things if they really wanted to.

Tolantongo River: Nature’s Hot Tub

By the time we got to the river, we had already seen it from above, but up close, its unreal baby-blue color was just as mesmerizing. It gets that blue color from the minerals in the water. The temperature of the water was warm like the cave and pools, but the bottom was littered with sharp rocks, so again, bring water shoes!

Heading Back to Mexico City

After a quick shower and a change of clothes (pro tip: the showers are more than basic), we hit the road around 12:30 PM. We stopped midway for bathrooms and to buy food for our lunch. Traffic was heavier on the way back, so we didn’t get to Mexico City until 5:00 PM.

Final Verdict: Is the Tolantongo Tour Worth It?

Absolutely. Stunning scenery, warm waters, and a well-organized tour made it a fantastic experience.

However, we only spent 4.5 hours at Tolantongo.

Did I feel rushed?

No.

Did I get enough time at the park?

Yes and no.

I was ready to get out of the hot springs when we did. I also felt that I had spent enough time in the cave and the river.

My one change to the schedule: We should have enjoyed a picnic lunch by the river instead of fast food at a rest stop on the way back to Mexico City. We could have also then combined the river with lunch.

I think 5.5 hours with a 1:30 departure back to Mexico City would have been perfect.

Was it worth the price?

Yes, considering how difficult it would have been to get there on my own.

Was it worth getting there so early?

100%. We beat the crowds.

That said, the tour guide, Javier, was friendly but not particularly engaging. No icebreakers, little explanation of what we were doing next, so the group dynamic was a bit awkward. Still, the beauty of Tolantongo more than made up for it.

How to Get to Tolantongo Without a Tour (A.K.A. The Adventurous Route)

Yes, you can get to Tolantongo by public transport—but be warned, it’s a bit of a mission. Doing it as a day trip? Probably not the best idea unless you enjoy spending most of your day on buses and shuttles. If you’re determined, here’s how the resort’s website says you can do it:

1. First, catch an OVNIBUS or FLECHA ROJA bus from Mexico City’s North Bus Station to Ixmiquilpan, Hidalgo.
2. Once in Ixmiquilpan, hop into a colectivo (shared van) or taxi to Morelos Market—this is where you’ll find the next leg of your journey.
3. Walk to the “San Antonio” parking lot and look for the microbus station. This is where you’ll board a shuttle to Tolantongo. I actually saw this shuttle a couple of times while I was there, so yes, it does exist!

Current Shuttle Schedule (According to the Resort’s Website):

• To Tolantongo: 9:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, 3:30 PM, 5:30 PM
• Back to Ixmiquilpan: 7:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, 3:30 PM, 5:30 PM

Costs:

• Shuttle: MXN$70
• Park Entrance: MXN$230

If you’re up for the challenge and plan to stay overnight, this could be a solid budget option. Just keep in mind that you’ll need to time everything perfectly to avoid getting stranded.

Where to Stay in Tolantongo: Hotel or Tent?

You have two choices for an overnight stay: a basic hotel room or camping by the river. Here’s the lowdown:

Hotel Stay: If you want a roof over your head, expect to pay anywhere from MXN$900 to MXN$1,500 per night for a double room. Nothing fancy, but it does the job.

Camping by the River: Now this is the real experience. Imagine falling asleep under a blanket of stars with the sound of the bright blue river rushing right next to you. Sounds dreamy, right?

The resort rents out tents for MXN$250, and they’ll even set it up for you. You can also rent sleeping pads, blankets, lockers, grills, tables, and chairs—so you won’t be totally roughing it.

If I were staying overnight? Camping, hands down. It’s all about the unbeatable riverside location.

Best Time to Visit Tolantongo

The sweet spot for visiting Tolantongo is during the dry season (November to April). The weather is warm but not unbearable, and the thermal waters stay at the perfect temperature for a soak.

When to Avoid: Weekends and holidays. Unless, of course, you enjoy battling for pool space with a hundred other people and waiting in lines for every attraction.

Final Thoughts: Is Tolantongo Worth the Trip?

Absolutely!

Whether you’re soaking in those surreal turquoise pools, wading through the steamy caves, or camping by the roaring river, Tolantongo is pure magic. It’s one of the best day trips from Mexico City, though, if you have the time, an overnight stay makes the experience even better.

If you’re putting together your Mexico City itinerary, consider carving out a day (or two) for this natural wonder. Whether you drive yourself or brave the public transport route, the reward is well worth the effort. So pack your swimsuit, charge your camera, and get ready for an adventure you won’t forget!

The tour with Mexican Tales was 100% worth it!