MEXICAN HOT SPRINGS IN MOUNTAINS!! Tolantongo!
Three hours drive north of Mexico city is Grutas De Tolantongo.
-- How to get here --
We flew into Mexico city, rented a car and drove up there. It's a pretty easy drive once you get passed Mexico city traffic and madness. I also got car insurance just in case.
On Google maps, search for 'Grutas Tolantongo', and you will find the area. Once you get to the gates, you pay the entry fee (140.00 MXN per person) - in cash. Ask for a map, which will show you where everything roughly is. I show the map in the video too.
Once you past the gate, drive down all the way to the main car parking spot (in the video, that is where I show the map on the board. Look at where the pin is dropped).
-- What to take --
Take the following:
- CASH! There is no ATM, so take enough cash with you for entry to the park and also food and drinks.
- Water shoes. It doesn't matter if you don't have any, on your drive up there, there are many many shops selling them with big adverts on the side of the road. They should be about 5 to 20 USD, depending on quality.
- Waterproof case for phone. You need this to take pics, but also because the light will be VERY useful! Read the what to do here, and you'll see why.
- GoPro etc with floaty! The current is strong at some places, so if you loose it, at least you can find it again.
- There is food and water there to buy.
- If camping, then all your camping gear. However, we did see some pre-setup tents that you can rent! So maybe you won't need a tent. The camping area is right next to the water, bring some rope so you can make your own drying line.
- There are lockers at the pools and at the caves. So you can take stuff with you, and leave them in there. You'll need cash for the lockers. It's 50 MXN per locker (+50 MXN deposit).
-- What to do here --
Three things that I have to recommend you do:
1 - The caves. After parking at the main car park, it is a 10 minute walk to the caves. You can't drive to the caves. The caves itself are amazing, and you don't need a light. However, once you enter, don't forget to look on the right hand side at the back of the cave! You will see an opening and a strong current. There is a rope on your right hand side, turn on your light, grab the rope and go in. The roof is PACKED with bats!! but it's a cool experience.
Then once you come out of the main gate, there are steps to your right, going up the mountain. There is another cool little cave that you can go into. Again, light is needed, and there is one spot where you have to pull yourself up using a rope that's already there.
2 - The river. Once you have done the cave, go down to the river. Side note: you will see there is a wooden bridge that you can cross and it'll go into more pools, but that is extra and you'll have to pay. Down to the river. It is not very deep.
3 - The hot pools. There are two sets of hot pools. One is on the mountain itself and the other ones are in the jungle. The jungle ones are very quite, but you can see why as the hot pools in the mountain have the amazing views! There is also food and drinks here too.
-- Any questions, ask in the comments :) --
Music:
The Mexican - GZA Genius
Enjoy - Joakim Karud
Snow - Chill Mixes