Mexico
Grutas de Tolantongo
Thermal rivers tumble into canyon-cliff infinity pools, steam rising through cold mountain air.
The river runs warm and mineral-blue along the canyon floor. The cliff above it has been terraced into pools that hang over the drop, each one steaming into the morning air.
At Tolantongo, volcanically heated water pours down a Mezquital Valley canyon, through cave chambers where the hot river begins, and into terraced cliffside pools built for soaking. Water temperatures hold warm year-round even when the canyon air bites. The park runs its own restaurants and food areas, so the canyon day is self-contained.
Friends
Divide the day among the warm river, the cave mouth and the cliff pools.
Couple
Take the terraced pools early before the crowds climb the canyon.
Family
Base at the park's own facilities and let children live in the warm water.
- Volcanically heated water cascades down the canyon into terraced cliffside infinity pools.
- The cave chambers funnel the warm river out of the mountain itself.
- Water stays warm year-round even when the high canyon air is cold.
Order the Alambre Tolantongo, the park restaurant's own plate, down in the canyon.
In Ixmiquilpan, 32 kilometres away, market fondas serve the Mezquital's ximbó, meat cooked in maguey leaf.
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