Venture Deep into the Majestic Mountains of Mexico đČđœ
This place, which looks like itâs AI-generated, actually exists in real life! Grutas Tolantongo is a hidden gem I only discovered after planning my Mexico tripâand itâs absolute magic. âGrutasâ in Spanish means natural caves, and here, the unique geological formations are paired with natural hot spring water flowing from the caves, creating an otherworldly cave hot spring experience Iâve never seen anywhere else in the world đż Located roughly 200 kilometers north of Mexico City, it takes 4-5 hours to drive there. This valley is also a beloved local hot spring spot among Mexicansâevery corner feels like a hot spring paradise: hot spring caves, hot spring rivers, hot spring waterfalls⊠On weekends, youâll see lots of local families with kids enjoying the springs together, filling the air with warmth đ§ș The bright blue and green pools clinging to the mountains are incredibly photogenic, like something out of a fairy tale. I worried it might be a âfilter trickâ before visiting, but the real scene is even more stunning than the photos! The upper pools are warmer, and the water cools down as it flows downhill. Soaking in the hot springs surrounded by towering mountains is indescribableâsome people strike sassy poses for photos (South Americans have such amazing figures! đ), while others like me just lounged in the water like seals, staring at the views in a dazeâI couldâve stayed there all day. The hillsides are dotted with cacti taller than trees âa sight I havenât seen elsewhere in Mexico đ” I was a bit confused about how the pools formed; there might be some man-made touches, but most of it feels naturally beautiful. Beyond the viral hot spring pools, you can even step behind the hot spring waterfallsâlike Sun Wukongâs Water Curtain Cave! đ Behind it is a huge natural cave where you can soak. Inside the cave, youâll spot stalactites, and a few bats hanging in hidden spots on the ceiling. There are also waterfalls inside the caveâtruly a wonder. If youâre up for it, bring a headlamp to explore deeper into the caves. The turquoise hot spring river is also packed with people taking dips (basically, everyone in the valley is soaking in hot springs!). The river looks its best between the rainy and dry seasons: heavy rains in the wet season turn the water muddy, while the dry season leaves it low on water. Our guide dug up some clay by the river and applied it to our faces, calling it a ânatural face washââI tried it, and it actually worked! 𧎠Most phones are waterproof now, but itâs still a good idea to bring a waterproof case just in case. If you forget your swimsuit, water shoes, or cave-exploring headlamp, donât panicâthere are plenty of roadside shops along the way to the attraction where you can buy them. I saw many people on went by self-driving or bus, but since I donât speak Spanish and didnât want to drive in an unfamiliar place, I booked an English-speaking day tour on TripAdvisor with round-trip transfersâit was super convenient! đ Recommendation: âââ A hidden wonderland and a once-in-a-lifetime experienceâtruly worth visiting! #Mexico #MexicoTravel #HiddenTravelGems #LocalSecretSpots #HotSprings #TravelAlternatives
