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Access instructions

How to get to Grutas de Tolantongo

180 km from Mexico City. Fully paved road. Approximately 2.5 to 3 hours from CDMX.

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180 kmFrom Mexico City
2.5–3 hrsEstimated time
GPS Coord.20.6392, -99.115
Mountain road towards Grutas de Tolantongo

Main access routes

Tolantongo is accessible from several cities. All routes are on paved roads.

Route from Mexico City
Most popular

From Mexico City

180 km 2.5 – 3 hours
  1. Insurgentes Norte highway → Pachuca
  2. Pachuca → Actopan → Ixmiquilpan
  3. Ixmiquilpan → El Alberto → Tolantongo
Route from Pachuca
From Pachuca

From Pachuca, Hidalgo

90 km 1.5 hours
  1. Pachuca → Actopan via free road
  2. Actopan → Ixmiquilpan
  3. Ixmiquilpan → El Cardonal → Tolantongo
Route from Queretaro
From Queretaro

From Queretaro

200 km 2.5 – 3 hours
  1. Queretaro → highway to Pachuca (MEX-45)
  2. Exit toward Ixmiquilpan
  3. Ixmiquilpan → El Alberto → Tolantongo

By bus from Mexico City

1

Terminal Central del Norte (Mexico City)

Take a direct bus to Ixmiquilpan (Autobuses del Valle de Mezquital). Duration: ~2.5 hours.

2

Ixmiquilpan bus terminal

Take a shared van or minibus headed to El Cardonal or directly to Tolantongo. Duration: 40-50 min.

3

Arrival at Tolantongo

The van drops you off at the entrance. Do not arrive at night. No cell phone signal in the canyon.

Tips for your trip

⛽

Fill up in Ixmiquilpan

Last town with full gas stations. No fuel service on the road or at the destination.

💵

Withdraw cash beforehand

Cash only. There are ATMs in Ixmiquilpan. No banking services inside the canyon.

🌅

Arrive early on weekends

Limited capacity. The destination can fill up before 10 AM. Arriving before 8 AM is recommended.

📡

Limited cell phone signal

Download offline maps before departing. Write down the destination's phone number in advance.

This destination awaits you

A visual preview of what you'll find on arrival

Panoramic view of the canyon with thermal pools
Waterfall in the Hidalgo mountains
Canyon and mountain view in Hidalgo
Waterfall in the Hidalgo canyon

Questions about getting here

Are there tolls from Mexico City?
Yes, the Mexico-Pachuca highway has toll booths (~$80-120 MXN one way). The free road via Teotihuacan avoids tolls but adds 30-45 minutes.
Can I get there by motorcycle?
Yes, the route is suitable for motorcycles. The mountain road on the final stretch is paved but has sharp curves.
Is there direct public transit from Mexico City?
There is no direct service. It requires a transfer in Ixmiquilpan + shared van. Total: 4-5 hours by public transit.
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