From Querétaro, Spanish Guide

Overview

This is a full-day trip out of Querétaro, running about 12 hours, with a pre-dawn start so the group reaches the Tolantongo Caves in Hidalgo while the day is still young. Pickup in Querétaro is included, and the exact meeting point is confirmed when you book. The tour runs in Spanish only, so it fits best for travellers who are comfortable following a guide in that language.

Tolantongo is a canyon oasis built around a waterfall that hides both a grotto and a cave at its base. The thermal river below runs turquoise, coloured by lime and magnesium particles from the rock, and its channel holds natural pools you can swim in. A second section, Las Pocitas, sits further along and can be reached by internal transport or a walk of roughly 25 minutes; it has shallow artificial pools, a pool with a slide, a suspension bridge, another water-filled grotto, and a zip line sold at extra cost.

Transport there and back, entry tickets and the attractions are covered in the price, while food and drink are not. On site there are restaurants, showers, bathrooms and shops renting swimwear, mats and more, so you can travel fairly light. The trip is not open to pregnant women or people with mobility impairments, and expect to climb steps along the way.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Pre-dawn pickupThe group leaves Querétaro before sunrise. The meeting point is confirmed at booking.
2. Drive to HidalgoTravel to the Tolantongo Caves, a natural canyon area in the state of Hidalgo.
3. Waterfall, grotto and caveExplore the waterfall and the grotto and cave inside it, then swim in the turquoise thermal river and its natural pools.
4. Las Pocitas sectionReach this area by internal transport or a walk of about 25 minutes. It has shallow artificial pools, a pool with a slide, a suspension bridge and another grotto with water.
5. Optional zip lineA zip line operates in the Las Pocitas area at an extra cost.
6. Free time and facilitiesRestaurants, showers, bathrooms, shops and rentals for swimwear and mats are available inside the park.
7. Return to QuerétaroReturn transport is included, closing out the roughly 12-hour day.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will shape the day, from the Spanish-only guiding to the steps and the season.

• Spanish only. The tour is conducted entirely in Spanish. This is stated in the listing, so book accordingly if language matters to you.
• Long day, early start. Departure is before dawn and the whole trip runs about 12 hours. Bring something to eat or money for food, since meals are not included.
• Steps and walking. The listing warns that you will climb steps, and getting to Las Pocitas on foot takes about 25 minutes along a path. Internal transport is an alternative if you prefer not to walk.
• Swim gear. Pack a swimsuit and towel for the thermal river and pools. Swimwear can also be rented on site, along with mats and other items, so forgetting something is not a disaster.
• Rainy season water. The listing is clear that in the rainy season the river can turn from blue to brown because of currents coming down from the mountains. If turquoise water is the main draw, time your visit outside that period.
• Extra activities. The zip line at Las Pocitas costs extra, according to the listing. Everything listed as included, transport, tickets and attractions, is already covered.

Common issues. The two hard exclusions are food and drink, which you pay for yourself, and the zip line, which carries an extra charge. The tour is not permitted for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments, and steps throughout the site make it demanding in places. Weather is the other wildcard: in the rainy season the famous turquoise river can run brown. Note also that guiding is in Spanish only, which may exclude some visitors.

Common Tour Questions