My toddler wailed as I tried to navigate my brother, the driver, out of the city.
We missed a turn, then another.
The cars around us honked and weaved was this really worth it?
Credit:Evie Carrick/Travel + Leisure
We all held our breath on the descent, the views getting better and better.
Was it possible this place was actually worth the drive?
And I dont say that lightly.
Evie Carrick/Travel + Leisure
The heart of Tolantongo, and what makes it great, is the water.
Some have waterfalls or islands and others have human-sized caves that you could tuck into.
At the base of the pools, theres a tunnel through the mountain with inner, dimly lit pools.
Evie Carrick/Travel + Leisure
A rope bridge runs parallel.
The following day, we drove over to the Gruta (Cave) side of the park.
My expectations were low.
I was so wrong.
Once you stepped throughthe curtain of cool water, a cave filled with warm hot spring water awaited.
Are you as obsessed as I am?
Heres my full review of Mexico’s Grutas Tolantongo.
Just remember, you have to pay for your hotelin cash no credit cards are accepted within the park.
We stayed at the Hotel Seccion Paraiso in an admittedly basic set of rooms.
Based on my research all the lodging options at Grutas Tolantongo are similar: clean and no-frills.
So, you literally have to show up and hope there is lodging, of some kind, available.
We booked our trip during the week, and arrived around noon, to avoid some sort of catastrophe.
There is also riverfront camping at Grutas Tolantongo, along with bathrooms, showers, and changing rooms.
Everything from tents and blankets to lawn chairs and cooking grills are available to rent.
There are17 eateries and barsaround the property including poolside restaurants, grab-and-go spots, and nice, sit-down restaurants.
But like the lodging, the food is far from great.
I noticed that several families brought their own food in coolers and barbecued.
(There is wood and charcoal for sale and grills available to rent.)
We ate at the Restaurante Paraiso Escondido for dinner and Cocina Paraiso for breakfast.
Activities and Amenities
This is where Grutas Tolantongo shines.
There is simply so much to do and see.
Theres also a zip line on-site.
(Both were staples for 99 percent of the guests.)
Location
Most people rent a car and drive to Grutas Tolantongo because the park is remote.
The entire experience wont be possible if you dont show up with plenty of cash.