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A straight shot from Mexico City is one of Mexico’s best kept secrets.
No, we’re not talking about the canals of Xochimilco or the fascinating pyramids of Teotihuacan, as amazing as they are.
As if Mexico City itself isn’t enough of an endless playground for travelers, heading outside the city limits can be even better, especially to avoid the crowds and mind-boggling traffic.
Outside of Mexico’s most popular urban jungle, hordes of travelers are currently searching for Mexico’s best beaches. You know, Cancun, Los, Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, just to name a few.
One of the main draws of any beach is its mesmerizing blue water, but what if you could visit a different kind of paradise setting with pristine turquoise water?
Mexico’s best-kept secret is just the right spot and one of the most unique, incomparable destinations in the country.
Book a flight to Mexico City and make sure you bring your swimwear Grutas Tolantongo is about to blow your mind!
Forget the beach! This is the paradise you’ve been looking for
To look at a map, you would never guess a hidden paradise tucked away in the state of Hidalgo.
Via winding roads in the middle of nowhere lies Grutas Tolantongo, home to a vast, breathtaking gorge with turquoise waters, thermal pools and a resort for a comfortable stay in a place no one ever seems to talk about.
When we think of Mexico, our minds go to tacos, margaritas and plenty of incredible beaches for a dream vacation.
It’s time for that to change, or at least add Grutas Tolantongo to your travel wish list.
Affordable, tranquil and, honestly, bucket list worthy, this unsuspecting city should be your next escape.
Dare we say Mexico’s Iceland?
No, there is no elf folklore, strange hot dogs or streets you can’t pronounce.
Fortunately, Grutas Tolantongo is quite easy to reach without having to follow strange directions, such as “after 1.6 km, turn left on Jófríđarstađarvegur”.
What is reminiscent of Iceland are the crystal blue thermal pools and warm turquoise waters flowing through the gorge, powered by the volcanic activity of the Sierra Madre Oriental mountains and the access to nearby waterfalls and otherworldly cave systems.
However, there’s no official word if your shower smells like rotten eggs.
Some say Iceland’s Blue Lagoon is exactly what they dreamed of, while others say it’s too touristy and one of the most overhyped attractions in the world.
You could say that Grutas Tolantongo is even better, because it’s soooo much cheaper, much less crowded, and offers guests an elevated view of a cliff among breathtaking landscapes for the perfect Instagram photo.
Oh, and did we mention it’s not freezing?
It can be hard to put ‘Iceland’ and ‘Mexico’ in the same sentence, but there are a lot of similarities here without having to take a long-haul flight.
At the very least, it’s virtually identical to Pamukkale in Turkiye, an ancient city with Roman roots full of mineral-rich blue thermal waters for the ultimate ‘spa day’.
Affordable and easy to get to from Mexico City
Mexico is often seen as a cheap holiday destination, until you start booking a trip to Cabo.
However, here you don’t have to worry about your travel budget.
Getting into the park will cost you about $12, which is well worth the entrance fee.
Numerous hotels and resorts can be found along this scenic region, as low as $60 per night.
When you book you may want to confirm transportation options as much of the area is rugged and not accessible on foot from location to location.
Speaking of transportation, you’re probably wondering how to get to such a remote area of Mexico.
Starting in Mexico City is your best bet, while Queretaro is a secondary option.
Most travelers should choose to fly into Mexico City, one of Mexico’s top hubs. It is best to rent a car, take a shuttle straight from the airport, or spend some time in the city and book a trip via Turibus for a full tour for about $60.
For the more adventurous, the Mexican minibuses come here, but you have to take a detour through Hidalgo City.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
