Tolantongo hot springs are a system of geothermal springs in the Valle del Mezquital, in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico.
| Tolantongo hot springs | |
|---|---|
| Las Grutas de Tolantongo | |
 | |
 | |
| Location | In the Mezquital Valley,[1] three hours by car from Queretaro City[2] |
| Coordinates | 20°37′41″N 98°59′16″W / 20.627933°N 98.987798°W |
| Elevation | 4,200 feet (1,300 m) |
| Type | geothermal |
| Temperature | 36 °C (97 °F) to 38 °C (100 °F) in the soaking pools |
History
editThe hot springs are located on an ejido, the Ejido de San Cristóbal, a system of cooperative land ownership that restored rights to farmers and Mexico's Indigenous people to own their own land. During the 1970s, the site began to be developed through the construction of a road to the geothermal area, the caves, providing access to the hot springs, waterfalls and river. This was done in consideration of both commercial development and ecosystem sustainability. The construction was done by the local ejido residents.[3][4] A resort has been built on site, and there are camping options available.[5] The Cooperative Ejido Society of the Tolantongo Grottos owns the land and the resort facilities.[6][1]
Description
editThe hot springs are located in a steep canyon accessible by a narrow road with hairpin turns.[5] There are multiple sources where the hot spring water emerges from the ground and a series of caves.[6] These flow into a network of pipes and into dozens of soaking pools that cascade down a hillside. The largest source is a cave located near the terminus of a canyon.[3] As one descends the cliff face with multiple soaking pools, there is a tunnel at the base of the canyon containing additional soaking areas and small caves.[5][7]
The hot springs infrastructure, and network of soaking pools are drained and cleaned every other day.[3]
Water profile
editAfter emerging from the underground sources, the spring water cools to approximately 37 °C (99 °F) in the soaking pools.[3] The mineral water is high in calcium and magnesium which affects the color of the spring water, giving it a bright turquoise color.[8]
References
edit- ^ a b "Grutas de Tolantongo". Showcaves. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
- ^ Hicks, Mitti. "Las Grutas Tolantongo, Mexico's Hidden Gem Offers Caves and Hot Springs". Travel Noire. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
- ^ a b c d Rybus, Greta (2024). Hot Springs: Photos and Stories of How the World Soaks, Swims, and Slows Down. California and New York: Ten Speed Press (Penguin Random House). pp. 65–73. ISBN 9781984859372. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
- ^ "Las Grutas de Tolantongo". The Center for Global Justice. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
- ^ a b c Carrick, Evie (12 December 2023). "I've Traveled to More Than 50 Countries, and This Cliffside Hot Springs Resort in Mexico Is One of the Coolest Places I've Visited". Travel and Leisure. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
- ^ a b Bowman, Betsey; Stone, Bob. "Grutas Tolantango: A Model Co-op Answer to Globalization?". Grassroots Economic Organizing. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
- ^ Bo, Lindsey (2022). Thermal: Saunas, Hot Springs & Baths. Chronicle Books. p. 153. ISBN 9781797218588. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
- ^ "Uncover the Wonders of Grutas Tolantongo". Voyage Green. Retrieved 17 October 2024.