Grutas de Tolantongo

Our parking spot last night 

mango and papaya and left over quesadilla 

not sure why she is making that face

The Grutas de Tolantongo is a natural hot springs attraction set in a deep canyon and with small pools of naturally warm water terraced on the steep cliffs. There is also a couple caves where the water springs out of that you can walk through and soak.  There are hotels and campgrounds and restaurants all over the huge complex.  It cost $10/ person to go for one day and $1.50 for parking. There was 4 days of rain forecasted including the day we arrived and that made the river, which normally is clear blue and tranquil into raging brown muddy water, unswimable. We camped under a lightning storm so the ground was pretty muddy. After breakfast we hiked to the various sets of pool, enjoying the quiet morning before the rest of the bathers arrived.  The older tubs have calcium layers from the limestone dissolved water. The water was warm and comfortable and not hot. We spent all day soaking and exploring.

We also went to the big cave under a waterfall. It was pitch dark except for people's phones. We were lucky the sun came out but it never got hot and it never rained.

Our admission the evening before was good for one day so we camped just outside the park at the edge of canyon in the evening. The weather was cool and comfortable.