The Turquoise Water Trail

The colour is not a dye. The water dissolves limestone, carries it and lays it back down in layers: that is travertine, and that is why Tolantongo is turquoise. The first three stops show the water still close to where it surfaces; the last two, the canyon where that water has already built the rock you swim in.

• Taxidhó, El Aguacate and Xajhá are dirt roads and none has a hotel. If the road is wet, sleep in Zimapán and drop into Tolantongo the next day.
• Xajhá is a cave you visit, not a hot spring with a front desk. Go with someone who knows the descent.
• Grutas de Xajhá to Grutas Tolantongo is 3 h 3 min of driving. Better to end the day before you set off.

1. Day 1

   No stop this day has lodging of its own

   1. Manantiales de Taxidhó

      37 °C

      Tecozautla, Hidalgo

      A natural pool at 36 °C, with no facilities. The water has not built the canyon yet.

      Dirt road · No hotel on site

      See on the map

   2. 1 h 17 min · 49 km

      Manantiales El Aguacate

      37 °C

      Tecozautla / Zimapán, Hidalgo

      A few kilometres on, the same water at another spring. Also a dirt road.

      Dirt road · No hotel on site

      See on the map

   3. 56 min · 33 km

      Grutas de Xajhá

      42 °C

      Zimapán, Hidalgo

      The cave. 42 °C and a dirt road: this is the stretch that decides whether the day runs long or stops.

      Dirt road · No hotel on site

      See on the map

2. Day 2

   Lodging on site: Grutas Tolantongo · La Gloria Tolantongo

   1. 3 h 3 min · 126 km

      Grutas Tolantongo

      37 °C

      Cardonal, Hidalgo

      The travertine canyon. There is a hotel, and the glory of the colour is in the gorge.

      Paved and dirt · Has a hotel

      See on the map

   2. 3 min · 1.4 km

      La Gloria Tolantongo

      37 °C

      Cardonal, Hidalgo

      The open pool, beside the caves. The same system, another place to get in.

      Paved and dirt · Has a hotel

      See on the map