Last week Cynthia and I went on a road trip to the waterfalls, caves and hot springs of Tolantongo. 3 hours from San Miguel by car, and located in the state of Hidalgo, Tolantongo is at the bottom of a box canyon with a cave at the end where warm water pours out and cold water falls from the cliffs overhead.
The minerals in the water make the water look blue and I call it one of the umpteen million wonders of the world.
Only 30 years ago one would have to take a mule down a dirt path on a trip that lasted many hours to get to the falls.
When I visited 13 years ago, I took a microbus down a winding dirt road that brought me to the entrance and at that time there were only four small hotel rooms and camping. The only food was from small food stalls run by the local Otomi people who live there. When the sun set so did the place, and there were no lights around except for a few across the canyon marking the houses there. It was, at that time, the end of the road.
Today, its still the end of the road with a hundred hotel rooms, a tent camping area, two restaurants, lighted paths, and the road is now being paved. Cement stairs have replaced dirt walkways, and beside the river there is a new swimming pool. With all It still has amazing natural beauty, and its all run by an association of 200 Otomi families.
Water is flowing from every “nook and cranny” and the sound of the river is a relaxing sound herd all around the canyon. The first night there I had many dreams.
We spent two days listening to new sounds, eating good food, exploring around the canyon, and soaking in the warm waters in the cave and river. We had way too much fun!!!
http://www.grutastolantongo.com.mx/
