Mexico is the land of ancient Aztec temples, mystical Mayan ruins, and special sacred spaces. It’s a totally unique country, where traditional cultures collide with the natural world and provide a feast for all the senses.
Visiting the towns and cities will provide travelers with immediate access to the magnetic magic of the country, but it’s necessary to venture into the wilderness to discover more. Hidden in some of the most remote corners are unexpected gifts, straight from Mother Nature. Healing waters that have been used for millennia. Natural sources heated by the earth’s crust. Enjoyed by locals and their ancestors, and now by tourists too. If you’re able to take the time, and the effort, to find them. It’s worth it, trust us.
This is our guide to the natural hot springs, hidden in the depths of Mexico.
Grutas Tolantongo – Hidalgo, Mexico
San Cristóbal S/N Ejido San Cristobal, 42375 Cardonal, Hidalgo
Open year-round, varying times:
- Ticket Office: 6:00 am to 10:00 pm
- Zipline: 8:00 am to 05:00 pm
- Camping Zone: 24 hrs
- Caves, Tunnel, Waterfalls and Swimming Pools: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Thermal Pools and River: 8:00 am to 09:00 pm
- Restaurant: 8:00 am to 9:00 pm
- Grocery stores: 8:00 am to 10:00 pm
Cost: $200 MXN pesos (approximately $10 USD) per person per day for general access
$30 MXN pesos (approximately $1.50 USD) per vehicle per day for parking
Overnight camping at the cost of two general access tickets, per person
Facilities include:
- Ticket office
- Information signs and site maps
- Restaurant
- Food and drink vendors
- Grocery stores
- Picnic areas
- Fire pits
- Camping zones
- Hotel
- Toilets
- Showers
- Drinking water
It’s highly likely you’ve already seen photos of Grutas Tolantongo, even if you didn’t know what or where it was. Chalky white pools filled with bright turquoise water, cascading down a hillside, surrounded by greenery and mountains. They’re the most photographed part of the park for sure, and the reason that everyone visits – to get that infamous ‘Instagram shot’. We were party to that too, and the reason we drove for four hours in the wrong direction. But they weren’t the reason we stayed.
Sure, the pools of Grutas Tolantongo look good in photos, but zoom out and food vendors and infrastructure surround them. The facilities are great, if you need them, but unfortunately, they do detract from the natural surroundings – a common theme in Mexico. Plus, if you go at any sane time of the day, you’ll share the space with hundreds of local families. Or, if you’re anything like us, and you rock up at sunrise or sunset in an effort to get the place to yourself, you’ll freeze. Turns out the hot springs aren’t all that hot. We’d still recommend visiting the pools early to get your empty Instagram shots, but be prepared for lukewarm water, at best.
Located over four hours north of Mexico City; to make the most of your trip, we’d recommend staying the night if possible. There’s the option of the onsite hotel, but camping would be our pick. Continue down the hill past the pools, and you’ll reach the river. The water is just as turquoise, and you can sleep right next to it. Whether you’re in a tent or a campervan, there’s so much more space to spread out and enjoy a swim. The river is heated naturally too, and there’s a gentle current which is great fun: Mother Nature’s rapids.
After your sunrise shots have been taken, you’ve got the whole day ahead of you. Which is lucky because there’s so much more to explore. Follow the path along the river and soon you’ll be met with a waterfall, covered in moss and ferns, looking like something straight out of Avatar. All the water is warm, and there are caves to explore, tunnels to swim through and falls to sit under. It was like a hot spring adventure playground, and we had no idea it was going to be there. So sure, visit Grutas Tolantongo for the turquoise pools. But make sure to stay and explore the rest of the park too, you won’t regret it.
Hierve el Agua – Oaxaca, Mexico
Hierve el Agua, 70477 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oaxaca, Mexico
Open year-round, varying times:
- Official access: 7 am-6:30 pm
- Hike, pools and camping 24/7
Cost: $50 MXN (approximately $2.50 USD) per person for general access – cash only
$100 MXN (approximately $5USD) per vehicle for parking – cash only
Facilities include:
- Parking area
- Camping zone
- Toilets ($5 MXN or approximately 0.25 USD)
- Changing rooms
- Food and drink vendors
Hierve el Agua is another example of Mexico’s remote, but well worth the detour, natural hot springs. It’s also another example of somewhere that has so much more to experience than just a swim in warm water. Granted, the infinity pool overlooking the mountains, providing picture-perfect reflections, is a highlight. But this is another hot spring where more than just the main attraction demands your attention.
Located approximately two hours southwest of Oaxaca City, the best way to visit is to self-drive or join a tour. We stayed in our campervan and can vouch for the camping area and the very friendly dog who joined us for our morning coffee.
The best way to start a day at Hierve el Agua is by earning your dip in the infinity pool and going for a hike. This is the only opportunity to gain a real perspective of the wonders of where you’re visiting. You see, the water is rich in mineral deposits of calcium carbonate, magnesium and sulfur. Over thousands of years, these deposits have repeatedly trickled over the cliff face and formed two petrified waterfalls. They look like candle wax, or snow, and the sight is otherworldly amongst the greenery of the surrounding mountains.
The hike to the viewpoint is 1.6 miles long, with an elevation of 623 feet. There’s no shade so pack accordingly and reward yourself with a swim at the end in the beautiful but again, not-so-hot springs.
Guadalupe Canyon Oasis Hot Springs – Baja California, Mexico
32°09’15. 115°47’24., Calle 0 0″N, Jordán, Empalme
Open seasonally:
Please check the website or directly with the owner before visiting. Pre-booking is also required, to secure a camping area and private pool
Cost: $55 – $160USD per night, depending on campsite and pool chosen
Facilities include:
- Individual campsites with private pools
Each private site has:
- Barbecue grills
- Open fireplaces
- Palapas for shade and shelters
- Picnic tables
- Rubbish bins
The whole site also has:
- Store selling camping essentials
- Gift shop
- Showers and toilets
- Shared larger pool
- Hiking trails with swimming holes and waterfalls
- Shuttle transport and tours
If you thought the other hot springs on this list were remote, then this one will give a whole new meaning to the word. A 4×4 vehicle, or someone with more bravery than us, is needed to reach this desert oasis. You’ll traverse a dry lakebed, desert dunes and a craggy canyon before passing entrance signs that appear like mirages on the horizon. You wouldn’t believe that these natural hot springs are located just fifty miles from the California border – they feel like a whole other planet.
We only set aside one night for our time here, and that was our biggest mistake. The journey alone is worthy of at least two, and the idyllic setting calls for a few days of complete escapism. While there is a small store, we wouldn’t rely on it being open, or having what you need in stock. Each campsite comes with shelters, barbecue grills, and firepits, so stock up and come for a proper off-grid experience.
Unlike mainland Mexico’s barely hot springs, the private pools at Guadalupe Canyon Oasis sit naturally at 125 degrees F so there’s no chance of feeling chilly. Bring your swimming stuff and plenty of cool drinks. You’ll want to spend hours in the water, gazing at the otherworldly landscape that surrounds you. Especially after the adventure you’ve undertaken to get there!
Playa Agua Caliente – Baja California Sur, Mexico
23232 El Sargento., Baja California Sur
Open: Year-round, 24 hours a day
Cost: Free and public
Facilities:
- Parking
- Free camping
- Palapas for shade
This has to be our favorite of all the natural hot springs we visited in Mexico, and they’re completely free of charge. We love nature that feels like nature, and while the others on this list all have so much more to offer than just hot springs, they’re also all charging for the privilege. The reason we love this spot so much is anyone can turn up, whenever they want, and enjoy the hot water that bubbles up from beneath the sand, right on the shoreline. It’s completely natural, so unique, and free for all to enjoy.
‘Hot Water Beach’, as it’s known to tourists or English-speaking locals, is a public beach, located on the Mexican Baja peninsula. It’s close to the towns of El Sargento and La Ventana, which are more well-known for windsurfing than hot springs, and therefore only draw a niche market and a small number of tourists to the area.
Although you can technically visit the beach at any time, it’s important to time your visit with low tide to enjoy the hot springs. When the sea level is low enough, pools created by previous visitors will become apparent, bordered by rocks that make them easy to find. You can dig the sand if you need to allow more hot water to seep in, or bring a bucket in case you need to add some seawater to cool off. It’s a truly unique hot spring, and one of our favorite ever.
If you are into hot springs and resorts, check out Hoshinoya Guguan in Taiwan.
