Tolantongo hot springs
{{Short description|Hot spring system in Hidalgo, Mexico}}
{{Infobox spring
| name = Tolantongo hot springs
| other_name = Las Grutas de Tolantongo
| photo = Pozas Tolantongo.jpg
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| location = In the Mezquital Valley, three hours by car from Queretaro City{{cite web |last1=Hicks |first1=Mitti |title=Las Grutas Tolantongo, Mexico's Hidden Gem Offers Caves and Hot Springs |url=https://travelnoire.com/mexico-las-grutas-tolantongo |website=Travel Noire |access-date=17 October 2024}}
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| elevation = {{convert|4200|feet}}
| coordinates = {{coords|20.627933|-98.987798|display=inline,title}}
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| hot_spring_type = geothermal
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| temperature = {{convert|36|C}} to {{convert|38|C}} in the soaking pools
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Tolantongo hot springs are a system of geothermal springs in the Valle del Mezquital, in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico.
History
The 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.{{cite web |title=Las Grutas de Tolantongo |url=https://www.globaljusticecenter.org/content/las-grutas-de-tolantongo |website=The Center for Global Justice |access-date=17 October 2024}} A resort has been built on site, and there are camping options available.{{cite journal |last1=Carrick |first1=Evie |title=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 |journal=Travel and Leisure |date=12 December 2023 |url=https://www.travelandleisure.com/grutas-tolantongo-hot-springs-mexico-how-to-visit-8402513 |access-date=17 October 2024}} The Cooperative Ejido Society of the Tolantongo Grottos owns the land and the resort facilities.{{cite web |last1=Bowman |first1=Betsey |last2=Stone |first2=Bob |title=Grutas Tolantango: A Model Co-op Answer to Globalization? |url=https://geo.coop/articles/grutas-tolantango-model-co-op-answer-globalization |website=Grassroots Economic Organizing |access-date=17 October 2024}}{{cite web |title=Grutas de Tolantongo |url=https://www.showcaves.com/english/mx/showcaves/Tolantongo.html |website=Showcaves |access-date=17 October 2024}}
Description
The hot springs are located in a steep canyon accessible by a narrow road with hairpin turns. There are multiple sources where the hot spring water emerges from the ground and a series of caves. 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.{{cite book |last1=Rybus |first1=Greta |title=Hot Springs: Photos and Stories of How the World Soaks, Swims, and Slows Down |date=2024 |publisher=Ten Speed Press (Penguin Random House) |location=California and New York |isbn=9781984859372 |pages=65–73 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dDTGEAAAQBAJ |access-date=17 October 2024}} 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.{{cite book |last1=Bo |first1=Lindsey |title=Thermal: Saunas, Hot Springs & Baths |date=2022 |publisher=Chronicle Books |isbn=9781797218588 |page=153 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uJCWEAAAQBAJ |access-date=17 October 2024}}
The hot springs infrastructure, and network of soaking pools are drained and cleaned every other day.
Water profile
After emerging from the underground sources, the spring water cools to approximately {{convert|37|C}} in the soaking pools. The mineral water is high in calcium and magnesium which affects the color of the spring water, giving it a bright turquoise color.{{cite web |title=Uncover the Wonders of Grutas Tolantongo |url=https://www.voyagegreen.com/post/uncover-the-wonders-of-grutas-tolantongo#:~:text=this%20natural%20wonder.-,What%20is%20Grutas%20Tolantongo%3F,or%20'caves'%20from%20Spanish. |website=Voyage Green |access-date=17 October 2024}}
References
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