×

Mexico🇲🇽 | national parksGrutas de CacahuamilpaGuided cave tour, Gran Salón, giant stalagmites, river exits | things to do and best time to go

Explore Sierra de ÓrganosExplore Lagunas de Chacahua

Backpacking in Grutas de Cacahuamilpa
👍 Recommendednational park ranked #12
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 20, 2026

The caves are in Guerrero, not Morelos, though the nearest big town, Taxco, and the main road from Mexico City make the border feel blurry; the entrance sits in Mexico’s southern hills, on the Guerrero side of the state line. Tours run only at set hours, so arriving at noon means a long wait, and guides lead a fixed group route, so skip any plan to wander alone. Bring cash for the ticket window, since card machines sulk. I still connect the place with the slow drip and the hollow echo of a guide’s voice bouncing off a ceiling far above. The walk ends at a hall where giant stalagmites stand like unfinished statues.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Mexico Travel Guide.


example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
Loading the map 🌍
CLICK TO FILTER
cities
towns
villages
landmarks
national parks
hikes
beaches
attractions
festivals
regions
SHOW COUNTRY’S BESTSHOW ALL

✨ Why go?
Ranked #12 national park in MexicoWhat makes it a must-see national park

Grutas de Cacahuamilpa suits backpackers because it hands you one of the biggest cave systems in Mexico without needing a car, a permit or a tour agency. The guided walk covers about 2 kilometers of lit passages through chambers up to 80 meters high, and you buy the ticket yourself at the gate. Nothing needs booking weeks ahead. The park also sits beside the Chontalcoa and San Jerónimo rivers, so you can pair the underground walk with a swim or a short riverside stroll. Self-guided travelers do best here by going midweek, when groups are smaller and the guide has time to answer questions. It works as a half-day add-on to Taxco or Cuernavaca.

💡 HighlightsMust-see experiences and standout moments

  1. The main cave tour: A guided walk of roughly two hours along paved, lit paths through a succession of enormous halls, with formations lit in color and named by the guides.
  2. The Gran Salón: One of the largest chambers on the route, tall enough that the stalactites overhead look small and the visitors below look like ants.
  3. Giant stalagmites and columns: Towering formations that guides point out by their imagined shapes, including figures such as elephants and organ pipes.
  4. The Dos Bocas river exit: The route emerges near the rivers that carved the system, a bright contrast after the dim interior.
  5. The Chontalcoa river area: Shallow, clear water near the entrance, good for a cool-down and a snack at the nearby food stalls.
  6. San Jerónimo cave: A smaller, wilder cave in the same river system, visited by
… read more 👉
  1. The main cave tour: A guided walk of roughly two hours along paved, lit paths through a succession of enormous halls, with formations lit in color and named by the guides.
  2. The Gran Salón: One of the largest chambers on the route, tall enough that the stalactites overhead look small and the visitors below look like ants.
  3. Giant stalagmites and columns: Towering formations that guides point out by their imagined shapes, including figures such as elephants and organ pipes.
  4. The Dos Bocas river exit: The route emerges near the rivers that carved the system, a bright contrast after the dim interior.
  5. The Chontalcoa river area: Shallow, clear water near the entrance, good for a cool-down and a snack at the nearby food stalls.
  6. San Jerónimo cave: A smaller, wilder cave in the same river system, visited by those wanting less crowded options.
  7. The surrounding hills: Dry forest and cactus terrain visible on the approach, with birds and lizards along the road.
Grutas de Cacahuamilpa’s main cave tour is the one to do on a first visit, because the route links the biggest halls in a single walk.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Grutas de Cacahuamilpa

Magical Taxco, ALL IN ONE

Magical Taxco, ALL IN ONE

0.0(0) 72h
From €408
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Choosing the right time of year

  • Dry Season (November to April): Cave floors stay drier and the walk from the entrance is easy. Days run 24 to 30°C (75 to 86°F), nights 12 to 16°C (54 to 61°F), and daylight lasts roughly 11 to 13 hours.
  • Hot Months (March to May): Town and road temperatures climb to 32 to 36°C (90 to 97°F), while the cave interior stays cool and humid at around 20 to 24°C (68 to 75°F).
  • Rainy Season (June to October): Afternoon storms are common, highs sit at 26 to 30°C (79 to 86°F), and heavy rain can occasionally close sections. Hillsides turn green and crowds thin on weekdays.
  • Holidays and Weekends: Semana Santa, late December and Sundays bring Mexican families, long ticket lines and the fullest tours.
Arrive on a weekday before midday to get the shortest wait for the guided tour.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: excellent for travelingFEBFebruary: excellent for travelingMARMarch: excellent for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: fair for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: below average for travelingAUGAugust: below average for travelingSEPSeptember: fair for travelingOCTOctober: good for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: good for traveling
when-to-go

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutMexico Travel Guide

An offline-friendly backpacking guide with optimized travel routes, ranked highlights, transport advice, and the best areas to stay.
example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
The digital guide (402 pages) contains:
✅ 138 highlights, ranked by travel appeal
✅ Optimized 7, 14 & 21-day travel routes
✅ Cities, national parks, landmarks, beaches
✅ How to get around
✅ Offline-friendly for travel without Wi-Fi
👉 Click to see all 30+ guide features

📅 Plan smarter in minutes, not weeks
✅ Month by month travel advice
✅ Festivals & national holidays
✅ Budget expectations

🗺️ Go to the right places, skip the overrated ones
✅ Honest pros & cons of destinations
✅ Top hikes, parks & viewpoints
✅ Lesser-known places most travelers miss
✅ Clear “worth it vs skip it” guidance

🛏️ Travel smoothly without rookie mistakes
✅ Best areas to stay
✅ Transport systems explained simply
✅ Common scams & safety advice
✅ SIM cards, money & practical tips

🌍 Understand the country, not just visit it
✅ Culture & traditions
✅ 52 Essential phrases & customs
✅ Festivals worth planning around
✅ Traveler-friendly historical context
✅ Insights that make places more meaningful

📱 Built for real travel conditions
✅ Fully downloadable PDF
✅ Works completely offline
✅ Optimized for phone use
✅ Useful in remote areas & buses
✅ Everything in one place
Stop searching, start planning
Get instant access to your full guide. 30‑day money-back guarantee.
+ Add another guide for just

By proceeding you agree to our terms.
Sent to your inbox immediately after payment • 100% Secure Checkout
Best Backpacking Travel Advisor 2025 tourism awardBest Backpacking
Travel Advisor
2025
What others say about Take Your Backpack Guides:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fantastic, amazing amount of information!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My goodness this is amazing, it's what I've been looking for hats off too you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I think this is absolutely BRILLIANT
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Very complete and informative. It's still missing places, but I gotta to commend you
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is truly amazing, thank you, can't wait to explore it with my kids!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Awesome resource, thank you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is amazing! Can't wait to explore the ones I haven't seen
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love this! Well done, great idea.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks for taking the time to make this gem!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This might be the best website I've ever seen.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Congratulations, and thank you so much for your work; it's incredibly valuable.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
In all seriousness I think you did a great job pointing out the important spots
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
10/10 very good
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
As someone who's only just starting to visit regularly this is awesome, thank you.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you very much! I'm going to visit my dad, it's going to be very useful!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is really cool! We'll be travelling for the first time and this definitely come in handy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You are now our minister of culture, congratulations 👨‍💼
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Just wanted to tell you that this is a pearl! Going to follow your recommendations.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is so cool. I'll definitely be using the resource for my travels soon.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is very impressive! Good work.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is an amazing and informative site. Very well done!

🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas to stay in Mexico

The best bases for Grutas de Cacahuamilpa are Taxco, about 30 to 40 minutes away by road, and the small settlement at the cave entrance. Inside the park area there is no backpacker hostel, but the entrance has simple cabins and a campground with basic facilities, around US$15 to 40 depending on the unit. Taxco is the stronger choice: steep colonial lanes hold family-run guesthouses and a few hostels, with beds from US$12 to 25 and private rooms from US$30 to 60. Silver shops and rooftop terraces make evenings easy, and colectivos and buses run to the caves in the morning. Ixtapan de la Sal, roughly … read more 👉
The best bases for Grutas de Cacahuamilpa are Taxco, about 30 to 40 minutes away by road, and the small settlement at the cave entrance. Inside the park area there is no backpacker hostel, but the entrance has simple cabins and a campground with basic facilities, around US$15 to 40 depending on the unit. Taxco is the stronger choice: steep colonial lanes hold family-run guesthouses and a few hostels, with beds from US$12 to 25 and private rooms from US$30 to 60. Silver shops and rooftop terraces make evenings easy, and colectivos and buses run to the caves in the morning. Ixtapan de la Sal, roughly 45 minutes north, offers hotels and thermal pools if you prefer a spa town, with rooms from US$35 to 70. Cuernavaca is a bigger option, about 1.5 to 2 hours away, useful if you arrive from Mexico City.
Best hostels in Mexico


Best quality hotels in Mexico

👛 Costs (as of 20 October 2026)What things cost and how to budget

A day at Grutas de Cacahuamilpa costs roughly US$36 to 70 for a backpacker including transport, entry and meals.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance and guided tourUS$6 to 9Ticket covers the standard guided walk through the main galleries, paid in pesos at the gate.
Accommodation (high season)US$15 to 25Hostel dorms or basic guesthouses in Taxco, or campground and cabins near the entrance at similar rates.
Local transportUS$5 to 15Buses and colectivos from Taxco cost a few dollars each way, and a taxi is pricier.
Food and suppliesUS$8 to 15Fondas near the entrance serve set meals, with water and snacks at kiosks.
ExtrasUS$2 to 6Parking, small tips for guides, and optional river or zipline activities nearby.
Total Daily BudgetUS$36 to 70Typical day lands near US$50 with a Taxco bed.


source: gob.mx
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🥾 TrailsScenic routes and wildlife spotting in Grutas de Cacahuamilpa

Grutas de Cacahuamilpa offers one signature route rather than a network of hiking trails, and that route is the main reason to come.
  • Guided cave tour: About 2 kilometers one way, roughly two hours, easy difficulty. The path is paved and lit, with stairs and some damp, slippery patches. Wear shoes with grip.
  • Terrain: Cool, humid chambers with high ceilings, narrow passes and sudden open halls full of formations.
  • Wildlife: Bats live in parts of the caves, and the surrounding dry forest holds birds, lizards and the occasional iguana.
  • Riverside walks: Short, flat strolls along the rivers near the entrance,
… read more 👉
Grutas de Cacahuamilpa offers one signature route rather than a network of hiking trails, and that route is the main reason to come.
  • Guided cave tour: About 2 kilometers one way, roughly two hours, easy difficulty. The path is paved and lit, with stairs and some damp, slippery patches. Wear shoes with grip.
  • Terrain: Cool, humid chambers with high ceilings, narrow passes and sudden open halls full of formations.
  • Wildlife: Bats live in parts of the caves, and the surrounding dry forest holds birds, lizards and the occasional iguana.
  • Riverside walks: Short, flat strolls along the rivers near the entrance, taking 20 to 40 minutes, with places to sit and swim.
Public transport is straightforward: buses from Mexico City, Cuernavaca and Taxco run to the area, and colectivos cover the last stretch to the gate. Weekends and school holidays are crowded, with long lines for the next departure. Weekdays are calmer. An entrance fee applies, paid in pesos at the ticket window, and tours leave at set hours rather than on demand.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetySafety Tips and Common Scams in Grutas de Cacahuamilpa

Grutas de Cacahuamilpa is a well-managed, guided cave visit and a straightforward outing for most travelers. The tour covers about 2 km of lit, paved and sometimes slick paths with stairs, so wear shoes with real grip rather than sandals. Cave air is humid and about 20 to 24°C (68 to 75°F), so a light layer helps after hot outdoor walking. Stay with your guide and the group, since side passages are unlit. Bats live in the chambers, so avoid touching walls or formations, which damage them. Outside, the Chontalcoatlán river area gets heavy afternoon rain in summer, so check conditions before walking riverbanks. Keep valuables close in crowded holiday queues, and travel by day on the roads.
Check Country Safety

FAQFrequently asked questions about Grutas de Cacahuamilpa

One full day is enough for Grutas de Cacahuamilpa, since the guided cave walk takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. Add a second day if you want to base yourself in Taxco, roughly 30 to 40 minutes away, and explore its silver shops and churches. Weekdays are the quietest.
Yes, Grutas de Cacahuamilpa is reachable without a car using buses from Taxco, Cuernavaca or Mexico City, usually with a final colectivo or short taxi. From Taxco expect around 40 minutes and US$2 to 5 on public transport. From Mexico City the trip takes about 3 hours with a change in Taxco or Cuernavaca.
Yes, Grutas de Cacahuamilpa charges an entrance fee that includes the guided tour, typically about US$6 to 9 for adults, paid in pesos at the entrance. No separate permit is needed for the standard tour. Tours run in groups on set schedules during the day, and the busiest times are weekends and holidays.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Mexican national parks near Grutas de Cacahuamilpa

Explore more nearby:

  • Nevado de Toluca—Twin crater lakes, 4,680-meter rim, volcanic gravel, drive-in summit| 54 km away
  • Sierra de Huautla—Dry tropical forest, Cerro Frío ridge, Balsas endemics, rainy-season green| 61 km away
  • Desierto de los Leones—Carmelite monastery, fir forest, Los Dinamos route, weekend picnics| 71 km away

💡 Not sure where to go next?
Create a personalized itinerary for Mexico including Grutas de Cacahuamilpa and the places that fit your trip.

Generate my itinerary

👉 Discover all national parks

Or checkout all Mexico has to offer (think cities, towns, villages, national parks, hikes, beaches, festivals)
Explore Mexico
Country photo of Mexico
© Google Images

We 💚 feedbackKey takeaways before you go

Grutas de Cacahuamilpa is best for curious travelers who like big, easy spectacles and do not need a hard hike to feel they earned the day. I would go midweek, wear shoes with grip and keep a small flashlight handy for the dark corners between the lit halls.

✈️ When did I visit Mexico?
As part of my 1.5 year travel around the world trip, I visited Mexico in February and March 2016. Had to hurry a bit as I didn’t want to miss the free performance of the Rolling Stones in Cuba.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Mexico, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



🙋‍♂️ Give feedback

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

Read the full story