Grutas de Cacahuamilpa National Park

Grutas de Cacahuamilpa National Park (Cacahuamilpa Caverns) is a national park in the state of Guerrero in southwestern Mexico. The park's main feature is its extensive cavern system, one of the largest in Mexico. A smaller cavern called Grutas de Carlos Pacheco is also here, as well as two short subterranean rivers. The park is also a popular site for rapelling and rock climbing in its Limontitla Canyon area. A botanical garden, public pool, and campground round out the park facilities.

Grutas de Cacahumilpa

The caverns are a living cave system carved over millenia from steadily flowing groundwaters. Over time, the water hollowed out large openings, called salons', as it dissolved the limestone rock formations of the Cerro de la Corona mountain. More than 90 salons make up the Grutas de Cacahuamilpa.

The best way to get here is by car. The park is between the cities of Cuernavaca and Taxco on highway MEX 95. About 45 minutes from Taxco, maybe a bit over an hour from Cuernavaca.

Buses operate regularly between Cuernavaca and Taxco. The Estrella Blanco bus costs M$45 and will, on request, drop you off at the park entrance. It is a short walk from there to the caverns. Other bus companies may do the same, so ask.

From Taxco, you can get a taxi to take you to the park.

Entry to the caves costs M$100 per adult, M$70 for children. Tours are available from 10am to 5pm. Additional cost for other attractions, such as the zipline, suspension bridge, etc.

Once you're in the park, you'll be walking. Rocks in the caves may be wet, so non-slip casual shoes would be best.

The 2-hour guided public caverns tour departs once per hour. It follows a 2.5km long path through a series of linked salons. The walkway is mostly level and has electric lighting along the pathway. The salons average 40 meters wide by anywhere from 20 to 80 meters in length. Salons are named for the shapes of prominent rock formations in each. There is a Throne Room, a Cathedral, a Goat Salon, and so forth. In one salon is a gravesite. The story behind this grave is that an Englishman and his dog were exploring the cave when the Englishman fell and was injured. He sent his dog for help, but nobody paid attention to the dog, who returned to the cave and died alongside his master. A particularly large salon is the Auditorium, in which seats have been installed and which hosts the annual Jornadas Alarconianas concerts (usually featuring classical music).

The tour of Grutas de Carlos Pacheco is available on request only (not regularly scheduled).

Visit the Limontitla Botanical Garden to see native flora of the local subtropical forests. Guided garden tours are available. The best time to visit is June to October when the weather is wetter and plants are in bloom.

• Rock climbing - There are 45 rock climbing routes with grades from 10b to 13d.
• Zip line
• Suspension bridge

• Taxco
• Cuernavaca
• Xochicalco