You can only enter the caves as part of a guided tour. Most tours combine tales about the geological and cultural histories of the caves along with high-powered lights to showcase the incredible rock formations. Above ground in the national park, there are also rock climbing routes, ziplines, a swimming pool, and a botanical garden full of native flora. Some small-group and private trips transport you directly to the caves from Mexico City, while others stop off in Taxco, a charming colonial town renowned for its cobbled streets and Churrigueresque cathedral.
Uneven paths and rocky inclines mean that the caves are inaccessible to travelers using strollers, wheelchairs, and other mobility aids.
Tours of the caves are mandatory and last for about two hours.
Tours are in Spanish as standard, but you can book an English-speaking guide by phoning ahead or booking a package.
The combined cost of a tour and admission ticket for the tours will cost you no more than a few US dollars.
Access to the park’s other attractions and activities, such as the zipline and botanical garden, costs extra.
From Mexico City, you can drive to the caves via the Mexico 95D route—this 97-mile (150-kilometer) journey takes around 2.5 hours depending on traffic. If you’re traveling from Taxco, it’s a 45-minute trip by car or public bus, which typically depart every hour. Day trips from Mexico City generally include round-trip transfers, which save you the stress of hiring a car and navigating public transport.
Grutas de Cacahuamilpa National Park is open throughout the year from morning until early evening. The best time to visit the caves—and the state of Guerrero in general—is between March and May, when temperatures are most comfortable and the summer crowds have receded.
No visit to Guerrero would be complete without a stop in Taxco, one of Mexico’s pueblos mágicos (magic towns). Though an aimless wander around the streep cobbled streets is perfectly pleasant, must-see sights include the Christ the Redeemer statue that towers over the city from the summit of Cerro del Atache hill; Museo de la Platería, a museum that celebrates the city’s silver mining heritage; and the central square, which sits at the beating heart of the city.