5 caves · within 60 km
There are 5 caves within 60 km of Xilitla in a straight line, an hour or a little more by road. The closest is Sótano de las Huahuas, 17 km away; the farthest, Cueva de los Riscos, is 58 km. They are listed under the Pueblos Mágicos of Aquismón and Jalpan, which make good bases.
Caves keep the same cool temperature all year. Many can only be visited with a local guide, and shoes with grip help on wet floors.
Best months, when most of these towns are dry with comfortable afternoons: Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec.
The Caves 5
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Sótano de las Huahuas · Cave · 17 km from Xilitla · Near Aquismón
A huge pit in the jungle near Tampaxal, run by a Tének community, where swifts and green parakeets fly out each morning. -
Sótano de las Golondrinas · Cave · 27 km from Xilitla · Near Aquismón
One of the world's largest open-air pits, 333 metres straight down, where thousands of swifts spiral out at dawn and dive back in at dusk. -
Cuevas de Mantetzulel · Cave · 28 km from Xilitla · Near Aquismón
Four linked caves sacred to the Tének, visited with a local guide on a short but steep walk; sunlight streams into the Cueva del Sol. -
Cueva del Agua · Cave · 49 km from Xilitla · Near Aquismón
A deep, crystal-clear pool inside a cave on the Tampaón River, the usual swim stop on the canoe trip to Tamul. -
Cueva de los Riscos · Cave · 58 km from Xilitla · Near Jalpan
A cave of rocky chambers and cold pools near Huajales, 15 minutes from Jalpan, with a 'bell' rock that rings when you tap it.
On the map
Distances are in a straight line; roads add about a third.
Where to stay
The Pueblos Mágicos these places are closest to, each with hotels, food and getting-there notes.
More places like these
Caves elsewhere
All lists by kind and regionNames and locations from OpenStreetMap; notes and write-ups are our own.