Hot springs 24 km southeast of Dolores Hidalgo
A quieter hot-spring spa near La Gruta, with garden pools, steamy covered pools and picnics allowed.
Escondido Place is a hot-spring spa tucked into the countryside near Atotonilco, a few minutes from La Gruta, and it is the quieter, more relaxed of the two. Like its neighbor, it draws on the warm mineral water that rises along this stretch of the Laja River valley north of San Miguel de Allende.
The complex has several pools of different temperatures, both outdoors among gardens and lawns and in covered pools inside stone buildings, where the water is warmest and the air is thick with steam. The setting feels more like a garden retreat than a water park, and many visitors come to spend a whole day soaking, reading on the lawn and moving from pool to pool.
One practical difference from La Gruta is that visitors have traditionally been allowed to bring their own food, which makes it popular for picnics. Lockers and towels can usually be rented. Days, hours and prices change from time to time, so it is worth checking before you go, and weekdays are calmer than weekends.
What to see and do
Soak in the covered stone pools, the warmest on the property.
Spend time in the outdoor pools set among gardens.
Bring a picnic lunch to eat on the lawns.
Pair it with a visit to the sanctuary of Atotonilco nearby.
Getting there
Escondido Place is just off the Dolores Hidalgo–San Miguel de Allende highway near Atotonilco, about 30 minutes south of Dolores by car. Local buses from San Miguel that serve La Gruta also stop nearby, about a 12-minute walk from the entrance. Bring a swimsuit and sandals.
24 km southeast of Dolores Hidalgo
Directions from Dolores Hidalgo on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
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Weather mild
Escondido Place shares the climate of Dolores Hidalgo, 24 km away. The best months to visit are Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr.
Make Dolores Hidalgo your base
Escondido Place is an easy trip from Dolores Hidalgo, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
Also close to
- Comonfort · 30 km away
More around Dolores Hidalgo
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· Town · 4 km away
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La Erre
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Cuna de Tierra
· Landmark · 10 km away
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Santuario de Atotonilco
· Landmark · 22 km away
The muralled sanctuary called the Sistine Chapel of Mexico, where Hidalgo took his Guadalupe banner in 1810. -
La Gruta
· Hot springs · 23 km away
A popular thermal-water spa near Atotonilco, with warm pools and a dim artificial grotto you wade through. -
Santa Rosa de Lima
· Town · 29 km away
A cool mountain village in the oak forests on the road to Guanajuato, known for homemade fruit preserves. -
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· Archaeological site · 33 km away
An Otomí ceremonial center aligned with the Sun, Moon and Venus, reopened in May 2026 for guided group visits.
Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.