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    Stalactites lit in green and blue inside the Los Herrera caves, Grutas Los Herrera, Querétaro

    Photo by A01700901 Joce, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Stone steps leading to the mossy entrance of the Los Herrera caves, Grutas Los Herrera, Querétaro

    Photo by Rafaelalvarezqro, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Rock formations in the Los Herrera caves, San Joaquín, Grutas Los Herrera, Querétaro

    Photo by Rafaelalvarezqro, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Railed walkway through a passage of the Los Herrera caves, Grutas Los Herrera, Querétaro

    Photo by Rafaelalvarezqro, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Layered rock walls and plants at the mouth of the Los Herrera caves, Grutas Los Herrera, Querétaro

    Photo by A01704702 Sofia Roman, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Grutas Los Herrera

    Cave San Joaquín, Querétaro

    Show caves 2.5 km from San Joaquín, with walkways, lighting and six chambers of stalactites on a guided tour.

    From San Luis de la Paz: about 2 h 5 min by road (~140 km) How to get there ↓

    Near here

    See everything nearby ↓

    Plan your visit to Grutas Los Herrera

    Where to stay near Grutas Los Herrera

    Posada el Pozo Hotel · 2.2 km from the center Prices Hotel Meson Doña Lupe Hotel · 2.2 km from the center Prices
    Hotels in San Joaquín Houses on Vrbo

    Tours to Grutas Los Herrera

    Day trips and guided outings from San Joaquín often include Grutas Los Herrera; with a local guide you can get there without a car.

    Tours from Xilitla Surrealist Garden of Edward James, Castle of Health and Xilitla Nativity ★ 4.3 (10) · From US$100
    Find tours on Viator GetYourGuide Tours from San Joaquín

    How to get to Grutas Los Herrera

    • From San Luis de la Paz: about 2 h 5 min by road (~140 km)
    • 2 km southwest of San Joaquín
    • Nearest airport: Querétaro (QRO), 2 h 16 min by car to San Joaquín
    Rent a car at QRO Flights to QRO

    Route, map and directions ↓

    Links open a partner site. We may earn a commission if you book, at no cost to you.

    Tours from Xilitla, near Grutas Los Herrera

    Surrealist Garden of Edward James, Castle of Health and Xilitla Nativity ★ 4.3 (10) 9–10 h From US$100
    Swallow Show, Tamul Waterfall by canoe and Cenote Cueva del Agua ★ 4.1 (7) 12 h From US$120
    two days valley trek in the Atlas mountains ★ 4.7 (3) 2 days From US$171
    Bridge of God and Tambaca Waterfalls ★ 5.0 (2) 13 h From US$120
    Waterfalls of El Meco and El Salto ★ 5.0 (2) 14 h From US$130

    Tours, prices and ratings from Viator, checked weekly. We may earn a commission if you book.

    About Grutas Los Herrera

    Grutas Los Herrera are limestone caves in the pine-covered hills just outside San Joaquín. The landowner found them in 1977, and the following year a pair of cavers from Texas made the first full descent. Surveys have since mapped more than a kilometer of passages going far below the surface.

    Visitors see only the upper part, but it is plenty: six connected chambers full of stalactites, stalagmites and flowstone, shaped by mineral-laden water dripping over a very long time. Guides point out the formations people have named, such as the lion, the crocodile and the Roman Empire.

    The caves have walkways, stairs and colored lighting, and they are the only caves in Querétaro set up this way for tourism. The tour is guided and takes about an hour. The floor is damp, so wear shoes with a good grip, and bring a light jacket, since it is cool underground.

    How to get to Grutas Los Herrera

    The caves are about 2 km from the centre of San Joaquín, around 5 minutes by car or taxi on the road that leaves town toward the hills. From Querétaro city it is about 130 km, roughly 2 h 30 min: Highway 57, the road to Bernal and Ezequiel Montes, federal Highway 120 toward the Sierra Gorda, then the turn-off onto state road 129, which climbs to San Joaquín through La Culata. The last stretch is a winding mountain road. Entry includes a guide; bring cash.

    2 km southwest of San Joaquín

    Directions from San Joaquín on Google Maps

    Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.

    Best with a guide Tours to Grutas Los Herrera on Viator With transport and a guide, leaving from nearby towns and cities. See prices →

    Links open a partner site. We may earn a commission if you book, at no cost to you.

    From the nearest cities to Grutas Los Herrera

    Drive times by road from OpenStreetMap, without traffic or stops. Times marked ~ are estimated from the straight-line distance.

    Before you go to Grutas Los Herrera: hours, prices and tips

    Hours
    Mon–Wed 10 am to 5 pm, Thu–Sun 10 am to 6 pm (per Turismo San Joaquín, Sept 2025). adn40 (Aug 2026) · checked Oct 2026
    Entry
    50 pesos per person, guide included. adn40 (Aug 2026) · checked Oct 2026
    Time needed
    About 1 hour. México Desconocido · checked Oct 2026
    Guide or tour
    Visits are guided tours down about 30 m through six lit chambers; the guide is included in the ticket. Tours: Viator GetYourGuide adn40 (Aug 2026) · checked Oct 2026
    What to bring
    Non-slip sneakers, comfortable clothes and a light layer (it's cool and damp inside), cash and a camera. México Desconocido · checked Oct 2026
    Rules
    No large backpacks or food inside; follow the staff's directions. México Desconocido · checked Oct 2026

    Hours and prices change, especially around holidays. Each fact links to where we checked it.

    Visiting Grutas Los Herrera: what to see and do

    Take the guided tour through the six lit chambers.
    Spot the formations nicknamed the lion, the crocodile and the Roman Empire.
    Pair the visit with lunch in San Joaquín and a walk around town.

    Plan your trip

    Places to stay in Grutas Los Herrera

    Posada el Pozo Hotel · 2.2 km from the center Find on Expedia Hotel Meson Doña Lupe Hotel · 2.2 km from the center Find on Expedia Victoria Hotel · 2.2 km from the center Find on Expedia
    See them all on Expedia Booking.com
    Vacation rentals on Vrbo Airbnb

    Tours & activities

    Day trips and guided outings from San Joaquín often include Grutas Los Herrera; with a local guide you can get there without a car.

    Viator GetYourGuide

    Rental cars

    Pick up a car at QRO (Querétaro): about 2 h 16 min by road to San Joaquín, then 2 km more to Grutas Los Herrera, on your own schedule.

    EconomyBookings Discover Cars

    Flights

    The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Querétaro (QRO), about 2 h 16 min by road from San Joaquín, the base for Grutas Los Herrera.

    Kiwi.com

    Travel insurance

    If you plan on caving at Grutas Los Herrera, check that your policy covers it: some plans leave adventure activities out.

    SafetyWing

    Mobile data

    Signal can drop away from San Joaquín: download a map of the way to Grutas Los Herrera before you set out, or carry an eSIM with data.

    Airalo

    Links open a partner site. We may earn a commission if you book, at no cost to you. Hotel names from OpenStreetMap.

    Photos

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    When to go to Grutas Los Herrera cool

    Grutas Los Herrera shares the climate of San Joaquín, 2 km away. The best months to visit are February, March, April, and May.

    Underground water keeps much the same temperature all year, so Grutas Los Herrera is good in any month and coolest to visit in the hottest ones (April, May, and June).

    See the month-by-month climate of San Joaquín

    Make San Joaquín your base

    Colorful houses climbing the hillside around the Templo del Señor San José, San Joaquín, Querétaro cool
    Querétaro San Joaquín

    Grutas Los Herrera is an easy trip from San Joaquín, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.

    Also close to

    Closest to Grutas Los Herrera

    All 6 towns and sights around San Joaquín →

    Near Grutas Los Herrera

    Drive times by road from OpenStreetMap, without traffic. Times marked ~ are estimated from the straight-line distance.

    Lists with Grutas Los Herrera

    Caves in Querétaro · 4 Caves near Zimapán · 5 Caves near Pinal de Amoles · 5 Caves near Jalpan · 7 Caves near Bernal · 3

    Something wrong or missing on this page? Suggest a fix or addition

    Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.