Tonatico is a small town of Nahua origin at the warm southern end of the State of Mexico, and its name means place of the sun. Life centers on the main plaza and the colonial parish of Nuestra Señora de Tonatico, whose fiesta runs from the last Sunday of January to February 2. Visitors also come for the local hot springs and the nearby Grutas de la Estrella caves.
History
Tonatico is a town of Nahua origin. Its name comes from the pre-Hispanic place name Tonatiuhco, formed from tonatiuh, sun, and the ending -co, which marks a place. Its full traditional name, Santa María Tonatico, reflects the colonial-era devotion to the Virgin that still defines the town: the parish of Nuestra Señora de Tonatico, a work of colonial architecture, remains the center of its biggest celebration each winter.
Climate mild
Best months to visit: Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec (driest months with comfortable afternoons)
Average daily high and low (°C) and monthly rainfall, 2020–2024.
Plan your trip
Tours & activities
Guided tours, tastings, and day trips in and around Tonatico.
Links open a partner site. We may earn a commission if you book, at no cost to you. Hotel names from OpenStreetMap.
Photos
Where it is
Tonatico within Mexico
The town up close · Open in Google Maps
Getting there
- Fly into TLC: Adolfo López Mateos International Airport, about 60 km away in a straight line
Drive times are estimates from OpenStreetMap routing, without traffic.
Nearby Pueblos Mágicos
4 km away
24 km away
28 km away
36 km away
Sources: population from Wikidata (may count the whole municipality) · elevation and climate from Open-Meteo · airports from OurAirports (straight-line distance).