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All Mexico Cacahuamilpa Grutas de Cacahuamilpa

Grutas de Cacahuamilpa

One of the world’s largest cave systems houses legends, concerts, and wondrous rock formations alike.

Cacahuamilpa, Mexico

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Inside the caves, paths and features are brightly illuminated.   Comisión Mexicana de Filmaciones/CC BY-SA 2.0
Stalactites inside the cave.   Mexicah/CC BY-SA 4.0
This Ficus petiolaria tree is a well-known feature near the entrance to the caves.   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
The famous “bottle.”   Comisión Mexicana de Filmaciones/CC BY-SA 2.0
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Located under the Cerro de la Corona (Crown Hill), in the eponymous Grutas de Cacahuamilpa National Park, is a roughly two-kilometer-long karst cave. It's known to indigenous peoples by many names, the best-known of which is "Salachi." Archaeological excavations in the caves have found pieces of pre-Columbian pottery in their interior.

In 1834, the caves were said to have been “discovered” by Don Manuel Sáenz de la Peña, a shopkeeper who hid in them while being pursued by the Mexican authorities. It's said that in the 19th century, an Englishman starved to death in these caves and his dog eventually found his body and curled up next to it. When both their bodies were found, they were buried inside by the locals.

Following their rediscovery, the caves became a tourist attraction. Careless visitors damaged the caves, especially the glittering walls, which lost their sheen due to the natural oils on the hands of those who touched them. Nowadays, visits to the caves are exclusively conducted with a guide. The tour usually includes tellings of the caves’ legends, and guides will point out the many dramatically lit stalactite, stalagmite, and column figures found within.

Some of the best-known of these figures include “The Madonna,” “The Fountain,” “The Organs” (which resemble organ pipe cactus but produce a rhythmic tone similar to organ music when struck with a rock), and, probably the most famous, one that looks like a glass bottle overflowing with foam. What drink is spilling from “The Bottle” will depend on your guide’s choice—some will say it is beer, champagne, or when talking to groups with children, Coca-Cola is the most common choice.

The nearby tourist town of Taxco hosts a yearly summer concert series called Jornadas Alarconianas, in memory of Taxco native writer Juan Ruiz de Alarcón. The Cacahuamilpa Caves will host at least one of these concerts per year, with symphonic orchestras being the most common performers.

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Caves Geology Rocks Ecosystems

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The caves are open daily, except holidays, with the first tours departing at 9 a.m. and the last at 5 p.m. The caves can only be visited via organized two-hour walking tours (mostly easy walk, although slippery, wet steps can be expected) that depart from the visitor center. Cost for the tour and entrance is MXN $90 and most are in Spanish, although English-speaking guides can be booked in advance, usually at a higher cost.

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linkogecko

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October 4, 2019

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  • https://www.excelsior.com.mx/nacional/2014/02/12/943340
  • https://www.showcaves.com/english/mx/showcaves/Cacahuamilpa.html
Grutas de Cacahuamilpa
México 166
Cacahuamilpa
Mexico
18.66976, -99.50962
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Nearby Places

Pre-Hispanic Mine of Taxco

Taxco, Mexico

miles away

Museo De Arte Virreinal (Museum of Viceroyalty Art)

Taxco, Mexico

miles away

Santa Prisca Skeleton

Taxco, Mexico

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Mexico

Mexico

North America

Places 596
Stories 61

Nearby Places

Pre-Hispanic Mine of Taxco

Taxco, Mexico

miles away

Museo De Arte Virreinal (Museum of Viceroyalty Art)

Taxco, Mexico

miles away

Santa Prisca Skeleton

Taxco, Mexico

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Mexico

Mexico

North America

Places 596
Stories 61

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