Grutas de Cacahuamilpa National Park

Grutas de Cacahuamilpa National Park (Cacahuamilpa Caverns) is a national park in the state of Guerrero in southwestern Mexico. The park's main feature is its extensive cavern system, one of the largest in Mexico. A smaller cavern called Grutas de Carlos Pacheco is also here, as well as two short subterranean rivers. The park is also a popular site for rapelling and rock climbing in its Limontitla Canyon area. A botanical garden, public pool, and campground round out the park facilities.

Understand
The caverns are a living cave system carved over millenia from steadily flowing groundwaters. Over time, the water hollowed out large openings, called salons', as it dissolved the limestone rock formations of the Cerro de la Corona mountain. More than 90 salons make up the Grutas de Cacahuamilpa.

History
Prior to the Spanish conquest, the Olmec and the Chontal people used the caves as ceremonial centers. The Chontal name for the cave is Cocoyocuatl.

The Spanish did not learn of the caves until 1834. An initial geological survey was made under orders of Emperor Maximilian in the 1860s, and a deeper survey and more extensive mapping was done in 1922. The area was declared a national park in 1936 by President Lazaro Cardenas. Guided cavern tours became available in 1969. A further survey of the cavern system was done in 1987.

Landscape
The park extends over an area of 1598 hectares. Most of the area is low deciduous forest, but riparian ecosystems appear during the annual rainy season (June to October). The park is the headwaters for the Amacuzac River.

Flora and fauna
Plant and animal life is typical of subtropical deciduous forest. Animals include the badger, armadillo, quail, and mourning doves, among many others. Freshwater otters live in the springs and streams that form the nascent Amacuzac River.

Get in
The best way to get here is by car. The park is between the cities of Cuernavaca and Taxco on highway MEX 95. About 45 minutes from Taxco, maybe a bit over an hour from Cuernavaca.

Buses operate regularly between Cuernavaca and Taxco. The Estrella Blanco bus costs M$45 and will, on request, drop you off at the park entrance. It is a short walk from there to the caverns. Other bus companies may do the same, so ask.

From Taxco, you can get a taxi to take you to the park.

Fees and permits
Entry to the caves costs M$100 per adult, M$70 for children. Tours are available from 10am to 5pm. Additional cost for other attractions, such as the zipline, suspension bridge, etc.

Get around
Once you're in the park, you'll be walking. Rocks in the caves may be wet, so non-slip casual shoes would be best.

See
The 2-hour guided public caverns tour departs once per hour. It follows a 2.5km long path through a series of linked salons. The walkway is mostly level and has electric lighting along the pathway. The salons average 40 meters wide by anywhere from 20 to 80 meters in length. Salons are named for the shapes of prominent rock formations in each. There is a Throne Room, a Cathedral, a Goat Salon, and so forth. In one salon is a gravesite. The story behind this grave is that an Englishman and his dog were exploring the cave when the Englishman fell and was injured. He sent his dog for help, but nobody paid attention to the dog, who returned to the cave and died alongside his master. A particularly large salon is the Auditorium, in which seats have been installed and which hosts the annual Jornadas Alarconianas concerts (usually featuring classical music).

The tour of Grutas de Carlos Pacheco is available on request only (not regularly scheduled).

Visit the Limontitla Botanical Garden to see native flora of the local subtropical forests. Guided garden tours are available. The best time to visit is June to October when the weather is wetter and plants are in bloom.

Do

 * Rock climbing - There are 45 rock climbing routes with grades from 10b to 13d.
 * Zip line
 * Suspension bridge

Camping
A park campground is available.

Go next

 * Taxco
 * Cuernavaca
 * Xochicalco