Grutas de la Estrella Tonatico, Natural cave system in Tonatico, Mexico.
Grutas de la Estrella Tonatico is a limestone cave system filled with stalactites and stalagmites shaped by water flowing through the rock over many ages. The passages extend about one kilometer underground, with mineral deposits creating varied formations throughout the connected chambers.
The cave system was officially documented in 1934, though the rock formations inside formed over roughly half a million years. Water continuously shaped the limestone through dissolution and mineral buildup, creating the complex network we see today.
Local guides point out rock formations named after things they resemble, like a mammoth, a lion, a gorilla, and a chess set. These names help visitors recognize shapes in the mineral structures as they walk through the chambers.
Access to the cave involves descending roughly 450 steps equipped with installed walkways, bridges, and lighting throughout. The built pathway system makes it possible for most visitors to explore safely and see the formations clearly.
From February through June, visitors can rappel down about 30 meters to reach an underground river flowing inside the cave system. This optional adventure lets people experience the cave at a deeper level for those seeking more excitement.
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