Hidalgo is a landlocked state in central Mexico, just north of Mexico City, known for the mining heritage of Pachuca de Soto and Real del Monte, the Toltec ruins of Tula de Allende, the basalt columns of Huasca de Ocampo, and the hot-spring grottoes of Grutas de Tolantongo. The state pairs colonial and pre-Hispanic history with dramatic natural landscapes across its mountains, canyons, and semi-arid valleys.
Family activities
Engaging experiences for travellers of every age.
Grutas de Tolantongo Warm Pools
A canyon complex of geothermally warmed river pools, cliffside pozas, and cave grottoes near Cardonal; the warm water and shallow, calmer pools make it approachable for children, though supervision is needed near the river current and steeper cave paths
Duration: Half day to full day
Parque Explora Pachuca
An interactive science and family park in Pachuca with hands-on exhibits, planetarium-style programming, and outdoor play areas, a reliable indoor-friendly option on a rainy or cold-evening day given Pachuca's cool climate
Duration: 2-4 hours
El Chico National Park
One of Mexico's oldest national parks, with pine forests, rock formations, and family-friendly trails and picnic areas a short drive from Pachuca; shorter, well-marked trails suit younger children, while longer routes work for older kids and teens
Duration: Half day to full day
Huasca de Ocampo (Pueblo Magico)
A walkable, cobblestone Pueblo Magico with a compact plaza, craft shops, and nearby natural attractions; the town's small scale and low traffic make it easy to navigate with children, though strollers struggle on the uneven stone streets
Duration: Half day to full day
Tula Archaeological Site (Atlantes de Tula)
Home to the famous Atlantean stone warrior columns of the ancient Toltec capital, an open, walkable site that gives older children an accessible introduction to pre-Hispanic history; shade and rest points are limited, so plan around the midday sun
Duration: 1.5-2 hours
Pachuca's Sendero Panoramico and Reloj Monumental
A ring of hillside viewpoints overlooking Pachuca plus the city's iconic monumental clock tower and central plaza, an easy, low-effort outing with playgrounds and open space near the historic center
Duration: 1-2 hours
Prismas Basalticos de Santa Maria Regla
Striking hexagonal basalt rock columns and waterfalls near Huasca de Ocampo, with viewing platforms and short walking paths that work well for families, though steeper sections near the waterfall need adult supervision
Duration: 1-2 hours
Real del Monte Paste Tasting Walk
A short, walkable outing through the former mining town of Mineral del Monte (Real del Monte), where 19th-century Cornish immigrants introduced the paste, now Hidalgo's signature hand pie; a mild, kid-friendly food experience paired with colorful hillside streets
Duration: 1-2 hours
Family-friendly hotels
Accommodation designed with families in mind.
Hotel Grutas Tolantongo (on-site lodging)
On-site cabins and rooms at the Grutas de Tolantongo complex itself, letting families stay within walking distance of the warm pools and caves without a return drive up the canyon road
Family features: Family cabins, proximity to the pools, on-site restaurants, cash-only payment
Hacienda de Malinalco Hidalgo-area boutique hotels (Valle del Mezquital and Huasca de Ocampo hacienda-style inns)
Several converted hacienda properties around Huasca de Ocampo and the Valle del Mezquital offer family rooms, gardens, and open grounds well suited to children who need space to move between sightseeing stops
Family features: Family or connecting rooms, garden grounds, on-site dining, quieter setting than central Pachuca
Fiesta Inn Pachuca / similar business-district hotels
Established mid-range hotel chains in Pachuca's newer commercial district offer predictable, family-friendly rooms and pools, a practical base for exploring Pachuca, Tula, and El Chico on day trips
Family features: Family rooms, on-site pool, central location for day-trip access, reliable amenities
Dining with kids
Eating out as a family.
Pastes (Hidalgo's Cornish-derived hand pie, filled with options like potato and beef, chicken, or even mole) are a mild, familiar, easy-to-carry food that most children take to quickly
Barbacoa, Hidalgo's signature slow-cooked lamb or mutton, is traditionally served with consome broth on the side, which can be ordered separately or omitted for children who prefer plainer flavors
Mercados in Pachuca offer cheap, fast comida corrida lunches with familiar options like grilled meats, rice, and beans, a good choice for a quick family meal between sightseeing stops
Bottled water only for children; avoid ice from unknown sources and stick to sealed drinks or purified water at hotels and known restaurants, particularly outside central Pachuca
Pack simple snacks for the drive to Grutas de Tolantongo or the Huasteca hidalguense, since food options along some rural stretches can be limited
Family travel tips
Practical advice for stress-free family trips.
Hidalgo carries a US State Department Level 2 Exercise Increased Caution advisory, the same general tier as roughly half of Mexico's states, with no state-specific warnings; standard family travel precautions apply rather than any elevated concern
Pachuca sits at roughly 2,400 meters elevation and can be genuinely cold at night even when days are mild; pack warm layers for children, particularly for evening outings in Pachuca or Huasca de Ocampo
Since Pachuca has no international airport, most families arrive via Mexico City, roughly 90 minutes by road; book a private transfer or reputable shuttle in advance rather than arranging transport on arrival with young children in tow
Grutas de Tolantongo's pools are warm and shallow in many areas, but the site includes a river current and cave sections that need close adult supervision with young children; the site is also cash-only for all purchases
Strollers work reasonably well on Pachuca's paved Sendero Panoramico and central plazas, but are impractical on Huasca de Ocampo's and Real del Monte's steep cobblestone streets, where a baby carrier helps
Mosquito repellent is worth packing if visiting the Huasteca hidalguense, which is warmer and more humid than the Pachuca highlands and carries somewhat higher mosquito-borne illness risk
Time a visit to the Huasteca hidalguense around late October-early November to see Xantolo, a family-oriented Day of the Dead celebration with altars and traditional dances that engages children in local culture
Rent a car or arrange a private driver for a day covering Tula, Huasca de Ocampo, and El Chico National Park, since public transport connections between these family attractions are infrequent and can be slow with young children