Ixtapan de la Sal is a spa town about 70 km south of Toluca built around natural thermal mineral springs, its two main facilities - the Parque Acuático Ixtapan water park and the more traditional Balneario Municipal - drawing day-trippers for slides, wave pools, and warm mineral soaking respectively. The Parque Acuático combines a wave pool, water slides, and a lazy river with an adjoining amusement-park zone, open daily from about 9am to 5:30pm, while the Balneario Municipal offers a simpler, more local thermal-bathing experience near the town center.
Ixtapan de la Sal sits about 70 km south of Toluca, reached in roughly 1.5 to 2 hours by Flecha Roja bus from Toluca's Terminal Tollocan or about 1 to 1.5 hours by car via Tenancingo. The town takes its name from natural salt and mineral springs that have drawn bathers for generations, and its two main attractions channel that water in different directions. The Parque Acuático Ixtapan, at Plaza San Gaspar in the town center, is a full water park with a wave pool, multiple water slides, a lazy river, and an adjoining amusement-park zone with a pirate-ship play structure, open daily from about 9:00am to 5:30pm; a full day here suits families and visitors wanting an active water-park experience. A short distance away, the Balneario Municipal offers a more traditional and low-key thermal bathing experience in warm mineral-rich pools, with entry including access to a locker room, popular with visitors seeking a quieter soak rather than slides and crowds. A typical day trip picks one of the two - or, with an early start, samples both - and rounds out the visit with lunch at one of the restaurants around the town's plaza, many serving regional dishes alongside the spa-town atmosphere. Because the thermal water stays warm year-round, Ixtapan de la Sal works as a day trip in any season, including the cooler winter months when a heated pool is especially welcome; it also pairs naturally with the nearby town of Tonatico, which has its own smaller thermal water park, for visitors extending the outing.
How to get there
- Car: highway south from Toluca via Tenancingo (about 1-1.5 hours)
- Bus: Flecha Roja or similar first-class service from Toluca's Terminal Tollocan
- Organized day tour from Toluca or Mexico City including the water park
- Private driver hire for a combined Ixtapan-Tonatico day
Location
Plaza San Gaspar S/N, Ixtapan de la Sal, Mexico State, Mexico
18.8394, -99.6717 View on map
Highlights
- Parque Acuático Ixtapan water park with a wave pool, slides, and lazy river
- Balneario Municipal traditional thermal mineral-spring bathing
- Adjoining amusement-park zone at the water park
- Warm mineral water year-round, comfortable even in winter
Tips for visiting
- Arrive near opening (9:00am) at the Parque Acuático to beat weekend crowds and secure loungers
- Bring a swimsuit and towel for either facility; rentals are limited
- Visit the Balneario Municipal for a quieter, more local thermal-bathing experience than the water park
- Combine with nearby Tonatico's smaller thermal water park if extending the day
When to visit
Year-round; the heated thermal pools make Ixtapan de la Sal a comfortable day trip even in the cooler winter months.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Ixtapan de la Sal from Toluca?
It is about 70 km south of Toluca, roughly a 1.5 to 2 hour bus ride or a shorter drive by car via Tenancingo.
What is the difference between the water park and the Balneario Municipal?
The Parque Acuático Ixtapan is a full water park with slides and a wave pool, while the Balneario Municipal is a simpler, more traditional thermal mineral-spring bathing facility.
What are the water park's hours?
The Parque Acuático Ixtapan is open daily from about 9:00am to 5:30pm.
Is Ixtapan de la Sal a good winter day trip?
Yes, the warm mineral water at both facilities makes it comfortable year-round, including the cooler winter months.