A Visitor's Guide to Ixtapan de la Sol, Mexico

Renowned for its thermal mud baths, Ixtapan de la Sol is the perfect destination to choose in Mexico when you want to take a vacation that will rejuvenate your body and soul. This is an original spa town where healing traditions have been passed down through the generations. It is a popular retreat for those living in Mexico City and as a result it is wise to make your hotel reservations early since the accommodations do tend to be booked up for weekends and on the Mexican holidays.

How to Get There

You can easily reach Ixtapan de la Sol from Mexico City either by car or bus. If you are driving from the capital, Highway 15 will take you to Toluca and there are signs on the highway just after this town pointing to Ixtapan de la Sol. When you turn off the highway you can choose to take either a toll road or a free road. The toll road is the quicker of the two routes (about an hour) but is not as scenic as the free road that winds its way through the mountains. Buses leave Mexico City for Ixtapan de la Sol on a regular schedule during the day for the drive that takes about 2.5 hours due to the stops along the way.

The Spa Experience

The town’s original bathhouse and spa is still standing and in operation. This venue, known as Balneario Ixtapan, is in the style of the Turkish baths with some of the features of a water park blended into the mix. There are several pools, each with a different water temperature and water slides, as well as a slowly moving river. There are restaurants on the sides of the pool enabling you to spend a full day at the spa. The entrance fee you pay gives you access to all the pools and rides. The fare for children depends on their height – those under three feet tall are admitted free.

Where to Stay

Most people who visit Ixtapan de la Sol choose the Marriott Resort Hotel and Spa for their accommodations. This famous resort is surrounded by 35 acres of flower gardens and manicured lawns. Here you can enjoy a plethora of activities in addition to the mud baths and spa in the form of golf, tennis, walking, jogging and biking on perfectly groomed trails. Take a swim in a mineral thermal swimming pool, indulge in a Balinese or a Thai massage or join a weight loss program. When you make your reservations at this hotel, the cost of a round-trip taxi from the airport in Mexico City is included in the rate that you pay.

This is one Mexican vacation destination that will be so memorable you will want to repeat it as often as possible.