Parks Manager

National parks near Metlapa, Guerrero

Metlapa sits inside the Iguala de la Independencia area and reaches the same parks. See national parks near Iguala de la Independencia for the full write-up.

Grutas de Cacahuamilpa National Park is the closest national park to Metlapa, Guerrero — 41.3 km (25.7 mi) in a straight line, which works out to roughly 56 min behind the wheel.

Grutas de Cacahuamilpa, Lagunas de Zempoala, Nevado de Toluca, El Tepozteco, General Juan N. Álvarez, Cumbres del Ajusco, Insurgente Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, Desierto de los Leones, Fuentes Brotantes de Tlalpan, and Lomas de Padierna make a full day trip — leave early.

Metlapa has a population of about 1,578.

National parks near Metlapa

Parks ranked by distance from Metlapa
ParkStraight-line distanceEstimated driveRealistic trip
Grutas de Cacahuamilpa National Park41.3 km (25.7 mi)56 minDoable as a day trip
Lagunas de Zempoala National Park88.3 km (54.9 mi)1 hr 45 minDoable as a day trip
Nevado de Toluca National Park89.6 km (55.7 mi)1 hr 46 minDoable as a day trip
El Tepozteco National Park93.6 km (58.2 mi)1 hr 50 minDoable as a day trip
General Juan N. Álvarez National Park96.7 km (60.1 mi)1 hr 52 minDoable as a day trip
Cumbres del Ajusco National Park107 km (66.6 mi)2 hr 2 minDoable as a day trip
Insurgente Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla National Park112 km (69.3 mi)2 hr 5 minDoable as a day trip
Desierto de los Leones National Park116 km (72 mi)2 hr 9 minDoable as a day trip
Fuentes Brotantes de Tlalpan National Park117 km (72.9 mi)2 hr 11 minDoable as a day trip
Lomas de Padierna National Park118 km (73.6 mi)2 hr 12 minDoable as a day trip

When to make this trip

Grutas de Cacahuamilpa National Park is generally best December through April, the drier and less humid stretch, with May and November as the quieter shoulder either side.

June to November is the wet and hurricane season — heavy rain, high humidity, and occasional storm closures.

Heat and humidity are constant. Plan activity for early morning and carry more water than feels necessary.

Month-by-month detail for Grutas de Cacahuamilpa National Park

Seeing more than one

Several parks near Metlapa are close enough to each other to combine on one trip, so the drive from home only has to happen once.

Distances between parks near Metlapa
PairApartEstimated drive
Lagunas de Zempoala → El Tepozteco23.8 km (14.8 mi)37 min
Lagunas de Zempoala → Nevado de Toluca47.3 km (29.4 mi)1 hr 3 min
Grutas de Cacahuamilpa → Lagunas de Zempoala47.4 km (29.4 mi)1 hr 3 min
Grutas de Cacahuamilpa → Nevado de Toluca55.2 km (34.3 mi)1 hr 11 min

Planning a trip from Metlapa

Distances here are straight-line and the drive estimate adds a road factor on top, but mountain passes and seasonal closures can change it a lot — a route that looks like three hours in June can be shut entirely in February. Confirm road status with the park before you commit to a date.

Read the Grutas de Cacahuamilpa National Park guide

Other towns in Iguala de la Independencia

Common questions

What is the closest national park to Metlapa?

Grutas de Cacahuamilpa National Park. It is about 41.3 km (25.7 mi) from Metlapa, roughly 56 min of driving.

Can I do a national park day trip from Metlapa?

Yes — Grutas de Cacahuamilpa National Park, Lagunas de Zempoala National Park, Nevado de Toluca National Park, El Tepozteco National Park, General Juan N. Álvarez National Park, Cumbres del Ajusco National Park, Insurgente Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla National Park, Desierto de los Leones National Park, Fuentes Brotantes de Tlalpan National Park, and Lomas de Padierna National Park are within about a three-hour drive.

How many national parks are near Metlapa?

10 parks are within reach of Metlapa, 10 of them close enough for a day trip.

When is the best time to visit the parks near Metlapa?

For Grutas de Cacahuamilpa National Park, the closest one, generally December through April, the drier and less humid stretch. Either side of that, May and November stays quieter.