Travel Notes - Grutas de Garcia : Mexico Visit Rating - *** Why the Grutas? Grutas de garcia is a spectacular natural phenomenon, an awe inspiring formation of caves and tunnels discovered first by a priest named Juan Antonio de Sobrevilla in 1843.It was named after the town 'Villa de Garcia'based at the foot of the mountains.Someone told me if you are visiting Monterrey in Mexico do not miss Grutas de Garcia.I landed the opportunity sometime in the first week of February 2008 and so on the way back home to Saltillo,I took the quick decision to take a detour to Grutas. Getting there By air: Nearest airport - Monterrey. By Road:Drive west on Constitucion Avenue from Monterrey downtown.Several miles later you will see a signboard for the Grutas.Follow the Signboard and drive further for about 20 odd miles until you hit Villa de Garcia.About 8 miles further from the town lie the Caves of Garcia,nestling high up in the mountains at a height of about 2500 ft from the base. Facilities At the base, there are parking facilities for vehicles,of course, for a fee.There are some basic eating joints serving some light lunches and snacks.Restroom facilities are pretty clean going by standards.The entrance fees to the caves is about 40 pesos and usually on weekends you can expect a crowd.There is a nice little children's play area near the facilities as well.After you purchase the 'boletos',you line up to catch the next 'gondola' which will take you up the mountain and leave you right at the entrance of the caves.Alternatively, you can hike the trail up to the caves which can be quite tiring and yes, you still have to pay for the hike. At the entrance The gondola journey is a quick ten minute (or maybe less) ride up the face of the mountain.As the Gondola approaches the entrance, it feels as if you are crawling up some giant face and about to enter one of those ugly nostrils !!Well, the ride up though is nothing less than spectacular and if you have a setting sun to go with it, then incredible !!At the entrance there is a little souvenir shop and a chance to view the breathtaking landscape from 2500 ft.Take a photo or two before you venture into the dark labyrinth of tunnels about 2.5 kms long What to see A guided tour is recommended but you can make it on your own as well,once you are in there.The directions are very visible and the whole place is illuminated and so there is no chance of getting lost.The cave formations are pretty interesting.There are some really big stalagmites and stalactites and some of them are shaped like animals.Don't be surprised if you find them named in Spanish after animals such as the donkey and the camel. Highlights Everything is a must see inside the caves but I, in particular, liked the 'El Infierno' and a nice little grotto dedicated to Virgin Mary further down the path.There is another experience towards the end of the journey which you must not miss:A huge dark open space deep in the caves with a tiny round opening in the ceiling to let in the light.You must spend some time savouring the peaceful environ.