Visiting Hierve el Agua, Oaxaca: A Complete Guide to Mexico’s Natural Wonder
Visiting Hierve el Agua Oaxaca is an unforgettable experience, offering breathtaking views of petrified waterfalls and natural infinity pools perched high in the mountains.
Located just a short trip from Oaxaca City, this unique geological wonder draws visitors from around the world to marvel at its beauty and soak in its serene waters. Whether you’re an adventure seeker or a nature lover, Hierve el Agua is a must-see destination that is truly one of the top bucket list experiences in Mexico.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know for visiting Hierve el Agua in Oaxaca, from the logistics of getting there, to practical tips for having the most magical trip.
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Visiting Hierve el Agua, Oaxaca: A Quick Intro
Before getting into the details of how to get to Hierve el Agua, and what to expect, let's go over some fun facts of Hierve el Agua!
⭐️ What is So Special About Hierve el Agua?
Hierve el Agua is one of the two petrified waterfalls in the world! It's simply incredible to experience, and offers breathtaking views, fun hiking trails, and natural infinity pools to relax in.
📏 How Tall is Hierve el Agua?
Hierve el Agua has two cascades that both are around 50 meters tall!
🗣 What Does Hierve el Agua Mean in English?
Hierve el Agua means "the water boils". Ironically, the water here actually is not boiling though!
📍 Where is Hierve el Agua?
Hierve el Agua is located in San Lorenzo Albarrades, which is a tiny town in the mountains, 70 km south east of Oaxaca.
Visiting Hierve el Agua, Oaxaca: How to Get There
Now that you know a bit about this magical place, let's look at the different options for visiting Hierve el Agua, Oaxaca.
🚗 Can You Drive to Hierve el Agua?
Visiting Hierve el Agua, Oaxaca by car is easy! We rented our car in Mexico City to come down to Oaxaca, but you can also easily rent a car in the city of Oaxaca or at the airport.
The drive is insanely scenic with colorful flower fields, mezcal plantations, and rolling green hills and mountains along the way.
We'd definitely recommend giving yourself some extra time to make stops, and you can also include some other fun spots like the Tree of Tule and the Mitla Archaeological sites.
Visiting Hierve el Agua by car allows you to make stops along the way.
🚐 Visiting Hierve el Agua, Oaxaca by Tour
If you don't feel comfortable renting a car, the next easiest option for visiting Hierve el Agua from Oaxaca is by taking a tour. There are actually plenty of Hierve el Agua tours, and some of them even include stops in Mitla and the Tree of Tule as well.
Here are some tours to Hierve el Agua you can take:
🚌 Visiting Hierve el Agua, Oaxaca by Public Transportation
Looking for the cheapest option for visiting Hierve el Agua from Oaxaca? First, you'll have to take a public bus to Mitla (about an hour away), and then you can get a shuttle from Mitla to Hierve el Agua. To make your reservation, you can contact the number below in the photo.
🚕 How Much is a Taxi from Oaxaca to Hierve el Agua?
If you don't want to take a tour, rent a car or go on public transportation, you can in fact take a taxi or Uber (although we wouldn't recommend it). Prices range from 550-750 pesos each way, and the ride takes around an hour and a half.
Visiting Hierve el Agua, Oaxaca: What to Expect
So are you ready for an epic experience? Now we're going to share everything you should expect for visiting Hierve el Agua in Oaxaca!
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🅿️ Arriving at Hierve el Agua
Once you get to the gate you'll pay for your ticket (cash only), and the parking lot will be on your right. You'll find all of the amenities at Hierve el Agua are right next to the parking lot, so if you're hungry or want to shop it's a good time to do it.
The good thing is that the walk down to the pools takes under 5 minutes, and is on a downhill paved path, making it super accessible for all types of travelers!
💦 The Pools of Hierve el Agua
Now it's time to enjoy the main star of the show! If you're visiting Hierve el Agua, Oaxaca for just a short time, then this will probably be where you spend your time.
🏊🏼♀️ Can You Swim in Hierve el Agua?
You can absolutely swim in Hierve el Agua! They do maintenance regularly, so sometimes they'll block off specific areas, but there will always be pools available to swim in.
Many of the pools are super shallow, while a few of them are larger and able to be swam in.
It's also important to note that there are two cascades at the park, both of which have natural infinity pools! The second one is just a few minutes walking from the main set of pools, and while it was closed while we were there, the staff told us it usually is open.
💧 The Natural Pools at Hierve el Agua
The pools of Hierve el Agua sit at the top of the petrified waterfalls, so you'll be 50 meters up, able to enjoy relaxing and swimming around dozens of small natural pools.
There are plenty of pools to enjoy at Hierve el Agua.
💧 The Manmade Pool at Hierve el Agua
Head to the far right of the natural pools, and you'll find one pool that's been manmade sitting along a colorful limestone wall with petrified falls coming down the side. It's typically less busy, and although it's not super clear, it's a fun place to check out.
👀 The Viewpoints at Hierve el Agua
While the pools of Hierve el Agua are incredible, don't miss out on the incredible viewpoints you'll find just minutes walking from them!
You'll notice little gazebos that you can sit and enjoy panoramas, as well as ledges tucked away that offer breathtaking vistas for various points of view.
Don't miss out on the incredible viewpoints while visiting Hierve el Agua, Oaxaca!
🥾 Hiking Around Hierve el Agua
Other than relaxing in the pools a great way to enjoy the beautiful nature surrounding Hierve el Agua is to hike below it! This gives you a unique view of the petrified falls, and gives you a bit of a workout before soaking in the pools.
We just did the one trail on the right side of the falls. It was actually really simple, and took only 15-20 minutes from the pools with fantastic views along the way.
We read that there is also another trail that goes around the other side of Hierve el Agua, which takes about 45 minutes to an hour to complete. We didn't do this trail, but would recommend inquiring about it if you have time.
🐴 Horses at Hierve el Agua
You'll notice that right next to the pools under the trees are horses. There are guides that sell horseback rides around the area. We honestly don't like to support animal tourism like this, so don't have the details. We'd really recommend sticking to hiking on your own and enjoying the pools instead.
💧 The Infinity Pool at Hierve el Agua
When we first pulled up in the parking lot we noticed a big pool facing the stunning landscapes above Hierve el Agua. In November they were still constructing the pool, and hopefully by the time you visit it will be ready!
It'll definitely be a great place for people to relax while waiting for food or at the end of their stay before leaving.
🌚 Spending a Night at Hierve el Agua
Spending a night at Hierve el Agua is a truly unique experience, and not done by many! Since the staff need to clean up right after the sun sets everyone will have to leave. Since it was pretty dark, we just went up anyway and then go to enjoy later when the crowds had all cleared out.
Honestly, there's not a whole ton to do at night being that all of the restaurants and shops close. It pretty much turns into a ghost town, so we'd recommend getting food before everything closes, and having some cards, games, or something to entertain yourselves with since the sun sets so early.
Everyone has to leave the pools when it gets dark out.
🌌 Astrophotography at Hierve el Agua
Chances are you're going to really want to stay the night at Hierve el Agua if you are a photographer, or love star gazing.
Being that Hierve el Agua is in the mountains, there is little light pollution, and it really is a stunning sight! We took a nap and then went out around 2 am to have some fun shooting astrophotography.
Remember to bring a flashlight!
🌄 Sunrise at Hierve el Agua
Whether you like photography or not, there is no denying that sunrise at Hierve el Agua is simply magical!
We had the entire place to ourselves and had so much fun watching the sun peak behind the mountains and enjoy the colorful sky before the crowds started pouring in.
Pro Tip: Head down to the pools a half hour before the sun rises so you can enjoy a super colorful sky!
Visiting Hierve el Agua at sunrise is a truly magical experience.
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Visiting Hierve el Agua, Oaxaca: Amenities on Site
Now you know exactly what to expect while visiting Hierve el Agua, Oaxaca! But we're going to share a bit about the amenities on site, so that you can prepare before you go.
🚽 Are There Bathrooms at Hierve el Agua?
There are bathrooms right in front of the parking lot, as well as down by the pools. They have a charge of 5 pesos, and you might want to bring your own toilet paper and soap, since they were out when we went.
The bathrooms were all closed at night. However, they were just tied up with a rope, which I had to untie and retie when I was done. Make sure to bring a flashlight though!
🛏 Where to Stay at Hierve el Agua
There are two options for staying at Hierve el Agua. You can either:
- Rent a cabin
- Go Camping
🛖 Cabins at Hierve el Agua
Cabins are available upon a first come-first serve basis, and cannot be reserved in advance. There are several cabins available, and they range from 900 pesos- 1,500 pesos. They are basic and include a bathroom and shower.
We were honestly super stressed about the cabin situation, but we ended up being the only ones that stayed the night so I think it's safe to assume if you'd like to stay there shouldn't be an issue.
⛺️ Camping at Hierve el Agua
If you have your own equipment or even want to simply stay the night enjoying Hierve el Agua, you can pay to camp there, which is a fee of 100 pesos/person ($5 USD).
We told the guy at the gate when purchasing our tickets, and he simply collected the money and that was that.
We ended up taking a nap in our car since we wanted to do astrophotography in the middle of the night, but we probably could've just pitched a tent anywhere.
📶 Cell Signal/ Wifi at Hierve el Agua
There is some cell service at Hierve el Agua. Although it's not very strong, it works well enough to load notifications, send emails, and use Whatsapp/send messages.
There is no wifi at Hierve el Agua.
Hierve el Agua is in the middle of nowhere so has spotty signal.
💡 Electricity at Hierve el Agua
There is no electricity at Hierve el Agua, which means cold showers, and limitations on food and drinks. That being said, we were pretty impressed that all of the vendors manages to have cold drinks all day, since they bring everything daily in coolers.
Just make sure to have all of your electronics fully charged before going, and we'd also recommend bringing a power bank with you.
🌮 Food & Drinks at Hierve el Agua
Right next to the parking lot you'll find an array of shops and kiosks with snacks, food, and drinks. Some places have just drinks and snacks, while others have tables for a sit down meal of popular Mexican foods.
We had tacos which were really good, as well as fresh coconut topped with chili. We were also recommended to try a pina loca, which is a pineapple filled with liquor.
Don't miss out on the fresh coconuts!
🛍 Shops at Hierve el Agua
If you forgot a bathing suit, towel, or simply want to purchase something other clothing, you can find quite a few shops that have clothing and simple water-related products.
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Visiting Hierve el Agua, Oaxaca: Price & Timetable
When trying to find info on visiting Hierve el Agua, Oaxaca, we didn't have a ton of luck. Timetables seemed confusing, and don't get us started on booking a cabin. Well, when we arrived we made sure to get all of the details!
🕘 When is Hierve el Agua Open?
There is a main gate at Hierve el Agua, and it opens at 7 am daily. People can stay in the pools until sunset, which is when they start cleaning everything up. However, if you are paying to spend the night, you are able to access the area outside of opening hours.
Shops at Hierve el Agua open around 10 am, and most stay open until 6 pm. (Each shop is up to the discretion of the owner, and therefore some do come earlier and stay open later).
💵 How Much Does Visiting Hierve el Agua in Oaxaca Cost?
Visiting Hierve el Agua, Oaxaca is actually very affordable! Getting there is probably the most expensive part (and not even a lot). Here is a breakdown:
🚗 Toll for Hierve el Agua: 4 km before Hierve el Agua is a toll for the road getting there, which costs just 20 pesos/person.
🎫 Tickets to Hierve el Agua are 50 pesos/person.
⛺️ Camping is 100 pesos/person. We gave them cash and there was no receipt, or wristband.
🛖 Cabins start at 900 pesos, and the most expensive one is 1,500 pesos.
🚽 Bathrooms are 5 pesos to use.
🌮 Food is reasonably priced with meals between 20-150 pesos.
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Visiting Hierve el Agua Oaxaca: Rules & Safety
Hierve el Agua ia a perfectly safe place to visit! There are no danergous animals, and the people working and visiting there are also trustworthy. Unlike some other touristic places in Mexico, you don't have to worry about shady scams or any danger in this area.
🏊🏼♀️ Is it Safe to Swim in Hierve el Agua?
Despite the pictures looking like people are standing on the edge (for example the one below) there are actually more pools beneath.
There are some pools though that are close to sheer drops, so just make sure to look out for signs, and have some common sense when it comes to getting close to the edge.
The waters themselves are completely safe to swim in, and every two weeks there are people cleaning the microorganisms that build up inside the pools.
🥾 Safety Hiking Around Hierve el Agua
The paths around Hierve el Agua are well marked, easy to walk, and many areas have ramps or stairs. This makes the different viewpoints pretty easy to get to, and very safe for travelers to enjoy the area.
👮🏻♀️ Rules at Hierve el Agua
There aren't a ton of rules you'll have to worry about at Hierve el Agua, but here are a few you'll want to keep in mind:
- Stay away from the edges.
- No drones (unless you get permission)
- Don't wear any creams while swimming.
- Don't play music too loud
- Wear an appropriate swimsuit
- Do not cut or mistreat plants
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Other Things to Keep in Mind for Visiting Hierve el Agua, Oaxaca
Now you know almost everything you need to to enjoy visiting Hierve el Agua, Oaxaca. But don't go just yet! We have a few other details to share with you.
☀️ Weather at Hierve el Agua
Oaxaca experiences warm temperatures year round, with hotter, wetter summers, and mild, dry weather in the winter months. But as Hierve el Agua is up in the mountains, it does get pretty chilly at night, particularly from the late fall to early spring.
We visited in early November and it really wasn't warm enough in the early morning to swim, but is doable in the middle of the day.
📆 What is the Best Time for Visiting Hierve el Agua, Oaxaca?
The best time for visiting Hierve el Agua is in the fall til spring, when the weather is still warm, but not too hot. The fall and spring have hot temperatures during the day, making it perfect to chill in the pools, but it's still decent weather to hike comfortably.
The best time of day to visit Hierve el Agua is first thing in the morning before the crowds start pouring in.
If you visit in the middle of the day or the afternoon, you'll notice that it is much more crowded, like the photo below.
We'd highly recommend spending the night so that you can be there for sunrise and sunset! We also were able to enjoy the night for astrophotography, which is only possible for those that stay inside for the night.
The only way to experience Hierve el Agua like this is to spend the night.
🎒 How to Prepare for Visiting Hierve el Agua, Oaxaca
- Bathing Suit
- Towel
- Waterproof Camera (we use the GoPro shots in the water, and the Insta 360with the extra long selfie stick for drone-like shots)
- Camera - (we use the Sony A7Riii)
- Wide Lens (we use the Sony GM 14 mm)
- Telephoto Lens for capturing up close shots of the petrified falls from afar (we use the Sony GM 70-200)
- Tripod to get pictures while no one is around or for astrophotography (We use the Rangepod Tripod)
- Waterproof Phone Pouch (we use the Case Mate Phone Pouch)
- Sunscreen (reef safe)
- Sunglasses
- Insulated Water Bottle (to hold the temperature)
- Flip Flops (we personally always get Havaiana flip flops, as they are comfy and long lasting)
- Sneakers if you decide to hike
- Small Bag or Backpack - take a look at these backpacks for travelers!
- Power Bank (we use Anker power banks, as they are the best in the market and last super long)
- Toiletries (to shower after)
- Change of clothes
- Cash (everything is cash only)
- Toilet paper/ tissues for the bathroom
- Soap for the shower and the bathroom
Bring a variety of lenses for unique perspectives.
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🤔 Is it Worth Going to Hierve el Agua?
Visiting Hierve el Agua, Oaxaca is a truly unique experience, and one we highly recommend! Being one of the two petrified waterfalls in the world, this is definitely something to add to your bucket list!
Visiting Hierve el Agua, Oaxaca is definitely worth it!
⏳ How Long to Spend at Hierve el Agua
We'd recommend giving yourself 3-4 hours visiting Hierve el Agua, Oaxaca so that you can do the hiking trails, enjoy the view points, and have enough time to enjoy swimming in the pools.
If you're a photographer or would like to have the the park to yourself, then definitely don't miss out on spending a night here! We'd recommend coming in the afternoon and hiking, then spending the last opening hour (during sunset) relaxing in the pools.
Wake up before sunrise to enjoy the beautiful colors and perfect reflections of the pools before the crowds arrive. We spent a couple of hours in the morning enjoying the viewpoints and pools before heading back to Oaxaca in time for lunch.
Visiting in the early morning allows you to avoid the crowds at Hierve el Agua.
Tips for Visiting Hierve el Agua, Oaxaca
We'd recommend spending the night to experience Hierve el Agua in all its beautiful stages.
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Visiting Hierve el Agua, Oaxaca was one of the most bucket list experiences we had in Mexico, and highly recommend it to anyone visiting the area! We hope you have an incredible time, and enjoy it just as much as we did.
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