Hierve el agua
Hierve el agua - panoramic view
This trip was probably one of the most scenic and uncommon i’ve had the chance to experience.
Hierve el Agua is a perfect example of the beauty and wonder of natural geological processes. It is a natural site located about 70 km away from Oaxaca city and offers stunning panoramic views, hikes, and rock formations as well as natural pools.
Efforts are being made to preserve the natural beauty and ecological integrity of the site, balancing tourism with conservation. Local communities are involved in managing and maintaining the area, ensuring that tourism benefits the local economy while protecting the environment. The area is thought to have been used for irrigation and agricultural purposes by ancient Zapotec civilizations, and remnants of an old irrigation system can still be seen.
Facilities at the site include basic amenities such as restrooms and food stalls. Guided tours are available.
how to get to and back from hierve el agua
As for nearly everything else, you can either book a tour or DIY. As this is more of a DIY blog i’ll detail everything underneath, but there are many many maaany tourist offices all around the city of Oaxaca organizing daily tours to hierve el agua and sometimes blending other activities into it.
Getting there by yourself leaving from Oaxaca city:
Take a local bus to San Pablo de Mitla: Go to the Estadio Eduardo Vasconcelos baseball stadium along Highway 190 and wait for a bus that goes to Mitla.
👉🏼 A one way ticket is 20 MXN and the duration of the trip is approximately 1 hour.
OR, take a shared taxi going to Mitla. Depending on the number of seats taken you should pay no more than 50 MXN per person.
Next step is taking a camioneta to Hierve el Agua: Right next to where the bus/shared taxi will drop you off you will see a this colectivo or camioneta parked alongside the road with Hierve el agua written on it. The price varies depending on the amount of people traveling with you. Usually they will wait for the colectivo to be full. We paid 90 MXN per person.
👉🏼 You should be aware that the road to Hierve el Agua is quite long, zigzaging, bumpy and uneaven. So try NOT to sit behind in the trailer if you have road sickness and to avoid bruises.
👉🏼 Once you’ll arrive close to the entrance someone will come collect the 50 MXN for the entrance.
Coming back: Same as going, you will wait in a little cabin on benches for a colectivo to pick you up and bring you back to Mitla. You’ll have to pay again for the ride.
Once in Mitla check that you don’t need anything (water, snacks, toilet,..) and jump on a bus or shared taxi back to Oaxaca.
The total cost of your journey should not exceed 450 MXN! (This is rounded up), including the return trip and snacks you should definitely take with you.
What do you need to take with you
Cash
Water
Snacks
Hat & sunglasses
Sunscreen
Swimwear & quick-dry towel
Comfortable trainers for walking & flip-flops after swimming
Your phone for photos, videos, but also it will help you check if you are on the right track with Google Maps
A small bag to put everything in it.
Have you ever been to Hierve el Agua? Are you planning to go? Do you have any questions? If needed, click on the button below and ask me your questions ☺️