From its placid, azure pools to its strange, towering cliffs, Hierve El Agua contains an abundance of profound, unmissable natural beauty.
Spanish for "Water That Boils," Hierve El Agua captivated the Zapotec peoples of ancient Oaxaca so much so that many archeologists believe they regarded it as sacred.
The water in its pools doesn't actually boil: it's the temperature of a warm bath. For just a few pesos, you can observe the stunning site while enjoying a relaxing soak.
It takes about an hour and a half to drive to Hierve El Agua from Oaxaca and costs 25 MXN (a little over a dollar) to enter, 50 MXN to park.
We recommend taking a shared taxi or bus to Mitla, then transferring to a van that will take you the rest of the way. You'll want to arrive early in the morning, as it crowds quickly during the day.
The iconic ridged cliffs at Hierve El Agua are actually petrified waterfalls that calcified as a result of centuries of carbonated water runoff.
One of only two petrified waterfalls in the world (the other is in Turkey), its large and small cliffs stand 90 and 30 tall feet respectively. Come early and you'll have a chance to watch giant, condor-like birds called Zopilotes land among them.
The best place to admire the cliffs at Hierve El Agua is from within one of the site's warm mineral pools. You'll also be able to marvel at the rugged mountains that form the Tlacolula Valley below.
In pre-Hispanic times, the bubbling springs supplied water to the valley via a system of canals, unique in design in Mesoamerica.
Built about 2,500 years ago, the irrigation system ceased operating during the 1300s, but you can still see its vestiges today when you visit Hierve El Agua.
You can explore this stunning geological site as part of your Cultural Convergence tour. Book your trip today.
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