The Perfect Day Trip to Hierve el Agua in Oaxaca, Mexico
The moment I saw a photograph of Hierve el Agua, I knew I had to see it with my own two eyes. It just looks too incredible to be real. And I’m sure you’re thinking the same thing, if you’re sitting here reading this blog post, wanting to learn more about the best way to visit Hierve el Agua on your trip to Oaxaca.
Hierve el Agua feels almost unreal at first—like a frozen waterfall spilling over the edge of the mountains. But what you’re actually looking at isn’t water at all. Over thousands of years, mineral-rich springs have slowly built up these formations, creating what look like cascading falls made entirely of stone. This is one of the ONLY places in the world where this occurs.
The site has been significant since Zapotec times, when the springs were used as a natural irrigation system—one of the earliest of its kind in the region. Today, you can still see traces of those ancient channels, alongside the iconic cliffside pools that overlook the valley.
Hierve el Agua translates to ‘the water boils’. This is in reference to the bubbles you see emanating from the bottom of the pools making it looks like the water is boiling. There is a common misconception that the water is hot and that these are actually hot springs. The water is actually cool and refreshing, offering a welcome break from the intense heat of the sun.
The Essentials
Essential info to know before you go
How to get to Hierve el Agua from Oaxaca Centro
Rental car
The pros of renting your own car are that you can control the pace of the trip, stops along the way and how much time you spend at Hierve el Agua. If you can speak Spanish fluently and are comfortable driving in another country, this could be a great option. However, do keep in mind that entry to the site can be complicated if you do not speak Spanish, as the locals will direct you to pay the entrance fee and where to park your car. The road to Hierve el Agua is not fully paved, has many narrow and winding roads and frankly looks dangerous in some areas. If you are not a confident driver, I would not recommend driving yourself.
Tour
My preferred way to the site is through a tour, which allows you to enjoy the journey and experience knowing you are in the hands of trusted local guides.
My top recommendation for tours is through Coyote Aventuras who offer a couple of options for visiting Hierve el Agua. In both of their tours, you leave from Oaxaca Centro at 6am, which allows you to arrive at the site before the tourist buses and crowds arrive. Having the majority of the pools to yourself while there is such a special experience that would otherwise have not been as special if you were sharing it with a hundred other tourists.
More details about the tour are shared below.
The Ultimate Hierve el Agua Tour
Our tour began at 6am in front of the Coyota Aventuras main office in Oaxaca, Centro. Our first stop was in San Isidro Roaguía where we enjoyed a delicious homemade breakfast by a local family in the courtyard of their home. Breakfast consisted of quesadillas with eggs and a traditional hot cocoa beverage. As we ate, we got to connect with the other people in the group and our guides.
Upon arrival at Hierve el Agua, we met with a local Zapotec who was to guide us around the hiking trails so we can see the different viewpoints of the “waterfalls”. Hierve el Agua is managed by local Zapotec communities, who oversee access to the site and help preserve it—making the visit not just a natural experience, but one that directly supports the people who have lived on and cared for this land for generations. He spoke Spanish and our guide from Coyote Aventuras was able to translate for us in English. We learned about the different fauna and flora of the region, as well as the history of Hierve el Agua and it’s cultural significance to the local peoples.
The trail itself is approximately 3km in length and has 164 metres of elevation gain. It’s a loop trail that goes downhill in the first half and then back uphill in the second half. While there are some shady areas on the trail, I would not recommend doing this trail in the heat of the day, as the uphill portion is primarily in the sun with little to no shade. It should take approx. 1 – 1.5 hrs to complete the trail. It gets hot so do not forget your water.
Once we completed the loop trail, we arrived back at the main pools of Hierve el Agua. After a long and sweaty hike, everyone was really excited to change into their bathing suits and take a refreshing dip.
I highly recommend bringing along a pair of water shoes as the ground here is very slippery and the rocks underneath your bare feet can really hurt. For a full list of recommended items to bring with you on this tour, scroll to the bottom of this blog post.
If you’re here early enough in the morning, the crowds will be light, which will give you plenty of opportunity to take some stunning photos of the pools and the view.
We got at least 45 minutes to hang out here on the tour which I think was the perfect amount of time to relax after the hike, take some photos and soak in the view.
Once it’s time to leave, you have some time to get changed and meet everyone back at the shuttle van where they have snacks and fresh water waiting.
The Second Part of the Tour – Las Salinas
After we refuelled with water and snacks at the van, the second portion of the hike began. A short walk from the parking lot at Hierve el Agua led us to the trail head that would bring us to Las Salinas, a true hidden gem.
The trail itself is approximately 6 km in distance, one way. While you are hiking, the shuttle van drives to the end point and picks you up on the other side.
It’s a community maintained trail, with many locals still using it to this day to transport agave and other produce on the backs of donkeys. You even get to pass through an agave field being watched over by curious cows.
The trail is mostly downhill, with 519 metres of elevation descent and 176 metres of elevation gain near the end of the hike. The general elevation in Oaxaca made hiking noticeably harder, and I often found myself out of breath even on relatively gentle climbs. I’m not gonna lie, this was a tough hike, and I felt like I was pushing myself to my limits with the heat and the elevation gain near the end.
However it was all worth it once we got to our destination: Las Salinas de San Baltazar Guelavila. Truly an oasis in the desert, Las Salinas is a hidden canyon where a cool spring flows between the rocks, forming small cascades and calm pools that feel like a completely different world from the dry plateau above.
The view of the shuttle van greets you upon arrival (thank god), with our driver handing us a selection of ice cold beverages. After catching our breath, chugging water and cooling down, we made our way into the canyon where we had about 30 minutes to spend exploring the area. There are bathrooms here (outhouses but fairly clean). The area feels like a total hidden gem. Not that many people were there and certainly no foreign tourists other than us.
Tips for Visiting Hierve el Agua
Hierve el Agua is open every day from 7 am to 6 pm. The earlier you can arrive, the better, especially if you want to get some photography shots without a bunch of tourists crowding in the pools.
The road to Hierve el Agua is very windy and bumpy, so if you’re prone to car sickness, be sure to pack some Gravol Ginger Tablets.
There are vendors selling food on site. You do need to leave the pool area in order to access them, so you may prefer to bring food with you.
It’s important to note the landscape will look different depending on what time of year you visit. We visited during February which is the dry season. Dry season typically runs from November to May. During this season, the deciduous trees shed their leaves in order to survive the harsh, dry conditions. As you can see from the photos, everything looks a little dead. If you prefer a more lush, green and jungle look, it would be best to visit near the end of the wet season, (which typically runs from June to October) in either November or December.
This is an important site for the local community and one of remarkable natural beauty. Please be a respectful visitor—take care not to leave any trash behind and make sure you bring all of your belongings with you when you leave.
