Hierve el Agua from Oaxaca City: Petrified Waterfalls & Pools

Dive into mineral pools and explore ancient rock formations just outside Oaxaca City

A half-day tour from Oaxaca City to Hierve el Agua includes hotel pickup, a 1.5-hour drive, and free time to swim, hike or photograph the petrified waterfalls and mineral-rich pools at the clifftop. Your guide speaks English and Spanish, and the air-conditioned vehicle returns you to your hotel afterward.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Hierve el Agua from Oaxaca City

• Pick up in Oaxaca City
• Drive 1.5 hours to Hierve el Agua
• Explore petrified falls and swim
• Photograph landscapes
• Return to Oaxaca City

The experience

The tour picks you up at your hotel in downtown Oaxaca and drives 1.5 hours to Hierve el Agua, a geological formation where mineral-rich water has built up terraces of stone that look like frozen waterfalls cascading down the mountainside. The site sits at the edge of a high plateau, and the two natural pools at the top collect warm, mineral-laden water year-round.

Once you arrive, the time is yours. Most travelers swim in one or both pools, which stay warm and clear. Others hike the surrounding terrain or position themselves for photographs: the layered stone formations and the drop-off beyond the pools create views that change with the light. Your guide and driver wait at the site, and when you're ready, the air-conditioned vehicle takes you back to Oaxaca City.

The whole outing takes about seven hours from pickup to return. Entrance to Hierve el Agua costs 70 Mexican pesos and is paid on arrival. A guide fluent in English and Spanish travels with the group, though the experience is largely self-directed once you reach the pools.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup in downtown Oaxaca.
• air-conditioned vehicle for the round trip.
• guide in English and Spanish.
• an interactive online game you can share via WhatsApp afterward to revisit what you learned.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (8 and older) · Child (under 8)

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Get Routa

Is this one for you?The 1.5-hour drive each way means you spend most of the day traveling, so this suits travelers who want to see Hierve el Agua without committing a full day away from Oaxaca City. If you prefer to linger longer at the pools or explore nearby villages, a private guide or a longer excursion would give you more flexibility.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 8).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly is Hierve el Agua and why does it look like frozen waterfalls?

Hierve el Agua is a natural spring where mineral-rich water flows down a mountainside and deposits minerals as it evaporates, building up terraces of stone that resemble petrified waterfalls. The formations are real geology, not a human construction, and the pools at the top stay warm because the water rises from underground springs.

Can I swim in the pools at Hierve el Agua, and what should I bring?

Yes, swimming is the main activity most travelers do. Bring a swimsuit, a towel, and water shoes or sandals. The mineral deposits can be sharp underfoot. The pools are open-air and the water is naturally warm, though the depth varies between the two pools.

How much free time do I actually get at Hierve el Agua?

After the 1.5-hour drive from Oaxaca, you have several hours to spend at the site before the return journey. The exact time depends on your hotel location and traffic, but most travelers have at least two to three hours to swim, explore and photograph.

Is this tour suitable if I'm not a strong swimmer or prefer not to get in the water?

Yes. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels. You can walk the clifftop terrain, photograph the formations, relax by the pools, or simply enjoy the views without entering the water. The hikes around the site are gentle and self-paced.