Oaxaca: Hierve el Agua Day Trip & Mezcal Tasting Tour

Summary

Hierve el Agua’s stone cascades and mezcal flavors on a slow Oaxaca day

You’ll feel limestone under your feet at Hierve el Agua, soak in mineral pools with mountain views, and taste real Oaxacan mezcal straight from the source. Local guides share stories as you wander and sample—you might even laugh at yourself trying new words or flavors. A day for slowing down and letting Oaxaca surprise you.

What’s the experience like?

You hear it before you see it—water trickling somewhere below, and the low chatter of families unpacking picnic baskets. Our van jolted to a stop just outside Hierve el Agua, and the air had that mineral tang I can’t quite describe. The “petrified waterfalls” really do look frozen mid-tumble, like someone pressed pause on a river. We wandered down the path with our guide, Jorge (he grew up nearby), who pointed out wild agave plants and told us how his uncle used to swim here before there were fences. I dipped my hand in one of the pools—warm on top, cool underneath—and watched a kid try to catch tiny frogs. It’s not quiet exactly, but it feels slow.

We had about three hours at Hierve el Agua, which was enough for a short hike along the edge (Jorge said “don’t rush or you’ll miss the lizards”—I think he meant it literally). There’s this spot where the view opens up over the valley—green patchwork fields and distant blue hills—and I just stood there for a while, shoes half-covered in chalky dust. Someone nearby was eating mango with chili powder; I could smell it every time the breeze shifted. If you’re into photos, this is your moment—but honestly I barely took any. Just wanted to look.

On the way back toward Oaxaca city we stopped at a mezcal distillery that looked almost like someone’s backyard—dogs barking, smoke rising from an oven full of roasting agave hearts. The owner handed us little clay cups and poured out different mezcals—smoky, sweet, even one that tasted kind of like green pepper (I’m not sure if that’s what they were going for). He showed us how they crush the agave with a stone wheel pulled by a donkey—I tried saying “tahona” in Spanish and got laughed at gently. Free tastings meant nobody rushed us; we just sat around swapping stories until it was time to pile back into the van. Still thinking about that smoky aftertaste.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Hierve el Agua and mezcal distillery

• Travel to Hierve el Agua
• Enjoy natural wonders for 3 hours
• Hike or relax in spas
• Visit mezcal distillery on return
• Learn agave distillation process
• Taste different mezcals for free

Top questions

How long is the Hierve el Agua & mezcal tour?

The tour lasts approximately 7 hours including travel time.

Is entrance to Hierve el Agua included?

Yes, entry fees to Hierve el Agua are included in the tour price.

Are there guided hikes at Hierve el Agua?

You can join hikes with local guides during your visit to Hierve el Agua.

Is transportation provided from Oaxaca city?

Yes, air-conditioned vehicle transport is included from Oaxaca city.

Do you get free mezcal tastings?

Yes, free mezcal samples are offered at the distillery stop.

Is lunch included on this day trip?

No lunch is included but you’ll have time for snacks or food at stops.

Can infants or small children join this tour?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller during the tour.

Is this tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

The tour may not be suitable for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health due to walking/hiking sections.

What’s included

Your day includes entry fees for Hierve el Agua, comfortable air-conditioned transport from Oaxaca city, plenty of time to wander or hike with local guides at the site, plus free samples of different mezcals during an unhurried visit to one of Oaxaca’s most popular distilleries before heading back in the evening.