Hierve el Agua, Mitla & Mezcal Tour: 11 Hours in Oaxaca

Petrified waterfalls, ancient ruins, handwoven rugs, and mezcal tasting in one day

This 11-hour guided tour covers four of Oaxaca's most distinctive sites: the petrified waterfalls and mineral pools at Hierve el Agua, the Zapotec ceremonial center at Mitla, the traditional weaving village of Teotitlán del Valle, and an artisanal mezcal distillery. A certified bilingual guide leads the route, and all site admissions are included. You spend 2.5 hours at Hierve el Agua itself, with time to walk the formations and swim. Lunch and beverages are at your own cost, though snacks and coffee are provided.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Hierve el Agua3h · entry included
2. Mitla1h · entry included
3. Teotitlán del Valle1h

Explore Oaxaca's nature and culture

• Meet at Melchor Ocampo 1017
• Visit Montezuma cypress tree in Tule
• Optional local breakfast in Tule
• Hike and explore Hierve el Agua waterfalls
• Swim in natural mineral pools
• Tour archaeological site of Mitla
• Discover wool rug weaving in Teotitlán del Valle
• Visit artisanal mezcal distillery and tasting
• Return to Oaxaca City, drop-off near Zócalo

The experience

The day starts at a meeting point in the city and moves first to Santa María del Tule, where a Montezuma cypress, the widest tree in the world, stands in a small plaza. Your guide shares the history and legends around it, and you can order a local breakfast of memelitas, tamales and coffee if you want one. From there the route heads to Hierve el Agua, where you'll spend the next 2.5 hours on foot and in the water. The petrified waterfalls are the main draw: mineral-rich water has built up white and ochre formations that cascade down the mountainside, and you walk the trails to see them from different angles, with views across the valley from the highest point. After exploring, you can swim in the natural mineral pools or rest on the rocks.

The afternoon takes you to Mitla, an archaeological site built by the Zapotec civilization, where a certified guide walks you through the palaces and explains the architecture and cosmology behind the geometric patterns carved into the stone. From there you move to Teotitlán del Valle, a village where families still weave wool rugs on pedal looms using natural dyes: cochineal for red, indigo for blue, pomegranate and plants for yellows and browns. You'll see the process and have the chance to buy directly from the weavers. The final stop is a traditional mezcal distillery, where you learn how agave is cooked, crushed, fermented and distilled, then taste several varieties made on-site. The tour ends with a drop-off a few blocks from the main plaza, though you can ask the guide to leave you elsewhere along the route back.

Bottled water travels with you throughout the day. The tour runs in English or Spanish depending on demand. If bookings are light, it may run bilingually to ensure it goes ahead. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a swimsuit and extra clothes for Hierve el Agua, and plan to bring cash if you want breakfast or lunch along the way.

What’s included

• Certified bilingual guide in English or Spanish.
• admissions to Hierve el Agua, the Tule Tree, and the Mitla Archaeological Zone.
• a local guide at Hierve el Agua.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• snacks and coffee.
• mezcal tasting at the distillery.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

AgesAdult (18 to 65 years) · Senior (66 and older) · Youth (10 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 9 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years)

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.Operator's directions: “Locate our office with blue facade labeled with Zapotecos Tours”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Zapotecos Tours

Is this one for you?The 11-hour commitment means you'll see four distinct Oaxacan landscapes and traditions in one day (natural formations, archaeology, textiles and distilling) without splitting the experience across multiple days. If you have only one day to spend outside the city and want to move through several sites rather than linger in one, this route holds them all together.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 17 years); Child (4 to 9 years); Infant (1 to 3 years).

How much time do I actually spend swimming and exploring at Hierve el Agua?

You have 2.5 hours at Hierve el Agua. After walking the petrified waterfall formations and the trails with views across the valley, you can swim in the mineral pools, relax on the rocks, or meditate in the landscape.

What is the Tule Tree, and how long do we stop there?

The Tule Tree is a Montezuma cypress in Santa María del Tule, known as the widest tree in the world. Your guide shares its history and legends. The stop is brief, though you can order a local breakfast of memelitas, tamales and coffee if you choose.

Will I learn how the rugs are actually made in Teotitlán del Valle?

Yes. You visit the weaving village and see artisans working on pedal looms, creating rugs with natural dyes derived from plants, minerals and insects like cochineal. You can buy directly from the weavers if you want to take one home.

What does the mezcal tasting include?

At the artisanal distillery, you'll tour the production process (how agave is cooked, crushed, fermented and distilled), then taste several varieties of mezcal made on-site, experiencing the flavors and diversity of this Oaxacan spirit.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Lunch and beverages are not included and are at your own cost. Snacks and coffee are provided during the day, and you can order a local breakfast at the Tule Tree stop if you wish.

Do I need to be a strong swimmer or in excellent shape?

You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness, as the day involves walking trails at Hierve el Agua and exploring archaeological sites. The swimming is in calm mineral pools, not demanding. The tour is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.