Oaxaca: Hierve el Agua, Mitla & Mezcal Day Trip with Lunch

Summary

Hierve el Agua pools, Mitla ruins, Tule tree and mezcal tasting in a full Oaxaca day

You’ll walk beneath the world’s widest tree in Tule, hike and swim at Hierve el Agua’s mineral pools, explore Mitla’s ancient ruins with a local guide, watch Zapotec weavers at work in Teotitlán del Valle, and taste smoky mezcal straight from the source—all packed into one full Oaxaca day trip that lingers long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to start my day staring up at a tree so wide it made our whole group look like ants. The Tule Tree is just there in Santa Maria del Tule—locals chatting on benches, kids darting around—and our guide (I think his name was Enrique?) told us legends about spirits living inside. I tried to wrap my arms around the trunk for a photo but honestly, you’d need twenty people. The air smelled faintly sweet, almost mossy. Weird detail to remember, but it stuck.

After that we drove out past fields dotted with agave. Mitla was next—those ancient stone mosaics are sharper than I thought they’d be. Our guide walked us through the Zapotec history; I kept squinting at the patterns trying to picture hands carving them centuries ago. It was already getting hot by then, and I bought a tamarind soda from a lady at the entrance who smiled but didn’t say much (my Spanish is still pretty bad). Hierve el Agua came after lunch—there’s this moment when you first see the petrified waterfalls and it’s so quiet except for wind and distant voices bouncing off rock. The water felt cool and slightly slippery; I sat on the edge for ages with my feet dangling, not really talking.

We stopped in Teotitlán del Valle where rugs hang everywhere like bright flags. One of the weavers explained how they use cochineal bugs for red dye—I’d never seen that before—and let me try spinning some wool (not easy). My attempt looked more like tangled spaghetti than yarn. Li laughed when I tried to say “gracias” in Zapotec; probably butchered it. Last stop: mezcal tasting. The smoky smell hit before we even went inside. They walked us through every step—cooking agave hearts in earth pits, crushing them with this big stone wheel pulled by a horse—and then poured tiny glasses for us to sip (not shoot!). I still think about that earthy burn on my tongue.

The drive back was quiet—everyone half asleep or watching sunset shadows move over the hills outside Oaxaca city. Not everything went smoothly (I forgot my towel for swimming), but honestly that made it feel more real.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Oaxaca's nature and culture

• Visit Teotitlán del Valle textile workshop
• Explore Hierve el Agua petrified waterfalls
• Swim in Hierve el Agua natural pools
• Visit Tule Tree in Santa Maria del Tule
• Tour Mitla archaeological site
• Learn mezcal production and tasting

Top questions

How long is the Oaxaca Hierve el Agua & Mitla day trip?

The tour lasts a full day, typically starting early morning and returning to Oaxaca city by evening.

Is lunch included on this Hierve el Agua tour?

Yes, lunch is included—a buffet restaurant with local flavors and vegan options is part of the itinerary.

Can you swim at Hierve el Agua during this tour?

Yes, there’s time to swim or relax by the mineral pools at Hierve el Agua—bring your swimsuit and towel.

Are entry fees covered in this Oaxaca day trip?

All entry tickets for sites like Mitla, Tule Tree, and Hierve el Agua are included in the price.

Is there hotel pickup for this tour?

The tour includes pickup from central locations; check details when booking for exact pickup points.

What should I wear or bring for Hierve el Agua?

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes for hiking; bring extra clothes if you plan to swim in the pools.

Is mezcal tasting included on this Oaxaca tour?

A guided mezcal tasting is included at a local producer after learning about traditional production methods.

Do guides speak English on this Oaxaca day trip?

A certified bilingual (Spanish-English) guide leads the tour throughout all sites.

What’s included

Your day includes comfortable air-conditioned transport with water bottles provided throughout, all entry fees covered for Tule Tree, Mitla ruins and Hierve el Agua pools, a buffet lunch featuring local Oaxacan dishes plus vegan options, guided visits led by bilingual experts—including hands-on moments with Zapotec weavers—and ends with a complimentary mezcal tasting before heading back to Oaxaca city.