Oaxaca: Hierve el Agua, Tule Tree & Mezcal Day Trip

Summary

Hierve el Agua day trip from Oaxaca with Tule Tree, Mitla ruins and mezcal tasting

You’ll stand beneath Oaxaca’s ancient Tule Tree, watch master weavers at work in Teotitlán del Valle, explore Mitla’s stone mosaics under bright sun, soak up views at Hierve el Agua’s petrified waterfalls, and finish your day sipping smoky mezcal straight from the source. This day trip leaves you feeling connected—to people, places, even yourself.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the hush under the Tule Tree—everyone just sort of looking up together, necks craned. You can’t really picture how wide it is until you’re there. Our guide, Lupita, told us it’s over 2,000 years old (she grinned when someone guessed 500). The air smelled faintly sweet, almost like wet earth after rain. There was a vendor nearby selling tamarind candies; I bought some out of curiosity—sticky and tart on my tongue as we headed to Teotitlán del Valle.

In Teotitlán, we ducked into a weaving workshop. The looms clacked in a rhythm that made me think of distant thunder. One of the women showed us how she crushes cochineal bugs for dye—her hands stained red. I tried to say “gracias” in Zapotec but probably mangled it; she laughed and handed me a scrap of wool anyway. After that came Mitla—stone walls covered in geometric patterns. It was hot enough that my shirt stuck to my back. Lupita pointed out where priests used to walk; I tried to imagine their footsteps echoing off those ancient stones.

The drive up to Hierve el Agua wound through dusty hills. When we finally got out, the light was blinding off the pale rock. The pools were cool and tasted faintly mineral if you dipped your fingers in—kids shrieked as they splashed each other. I sat for a while just watching water spill over the edge into nothingness below. Someone’s radio played cumbia from a parked car; it mixed with laughter and wind. I didn’t expect to feel so small or peaceful at the same time.

On the way back toward Oaxaca city, we stopped at a mezcal distillery tucked behind agave fields. The smell hit me first—smoky and sharp from roasting piñas in earthen pits. We tried different mezcals (I liked the one with notes of orange peel best). The owner explained how his grandfather taught him everything he knows; he poured another round for us “para la buena suerte.” My Spanish isn’t great but honestly, mezcal helps with shyness.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit natural and cultural sites in Oaxaca

• Visit the legendary Tule tree
• Tour traditional textile workshop
• Explore Mitla Archaeological Site
• See petrified waterfalls at Hierve el Agua
• Visit traditional mezcal distillery

Top questions

How long is the day trip to Hierve el Agua from Oaxaca?

The tour is a full-day experience including stops at Tule Tree, Teotitlán del Valle, Mitla ruins, Hierve el Agua, and a mezcal distillery.

Are entrance fees included in this Oaxaca tour?

No, entrance fees for Tule Tree (20 MXN), Mitla (100 MXN), and Hierve el Agua (70 MXN) are paid separately in cash.

Is lunch provided during this day trip?

An Oaxacan buffet lunch is available for 198 MXN extra; it’s not included in the base price.

What should I bring for Hierve el Agua?

Bring cash for entrance fees and lunch, comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, swimwear if you want to dip your feet in the pools.

Is this tour suitable for kids or elderly travelers?

The tour is suitable for most fitness levels but not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

Do we get to taste mezcal on this Oaxaca tour?

Yes—a guided tasting at a traditional mezcal distillery is included at the end of your day trip.

Does this tour include hotel pickup?

The tour includes air-conditioned vehicle transport but does not specify hotel pickup; check with your provider for details.

What’s included

Your day includes travel by air-conditioned vehicle between all sites—from Oaxaca city to Tule Tree, Teotitlán del Valle weaving workshop, Mitla archaeological site, Hierve el Agua’s natural pools and petrified falls—and ends with a guided mezcal tasting at a family-run distillery before returning home.