Private Hierve el Agua, Mitla & Mezcal Tour from Oaxaca City

Three archaeological and natural sites in one morning, ending with lunch and mezcal in the fields where it's made

A private guided tour from Oaxaca City visits Hierve el Agua, Mitla and Santiago Matatlan in a single day with an English-speaking guide and hotel pickup. You'll see the petrified waterfalls formed by mineral-rich water at Hierve el Agua, tour the Zapotec ceremonial center at Mitla, then have lunch in private maguey fields while tasting mezcal, pulque and local cream. The tour includes entry to both sites, a distillery visit, and all transport in an air-conditioned SUV.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Hierve el Agua2h · entry included
2. Mitla2h · entry included

Visit Hierve el Agua, Mitla, and Mezcal

• Visit Hierve el Agua petrified waterfalls
• Explore Mitla archeological center
• Tour Danzantes or Maricuchos Distilleries
• Lunch in private maguey fields
• Taste homemade Mezcal, Pulque, and creams

The experience

How do you fit three major stops (a natural wonder, an archaeological zone and a working mezcal distillery) into a single day without rushing? This tour starts early at Hierve el Agua to beat the midday crowds, giving you time to walk the petrified waterfalls that formed over thousands of years from the mineral content of the water. The pools sit on a hillside overlooking the valley, and the mineral deposits have built up terraces that look frozen mid-cascade.

From there you move to Mitla, known as the Valley of the Dead, where the Zapotecs built one of their most important ceremonial centers. The site's geometric stone mosaics and underground tombs are still intact. After Mitla, the tour heads to Santiago Matatlan, the mezcal capital, where you'll have lunch in a private maguey field belonging to your group's host. The meal is traditional local food cooked on-site, paired with tastings of homemade mezcal, pulque and creams. A visit to either Danzantes or Maricuchos distillery rounds out the afternoon, showing how the agave is cultivated, fermented and distilled into the spirit you've just tasted.

Your guide speaks English and travels with you the whole day in an air-conditioned SUV, handling all entry fees and logistics. Hotel pickup is included, so you don't arrange transport into town. The full tour runs eight hours from start to finish.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned SUV transport for the entire day.
• English-speaking guide.
• hotel pickup from Oaxaca City.
• entry to Hierve el Agua and Mitla Archaeological Zone.
• lunch in private maguey fields with traditional local food.
• open tastings of mezcal, pulque and creams.
• visit to Danzantes or Maricuchos Distillery.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Child (6 to 9 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 39 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availableNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Panama San Blas Tours

Is this one for you?This tour is built for a private group traveling together. You won't share the SUV, the guide or the maguey field lunch with other travelers. The early departure and eight-hour span suit travelers who want to see multiple sites in one day rather than spread them across separate outings.

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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 (6 to 9 years); Infant (under 6): free.

What exactly are the petrified waterfalls at Hierve el Agua?

Hierve el Agua's waterfalls are mineral deposits built up over thousands of years by water flowing down the hillside. The mineral-rich water has left behind terraces that look like frozen cascades of stone, and the site sits on a ridge with views across the valley. You can walk on and around these formations during your visit.

Is there time to swim or get in the water at Hierve el Agua?

The tour includes entry to Hierve el Agua, so you have access to the site and its pools. The early start helps you avoid the afternoon heat, which makes the water more comfortable if you choose to go in.

What does lunch in the maguey fields actually involve?

Lunch is served in a private maguey field reserved for your group, with traditional local food cooked on-site. You'll taste mezcal, pulque and local creams alongside the meal, giving you a sense of how these drinks pair with the region's food.

Will I learn how mezcal is actually made at the distillery?

The distillery visit at either Danzantes or Maricuchos shows the full process: how agave is cultivated, harvested, fermented and distilled. You'll see the equipment and techniques used to produce the mezcal, and the tasting lets you experience the different flavors that come from the process.

How much walking is involved across all three stops?

Hierve el Agua and Mitla both involve walking to see the sites, though the paths are on established terrain. The maguey field lunch is a seated experience, and the distillery tour is mostly indoors or in covered areas. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels, though the early start and eight-hour day mean a full commitment.