Hierve el Agua Natural Pools
Oaxaca, Mexico
About This Activity
Hierve el Agua features two infinity-edge mineral pools perched on a cliff with views across the Oaxaca Valley. The calcium-rich spring water creates stunning petrified travertine cascades resembling frozen waterfalls. Entry is about 50-70 MXN (cash only); the drive from Oaxaca takes 1.5 hours on a winding mountain road. Bring swimwear, water shoes, and sunscreen. Best visited as part of a day trip combining Mitla and a mezcal palenque.
Seasonal note: Best Nov-Apr (dry season, clear views); access can close during community disputes
Compare with Alternatives
See how Hierve el Agua Natural Pools stacks up against other must-see activities nearby.
See This in an Itinerary
This activity appears in 281 of our curated itineraries.
Best 5 Days in Mexico
Mexico City → Oaxaca → Guadalajara
Best 5 Days in Mexico — Nature
Mexico City → Oaxaca → Guadalajara
Best 5 Days in Mexico — Temples & Shrines
Mexico City → Oaxaca → Guadalajara
Best 5 Days in Mexico — Photography
Mexico City → Oaxaca → Guadalajara
Best 5 Days in Mexico — Photography (Saturday Start)
Mexico City → Oaxaca → Guadalajara
Best 5 Days in Mexico — Photography (Sunday Start)
Mexico City → Oaxaca → Guadalajara
More Activities in Oaxaca
Monte Albán Archaeological Site
Explore Monte Albán's mountaintop Zapotec pyramids overlooking Oaxaca Valley

Traditional Mezcal Distillery Visit
Tour a family-owned mezcal palenque and taste artisanal expressions

Oaxacan Textile Weaving Villages
Visit Zapotec weaving villages to watch artisans use backstrap looms

Mitla Archaeological Site
Explore Mitla's palatial ruins famous for intricate geometric stone mosaics

El Árbol del Tule (World's Widest Tree)
Visit the world's widest tree -- a 2,000-year-old Montezuma cypress
Free Day in Oaxaca
Linger in markets, sip mezcal, and discover Oaxaca's slow rhythms