In early April I had the opportunity to visit Hierve el Agua, a petrified waterfall in the mountains of Oaxaca. I had seen this place on social media many years ago, and I was unsure if I would be able to visit.
Over the years, the indigenous communities have fought over the land, and has caused closures. I spoke with a local who told me that since they have implemented two fees, an agreement seems to have been met. This means paying the local village to enter the park, and again at the park so both communities are getting compensated. It is important to check on this first, which is why it is best to book with a certified tour guide.
Let’s dive into everything you need to know about visiting, and what to expect!
Where is Hierve el Agua located?
Hierve el Agua is located in the town of San Isidro Roaguia, an hour and a half outside of Oaxaca city.
The waterfalls are located in a desert landscape, which not much shade available. The trail is a loop, and if you want to complete it all, it is 1.7 miles with 538 feet of elevation gain. The hike down is mostly paved, and there are horses available to take you there if you choose.
The hike itself is mostly in the sunshine with beautiful views of the mountains in the distance. It is quite dry here, so be sure to bring enough water! Pack a swimsuit , towel, and a change of clothes for the changing area. If you don’t pack food it is possible to purchase from the local vendors like we did!
Important Things to Note
- Carry small pesos to pay for entrance to the village ($20MXN) and to the park itself ($50MXN).
- Pack water, swimsuit, change of clothes, sunscreen, and toilet paper for bathroom.
- Carry snacks to enjoy at the pool and for the van ride.
- Book your tour in advance, they are only allowed to book a certain amount daily and it can sell out. We booked through Viator in a group tour and had a great experience!
- Booking an earlier visit will offer less people with your experience.
What is the History of Hierve el Agua?
Over 2,500 years ago the Zapotecs built irrigation systems and terraces which helped lay ground to what it is today. The pools near the cliffs edge where built in 2007, so are still quite new!
Hierve el Agua means water boils, which is how the area got its name because you can see the water bubbling in many parts along the hike through small holes in the ground.
While they’re called hot springs, they aren’t hot, it felt like a cold pool on a hot day. It was the perfect place to cool down on an April visit. Temperatures typically are around 75 degrees but a bit cooler in the winter months. March-May is the best time to visit Hierve al Agua.
Where can I find the Waterfall?
So where is the waterfall? Well, there is no actual waterfall of what we might expect. The cliffs are full of petrified waterfalls described as salt flats and stony falls. The cliffs are made of calcium carbonate show up on surface as fissures in the mountainside.
While the water has minerals in it, it doesn’t have any kind of smell to it. It does feel really good on your skin, quite rejuvenating! Minerals found in the water are barium, iron, and silver. Healing qualities are truly something that you can feel once you step into the waters here.
If you want to see the full petrified waterfall from the bottom, you have to hike down to the bottom area to see it from below. We chose to stay higher up and observe it from the side.
Pin For Later!
