Hierve el Agua

The highlight of this trip was definitely Hierve el Agua. The entrance fee was 100 MXN per person. We arrived at around 4:30 pm, and our guide gave us an hour and a half to explore before meeting back at 6:00 pm. The vehicle drove directly to the mountaintop parking area, and from there it was only about a 10-minute walk to the main attraction. The scenery was absolutely stunning and incredibly photogenic. The moment we arrived, we felt the trip was already worth it. One thing that surprised me, though, was that the water isn't actually hot. Despite the name, it's cool to room temperature rather than a hot spring, and it has a slight sulphur smell. There are changing rooms on site, so we let the kids splash around in the pools while we took lots of photos. I think this tour is definitely worth joining. Whether you book a tour or drive yourself, you can visit several attractions in one day much more efficiently, including Hierve el Agua, the petrified waterfalls, Mitla, mezcal tasting, lunch at the local market, and traditional handicraft workshops. Travelling by public bus is much more restrictive. Very few independent travellers use this route, so when you reach Mitla, you may not find enough people to share transport to Hierve el Agua and could end up hiring a private taxi. For most people, joining a tour is the better option. If you want to go independently Getting there From Oaxaca's Central Bus Station, take the bus operated by Goma to Hierve el Agua. Tickets cost 25 MXN one way. Before getting on, tell the driver that you want to get off for Hierve el Agua. The bus will drop you off near a small convenience store in Mitla called Diconsa on Google Maps. From there, visitors usually wait until enough people gather to share transport up the mountain. When I visited, there weren't enough people, so we shared a private car with other travellers. The round trip cost 1,000 MXN per vehicle. Things to do Swimming The mineral-rich infinity pools overlook the valley below. Swim to the edge for incredible panoramic views that are on a completely different level from most hotel infinity pools. Hiking A trail begins below the petrified waterfalls and follows the valley floor through shrubs, offering different angles of the unique mineral formations and waterfall. Very few people take this trail, so it is peaceful and quiet. Some sections are slippery, so take care. Food and drinks There are small shops near the entrance selling chilled coconut water, drinks, and snacks, although prices are higher than in town. Public transport Unless you're travelling with a larger group, I wouldn't recommend relying on public transport. The amount of time you can lose waiting usually isn't worth the money you save. On the way there, we took the 25 MXN bus from Oaxaca's Central Bus Station to Mitla. There weren't many passengers. When we got off, we were lucky enough to catch a tuk-tuk heading up the mountain immediately without waiting. Some travellers said they had to wait up to two hours because the driver wouldn't leave until the vehicle was full. Around ten people sat in the back, and the 45-minute ride climbs a rough dirt and gravel road, so be prepared for a very bumpy journey. The ride cost 75 MXN, plus a 15 MXN road fee and a 50 MXN entrance fee at the time of our visit. Because of this, there's no need to leave the site too early—you'll probably have time to enjoy the scenery for a little longer. Once back in Mitla, we shared a taxi back to Oaxaca for 50 MXN per person.