Hierve el Agua, Oaxaca

Hierve el Agua is a popular destination to visit from Oaxaca City; it’s about an hour and a half drive through mountainous terrain and valleys. The main sight is the 50 meter tall petrified waterfall formed thousands of years ago as fresh spring water over saturated in calcium carbonate deposited as it was falling. The name ‘hierve el agua’ translates to ‘water that boils.’

There are two main pools that you can swim in which feature sweeping views of the valleys and mountains. The water is fresh spring water and is reported to have healing qualities from the saturation of minerals in the water content.

It is also an old Zapotec site created over 2,500 years ago including an ancient canal and irrigation system and likely a ceremonial center.

There is an out and back hiking trail that takes you from the cascada chica to the cascada grande. Afterwards you can take a swim in one of the two refreshing pools!

Cactus that looks like a giant asparagus