National park · Mexico
Hierve el Agua
Visit Hierve el Agua for a short 45‑minute loop (entry MXN10) in the dry season (Oct–Apr); add camping (MXN40) if you want sunset, otherwise skip.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
5 km² (2 sq mi)2 sq mi (5 km²)
approximate
Established
2020
Best months
Oct–Apr
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Mexico ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Mexico's National Migration Institute (INM) or your nearest Mexican consulate; keep proof of your entry (stamp or digital record) until you leave.
- Mexico ↗Security advice differs by state: some governments advise against travel to parts of several states. Check your own government's advice for each region on your route.
- Mexico ↗Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water and ice from reliable places.
- Mexico ↗Foreign visitors to Quintana Roo (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, Holbox) pay the state VISITAX online at visitax.gob.mx only; lookalike sites add fees.
At a glance
- Country
- Mexico
- Area
- 5 km² (2 sq mi)2 sq mi (5 km²)
- Approximate size of the main mineral formation area (check).
- Established
- 2020
- Best months
- Oct–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
Hierve el Agua is a natural mineral formation in Oaxaca, Mexico, featuring calcified waterfalls, ancient Zapotec irrigation canals, and short hiking loops that showcase the geology and surrounding valleys.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2020.
Size and age
5 km² (2 sq mi)2 sq mi (5 km²) · national park since 2020
Approximate size of the main mineral formation area (check).
Why go
- Rare calcified waterfalls formed by mineral springs.
- Scenic hiking loop with views of the valleys and ancient Zapotec canals.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanCool, dry, low crowds
- FebMild, dry
- MarWarm, dry
- AprWarm, dry, good for swimming
- MayHeat rises, occasional showers
- JunHot, possible storms
- JulRainy season starts
- AugRain, trails muddy
- SepRain, trail condition variable
- OctDry, pleasant
- NovDry, cooler
- DecDry, cooler
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seasonal wildflowers and butterfliesNov–Feb · Bloom on the slopes during the dry season | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Oaxaca city
Drive 1.5 h via road 190 and toll 179, then 4 km (2.5 mi) dirt road to gate; or take a bus to Mitla then colectivo to site.Drive 1.5 h via road 190 and toll 179, then 2.5 mi (4 km) dirt road to gate; or take a bus to Mitla then colectivo to site.
1.5–2 h
From Mitla
Colectivo (shared minivan) directly to Hierve el Agua; road fee MXN10.
30 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance gate | Ticket office, parking, information board. | Open daily; fee required. |
| Hiking loop | 45‑minute trail around the mineral pools and waterfalls. | Open; no guide needed. |
| Camping area | Designated spot near the pools for tents. | Fee required; basic facilities. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are the central mineral formation; other points are city centres (approximate).
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance fee | MXN 10 (≈ under US$1) | person | Paid at gate |
| Camping fee | MXN 40 (≈ US$3) | person | Requires arrival before 19:00 |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Camping permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- MX$10≈ under US$1
- MX$40≈ US$3
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Hierve el Agua official site before you go.
Park rules
- Swimming
- Not allowed in the pools; signs prohibit swimming.
- Camping
- Only in designated area with fee; no open‑fire cooking.
- Drones
- Not permitted without prior permission from park authorities.
Where to stay
Near the park
Oaxaca city
Hotels, hostels, and restaurants; 1.5 h drive to park.
Near the park
Mitla
Small guesthouses; closer to entrance.
Safety
Heat medium
Trail condition high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main trail has many steps and uneven rocks; not wheelchair‑friendly.
- Parking area reachable by car.
Visiting lightly
- Respect signs; do not swim in protected pools.
- Take all rubbish with you; use designated bins.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Hierve el Agua?
Entrance fee is MXN10 per person; pay at the gate.
What are the best hikes in Hierve el Agua?
The 45‑minute loop around the pools is the main hike; it’s easy, well‑marked and offers views of the formations.
When is the best time to visit Hierve el Agua?
Dry season October to April gives comfortable temperatures and dry trails; January–April are especially pleasant.
Can I swim in the pools?
No – signs forbid swimming to protect the mineral formations.
Is camping allowed?
Yes, in the designated area for MXN40 per person; arrive before 19:00 and follow park rules.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Hierve el Agua
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