Allow time to relax in the pools or explore the trails that surround and link the upper and lower falls. And while you explore, reflect on the fact that this was a hub of ancient activity. The Hierve el Agua of 2,500 years ago held sacred significance for the Zapotec people. Archaeologists have also discovered an extensive irrigation system they built, found nowhere else in Mesoamerica.
The Magical Springs of Hierve El Agua
Hierve el Agua is hidden oasis 40 miles into the foothills outside Oaxaca City. Only found by following a dirt road that winds through some of the most remote villages in Oaxaca, you be rewarded with a glimpse of Hierve el Agua’s glimmering “waterfalls.” But what looks like flowing water is actually calcium deposits formed over thousands of years, now rising strikingly above the valley below.
Above the cliffs, the springs pool, allowing visitors to splash and soak in the mineral-rich water. You’ll notice fascinating textures and formations created from the calcium deposits. You can also make your way to the very edge where water pours over the cliff for a stunning, if not slightly terrifying, view of surrounding mountains and valleys.
