Hierve el agua half day tour in Oaxaca City
Oaxaca City, Mexico

Hierve el agua half day tour

Outty Ranking 81 4.7 · 126 traveler reviews6 hoursFrom $38

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

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Age 12 and under

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From, per person$38
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Outty Ranking

81/100

Exceptional. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.7/5

Based on 126 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Hierve el agua half day tour worth booking?

Hierve el agua half day tour is a 6-hour experience in Oaxaca City, Mexico, from $38 per person. It scores 81 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 126 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
81 / 100
Rating
4.7/5 (126)
Duration
6 hours
From
$38 per person

(we include a hiking) Enjoy the natural pools and be amazed by the height of the waterfalls. Embark on an excursion where you will visit only Hierve el Agua, a set of two waterfalls that have been petrifying for million

What you get

    About this experience

    (we include a hiking) Enjoy the natural pools and be amazed by the height of the waterfalls. Embark on an excursion where you will visit only Hierve el Agua, a set of two waterfalls that have been petrifying for millions of years due to the calcium carbonate mineral solution in the water. The tour goes directly to Hierve el Agua as the only stop. We will stay at the site for 3 hours to allow ample time to enjoy the natural wonders of Hierve el Agua at a leisurely pace. Learn about the history of Hierve el Agua, a set of petrified waterfalls distinguished by their white color and their height of over 200 meters. BRING CASH, $70 pesos entrance fee and at least $200 pesos to buy snacks; they do not accept cards. Remember to have breakfast beforehand, or bring a boxed lunch since we will not be making any stops. You can buy food inside.

    What's included

    Included

    • In-vehicle air conditioning
    • spanish driver

    Not included

    • Lunch
    • local guide for hiking
    • guide
    • entrace $70 mx

    What you'll see and do

    1. El Centro Oaxaca De Juarez

      Transfer time to Hierve el agua: You will be able to know the way to the route for one and half hour

      Pass by without stopping

    2. Hierve el Agua

      Hierve el Agua is an impressive set of petrified waterfalls located in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. These natural formations originated from the accumulation of calcium carbonate over thousands of years, creating the appearance of "boiling water" over the cliffs. In addition to its natural beauty, Hierve el Agua offers opportunities to swim in natural pools and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding valleys, so bring your swimsuit and dive in. It is a popular tourist destination that combines impressive landscapes with unique geological elements. Here, visitors have the opportunity to enjoy a refreshing swim in the natural pools and take an exciting hike of approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to the main waterfall. (Optional + local guide) The transfer to Hierve el Agua is 1 hour and a half one way and another hour and a half returning, giving a total of 6 hours.

      180 minutes here · Admission not included

    3. Oaxaca

      Return to the city of Oaxaca for one hour and 30 minutes

      Pass by without stopping

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Oaxaca City

    Please if you chose the time of 9:00 am - arrive 8:50 am If you chose the time of 10 : 30 am - arrive 10 : 15 am At the Quinta Real hotel located at 05 de Mayo #300, downtown. Wait outside or inside in the hotel lobby, thank you.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Please if you chose the time of 9:00 am - arrive 8:50 am If you chose the time of 10 : 30 am - arrive 10 : 15 am At the Quinta Real hotel located at 05 de Mayo #300, downtown. Wait outside or inside in the hotel lobby, thank you.

    Options you can book

    • Half Day Tour to Hierve el Agua

    • Half Day (Late Check Out)

      Duration: 6 hours

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Oaxacatours

    Know before you go

    • Specialized infant seats are available
    • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
    • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
    • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
    • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
    • Not suitable for people suffering from high blood pressure or altitude sickness

    Photos

    Hierve el agua half day tour in Oaxaca City, photo 2Hierve el agua half day tour in Oaxaca City, photo 3Hierve el agua half day tour in Oaxaca City, photo 4Hierve el agua half day tour in Oaxaca City, photo 5Hierve el agua half day tour in Oaxaca City, photo 6Hierve el agua half day tour in Oaxaca City, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 125 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    5 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Physical effort

    4 mentions

    Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    2 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Photo opportunities

    2 mentions

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Traveler reviews

    125 verified traveler reviews for Hierve el agua half day tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    105
    4 star
    11
    3 star
    5
    2 star
    2
    1 star
    2
    Sort
    sylvie_l · August 2026

    Take your time to explore and swim

    This tour is the best to spend enough time in Hierve el Agua: 90 mn hike and 90 mn in the pools. There are bathrooms and changing rooms by the pools. You can buy food and snacks by the parking lot. Bring small bills and coins.

    via Viator

    terra_V · July 2026

    Great trip. Julia was an...

    Great trip. Julia was an excellent facilitator. There is no guided tour included in this booking, but she went above and beyond! She led my kids on a short walk to a scenic spot, and talked to them about the regional history and wildlife. She is very knowledgeable in her field.

    via Viator

    Samuel_G · July 2026

    Outstanding tour

    Beautiful scenery. The hike and the pools were amazing. An excellent day with an excellent guide, Francisco.

    via Viator

    Srijan_D · June 2026

    Great experience especially for solo travelers

    Good tour overall, the guide was very good and got some great photographs! Things were explained well in both English & Spanish.

    via Viator

    Amir E · June 2026

    Avoid this operator

    Avoid by all means, they cancelled evening before by mail leaving us with no options, be aware of such operators

    Response from the operator: Thank you for your feedback, Amir. We are sorry that the situation caused frustration during your visit to Oaxaca. We would like to clarify that the tour was not cancelled without notice. The evening before the tour, we contacted you to inform you that the minimum number of participants required to operate the 10:30 a.m. departure had not been reached. We intentionally wait until the evening before departure because additional bookings often come in during the afternoon, and we always try our best to operate the tour as scheduled whenever possible. In our message, we offered three alternatives: joining the 8:30 a.m. departure, rescheduling the tour to another available date during your stay, or receiving a full refund. Since none of the alternative options worked for your plans, the corresponding full refund was processed. We understand that this was disappointing, and we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience. We always strive to provide reliable service and transparent communication. Unfortunately, on this occasion, your booking was one of only two participants registered for that departure, making it impossible to operate the tour under the required conditions. Thank you for your understanding, and we wish you all the best in your future travels.

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    6 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Price range
    $38 to $700
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    44
    Verdict
    Exceptional

    Why this scores 81

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)80
    Review evidence (18% weight)80
    Booking momentum (14% weight)76
    Value for money (12% weight)100
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)39
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Hierve el agua half day tour: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Oaxaca City.

    How much does Hierve el agua half day tour cost?

    +

    Prices start at $38 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Oaxaca City usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Hierve el agua half day tour take?

    +

    Plan for about 6 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Oaxaca City is not rushed.

    Is Hierve el agua half day tour worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 81 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 126 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Oaxaca City, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Hierve el agua half day tour?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Hierve el agua half day tour suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 6-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Hierve el agua half day tour?

    +

    Around 44 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Oaxaca City can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Oaxaca City and add a light layer if any part of the 6-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Hierve el agua half day tour start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Oaxaca City within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Oaxaca City?

    +

    On Outty we rank every Oaxaca City experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include AUTHENTIC OAXACA CULTURAL FOOD TOUR, eat like a local., Hierve el Agua 2.5 hours, Mitla, Tule, Rugs and Mezcal for a Day, Traditional Oaxaqueña Cooking with Grandma's Recipes. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Oaxaca City?

    +

    Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Oaxaca City?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

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