Hierve el Agua

It's not quite a true waterfall, Hierve El Agua. It is a limestone petrified waterfall that has formed an incredible natural landmark perched on a mountain in Oaxaca City.

There are a few natural pools with icy water beneath the massive waterfall-shaped rock where you can swim despite the extremely low temperature. The experience of looking at your surroundings from that vantage point is truly amazing. The waterfall can also be viewed from a different angle by taking a short hike around it.

Hierve el Agua, which refers to the springs on top of the cliff where water "bubbles up" from the ground resembling boiling water on the stove, is translated as "the water boils." There are still remnants of the irrigation system used by the Zapotec people who inhabited the region 2000 years ago to irrigate their fields with water from Hierve el Agua. These days, Hierve el Agua's water is channeled to create two infinity pools on two different levels where you can swim, a great way to beat the heat!

Though technically not a waterfall in the traditional sense of the word, Hierve el Agua is one of the coolest places close to Oaxaca and is well worth a day trip.

Location: Oaxaca de Juárez, Oaxaca, Mexico