How to get from Oaxaca City to Hierve el Agua, Mexico (4 Best Ways)

You can get from Oaxaca City to Hierve el Agua by public bus, private transfer, rental car, or guided tour!

The cheapest option is by public bus, which costs about USD 4. The journey takes about 2 hours, and you must switch vehicles in Mitla.

The most popular option is the guided tour, which offers a day of fun, exploration, and affordable transportation.

The fastest way is private transfer or rental, which takes about 1.5 hours.

Traversing Mexico’s diverse terrains has equipped me with a unique travel toolkit.

In this guide, I’ll unpack the most reliable transport options to help make your adventure through Mexico as hassle-free as possible.

Tip: Want to learn more about Hierve el Agua? Find out everything you want to know about Hierve el Agua Oaxaca here!

Transportation Options

The following table outlines all transportation options:

How far is Hierve el Agua from Oaxaca City?

The distance fromOaxaca City to Hierve el Agua is 42.2 miles or 67.9 kilometers.

Getting to Hierve el Agua from Oaxaca City

1. Public Bus via Mitla

Journey Duration: ~2 hours

If you travel using public transport, getting to Hierve el Agua will require two steps! First, you must get from Oaxaca City to the small town of Mitla.

The best method to get to Mitla is by public bus, either along Boulevard Jose Vasconcelos or from the 2nd class bus terminal in Oaxaca City (Highway 190). The trip takes around an hour and costs MXN 20, or roughly USD 1.07.

Terminal de Autobuses de Segunda Clase, or just Central, is the name of the second-class bus terminal. It is the nearest alternative to Oaxaca City Center, about 1 kilometer west of Zocalo.

Although Highway 190 is located farther north of the Zocalo, all buses to Mitla travel through this road every 30 minutes. The baseball stadium, Estadio Eduardo Vasconcelos, is an excellent place to wait for these public buses.

Although you are making a little detour, this might also be an excellent opportunity to explore Mitla and its archeological sites! 

The Mitla Ruins, the world’s most giant tree at El Tule, and Hierve el Agua can all be combined in one tour or day trip because they are all to the east of Oaxaca City! 

If you want to explore this part of Mexico even further, we recommend booking a tour that combines all these attractions!

For the second part of your trip, to reach Hierve el Agua, you must take a camioneta from Mitla.

Camionetas from Mitla can be boarded in front of the bus station for MXN 50–60 or USD 2. However, they need 7-8 passengers to depart. Numerous larger trucks require 9–10 passengers. These pick-up trucks need another hour or more to reach Hierve el Agua.

Since the camionetas only depart when there are enough passengers, there are no set schedules here. Because you might have to wait a very long period, we advise you to begin your journey from Oaxaca City as early as possible.

Tip: Start early! Camionetas only leave when full, so arriving in Mitla in the morning reduces waiting time.

Keep your cash, credit cards, and other valuables always secure when using local transportation in Mexico.

This is very cheap compared to other options, but it takes away the comfort or convenience of direct transportation. However, it might be perfect if you’re up for an adventure.

2. Private Transfer

Journey Duration: Custom Time

Another option is to travel by private transfer.

With this service, you will be transported by a professional driver inside a well-equipped minivan with all the amenities for a comfortable trip.

However, you must schedule your private transfer in advance, and the cost will vary based on how many people you have traveling with you.

The price for one person drops once you get a group together and divide the cost, making it well worth it!

Additionally, a private transfer gives you the freedom and flexibility to choose your itinerary and departure and arrival times!

This is an excellent choice to save time, travel comfortably, and splurge on a holiday!

Prices for a private transfer:

• 1 to 4 passengers: USD 234

3. Self-Drive with a Rental Car

Journey Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

You can also rent a car if you want to travel independently, create your itinerary, and arrive at Hierve el Agua quickly!

The drive takes only 1 hour and 30 minutes, so you will have much time to spend at the site. 

Mexican car rentals come at very affordable prices, so you can choose this alternative and make it worthwhile.

The best part?

You can depart, explore, or head back whenever you wish! The whole trip is entirely up to you.

So, if you wish to travel independently and at your own pace, explore the car rental options in Oaxaca City and hit the road to Hierve el Agua!

4. Transport + Guided Tour

Taking a guided tour, including transportation, is another fantastic option to see the place!

A guide will be waiting for you at Hierve el Agua, and transportation from your Oaxaca City pick-up location!

There are numerous tours available, with prices starting at USD 35! So, let’s look at what’s available:

If you have time, try combining Hierve el Agua with a visit to the mezcal factory!

During this tour, you’ll stop at two of Hierve el Agua’s largest petrified waterfalls, one measuring 95 feet in height and the other rising 40 feet higher. 

Here, you’ll have plenty of time to swim in the natural pool, hike through the area’s scenic trails with a local guide, and take in the breathtaking scenery. 

After you’re done there, you’ll go to Teotitlan del Valle to see the Tule Tree and the Teotitlan Tapetes, where you can learn about mezcal production and sip some of their various tastes!

And if you book to visit from Wednesday through Sunday, you’ll also see the Mitlá archaeological site.

Additionally, you can include a side trip to Teotitlan de Valle in your itinerary for Hierve el Agua!

After visiting Hierve el Agua and enjoying the beautiful nature, you’ll also try some Mezcal. 

Finally, you will travel to Teotitlan del Valle, the center of the Zapotec weaving culture. Here, weavers still employ ancient methods to create and decorate their rugs, many of which feature original patterns and imitations of well-known artists like Toledo, Tamayo, and Picasso!

So, what are you waiting for?

Experience Hierve el Agua to the fullest by booking a guided tour + transport from Oaxaca City!

Best day tours in Hierve el Agua, Mexico

Get Your Guide helps you find the best tours wherever you are heading. It’s usually the first website I check when I plan a trip to a new place.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Universal Traveller — How to Get from Oaxaca City to Hierve el Agua