Hierve el Agua, Natural mineral springs and rock formation in San Lorenzo Albarradas, Mexico.
Hierve el Agua is a rock formation fed by natural mineral springs in San Lorenzo Albarradas, Mexico. The white stone walls rise from the mountainside and appear as frozen waterfalls, descending across several levels.
A civilization built an irrigation system on the slope over two and a half millennia ago to supply fields in the surrounding valleys. The ancient channels and basins testify to this early management of water and mineral deposits.
Water flows through channels that recall the original irrigation technique, while visitors walk between the petrified terraces. Nearby settlements preserve the connection to this site, known for its mineral-rich water for generations.
The pools at the upper edge invite bathing while overlooking the mountains and valleys of Oaxaca. Access follows a path along the cliff that requires sturdy footwear.
The springs continuously deposit calcium carbonate, causing the edges of the pools to extend a little further into the air each year. Some terraces appear to float above the abyss and offer an open view into the depths.
Location: San Lorenzo Albarradas
GPS coordinates: 16.86552,-96.27600
Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:22
Mexico contains numerous undiscovered places beyond standard destinations. This selection presents sculpture gardens, caves, islands, colonial towns, volcanoes, Maya sites, oases, lagoons and nature reserves. The locations range from mineral pools in Oaxaca to desert landscapes in Sonora.
Oaxaca brings together pre-Columbian temple complexes, colonial monasteries, and villages where traditional crafts are still made today. At Monte Alban and Mitla, structures stand that were built centuries before Spanish arrival. The region extends from mountain landscapes in the north to coastal areas with lagoons and beaches in the south. Natural variety ranges from waterfalls like La Reforma to the petrified springs of Hierve el Agua. In villages such as Teotitlán del Valle, families weave rugs using techniques passed down through generations. San Martín Tilcajete is known for its wood carvings. Along the coast, places like Mazunte and Puerto Escondido provide access to the Pacific. Colonial churches such as Santo Domingo Yanhuitlán and the chapel at Ocotlán display architecture from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
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