Hierve el Agua
About and hour outside of Oaxaca is Hierve el Agua which means the water boils in Spanish. It is a groups of “waterfalls” that has been created by calcium carbonate building up over time as the water trickles over the cliffs. It is in a stunning location and is a unique natural wonder. If you are driving your own vehicle it is a great place to drive up to and camp for a night. We were alone camping here with epic views of the mountains and had the pools to ourselves. There are fun hiking trails around, you can swim in the mineral pools and it is a great place to see the countryside in Oaxaca.
The lower pool looks like an infinity pool. Really stunning.
Sam walking on the edge.
The only other mineral waterfall like this in the world is in Turkey.
It took over a thousand years for this to form.
This is the view of the second waterfall where the infinity pools are. Sam and I walked along the edge of it, it was fun!
Another hike that just happened where I am wearing flip flops and a skirt. I should know better by now, but apparently I am a slow leaner….
We were able to camp on the cliffs. This is the sun rising over the mountain. It was magical.
Cocktails with this view and we were all alone. Pretty amazing.
The cold water “boiling” out of the rock. The Zapotecs built irrigation canals here 2500 years ago that are still here.
Monte Albán
Monte Albán is an impressive set of ruins that is an easy 80 peso cab ride from the Oaxaca Zocalo. Without a lot of foresight, we went at noon when the heat was oppressive and there was little shade. My Mom was with us for the week, and the heat wiped us all out. Bring a hat, water and maybe try to visit during the morning. Other than the heat, it was a great day trip from Oaxaca and we all enjoyed it.
My Mom debating if she really wanted to scale the pyramid. She did!
It was really fun traveling with my Mom. Even if I did give her mild heat stroke. At the top!
This civilization was very well off. They think this city was for the wealthy class and the artifacts that we saw in the museums in Oaxaca were some of the most impressive we have seen.
The good thing about the heat, we had the place to ourselves. You know that expression only mad dogs and Englishman go out in that kind of heat….
Our pyramid selfie, we are getting better at them =)