Oaxaca to Hierve el Agua Day Trip
The valley road east, with its four classic stops, in one vehicle for the day.
The day
East along the Tlacolula valley
The classic day out of Oaxaca runs east: the great tree at Tule, the weaving village of Teotitlán del Valle, the ruins at Mitla, and the mineral springs of Hierve el Agua on the hills beyond. Done in that order and back to the Zócalo, it is about 90 miles round, 89.5 by the measured line, with about 2 hr 15 of driving on clear roads.
Almost all of it is MEX-190, the Oaxaca–Tehuantepec road, which bypasses Tule and later Mitla, where it becomes MEX-190D, the Mitla bypass. The last stretch to Hierve el Agua leaves the highway for a smaller road up into the hills.
The day at a glance
- Round trip
- 89.5 miles with all four stops
- Driving
- about 2 hr 15 in total, free-flow
- Pricing
- By the hour, 4-hour minimum
- Straight there
- 41.7 miles, about 55 min
The stops
Four stops, in order
The stops fall one after another along the valley, so the order that saves driving is the order below. Each leg is short; the long one is the drive home from Hierve el Agua.
| To | From | Miles | Free-flow time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Árbol del Tule | the Zócalo | 6.6 | about 10 min |
| Teotitlán del Valle | Tule | 11.1 | about 15 min |
| Mitla | Teotitlán | 15.4 | about 20 min |
| Hierve el Agua | Mitla | 14.4 | about 25 min |
| Back to the Zócalo | Hierve el Agua | 41.9 | about 55 min |
Pickup
Where the day starts
The driver collects you at your hotel or address in Oaxaca at the time you set, and brings you back to the same door. In the Centro, send the exact address and the nearest cross street; many of the streets are one-way and some are closed to traffic.
The day can also start at the airport, 5.3 miles south of the Zócalo — the driver waits outside the arrivals exit with a sign showing your name, and the luggage rides with you.
Along the way
What each stop is
Santa María del Tule is a few miles out of the city, and its tree, the Árbol del Tule, stands beside the church in the center of town. It is a short stop, and the first.
Teotitlán del Valle is known for its weaving, and the workshops are in the village itself. The Mitla ruins are next, at the edge of the town of San Pablo Villa de Mitla. Hierve el Agua is the furthest point: mineral springs and rock formations on a cliff above the valley.
Mitla has its own traditions too. The state government notes that in Mitla the pan de muerto is oval, glazed with patterns taken from the looms — a detail worth knowing if you are there around Día de Muertos.
How long
How many hours to book
The clock runs from pickup to drop-off, and the driving alone is over two hours. The table shows what each booking leaves for the stops themselves, on free-flow roads.
Eight hours is the comfortable day for all four. Leave out a stop, or go straight to Hierve el Agua and back, and six is enough.
| Hours booked | Time at the four stops |
|---|---|
| 6 hours | About 3 hr 45 min |
| 8 hours | About 5 hr 45 min |
| 10 hours | About 7 hr 45 min |
Prices
What the day costs
The price is the vehicle and driver for the hours booked, whoever is in it. Entry to the sites, workshop purchases and meals are yours.
| Vehicle | Seats | Per hour | 7 hours | 8 hours | 9 hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premium SUV | Up to 5 | $145 | $1,015 | $1,160 | $1,305 |
| Executive SUV | Up to 5 | $155 | $1,085 | $1,240 | $1,395 |
| Sprinter Executive | Up to 12 | $215 | $1,505 | $1,720 | $1,935 |
| Sprinter Coach | Up to 14 | $215 | $1,505 | $1,720 | $1,935 |
| Executive Coach Bus | Up to 40 | $275 | $1,925 | $2,200 | $2,475 |
Mezcal
Mezcal on the way
The valley is also mezcal country, and many visitors add a stop at a producer along the road. You choose where; we have no arrangement with any producer and do not steer groups toward one. With a driver for the day, nobody in the group has to drive after a tasting.
Coming back
The drive back to the city
The last leg is the long one: 41.9 miles from Hierve el Agua to the Zócalo, about 55 min free-flow, back along MEX-190. Leave Hierve el Agua with that time in hand if you have plans for the evening.
For a flight the same day, the airport is south of the city, so allow the drive back plus the run out to the terminal, then the airline's check-in cut-off. Tell us the flight and we will set the day around it.
Nearby
More from Oaxaca
The city hub and the run to the coast.
Booking
What we need, and what is included
The date, the time to collect you, the address, the number of people and the stops you want.
The vehicle, the driver, the fuel and any tolls for the hours booked are included. Entry fees and tips are not. Cancelling is free up to 24 hours before pickup.
The Oaxaca hub covers the city, the airport and Monte Albán. For the coast: Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido.
Frequently Asked Questions
41.7 miles from the Zócalo, about 55 min free-flow, mostly on MEX-190.
Yes — they are on the way. The full loop is about 90 miles round.
Eight for all four stops at an easy pace; six for Hierve el Agua and one or two others.
By the hour, with a 4-hour minimum, from pickup to drop-off.
No. Entry to the sites is paid there; our price is the vehicle and driver.
Yes, one you choose. We have no arrangement with any producer.
No, per vehicle, for the hours booked.