Hierve el Agua

About

From a distance, Hierve el Agua appears to be a massive waterfall pouring over a rocky cliff face. Once you get closer, however, you’ll see it’s actually a flowing curtain of calcified stone. Literally meaning “the water boils”, this strange stone structure was formed over thousands of years as the mineral-rich waters from two pools at the top of the cliff trickled down the side of the rock face, depositing minerals in their wake. That’s right - Hierve el Agua is essentially an enormous stalactite. The pools themselves were revered by the ancient Maya, and their fossilized irrigation channels are still visible, though many visitors are more interested in soaking in the panoramic views from this natural infinity pool. Please note: the park hours are inconsistent, so it’s recommended that you call ahead of time to ensure they’ll be open for your visit.