The petrified fall
White curtains of rock.
Adrián Cerón — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Neda Ruscic — CC BY 2.0 · LBM1948 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · LBM1948 — CC BY-SA 4.0
A rare natural sight: white «waterfalls» of rock pouring down two cliffs fifty to ninety metres above the valley, looking from afar like water frozen in place. The Spanish name means «the water boils». The secret lies in freshwater springs at the clifftop whose water is saturated with calcium carbonate and minerals; as it trickles over the edge it leaves the minerals behind layer upon layer over thousands of years, the same way stalactites form in caves, building these stone curtains. On top of one cliff are small natural pools and two swimming pools, one right on the cliff edge, so you swim with the valley and mountains spread out before you. A short trail leads down to the foot of the larger fall to see it from below. The site is run by local communities, payment is cash only and there are no cash machines. The road is mountainous, so go on a tour or by car; visits are usually combined with valley villages on the way. It sometimes closes over local disputes, so check before you go.
White curtains of rock.
A swim above the valley.
The fall from below.
San Lorenzo Albarradas, about 70 km east of Oaxaca City, an hour and a half to two hours by road
Yes, in the two pools and the natural basins on the clifftop, where the water is mild. Bring cash, as there are no cards or cash machines on site.