Why Beautiful Tamazulapam del Progreso Oaxaca is Worth a Visit
Tamazulapam del Progreso, or Tamazulapam for short, is an adorable village found in the Mixteca region of Oaxaca. This hidden-gem pueblo in Mexico is probably most famous for its natural sulfur cold water springs. The springs can be visited in formal pools, or in natural spring fed lakes.
Besides the aquatic parks, there are plenty of things to do in Tamazulapam del Progreso Mexico. The village of Tamazulapam del Progreso boasts a beautiful church, a tranquil main plaza, and an authentic bustling market with delicious regional food stalls.
Located in the heart of the Mixtec region, Tamazulapam del Progreso is well-connected to other nearby points of interest.
Here’s a quick guide on why Tamazulapam del Progreso is worth a visit when traveling in Oaxaca!
Table of Contents
- How to Visit Tamazulapam del Progreso
- Things to Do in Tamazulapam del Progreso Oaxaca
- Getting Around Tamazulapam del Progreso
- Where to Stay in Tamazulapam del Progreso Oaxaca
- Places of Interest Near Tamazulapam del Progreso
- How to Return to Oaxaca Mexico
- The Ultimate Guide to Tamazulapam del Progreso Oaxaca
How to Visit Tamazulapam del Progreso
There are a few different ways to get to Tamazulapam del Progreso. The most popular way is by hopping on a direct bus from Oaxaca City. The bus company Atonaltzin connects Oaxaca City to Huajuapan de Leon.
🚐 Oaxaca to Tamazulapam Bus | Find them here: Miguel Hidalgo 313 | Departure Times: 3:30 – 22:00, with departures at least every hour | One way bus fare to Tamazulapam: $95 pesos ($5.25 USD) | Duration: 2.5 hours | Check Atonaltzin official Facebook Page for current schedules
If exploring the Mixteca region, Nochixtlán is a gateway transportation village to the Mixteca region of Oaxaca. From here, there are frequent collection connections to Yanhuitlan and Santiago Apoala.
Things to Do in Tamazulapam del Progreso Oaxaca
Tamazulapam del Progreso is one of the best places to visit in Oaxaca to slow down, relax, and appreciate the surrounding nature. Here’s some of the top things to do in Tamazulapam del Progreso.
Visit the Sulfur Pools
Tamazulapam del Progreso is known for their natural sulfur spring pools that offer curative waters. Be mindful that these are natural cold water pools and not hot springs.
Outside the village, there are two main facilities that offer swimming pools and aquatic parks.
Balneario Atonaltzin
Balneario Atonaltzin has a lovely Olympic-size pool surrounded by green space. This place has diving boards, a beautiful faux cave grotto, slides, and a separate kiddie pool. Remember that these waters are fed by a natural spring, so the water naturally renews itself daily. This makes the water quite cold and refreshing.
The facilities at Balneario Atonaltzin include: BBQ grills and picnic tables. Additionally, on-site find a small tienda that is fairly well-stocked with basic things to eat and drink.
The restaurant at the watere park is closed, but they do allow carry-in food, just not drinks.
Balneario Atonaltzin | Find them here: Tamazulápam del Progreso | Admission to the sulfur pools: $100 pesos ($5.50 USD) | Open: 24 hours for those staying here | Facebook Page
Balneario Atonaltzin has rustic rooms to rent, so you can enjoy the cold water pools 24 hours. The two person cabanas cost around $600 peso a night. There are larger cabana options for bigger groups. Alternatively, it’s possible to camp out on the sprawling grounds for $200 pesos per person. If camping, you’ll need to bring your own tent.
Piedra de Agua
Another place that offers natural spring pools is Piedra de Agua. This facility has two pools fed by natural sulfur spring waters, a small waterfall, a suspension bridge, and has plenty of outdoor activities.
Piedra de Aguas has recently added ecotourism to their offerings including: a zipline, biking tours, guided hikes, and even a Temazcal.
Piedra de Aguas | Find them here: Tamazulápam del Progreso | Admission to the Eco-park and pools: $120 pesos ($6.50 USD) | Open: 9:30 – 20:00, on the weekends opens at 9:00 | Facebook Page
The facilities at Piedra de Aguas includes green space, a grill area, and a refreshment bar that has basic food and drinks. Be mindful that if bringing in food and drink there can be an additional fee.
Piedra de Aguas also has rustic cabanas and offers camping near the river. The price for camping is $60 pesos per person.
Visit the Natural Pools in Tamazulapam del Progreso
While you should visit at least one of the aquatic pools, the rustic natural pools in Tamazulapam del Progreso are lovely and worth a visit. The two natural pools include: Ojo de Agua Grande and Ojo de Agua Chico.
Ojo de Agua Grande
Ojo de Agua Grande is a large natural spring that offers a few short walking trails, a bridge that crosses that river, and an observatory deck. The spring is a popular place to swim for locals.
Find informative boards located along the trail that explain the local ecosystem. The trails make for a great opportunities to see frogs, turtles, and other creatures that call this tranquil habitat home.
The Ojo de Agua Grande is free to visit. Please respect this natural site and keep it clean by packing out all garbage and by not disturbing the wildlife.
➜ Find it outside of town here
It’s easy to walk to Ojo de Agua Grande or hail a small moto taxi to reach the trailhead. There is a restaurant a few steps away as well.
Ojo de Agua Chico
The smaller natural fed spring is Ojo de Agua Chico. There is a scenic and flat dirt road that leads to the small pond. It’s a spectacular walk, but it’s also accessible via a moto taxii.
Ojo de Agua has two popular restaurants surrounding the cold spring pool. Oftentimes the restaurants blare loud music, even in the early morning hours. While the walking path is lovely, the loud music can take away from the tranquility of the small lake.
➜ Find it outside of town here
Hang out in the Main Plaza
The main plaza in Tamazulapam is also referenced as the Plaza de Constitucion. This lovely plaza has a beautiful kiosk and is encircled by the city hall and the stunning Church of Santa Maria of Nativity. The plaza is decorated with delightful plants, trees, and bushes.
The main plaza is charming and feels almost more like a garden space than a villa center.
The Plaza in Tamazulapam is lined with plenty of restaurants and cafes. For a real treat order food to go and enjoy it in plaza. This is the living room of the village, so it makes for superb people watching. I found the people of Tamazulapam de Progreso to be extremely friendly and welcoming.
Stroll Through the Church Gardens
The Church of Santa Maria of Nativity (Iglesia de Santa Maria de Natividad) is an attractive church that was built in the 17th century. The grounds of the the church are manicured and inviting. When we arrived there was a local band playing music outside to add to the spirit of the church.
Enjoy the Mercado Municipal
The Mercado Municipal of Tamazulapam del Progreso is simple, but overflowing with incredible food stalls. Head towards the back to eat delicious and authentic Oaxacan cuisine. Remember, this is the Mixteca region of Oaxaca, so make sure to sample and ask about the specialty regional dishes.
In the market find fresh juice stalls, chocolate stalls, and of course everything you could possibly need. The Mercado Municipal is the perfect place to start the morning and enjoy breakfast. Like most Oaxaca markets, it is almost always bustling and lively in the early mornings.
Mercado Municipal | Find it here: 69510 Villa de Tamazulápam del Progreso | Open Daily: 8:00 – 20:00
Getting Around Tamazulapam del Progreso
The actual village of Tamazulapam del Progreso is quite small and extremely walkable. However, the aquatic parks and many of the village attractions are outside the main part of town.
It’s really easy to wave down a moto taxi on the street. A majority of the motos can be hailed right from the main plaza here. There are also many motos waiting here in the direction of the spring pools.
The moto taxis are all priced similarly and often the prices are listed. Always make sure to verify the price before entering.
Where to Stay in Tamazulapam del Progreso Oaxaca
The most popular places to stay in Tamazulapam del Progreso are the two aquatic parks. Online bookings are kind of still nonexistent here. To reserve a cabana make sure to reach out directly to each place. Those who plan on camping should have no problem just showing up and paying the camping fee to secure a spot.
➜ Piedra de Agua, Tamazulapam del Progreso
There is one local hotel in Tamazulapam del Progreso that takes online bookings, Hotel Don Pedro Centro near the plaza.
Places of Interest Near Tamazulapam del Progreso
Tamazulapam del Progreso is small but makes for a tranquil weekend getaway from Oaxaca City to enjoy more of the underrated Mixteca region. Here are some more noteworthy highlights that are close to Tamazulapam del Progreso.
Santo Domingo Yanhuitlán
If coming from Nochixtlan, it’s impossible to miss the towering Ex-Convent church on the side of the road. The church that was constructed during the 16th century along an ancient and busy trade route. Like most sites in Mexico, this convent was built on top of a sacred Mixtec site.
Behind the church is a sleepy and beautiful plaza.
Those interested in the unique landscape of the surrounding landscape may want to stop at the Geopark Mixteca Alta. This eco-center offers a wide range of hiking routes focusing on geo-tourism.
Santo Doningo Yanhuitlan is around 45 minutes from Tamazulapam del Progreso and can easily be visited by collectivo.
San Pedro y San Pablo Teposcolula
If you thought the Dominican convent of Yanhuitlán was impressive, San Pedro y San Pablo Teposcolula is even grander. The village of San Pedro y San Pablo Teposcolula is listed as one of the six Oaxaca pueblos magicos.
The Ex-Convento de San Pedro y San Pablo Teposcolula has an open chapel, which is the largest in Latin America.
Ex-Convento de San Pedro y San Pablo Teposcolula | Open: Daily, 10:00 –15:00 | Admission: $40 pesos ($2 USD)
The village is famous for its typical dishes, especially the yellow mole.
Teposcolula is 35 minutes from Tamazulapam del Progreso, making it a quick and easy visit.
Santiago Apoala Oaxaca
Those travelers who wish to discover the richness and beauty of the Mixteca region should visit the hidden-gem village of Santiago Apoala. The town is home to deep rooted traditions, a stunning waterfall, and spectacular hiking trails. The mirador trail provides unforgettable views over the village.
Santiago Apoala is fairly easy to reach from Nochixtlan. Be mindful there is a $50 peso entrance fee to enter the community. Stay at the local eco-resort, which is steps away from the scenic hiking trails.
🚕 Nochixtlan to Santiago Apoala via private taxi | Find them: behind the main Nochixtlan Market | Private & Direct Taxi: $250 pesos ($13.50 USD) | Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes | Always make sure to negotiate and agree on a price before getting in the taxi
Reserva de la Biósfera Tehuacán-Cuicatlán
The Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve is almost 359,000 acres of unique landscapes that stretches between the Mexican states of Puebla and Oaxaca. This area boasts some of the most diverse landscapes in the world, including the enormous cacti forests.
Not only is the entire region rich with flora and fauna, but it was one of the cradle of civilizations for Mesoamerica. There is evidence that this area was inhibited and altered by humans over 12,00 years. The entire Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve was listed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2018.
If visiting Tamazulapam del Progreso, it’s about 2 hours to reach the fascinating sites near Tehuacán in Puebla. In this area find the giant cactus forests, ancient salt mines, and botanical gardens.
If looking to stay in Oaxaca state, head to Santiago Quiotepec. This area boasts ancient ruins, hiking trails, and more. Santiago Quiotepec is about 2 hours from Santiago Apoala. More information on the Oaxaca biosphere route here.
How to Return to Oaxaca Mexico
After exploring the Mixteca region and Tamazulapam del Progreso, it’s easy to return to Oaxaca City.
Direct buses depart frequently from Tamazulapam del Progreso to Oaxaca City. The buses are found right off the main plaza and run by the bus company Atonaltzin.
🚐 Tamazulapam del Progreso to Oaxaca Buses | Find them here: Tamazulapam del Progreso | Buses run: 4:15 – 21:45, depart almost every half hour | One way bus fare to Tamazulapam: $95 pesos ($5.25 USD) | Duration: 2.5 hours | Check Atonaltzin official Facebook Page for current schedules
More Oaxaca Travel Inspiration
Did you get to travel deeper in the Oaxaca Valley or hike up El Picacho in Teotitlan del Valle? Have you experienced the diverse Oaxacan cuisine in some of the best Oaxaca restaurants or tried some of these top Oaxaca food experiences.
What about visiting the Oaxaca coast with a beautiful and rugged shoreline, but with laid-back beach towns? One of the most rustic is Chacahua Oaxaca.
Love Tamazulam del Progreso? Don’t miss San Jose del Pacifico tucked away in the cloud forest of the Sierra Sur Mountains.
Conclusion | The Ultimate Guide to Tamazulapam del Progreso Oaxaca
In short, this an overview of the cute village of Tamazulapam del Progreso in Oaxaca State. Although small, the pueblo is home to natural sulfur spring lakes, a beautiful plaza and church. Thee most popular places to stay are inn an eco-park, or at an aquatic park.
The village of Tamazulapam del Progreso is a worthwhile weekend getaway to discover the treasures of the underrated Mixteca region of Oaxaca.
Have you been to Tamazulapam del Progreso Oaxaca? Were you as smitten as me by this traditional village in Oaxaca? Let me know in the comments below!
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