06 Sep Travel Guide to Visiting Pozas Azules Outside Taxco, Guerrero, Mexico
Just outside the picturesque town of Taxco, Guerrero, Mexico are some wildly colorful blue pools known as La Pozas Azules de Atzala. Here you can soak in the refreshing water, cliff jump or watch others take the leap, and capture instagram-worthy photos.
In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know to visit.
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How to Get to Pozas Azules
La Pozas Azules is about a 45 minute drive south west of Taxco, Guerrero.
To get there, you can take a collectivo bus that costs 27 pesos (~$1.40 USD) each way or you can take a private taxi. The cheapest and most popular way is by bus, which is safe and easy to navigate.
The buses leave from the Coppel which is a large department store in Taxco. To get there, use the map below or plug this address into your navigation app: AV. DE LOS PLATEROS #332 COL. CENTRO. ESQ. CON, De Moisés Carbajal, Centro, 40200 Taxco, Gro.
From most accommodations in the main tourist hub of Taxco, the Coppel will be about a 10-15 minute walk. The buses will be parked right in front of the store and display a sign on the dashboards that say “Pozas Azules.”
The buses are said to leave every half hour or so throughout the day, but ultimately leave when they’re full and are not on a strict schedule. I arrived around 10 AM and waited for about 15 minutes for the bus to be full before we left.
TIP: Make sure to bring cash in small bills to pay the driver, grab a bite to eat beforehand for the drive, and be prepared to be a little squished.
Another thing to note: if you’re reading this, chances are we’re still in the COVID-era. When I visited, about ¾ of the way there, the bus stopped to let everyone out while they sprayed it down with sanitizer. This is extra precaution to stop the spread, so don’t be confused when arriving at that checkpoint.
Entrance Fee
Once the buses arrive, you’ll follow the cobbled pathway to the entrance. The entrance fee is 100 pesos (~$5 USD) per person, again make sure you have cash, preferably a 100 or 200 bill at the largest.
at the pools
Through the entrance you’ll follow a paved path that leads to several tiers of pools where you can swim. The most popular is a larger one farther along the path and where it’s deep enough that you can even cliff jump.
Unfortunately, there aren’t many places to leave your things, so be aware of that when deciding how much to bring and when to go (it becomes very crowded mid-day). I left my bag and clothes nudged into some tree roots while I swam.
Along the path you can also choose to do extra activities such as a zipline and there are also a few merchants selling food.
At the end of the path, there’s also an option to continue on to more secluded pools, however a guide is needed which is not included in the entrance fee.
Getting back to Taxco
Once you’re finished swimming, head back down the path where you entered. In the same place the bus dropped you off, another bus will arrive. You may have to wait a bit though, as their schedule varies. I waited about 25 minutes before one showed up and we jumped in.
To get back, the price is the same – 27 pesos (~$1.40 USD) – and you will be dropped back off at the Coppel in Taxco.
Know before Visiting Pozas Azules
Before visiting, keep this things in mind:
- Make sure to have cash in small bills to pay the drivers, entrance fee, and toilets if you need them.
- Visiting earlier is better than visiting later since it does become very crowded.
- The water is pretty cold so bring a towel and dry clothes.
- It’s best not to make strict plans right after or put yourself on a time crunch because the buses are not running on exact times.
- If you have water shoes, bring them, the rocks are pretty slippery.
Solo Travel to Pozas Azules
When I visited Pozas Azules, I went with a friend. However, if I were traveling alone I would still go and find it fun. Striking up a conversation with others on the bus is an easy way to make friends and the trip itself felt very safe. Just make sure to download Google Maps and Google translate to help you as you navigate the trip.
Overall, Pozas Azules is a really beautiful nature trip to add to your Taxco city itinerary. Although it’s not always the peaceful oasis I wished for because of how crowded it can become, the glowing moss and bright water is still a must see in Guerrero state.
Short Guide to Taxco
As I mentioned, to get to Las Pozas Azules, you’ll need to come from Taxco where I recommend staying at least a day to explore the city. In my opinion, Taxco is one of the most picturesque cities in Mexico and a place many people miss.
Below is some information to help you plan your Taxco trip:
Where to Stay in Taxco
There are many stunning hotels in Taxco offering not only comfortable beds but also courtyard pools and rooftop views of the city. Some very highly rated ones are Hotel Agua Escondida which is an amazing location and Boutique Pueblo Lindo where you can enjoy breakfast with a view.
A third affordable option that is a bit farther down from the city center, but also offers a great view and a pool is Capital O Hotel Cielito Lindo.
For solo travelers on a budget or anyone else looking for a hostel, you won’t find any on Hostelworld. However there are affordable private rooms on Airbnb and this hostel that’s in a great location.
Things to Do in Taxco
- Visit Santa Prisca de Taxco the church in the center of the city
- Take the cable car up to Hotel Montetaxco
- Visit the silver mine and silver market
- Explore the picturesque cobbled stone streets
- Enjoy drinks from a rooftop – one of the prettiest views is from Rosa Mexicano
More Resources for Your Trip to Mexico
Planning your own trip? Here’s some resources I used to book and coordinate my itinerary through Mexico along with some recommendations:
Hostels
If you’re a budget traveler or looking for an easy way to meet others, Hostelworld is the best place to search. Below are some of my recommendations, click to search for availability!
- Mexico City: Casa Pepe
- Tulum: Che Tulum Hostel & Bar OR Mayan Monkey
- Valladolid: Hostel La Candelaria
- San Cristobal: Posada del Abuelito OR Puerto Vieja
- Puerto Escondido: Hostal Akumal La Punta
- Oaxaca City: Casa Angel
- Guanajuato: Corral d Comedias Hostel
- Guadalajara: Hostel Hospedarte Guadalajara Centro
- Cabo San Lucas: Mayan Monkey
Hotels
Booking.com is the way to go when search for hotels in Mexico because they typically offer free cancellation with plenty of affordable to more luxurious stays.
Flights
Flights to Mexico are typically cheapest to Mexico City, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Monterrey and San Jose del Cabo. Domestic flights within Mexico also tend to be pretty affordable especially if traveling light. To find the best deal & prices I recommend using Skyscanner.
BUSES
The easiest way to search for and book buses in Mexico is with BusBud where you can easily compare options and use a platform in English. Check it out here. My most used and favorite bus companies tended to be ADO (and their partner OCC) and Primera Plus.
Insurance
Travel insurance is a must for every trip to make sure you’re covered in unexpected situations. My go to is always WorldNomads which has a generous coverage and is made for backpackers. You can search for coverage here. However if you’re looking for a cheaper option for only travel medical emergency insurance, I suggest Safety Wing.
Tours & Experiences
There’s a lot of free thing to do in Mexico or experiences you can do on your own. I always recommend checking blog posts for inspiration. If you’re interested in tours though like visiting Chichén Itzá, taking a hot air balloon over Teotihuacan, snorkeling in Cancun, and more then I suggest checking on GetYourGuide & Viator. Airbnb Experiences also offer some options.
Know Before You Go
Check out my Mexico Destination Page here for information on visas, health requirements, currency, outlets, and more.
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