Tucked away in the tropical forest of Guerrero, the Pozas Azules de Atzala Taxco are a hidden gem of Mexico.
Translated, the Blue Pools of Atzala are a sequence of naturally occurring waterfalls and pools near the stunning Pueblo Magico of Taxco. And, for just a small entrance fee, you can swim in the aqua blue waters of this off-the-beaten-path attraction.
Intrigued? Keep reading to find out how to get there, what you need to know and my top tips for the best experience!
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Where Are Las Pozas Azules de Atzala Guerrero?
Las Pozas Azules de Atzala are just a short drive from the pretty town of Taxco, in the central Mexican state of Guerrero. See the location on Google Maps here.
Taxco itself is a 3-hour drive from Mexico City and Toluca, with Cuernavaca slightly closer.
How to get to Pozas Azules from Taxco
Visiting Pozas Azules de Atzala Mexico is the perfect day trip from Taxco. Not only is it a great attraction, but it’s also cheap and easy to get to from Taxco.
Step 1: Get to the colectivo stop outside Coppel Plateros on the main road in Taxco.
Quite a few colectivos stop there but find the Pozas Azules sign (pictured below). Plus, ‘Pozas Azules’ is also painted on the road in the bay at the colectivo stop, so should be easy to find.
Step 2: Take a colectivo to the pools.
The cost is 27 pesos per person, each way and the drive takes around 45 minutes.
To avoid travel sickness from the bumpy roads, sit as close to the front of the colectivo as possible. The colectivos run around every half hour, but they will wait until they’re full. So sometimes this means waiting a bit longer.
Step 3: You’ll be dropped off at the top of a path to the pools. You’ll need to walk down to the entrance.
How to get back to Taxco from Pozas Azules de Atzala
It’s best to research this now as there’s no phone signal in Atzala Mexico. But, luckily, getting back to Taxco is pretty easy.
First, you’ll need to wait for a colectivo at the spot where you were dropped off earlier.
This is the junction of the road that leads down to the pools, where there are a couple of small shops. At least you can buy snacks whilst you wait.
Again, the every-half-hour schedule is only an approximation.
I ended up waiting almost an hour and spent most of that time convinced I was in the wrong place. If you’re by the shops, you’re in the right place. A colectivo will come eventually!
Once the colectivo arrives, hop in and get driven back to Taxco. Again, the journey costs 27 pesos per person. And, you can get dropped off anywhere up until the final stop at Coppel.
Essential Information
As of 2023, the entrance fee to the Pozas de Taxco is 100 pesos per person for adults and 50 pesos per child (ages 3 to 12).
The price includes access to all of the pools that are open (though this varies throughout the year) and use of the changing rooms. All of the open pools do have lifeguards as well.
However, there’s a lot that is not included in the entrance price. Which, includes:
- Toilets: 5 pesos per use
- Table & chairs: 100 pesos for a table and 4 chairs or 50 pesos for a smaller table. Sadly, you can’t sit at any of the tables or chairs unless you pay extra to rent them
- WiFi: 30 pesos for the whole day for one device
- Tour of the upper pools when conditions allow: no fee but you tip the guide
- Life jackets: 30 pesos each
- Ziplines and suspension bridges: 200 pesos per person
Las Pozas Azules Taxco are open from 9am to 5pm, 7 days a week.
The weekends are the busiest and I’d definitely recommend visiting during the week if you can.
During the peak summer months, however, the pools are likely to be busy at all times. If visiting during these months, arrive early in the day to beat the crowds.
Near the entrance there’s also a selection of snack and souvenir stalls – but, you can bring your own food/drink to the site. No glass is allowed on site.
Before your visit, check the Pozas Azules Taxco official Facebook page for the most up-to-date information.
The Waterfalls & Pools at Pozas Azules de Atzala Guerrero
In total, there are 16 natural pools located at the Pozas de Atzala. Although, two man-made pools – filled with the famous aqua-coloured river water – are also open.
Be warned though, the water is freezing all year round!
And, when the current is strong, the pools further upstream may be closed too.
It’s possible to take a tour guide to the higher pools. However, the path is wet and slippery, so you’ll need suitable footwear and take care where you’re stepping.
The pools and waterfalls are located on a 300-metre-long path that starts at the entrance and heads uphill.
The walk isn’t difficult but the path does get muddy. As such, I’d recommend bringing water shoes or strap-on sandals for walking around inside the park.
The two man-made pools are located closest to the entrance of Pozas Azules Taxco and sit alongside a few natural pools in the river. This area has lots of seating, but there’s also plenty of space to leave belongings if you don’t want to pay for a table.
Further upstream, there are a handful more pools and more dramatic waterfalls, where there’s another seating area. After this point, you cross the river over a waterfall on a small bridge and continue uphill to the remaining pools.
What to bring with you
To fully enjoy your trip to the Taxco Pozas Azules, you need to make sure you pack for the place. Here’s what I’d recommend:
- Cash – and not just 500 peso notes! You’ll want those 5 peso coins for the toilet and change for the colectivo.
- Suncream (ideally reef-safe), sunglasses and a hat if you have one
- Swimming costume/shorts (if you wear them to travel in, bring a change of shorts/underwear)
- Water shoes (super useful for moving between pools)
- Travel towel
- Dry bag to keep your valuables and electronics safe on the poolside
- Plastic/waterproof bag for your wet items post-swim
- Plenty of water and snacks
- Camera and battery pack
Useful Spanish Phrases
- Can I swim here? ¿Puedo nadar aquí?
- Can you take a photo of me, please? ¿Puedes tomarme una foto, por favor?
- Are all the pools open today? ¿Están todas las pozas abiertas hoy?
Do you have any questions or want any more information? If so, drop a comment below and I’ll get back to you!
Information is correct as of April 2023 but is subject to change in future.
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Hola Zoe,
Very nice article, better than most!
Going to Taxco from Zihua on 1st of August for a week. We are younger 80 and 78 years old. Any advise? We have place in Zihuatanejo.
Jim
Thank you! For Pozas Azules, definitely aim to arrive early and bring sturdy shoes like walking sandals or water shoes because the pathways can be wet and slippery. For Taxco generally, I’d recommend to book somewhere fairly central and then you can explore the town right on your doorstep. The streets are pretty hilly and cobbled so again good shoes are needed, flip flops aren’t great on some of the steeper sections. There’s lots of cafes, restaurants and silver shops to enjoy, plus the viewpoint with the Christ statue as well as the beautiful buildings and narrow pedestrian streets. On weekends there’s a lot of market stalls set up around the town, perfect for small bits, souvenirs etc. Enjoy your trip!