An Olympic-size swimming pool, a river in the canyon, and a 16th-century urban layout give Villa De Tamazulapam Del Progreso its distinctive character. As you explore the town, you can take in bathing facilities and natural features as well as church art and notable buildings. For planning your visit, it is worth distinguishing between the sites and their respective highlights.

Springs, bathing pools and water

At Los manantiales, pools fed by the springs have been developed as bathing facilities. They include an Olympic-size swimming pool measuring 50 × 25 meters and four meters deep. These dimensions make the pool a particularly notable part of the site. Los manantiales also includes sulfur springs that form a pond with crystal-clear water, as well as a network of interconnected canals.

Another natural swimming area is in the Las Tinitas area, about ten minutes from the town center. Balneario Atonaltzin is also in Villa De Tamazulapam Del Progreso; the name is also spelled Atonalzin. The thermal-water Balneario Atonalzin has a camping area. Since its availability may change, check before your trip whether it is currently open for use.

Canyon and waterfalls

El Cañón is a natural geological depression approximately one kilometer long and 50 meters deep. At the foot of the canyon, the river forms a waterfall and a grotto where swimming is possible. This natural area differs from the spring-fed bathing facilities at Los manantiales: here, the depression and the river water define the landscape.

Cascada Los Chorritos is another named waterfall. It is approximately five meters high and ten meters wide. These measurements give a concrete sense of its size without conflating it with the waterfall at the canyon. Before visiting the bathing areas and natural sites, it is advisable to follow local guidance and check access.

Church, urban layout and buildings

The Parroquia de Santa María de la Natividad was built in the 16th century with characteristic Baroque features. Together with the former convent of Santa María de la Natividad, the church preserves works of art from the 16th century. The parish church’s processional organ is one of five of its kind in Mexico and is still in use. Ask locally about its current use.

From the Mirador, you can see the city’s original Cartesian layout, laid out by the Dominicans in 1544. The view of the planned urban design complements a visit to individual historic buildings with a perspective on the city as a whole. The Portal Municipal makes its own architectural statement with 25 arches: it is made of pink stone and dates from the early 20th century. A kiosk made of pink stone also stands in Plaza de la Constitución.

Planning your stay

The bathing facilities at Los manantiales are one kilometer from the town center. The natural swimming area in Las Tinitas is about ten minutes from the center; this travel time may vary depending on conditions. The two details offer different points of reference: a distance for Los manantiales and an approximate travel time for Las Tinitas. Check local guidance when planning your visit, as signage and access may change.

The sites mentioned offer different highlights: spring pools and canals at Los manantiales, another natural swimming area in Las Tinitas, the river at the canyon, and historic heritage around the Parroquia and the Mirador.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: San Juan Bautista Coixtlahuaca, San Felipe Usila, Santa Catarina Juquila, Asunción Nochixtlán, Juchitán De Zaragoza, Tehuantepec, Santa María Tonameca, San Pedro Mixtepec Distrito 26.

For the main travel overview: Oaxaca.