Full day tour to Monte Alban, Alebrijes and Black Pottery
Duration
8 hour(s)
Languages
English
Skip the line
Included
Explore ancient ruins and learn about Zapotec civilization
Discover the traditional Barro Negro pottery making process
Enjoy panoramic views of valleys and surrounding landscapes
Immerse yourself in culture music and local traditions
€ 47.59
€ 43.78
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Immerse yourself in the rich history and vibrant culture of Oaxaca with our tour of Monte Alban. This ancient archaeological site offers a fascinating glimpse into the Zapotec civilization, allowing you to explore its impressive pyramids plazas and ceremonial spaces. Our guided tour provides insights into the history architecture and traditions of the region, making your visit both educational and memorable. You will have the chance to connect with the stories of the past while enjoying stunning panoramic views of the valley below.
In addition to exploring Monte Alban you can experience hands on activities that highlight the creativity and traditions of Oaxaca. Paint your own alebrije and awaken your artistic side while learning about this colorful folk art. Delight in authentic local cuisine and discover the unique process of creating Barro Negro de Coyotepec pottery a craft that reflects centuries of Mexican heritage. Each moment of the tour is designed to engage your senses and leave you with lasting memories of the culture people and traditions that make Oaxaca truly special.
Paint your alebrije
Food & drinks
Gratuities
Comfortable shoes
Weather-appropriate clothing
Sunglasses & sunscreen
Camera
Not wheelchair accessible
Public transportation nearby
Minimum age of participants is 1
Have a camera ready to capture every special moment
Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Type in your hotel/accommodation to see how far the attraction or departure point is.
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Activity Provider: Zapotecos Tours
Customer Reviews
Chinmay
Monte Alban is a unique site because it sits on a flattened mountaintop. You get incredible 360-degree views of the entire Oaxaca Valley. Walking across the massive Main Plaza and seeing the ancient ball court gives you a real sense of the history here. On a clear sunny day it can get really hot and it is super exposed. Bring a hat, sunscreen, and plenty of water. There are no shops after the entrance so stock up on water before you start walking. There are not very many info signs around the ruins. You should either do your research beforehand or get a guide to truly appreciate the place. Getting there from Centro is easy. You can get a tour bus or van from one of the hotels. We got it from Hotel Riviera Maya for 100-130 MXN round trip. You get plenty of time up there (3+ hours) before the drive back pickup.
Dean
We had an excellent guided tour and it was very informative. We had a relatively short bus ride out of the city. I'd recommend going in the morning as it can get crowded in the afternoon. If recommend bringing snacks and extra water as it can get hot.
mike
I was a bit sceptical whether i should spend a couple of hours for Monte Alban archeological site since i was planning to visit some other well known ruins and Monte Alban was not among them. But i decided to do so and it was one hundred percent worth it. It is very unique due to the location and view of the valley. Also the ruins are quite interesting and unlike some of the more popular archeological site you can climb up some of them. Of course it is always recommended to get to know about the site in advance , for example read through some book guide or key facts about the city and main buildings. i think 2.5-3 hours is the optimal time.
JL
This is a unique experience, the history, the preservation of the archeological sites, the overall park is beautiful. There's a cover charge of $100 pesos (about $5 usd), a tour guide can charge you anywhere between 50 to 100 pesos per person, it is highly recommended to hire a tour guide to fully understand the history of the place and get a more complete experience. This is a big park and can take you up to two hours to fully explore the place.
Danielle
Amazing, gorgeous ruins surrounded by mountains! It was originally called Monte Alban aka "albino mountain" because of the white flowering trees. I'm not the most fit person and I was grateful to have the help of my partner when navigating the stairs, which were roughly 16" tall each. A walking stick would have been helpful! We went in early November and I didn't notice any mosquitos. Definitely wear good sneakers and sunscreen since there is almost zero shade-- the entire set of ruins functions as a giant calendar and sun dial! We had a beautiful crisp day and it wasn't too hot, but a sunbrella would have been essential had it been warmer. The site is 6,248 ft above sea level (roughly 1200 ft above Oaxaca City Centro) but I didn't have any issues acclimating. There are bathrooms on site. They didn't charge us to use them, but a lady sitting outside offered toilet paper, as there was none in the stalls, nor paper towels to dry one's hands. We went with a guide named Miguel, from Lescas Tours (located in the zócalo). He was absolutely amazing and the trip included a bus ride to and from the archeological site. He had so much information to share and it made the visit much better than it would have been without a tour. Tickets were 100 pesos; we didn't buy in advance. We arrived around 2pm and it wasn't crowded at all. There's a wonderful (small) museum inside the visitor center, but it closed at 5pm so we had to rush. Nothing in the museum was in English, which wasn't an issue for me, but may disappoint other English speakers without Spanish practice (or Google Translate)!