Tour Details
- Duration
- 9.5 hours
- Product Type
- Tour
- Venues
-
- Monte Alban Archaeological Site
- Santo Domingo Museum
Photos & Highlights
- A comprehensive view into the Zapotec civilization that has helped shape Oaxaca City
- Intimate tour led by an expert in archaeology or history
Tour Description
Marvel at the breathtaking views, and take in a maximum of culture and history on this full-day tour in Monte Alban and Oaxaca.Your day starts with a convenient hotel pick-up, after which you will head straight to Monte Alban with your guide. A morning visit offers an intimate experience, avoiding both the heat and the crowds, and revealing why the Zapotecs referred to themselves as the "people of the clouds." As a center of Zapotec religion and power, the city of Monte Alban influenced the architecture and culture of the region profoundly.
Continuing your day, you will head to Atzompa to discover the ancient ceramic tradition for which the town is known. The highlight of this stop will be a visit to an artist’s studio, where you will witness firsthand the fusion of traditional and modern techniques, as well as the incorporation of ancient motifs and symbols.
Heading back to Oaxaca, you will stop for a lunch break and have the opportunity to discover traditional Mixtec cuisine made from entirely local ingredients. Your day will wrap up at the Museum of Santo Domingo, located within a captivating Dominican monastery. The works on display showcase the exceptional cultural heritage of the region, as well as treasures from Monte Alban's tombs.
At the end of your visit, you will be dropped off back at your hotel having experienced the remarkable diversity of the local cultural offerings and with a nagging desire to discover more.
At the end of your visit, you will be dropped off back at your hotel having experienced the remarkable diversity of the local cultural offerings and with a nagging desire to discover more.
- If you're captivated by history and yearn to delve into local cultures led by a leading expert
- For returning travelers seeking off-the-beaten-path revelations in the city of Oaxaca
- Monte Alban - Explore the ancient Zapotec city perched on a hill, once a spiritual and political center.
- Atzompa - Immerse in living ceramics and traditions within a historic barrio.
- Museum of Santo Domingo - Unveil cultural legacies in the inspiring setting of an old Dominican monastery.
Tickets
- All entrance fees and museum admissions are included in the tour price.
Resources
- Check out our upcoming lectures on Mexico to prepare for your trip.
Transportation
- Includes accommodation pick up & drop off from your accommodation in Oaxaca City
- This tour includes a private car service that will pick you up at your accommodation. While adding the tour to your shopping cart, please tell us your hotel or apartment address in the 'Additional Details' box.
Lunch
- The tour will take time for a lunch break, a delicious traditional Oaxacan meal is included in the tour price.
Wheelchair accessibility
- Monte Alban does have wheelchair accessibility, and the other parts of the tour can be adapted to mobility needs as well. Please let us know if this applies to you at the time of booking.
For more information about Context tours, please visit our FAQs.
Is this day trip good for families?
Yes, this tour is a great choice for families with kids of all ages. We do caution families with babies as this can be a long and hot day during the summer months.
What time of year is best for this tour?
Yes, this tour is a great choice for families with kids of all ages. We do caution families with babies as this can be a long and hot day during the summer months.
What time of year is best for this tour?
Please take note of the rainy season between mid-September through the end of November. However, this does not affect the tour. Some clouds are actually very much appreciated when visiting the Oaxaca region.
What should I bring?
What should I bring?
Bring comfortable shoes, a hat and sunglasses, and layers. You will be warm while on your ruins tour and it gets cooler in the evening. Keep in mind that there are no ATM machines on site so if you’d like to tip or buy any souvenirs it’s recommended to bring cash.
Can we climb the Monte Alban ruins?
No, due to restrictions and safety protocols, it is not possible to climb the pyramids at this time. This may change in the future, it depends on the restoration schedule.
Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.
Where You'll Start
