Tour Monte Albán "clasico"
Recommended by 92% of travelers
Oaxaca City, Mexico
- 9 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Explore Monte Albán, a pre-Columbian archaeological site in Oaxaca, on this all-day guided tour. The ruins offer a glimpse into Zapotec and Mixtec culture. Also, visit an alebrije workshop to watch artisans carve and paint Mexican folk art sculptures and stop to see black clay ceramic pottery being produced. Plus, enjoy a buffet of traditional Oaxaca food (not included in the price). Hotel pickup is included for your convenience.
- Discover the archaeological site of Monte Albán while in Oaxaca
- Travel comfortably in an air-conditioned vehicle
- Hotel pickup is included
- See demonstrations by local artisans
What's Included
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Lunch
- Tips
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Operating hours.9:00 am
Itinerary
1
Zona Arqueologica de Monte Alban
2 hours • Admission Ticket Included
2
San Antonio Arrazola
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
3
San Antonio Arrazola
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
4
Frida de mi corazón
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
5
Ayuntamiento San Bartolo Coyotepec
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
6
Chocolates La Soledad
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- La zona arqueologica de monte alban no esta condicionada para personas con alguna discapacidad fisica.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Steve_M
Trip to Monte Alban was a great experience. For those interested in history this a a good opportunity to learn about an ancient civilization. Other stops provided some real cultural insights. Guide did a wonderful job.
Reviews
4.7
based on 148 reviews
Alice_K, Nov 2025
Great tour, we enjoyed the whole experience! Especially the surprise mezcal tasting and learning about the monte Albán history!
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you so much for your comment!
We’re really glad to hear you enjoyed the whole experience, especially the surprise mezcal tasting and learning about the history of Monte Albán.
It was a pleasure having you with us! We hope to see you again soon for another adventure in Oaxaca.
Victoria_H, Nov 2025
Everything was amazing super punctual Angel was the best tour guide he is super knowledgeable the van is so comfortable and the food was super delicious
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you! We’re so glad you had such a great experience with Ángel and enjoyed the tour. Hope to welcome you back soon! 🌺
Steve_M, Sep 2025
Trip to Monte Alban was a great experience. For those interested in history this a a good opportunity to learn about an ancient civilization. Other stops provided some real cultural insights. Guide did a wonderful job.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
We're so glad to hear you enjoyed your Monte Albán tour!
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We hope to welcome you back soon for another adventure in Oaxaca!
Eloise_L, Aug 2025
The guide and all the sites were interesting, great value for a broad overview of Oaxacan crafts, history and culture. The tour was timed well and on schedule. The van ride was air-conditioned but very bumpy; would prepare well if you get motion sickness easily.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words! 🌟 We’re glad you enjoyed the guide, the timing of the tour, and the rich experience of Oaxacan crafts, history, and culture. We truly appreciate your feedback about the van ride — we’ll take it into account to make the journey as comfortable as possible. We hope to see you again soon for more adventures in Oaxaca!
Jesse_L, Jul 2025
Overall: extremely well worth the price for a full day tour. Highly recommend.
The tour is completely in Spanish, but even if you have a basic knowledge of the language, I still think it’s worth it! We went to Monte Alban for 2 hours which included an introduction and guided tour for about 40 minutes before having the remaining 1.25 hours to explore the ruins by our self’s. After monte alban, we went to a mezcal tasting session. You need to pay $20mxn for the tasting, but it was well worth it because they give you 9 different mezcals to try. You also get to see the distillery process which is beautiful and interesting to learn about. Next was. an alebrijes workshop where we got to shop and browse after hearing about the process of how they’re made. We then went to an absolutely incredible lunch place with a variety of traditional Oaxaca dishes including plenty of both vegetarian and meat options. The rate for this incredible buffet was $200 mxn which $100mxn alcoholic beverages. After lunch we were driven to a town known for its pottery, and that was absolutely wonderful. We had a brief demonstration of the original techniques that come from the region and were given a lot of time to shop. The prices at this pottery place were shockingly (seriously, shocking) affordable considering the beauty, quality, and time taken to make them. I thought we were done after the pottery place but no! Right before we finished, we were brought to a chocolate store outside of the Mercado 20 de noviembre and received a bunch of free samples. A wonderfully fun way to spend a day.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Hello, we are glad that you had a pleasant experience during the tour!!!.
If you decide to return to Oaxaca, we will be waiting for you with open arms to learn more about our stories and customs that we have to share.😊
Amanda_T, Jul 2025
The tour was ok. We felt we did not get the full experience with the English translation. The roads were rough and the vehicle was high and difficult to climb on to although our driver did well. There was more a feeling of a purchasing trip. The buffet lunch was delicious. We did not get a ride back to our hotel after the tour which was unfortunate.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Hello, thank you very much for your comment. We would appreciate it; the tour does not include a return to the hotel, however, we will take it into account, thank you very much. Regarding the guide, we will talk to him and try to provide better service. Thank you very much.
Keren_H, Jul 2025
Luis was knowledgeable and friendly, he explained lots of history and culture background. However, the transportation was bad. The AC on the van was broken. No one sitting that van was over 30 Celsius.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Hello, good morning. Thank you for your comment. We will review the air conditioning issue. We didn't have that report from the United States, but we will be more careful.
Gloria_F, Jun 2025
Take it. Best tour as one gets to experience the most historical places in the area with a fantastic guide, Luis who is most knowledgeable and personable. Lunch served indigenous food and was memorable. The workshops were very interesting and showed some quality work that was worth the money. Driver was most competent and also knowledgeable about the areas visited. Thanks Luis and Hugo.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you for your amazing comment! 🧡
We’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed the tour, the traditional food and the workshops.
We hope to see you again soon for more adventures full of history and culture. 🙌✨
LAURA_R, Dec 2024
Great experience with Luis, our guide, in Mt. Albán. It is a very interesting archeological site to visit due to the size and importance and Luis explained everyting clearly. Do not miss a visit to the Oaxaca Cultural museum where you find the treasures archelogist found in Mt Alban. Visits to the mezcal and the ceramic factory were also great. Bring a lot of water and sunscreen and be prepared to climb a lot of stairs
Response from Host, Dec 2024
Thank you for your good comments and recommendations, we hope you travel with us again.
Willian_L, Nov 2024
The variety of cultural stops we made on tour and Angel, our guide is bi-lingual. He never seemed agitated, was very caring of the many elderly customers.
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Thank you for your good feedback, we always try to give our best on every tour.
Safiya, Nov 2024
This was such a great tour! Thank you Luis and Benjamin! There was the perfect balance between interesting facts and history and freedom and time to explore. Luis is very personable, helpful and thoughtful. All the locations were chosen well and the van was comfortable. We got lucky with a good group too!
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear you had such a great time.
It’s wonderful that you enjoyed the balance of history, exploration, and free time—it’s something we strive to provide.
We’re also glad you appreciated the comfortable van and the thoughtfully chosen stops. And having a great group always makes the experience even better! 😊 We hope to see you again for more adventures!
Andy_D, Jul 2024
Our tour guide, Angel was very friendly and knowledgeable about Monte Albán. We had a good time on this trip. Overall, we give it a 5 out of 5.
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Thank you so much for your feedback! We're delighted to hear that you had a great time exploring Monte Albán with Ángel. It's wonderful to know that his friendliness and knowledge enhanced your experience. We're thrilled to receive your 5 out of 5 rating and hope to have the pleasure of guiding you on more adventures in Oaxaca in the future. Safe travels!
Laura_B, May 2024
The tour was great and compiled everything we were hoping to see and experience in one day. One-stop-tour if you will. We really wanted to see Monte Alban but also wanted to see how they made the Alebrijes and the black clay crafs. Our guide was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable.
Monte Alban was absolutely knowledgeable and we got incredible amounts of information we wouldn't have been able to get on our own otherwise. The ruins can be climbed (this was a nice treat).
The Alebrijes stop was nice to see and pretty impressive to see the process, the artisans carving and painting the little mythical characters are amazing artists. However the entire town works as a form of cooperative in an arrangement that prevents individual artisans to sell their crafts outside of the arrangements with the cooperative and for this reason we (along with most everyone else in the tour) found the prices of the alebrijes to be somewhat overpriced and unreasonable. I am not saying they are not worth whatever price the artist wishes to tag, is art after all. However, if you are leaving a $2000 USD piece of art out collecting dust and with legs and limbs missing piled along with other supposedly $300 USD or $1000 USD pieces (vs being protected if they are actually that expensive), it is evident they are not that well taken care of and the price tag is there only for the tourist who is willing to pay.
The black clay stop was great, it was amazing to be in the place where one pioneer lady many years ago figured out this technique to give a black colour effect to an otherwise normal clay. The tradition has continued in her family and the crafts are beautiful and a nice stop for an array of souvenirs.
A few things to keep in mind: (1) it was very hot and there is no shade (specially in the Monte Alban leg of the tour), an UV umbrella, a light long sleeve UV sweater, a shawl to cover your shoulders and or a big hat would be useful to have handy. (2) lunch with the tour is not until 2:30pm, so make sure to either have a good breakfast prior to the start of the tour and/or pack some snacks. Be mindful that no food is allowed inside the Monte Alban grounds, so time your nibbling accordingly. Also of course pack your water bottle (3) the tour is not "all-inclusive" (i.e. the entry fee to Monte Alban is an extra $100 pesos per person, lunch is also extra and there are no other places around the area to eat, so either pack a light lunch with your snacks or have cash ready for your lunch as this will be your only option otherwise. The buffet lunch is (if I recall correctly) $280 pesos per person not including drinks or beer and tips, if you opt for the lunch though, there is plenty of food to be had and everything was tasty.
All an all a good tour, the main star of the show is monte alban and the knowledgeable tour guide.
Angela_P, Apr 2024
Our guide did an absolute wonderful job explaining everything to us! It really made the tour come to life!
Response from Host, Sep 2024
It’s wonderful to know that their efforts made such a positive impact on your experience. We appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you back for tours in the future!
Antonio_P, Apr 2024
ELOY of Oaxaca Dreams travel agency (c/o Viator) was our tour guide. He was the best guide one could ever ask for: knowledgeable, professional, charming, had positive vibes. The tour itself was very interesting. Monte Alban tour gave us a little history lesson about the rich culture of the Zapotec people. The visit to the local art/ceramics/chocolate shops was icing on the cake. The Oaxacan lunch buffet was sooo good. So many dishes to choose from. At 200 pesos each person, it was a bargain. Loved the tour. (Wish the temperature was cooler.) Gotta give props to Oscar, our very good (and handsome) driver. Overall, I recommend this tour. Thank you again, Eloy & Oscar!!!
Response from Host, Sep 2024
It’s great to know you enjoyed the rich history of Monte Albán, the local art and shops, and the delicious Oaxacan lunch buffet. . We appreciate your recommendation and hope to see you again!
Lisa_D, Apr 2024
We saw so much in one day! The tour guides were so accommodating and friendly and seamlessly transitioned from Spanish to English. Monte Albán is huge and a bit strenuous; wear good walking shoes and sun protection. It was great to see local artisans and their work - bring extra money for purchases. Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Thank you for the tips on walking shoes and sun protection—very helpful for future guests. We appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for more amazing experiences!
jane_d, Jan 2024
Great tour, informative, Eloy was a amazing and lovely guide, several stops, defo worth while..................
Response from Host, Sep 2024
We’re thrilled to hear that you had a great tour. We’re glad you enjoyed the informative stops and felt the experience was worthwhile.
Edward_T, Dec 2023
Quality of Guide was outstanding, as he was a native Oaxacan who gave us a sample of his spoken language, the meaning of his civilization, its history and
people's accomplishments over the 2,000 year-old history of its culture.
Response from Host, Sep 2024
It’s wonderful to know that the guide’s background and expertise provided such a valuable and enriching perspective on the region’s history and achievements. We appreciate your feedback and look forward to welcoming you back for more enlightening tours in the future!
Karen_K, Sep 2023
Some initial confusion over pick up as there was no contact the evening before. However the tour itself was amazing. Lots of interesting facts and details provided by the passionate and personable guide. Traditional Oaxaca buffet lunch was also very good. A long but very enjoyable day! Good value for money
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Thank you for your feedback! We apologize for the initial confusion regarding the pickup; we’ll work on improving our communication to avoid such issues in the future. We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the tour, the interesting facts shared by our guide. We appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back for more adventures!
Stacie_F, Jul 2023
Our tour with Eloy and Oaxaca Dreams was phenomenal. We saw so much and had a lot of fun. Eloy was professional and prepared. The content of his tour was educational and informative. I highly recommend him and the tour company.
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a fantastic experience with Oaxaca Dreams. It's great to know that you found the tour both educational and enjoyable. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we hope to welcome you back for more adventures in Oaxaca soon!
Douglas_S, Apr 2023
Monte Albán Tour
We enjoyed a very full day with a complete tour of Monte Albán then to an artesanal studio that produced Oaxacan Painted Wood Carvings, then to a delicious buffet of Oaxacan Cuisine, then to an artesanal studio that produced beautiful Black Ceramics and then lastly to a renowned Chocolate Factory. Eloi was a well informed and pleasant guide and the driver Cheque was also excellent.
Response from Host, May 2023
It is very nice to know that you enjoyed your journey discovering Oaxaca with us, thank you for choosing Oaxaca Dreams
Pauline_T, Feb 2023
Eloy was an passionate storyteller who slipped effortlessly between Spanish and English as he expertly guided us through the ancient site of Monte Alban, the Zapotec village of Cuilapan and a whistle stop through San Bartolo Coyotepec. Along the way, we met artisans in their workshops and did some light shopping, ending with a trip to family-owned chocolate factory. The tour is well-paced, starting with Monte Alban in the morning, afternoon visits to the workshops (out of the midday heat) and lunch at a home-style restaurant with delicious Oaxacan specialties. A lovely glimpse of Zapotec culture!
Response from Host, May 2023
Thank you for meeting with us Oaxaca!
rayearth53, Jan 2023
Our guide was so knowledgable and friendly. He even had so many recommendations for things to do in the city, like restaurants and shops. My favorite part of the tour by far was Monte Alban... I could just soak it up forever.
Response from Host, Jan 2023
Thank you for sharing your experience and traveling with us, how well you liked our service
Sarah_N, Sep 2022
The Monte Alban tour was wonderful! The tour company was called Oaxacan Dreams. First we toured Monte Alban with a very knowledgeable guide who made the history very interesting. He also told us a lot about native trees and plants on the site. Then they took us for lunch to a great buffet restaurant. The restaurant was so wonderful- all sorts of very tasty Oaxacan food, homemade. It was my favorite part of the tour! The only downside was that they stopped at several craft places for “demonstrations” but the main point was to try to sell you stuff. But the Monte Alban tour and the restaurant made up for the extra stops that we could have done without.
Response from Host, Sep 2022
Hello! reading your opinion I share that the service I take is shared and we take you to know the crafts of our state but it is not mandatory to buy, we try to support the artisans and if you like the next time you visit us we have the option of private tour and in that you decide the points you would visit! thank you for choosing us and enjoying your tour
Randa_T, Apr 2022
I like it all. Our guide was very good and energetic! The lunch buffet was very good and generous. A great deal for what you pay
Response from Host, Apr 2022
Thank you for the preference!!!
Daniel_B, Mar 2022
Monte Alban was amazing. The workshops were fun to visit as well. The food was delicious as well. Great tour.
Response from Host, Mar 2022
Thank you for choosing us to get to know Oaxaca and we are glad to know that you liked our service, cordial greetings !!
Biola_J, Feb 2022
Great experience, guides answered my questions before the trip and were early for pickup. Our tour guide was super knowledgeable, friendly, and was able to balance explaining things in English and Spanish very well.
Response from Host, Mar 2022
Thank you very much for traveling with Oaxaca Dreams and we are glad to know that you like our service, cordial greetings!!
Francisco_B, Nov 2025
Our guide was very attentive at all times, gave the explanation in detail in both Spanish and English (his English pronunciation was very good). The explanation was pleasant, and he joked constantly with people. The group was small, about 15 people, so you can pay attention to them all.
In our case, the tour began in the black mud workshop, where we witnessed the work of the teacher. Next, we went to the workshop of alebrijes in Arrazola, where we saw the different stages of the process of creating each piece. Nearby is the palenque mezcalero, where an explanation is given, followed by a tasting of 9 different mezcales (completely optional, if you do not drink at all).
The buffet restaurant where we were taken to eat is of good quality, the food is very tasty, with good variety of moles, stews and had kitchen to order tlayudas and memelitas.
In Monte Alban the guide accompanies the group to explain, and then gives an hour of free time to explore and take photos. Here the con was that the site closes at 4 pm, so you can feel a little accelerated this point. In addition, this point can be difficult for seniors, although they have the option to take their time on site and return to the meeting point at the agreed time, in case they cannot keep up with the guide.
By 5 pm we were back in the plinth of Oaxaca City. It's a great experience that's worth it.
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Response from Host, Nov 2025
¡Muchísimas gracias por compartir tan detalladamente tu experiencia! 🌟
Nos alegra muchísimo saber que disfrutaron cada parte del recorrido, desde los talleres artesanales hasta Monte Albán.
Nos da gusto saber que tuvo una buena experiencia, las visitas al taller de barro negro, alebrijes y el palenque mezcalero, así como el buffet, fueron de su agrado. También agradecemos que destaquen la organización del tiempo en Monte Albán.
Gracias por recomendarnos y por confiar en nosotros para conocer Oaxaca. 💚
¡Será un placer recibirlos nuevamente en una próxima aventura!
Alejandro_N, Aug 2025
A very complete tour, good guides, good gastronomic offer and a very entertaining way to immerse yourself in the culture of Oaxaca
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Response from Host, Aug 2025
Muchísimas gracias por tu comentario. Nos alegra saber que disfruto del tour, de la gastronomía y de la experiencia. Lo esperamos en su próxima aventura.
Edgardo_M, Jun 2025
Good experience in total, the only VERY bad thing is the food they offer you, which is very poor quality
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Response from Host, Jun 2025
Hola, buen dia agradecemos el tiempo que se tomo en escribirno, respecto a la comida lamentamos que no le parecio bien, lamentablemente es uno de los pocos restaurantes que existen en la zona por lo cual hacemos la parada ahi pero haremos llegar este comentario a los del restaurante para que mejoren su servicio
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