Day trip

Oaxaca: Monte Alban and the Art of Oaxaca

4.5 / 5

20 reviews

Activity provider: PARAISO HUATULCO
Day trip

Oaxaca: Monte Alban and the Art of Oaxaca

Activity provider: PARAISO HUATULCO

From US$ 36.71 per person

Learn about the traditions of Oaxacan culture on this tour. Explore the archaeological sites of Monte Albán and the villages of Arrazola and Coyotepec.

About this activity

Free cancellation
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Covid-19 precautions
Special health and safety measures are in place. Check your activity voucher once you book for full details.
Duration 7 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
Spanish, English
Pickup optional
Please wait in the hotel lobby 15 minutes before your scheduled pick up time. The driver will be at your hotel lobby, wearing a blue shirt with a "Paraiso Huatulco" logo and will call your name. Drivers will wait no longer than 5 minutes after the scheduled pickup time.

Experience

Highlights
  • Explore the archeological ruins of the Zapotec capital city
  • Admire the hand-crafted carving process of traditional "Alebrijes"
  • Visit the Dominican Monastery of Cuilapam de Guerrero
Full description
Immerse yourself in Oaxacan culture on this day trip. Visit the most important archaeological site in Oaxaca, Monte Albán, located in the majestic urban center. This area was known as the religious, political, and economic center of the Zapotec civilization. Walk around the square and explore the Site Museum.  Don't forget to bring your camera to take pictures from the top of the archaeological structures. Next, you'll visit San Antonio Arrazola, a magical place of colors and traditions, where the famous artisans will teach you how they carve copal wood. Learn the process of creating the magical figures called "Alebrijes", which represent the innovative spirit of the Oaxacan soul, part of an ancestral tradition of the Zapotecs. Finally, stop at Cuilapam de Guerrero, a Mixtec town famous for its 16th-century Dominican ex-monastery, and San Bartolo Coyotepec, a small town of adobe houses where you'll witness the process of making beautiful black clay figures.
Includes
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off (depending on option selected)
  • Tour guide
  • Visit to San Antonio Arrazola, Cuilapam de Guerrero, and San Bartolo Coyotepec
  • Monte Albán entrance fee ($5 USD per person)
  • Tips
Not suitable for
  • Wheelchair users

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Meeting point

Calle De Manuel Doblado 100, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax., Mexico Please arrive 15 minutes before the activity starts. Meet your tour guide outside the "Iglesia de la Merced".

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Important information

What to bring

  • Comfortable shoes
  • Sunglasses
  • Sun hat
  • Water
  • Biodegradable sunscreen
  • Comfortable clothes
  • Cash

Not allowed

  • Pets
  • Oversize luggage

Know before you go

  • During the low season, hotel pickup and drop-off is available. During the high season, there will be a set meeting point in downtown Oaxaca city.
  • This tour contains a considerable amount of walking. Please wear comfortable shoes.
  • Itinerary is subject to change due to COVID-19. The former Convent of Cuilapam may be closed on your visit due to safety restrictions.
Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.5 /5

based on 20 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.8/5
  • Transportation
    4.7/5
  • Value for money
    4.7/5

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Star rating:

We had a great day seeing the ruins, a painting workshop, pottery workshop and a chocolate factory. I thought our guide did a wonderful job explaining everything and we also had a nice amount of free time to explore the ruins on our own. Though lunch was not included (as stated) there was a huge selection of traditional food that was quite good. We did have an issue with 2 things. First, no one communicated with us the pickup time in advance so we ended up waiting around for a long time in the morning (I would recommend calling the company in advance to confirm the time). Second, we were left at the last stop in the city center and were not returned to our hotel as stated in the description. We were about a 30 minute walk from where we were picked up which was fine for us but could be challenging for other guests.

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March 27, 2023

El tour estuvo muy bonito e interesante. Ivan nuestro guía fue muy amable y nos guió en todo el recorrido compartiendonos a detalle datos históricos de Monte Alban, así como detalles de la elaboración de los alebrijes y del barro negro. En este tour pudimos disfrutar de tantos colores que son representativos de Oaxaca, un tour muy hermoso. Algo muy importante es durante el tour se llevan a cabo medidas preventivas para COVID, el guía esta muy bien preparado sobre el tema.

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March 27, 2023

Solob2 cosas en contra. Cuando contratamos no decía que teníamos que pagar entrada a Monte Albán y pensábamos que iba incluida y 2, no nos dejaron en el hotel y lo contratado, decía que nos dejaban en el lugar de recogida, o sea en el hotel. Todo lo demás, muy bien!!

March 27, 2023

Product ID: 388321