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Monte Alban: Discover Oaxaca's Historic and Gastronomic Charm in a Full-Day Guided Tour
4.9
135 Ratings
Centro
Immerse yourself in the rich culture, history, art, and gastronomy of Oaxaca on a full-day guided tour. Explore the stunning Archaeological Zone of Monte Albán, visit wood carving and loom workshops, and indulge in traditional local cuisine.
Duration:
9 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Zona Arqueologica de Monte Alban - We will visit the archaeological zone of Monte Albán, making a tour in an average time of 1.5 to 2 hours with our certified guide, we will know the history of this place and we will enjoy the magic and mysticism of these buildings on the top of the mountain.
- San Antonio Arrazola - We visit with our guide, the house-workshop of an artisan carving wooden figures today known as alebrijes, there we can see from the process of making these handmade figures to the various forms of application that have been achieved during the innovation process
- Cuilapan de Guerrero - We will stop for lunch in a restaurant with a buffet service with traditional Oaxacan foods.
- Santo Tomás Jalieza - We visit with our guide, the house - workshop of an artisan who works a loom known as a hip or waist loom of cotton thread textiles.
- San Bartolo Coyotepec - We visit with our guide, the house-workshop of a master craftsman of pieces and figures of black clay to give us a demonstration and talk about the process and history of these beautiful handmade figures.
What's Included
- Certified guide for expert-led explorations.
- Comprehensive safety and hygiene measures.
- Comfortable travel with in-vehicle air conditioning.
- Convenient hotel or home pickup and drop-off within designated areas.
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
Additional Information
Join us on a journey into the heart of Oaxaca, exploring its culture, heritage, art, and culinary delights. Our professional guides will take you around 5 unique locations across the city. We start with an immersive 2-hour trek through the spectacular Monte Alban Archaeological Zone, led by an accredited guide. Next, we explore the intriguing world of Alebrijes, visiting a craftsman’s home-cum-studio in San Antonio Arrazola. Afterwards, we treat our taste buds at a traditional local buffet restaurant, before visiting the home-based workshop of a hip or waist loom artisan in Santo Tomas Jalieza. Finally, we delve into the nuanced world of black clay crafting at a master artisan’s home studio in San Bartolo Coyotepec.
- The total time of the tour may vary due to factors such as departures and returns to hotels, transfers between destinations, among others.
- Due to demand during holiday seasons and festivals, the number of people in this activity may increase.
- The order of the itinerary can be modified due to situations beyond the company’s control and for the benefit of the user.
- If necessary, the tour is carried out in English and Spanish by the same guide.
- They are shared tours and seats are reserved. If you require extra space due to size or personal items, please reserve another space and let us know so we can make an adjustment.
- IMPORTANT: The Monte Alban archaeological zone informs us that due to repaving, vehicle access will be restricted starting on October 7, 2024, for an average of 20 to 30 days, which will force us as visitors to walk an average of 1 kilometer (uphill and along a path) to reach the main access to the area. We ask that, in case you have problems or any limitation to walk freely and correctly, consider the above before booking, we will do everything possible so that you continue to enjoy your visit to this wonderful place to the fullest.
Location
C. Macedonio Alcalá 201
Calle Macedonio Alcalá
The office is on Macedonio Alcalá street or Andador Turístico right in front of the Museum of Contemporary Art of Oaxaca (MACO), between the streets of Morelos and Murguía.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(135 Ratings)
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Van_n
Jul 26, 2024
Full day Monte Alban and artisans tour - Fantastic trip. Enriching, educational, and engaging. We saw Monte Alban and various artisans (textiles, alebrijes, and black pottery).
Pre-tour communication was clear. Pickup was one-time, easy and convenient. Other tourists canceled that day, so we luckily got a private tour. Car was comfortable, clean and driving was professional.
Zenón was very knowledgeable and entertained all my questions. He kept the info coming and conversations moving. Fantastic host.
Monte Alban speaks for itself. Big site, very cool. Mitla has much more detailed stonework, but Monte Alban has the scale. Its super impressive. I'd personnaly to try to get much of the info walking rather than stationary.
The alebrijes workshop was the most impressive artisan. Just beautiful intricate work.
Review provided by Viator
Taihong_c
Jul 17, 2024
A must go if you’re in Oaxaca - The guide, Zenón (hopefully I wrote that right) was incredibly knowledgeable, patient and kind. He explained a lot of history behind Monte Albán and the other places he took us to as well. He is fluent in both Spanish and English which is a huge plus. If you want an in depth history of Monte Albán with additional cultural tours after, definitely go!
Review provided by Viator
V6250mdjessicae
Jun 26, 2024
Absolutely excellent tour! - Zenon was an amazing guide, his perspective was very unique since he is Zapotec himself and is fluent in it. He is great in English and Spanish. His knowledge base is huge, he taught us so much. I was very grateful to have him driving us around, the driving here is crazy compared to what I am used to in the USA and he is very good at navigating it. We saw Monte Albán, alebrijes being created and they were masterfully done, textile weaving on a back-strap loom (the pre-Spanish conquest, traditional way), and black pottery being created. He got us to Monte Albán first, which was good because it was getting busy as we left. I only wish we could have spent several more hours there, there was so much to see and Zenon knew so much. 5 stars, book it for your trip to Oaxaca!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sandra_g
Jun 22, 2024
Do not regret booking this tour - well worth it! - Monte Alban was the highlight. Our tour guide there was so well informed and loved answering all our questions and happy to share his heritage. The other tour guide who did the Spanish language tour was equally lovely. The shorter trips to various artisans were also wonderful. The included lunch was delicious! It was a full day so it was nice to recharge with lunch. You will be pleasantly tired.
Review provided by Viator
Shelly_s
Jun 9, 2024
We learned a lot! - We learned so much! Everyone in my family enjoyed the tour. Zenen is passionate about the topic and really knew his stuff!
Review provided by Viator
Jesabelg2024
Jun 4, 2024
Oaxaca full of tradition and culture! - The excellent guide! With a lot of knowledge, taking the time to explain in detail, he was always attentive to us. The tour was great, we learned a lot and we highly value our people and our Mexico.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Himanshu_m
Apr 27, 2024
Great experience and good food - Amazing location, Monte Alban. Great piece of history. Knowledgeable your guide. Don't forget to take a guided tour of Santo Domingo after visiting Monte Alban. Restaurant where we stopped at, was very good.
Review provided by Viator
Stevehoshko
Apr 23, 2024
Must do - Better than I anticipated. Our guide was spectacular. I forget his and her name. It was an unforgettable experience filled with history, knowledge of the ruins, great flow to the whole day. The black pottery/wood carving/textile weaving were equally enjoyable. I didn’t catch the name of the company but would like to know. Thanks again
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Selina_b
Apr 21, 2024
Do it! - An absolutely incredible tour! Xenon is incredibly knowledgeable and gives an excellent experience. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Viator
Jorgearciniegas
May 27, 2024
Monte Alban excellent, the visit to the craft villages not so much - The guide Zenón is very friendly, bilingual and has good knowledge of the archaeological site. The visit to the craft towns, which are 3, makes the tour very long and exhausting since they are far from each other. The buffet lunch was good and varied.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
