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Monte Albán, Arrazola, Cuilapam y San Bartolo Coyotepec.
Recommended by 90% of travellers
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Oaxaca City, Mexico
- 8 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
From the mountaintop pyramids of Monte Alban to the Cuilapam Convent on the valley floor, learn all about the rich history of Oaxaca Valley on this guided full-day trip by coach. Discover the Zapotec pyramids and excavated ruins of UNESCO-listed Monte Alban, admire the mystical woodcarvings of San Antonio Arrazola and meet resident artisans in San Bartolo Coyotepec, a town known for its beautiful black pottery. Hotel pickup and drop-off from Oaxaca included.
- Oaxaca day trip to Monte Alban, Arrazola, Cuilapam and Coyotepec
- See the ball court, temples and tombs of Monte Alban, part of a UNESCO World Heritage site
- Admire artisan-made alebrijes (woodcarvings) in San Antonio Arrazola
- Visit the San Bartolo Coyotepec Church and the Cuilapam Convent in Cuilapam de Guerrero
- Hear stories about the ancient Zapotecs from your guide during your full-day sightseeing tour
- Hotel pickup and drop-off from your Oaxaca hotel included
What's Included
- Professional English- and Spanish-speaking guide
- Travel insurance
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Gratuities
- Brunch
- Tickets to Cuilapam
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Quinta Real5 de Mayo 300, RUTA INDEPENDENCIA, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax., Mexico
Por favor llegar 8:30 am en el hotel Quinta Real ubicado en calle 05 de Mayo #300, centro y preguntar por la agencia de viajes. Pueden esperar fuera del hotel o dentro en el lobby. En unos momentos saldremos por usted.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Start time.8:30 am
Itinerary
Enjoy midmorning pickup by coach from your Oaxaca hotel and kick off your day of sightseeing at Monte Alban, a UNESCO site located on a mountaintop boasting panoramas of the city and Oaxaca Valley.
Spend about 2.5 hours at the archaeological site. Your guide takes you around the complex, including the Grand Plaza, a large open area on the flattened plateau. Hear engaging facts about Zapotec history and culture as you gaze at ceremonial platforms, including a series of rock carvings called The Dancers (Los Danzantes). You’ll see some of Monte Alban’s 170 tombs, whose excavations revealed a range of paintings and stone carvings. Visit pyramids, temples, altars and the I-shaped ball court constructed in 100 BC. Make your way up the South Platform (Plataforma Sur), a large area known for its wide staircase and great views.
Next, head to San Antonio Arrazola, a tranquil town at the base of Monte Alban. For about 45 minutes, stroll through the town and admire the local folk art, such as the world-renowned woodcarvings from the copal tree called alebrijes depicting a fantastic zoology of mythical creations and monsters.
In the traditional town of Cuilapam de Guerrero, swing by the Cuilapam Convent, a 16th-century Dominican convent known for its unfinished basilica and capilla abierta, or open chapel. Learn about this historical colonial feature aimed at encouraging larger numbers of indigenous people for conversion to Catholicism.
After refueling with lunch (own expense), wrap up your sightseeing in San Bartolo Coyotepec. Visit the 16th-century San Bartolo Coyotepec Church, the Oaxaca State Museum of Popular Art (MEAPO) and a craft market displaying the work of more than a dozen families. Learn about this town known for its black pottery (barro negro), unique ceramics made locally since pre-Columbian times.
Your full-day tour ends with drop-off at your hotel in Oaxaca in the evening.
Spend about 2.5 hours at the archaeological site. Your guide takes you around the complex, including the Grand Plaza, a large open area on the flattened plateau. Hear engaging facts about Zapotec history and culture as you gaze at ceremonial platforms, including a series of rock carvings called The Dancers (Los Danzantes). You’ll see some of Monte Alban’s 170 tombs, whose excavations revealed a range of paintings and stone carvings. Visit pyramids, temples, altars and the I-shaped ball court constructed in 100 BC. Make your way up the South Platform (Plataforma Sur), a large area known for its wide staircase and great views.
Next, head to San Antonio Arrazola, a tranquil town at the base of Monte Alban. For about 45 minutes, stroll through the town and admire the local folk art, such as the world-renowned woodcarvings from the copal tree called alebrijes depicting a fantastic zoology of mythical creations and monsters.
In the traditional town of Cuilapam de Guerrero, swing by the Cuilapam Convent, a 16th-century Dominican convent known for its unfinished basilica and capilla abierta, or open chapel. Learn about this historical colonial feature aimed at encouraging larger numbers of indigenous people for conversion to Catholicism.
After refueling with lunch (own expense), wrap up your sightseeing in San Bartolo Coyotepec. Visit the 16th-century San Bartolo Coyotepec Church, the Oaxaca State Museum of Popular Art (MEAPO) and a craft market displaying the work of more than a dozen families. Learn about this town known for its black pottery (barro negro), unique ceramics made locally since pre-Columbian times.
Your full-day tour ends with drop-off at your hotel in Oaxaca in the evening.
Zona Arqueologica de Monte Alban
2 hours 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
San Antonio Arrazola
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Convento de Cuilapam
1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included
San Bartolo Coyotepec
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Convento de Cuilapam
1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Pushchair accessible
- Infant seats available
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Questions?
Visit the Viator Help Centre for any further questions.
Product code: 6181MOARCO
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Featured review
Virginia_T
Monte Albán's arqueological site exceeded our expectations. A really beautiful site in a wonderful setting. Transport was punctual and comfortable. Antonio, our guide was very knowledgeable and an excellent communicator.
Reviews
4.6
based on 205 reviews
Nicole_P, Nov 2025
Great experience! Hit a bunch of great spots and learned a lot about local art and culture! Very convenient and well organized.
Paula_J, Nov 2025
Fantastic tour. Our guide was excellent. He was passionate and well spoken. He is an archaeologist so he knows his stuff. Learned so much. The lunch was awesome!!
HECTOR_C, Oct 2025
Our tour guide Emanuel did an outstanding job, being kind and exited to share all the information he has gathered through his own life, experience and studying. He had every bit of information about every place, every historical name, every historical time. I totally recommend enjoying this tour.
Trevor_L, Sept 2025
Lovely, informative tour that makes a great day trip from Oaxaca. We left promptly at 8:30 and returned to Oaxaca City a bit after 5 pm. We particularly loved Monte Alban and the pottery demonstration. Lunch was ~300 pesos apiece (buffet + one beer) + Monte Alban/monastery entrances (175 pesos apiece) + tip.
Virginia_T, Aug 2025
Monte Albán's arqueological site exceeded our expectations. A really beautiful site in a wonderful setting. Transport was punctual and comfortable. Antonio, our guide was very knowledgeable and an excellent communicator.
Lidia_F, Aug 2025
Our trip to Monte Albán was absolutely mesmerizing. The ancient temples, breathtaking views, and fascinating historical insights made it unforgettable. My family also loved learning about alebrijes and black pottery, such rich and colorful traditions! The food along the way was authentic and delicious. The final stop at the convent beautifully tied everything together, offering a glimpse into Oaxaca’s colonial past. Moisés was an excellent guide, knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about the region’s culture and history. I highly recommend this trip for anyone who would like to learn about Oaxaca.
Christian_A, July 2025
First time visiting Oaxaca. Our tour was July 7. Our experience was excellent. Our guide was Gabriel. His knowledge of Monte alban is fascinating. I geek out with history stuff. Monte Alban has some incredible views. Important to note: WARNING! It will be a workout. Those steps aren't a joke. BUT if you make it to the top you will reward yourself with a vista. I can be super warm. Take a hat, some sun screen and water. Especially if you do the hike. Our day continued to the alebrijes factory. We see how they are made. Incredible art passed down from generations. Once you see how there made you want to buy everything in their store. Don't worry, you will have plenty of time to shop. Next we had lunch at El Trapiche buffet place in a large open air restaurant with Oaxacan cuisine. The food was delicious. Loved it. After our food coma, we arrived at a convent built by the Dominican monks in 1555. Just in time for a brief thunderstorm storm. Amazing building going all the way back to 1555. The church/convent is beautiful. Gabriel provided historical facts to provide its significance. Lastly, Finally, el barro negro factory. It was fascinating to see the detail and artistry that goes into creating the "black statutes" seen throughout the mercados. I was more inclined to purchase some of their work to support their craft. Their shop had a good collection of quality craftsmanship. Once again, there was no pressure of time.
Gabriel, thank you for your knowledge and for providing me and my group a rewarding experience.
Travis_C, June 2025
The guide is very knowledgeable in providing the history of the sights. He even took the group to sit in one of the courts in mt albán for a live demonstration. The tour did take longer than expected and the guide sometimes went on ranting about his views on life, but overall it was a great tour.
David_m, June 2025
Another amazing trip in Oaxaca. Our guide was Gabriel. A true gentleman. He spoke both Spanish and English, and for the ones who moan this is a problem? Get over yourselves . Your in a spanish speaking country , what do you expect ??
Anyway. The whole day was fantastic . Monte alban is fascinating. Some incredible views . It's super warm so be warned. Take a hat and some sun screen . Especially with some of the hiking. There are stairs so don't expect it to be a totally flat experience.
After this we went on to an alebrijes factory to watch how they are made. Incredible art. And they sold it in their own shop. It was too much choice for me. I couldnt have spent hours there . It wasn't rushed so you had plenty of time to look .
Next we did lunch at a buffet place in a large open restaurant. Lots of oaxan cuisine. Some of the nicest food I've had in mexico. Loved it .
Next it was on to a convent built by the Dominican monks. Amazing building going all the way back to 1555. Again Gabriel was very informative and would answer all our questions.
Finally we went on to a barro negro factory. What a delight. The young guy who went round explaining was a tonic . A delight warm and educational tour . It was a great atmosphere they worked in together . Even watching their pet dogs just wander freely around was a sign of how good the atmosphere was. The shop had a huge collection of art I'd not seen elsewhere.
Under no time did it feel we where pressured to buy anything on this tour either . So if people start saying oh they felt pressured they are telling lies . It was never the case. I've been to countries where it's felt like that and definitely not on this trip or others in this country .
Bill_G, June 2025
Wear sunscreen! An umbrella is also very helpful to keep the sun off you.
Our guide was fantastic. Very knowledgeable. Fluent in both English and Spanish.
From USD 38.91
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