Monte Albán

Came here via guided tour on a Saturday morning in early July 2023. Found the tour on Tripadvisor. I decided to go on a tour because I didn't know how hard it would be to get a cab afterwards. The tour was a little over USD$35 per person and it was super worth it. When we got there I didn't see any taxis and would assume that DiDi Rider would not serve that area. There is a free museum at the front with much of the recovered artifacts from the ruins. The cost to get into the ruins was MX$90 per person. There are restrooms at the ruins as well as at the cafe in the front. The site was huge and our tour guide, Miguel, was so knowledgeable. He was a great storyteller and educated us on the human skinning and skin-wearing ceremony. He taught us so much. Well, worth visiting and getting a tour guide.

We decided to come to Monte Alban after reading the reviews on Viator. We use that site to book a half-day guided tour to this archaeological wonder. Our guide was English, speaking, and full of knowledge in relation to this archaeological treasure trove. 0800 to noon was a perfect amount of time to spend here. It was cool at that time but by noon was beginning to heat up. They have a small museum and restaurant onsite. Admission to Monte Alban was 90 pesos per person. We chose this tour because we were tight on time & it worked out perfectly. A great experience and educational opportunity for all of us.

If you're visiting Oaxaca for the first time, I really recommend you visit Monte Albán. What is it? Monte Albán is a archeological site just six miles west of Oaxaca City. One of the earliest cities in Mesoamerica (founded around 500 BCE), it was the socio-political and economic center of the Zapotecs for nearly a thousand years. (Think Chichen Itza for the Maya people or Teotihuacan for the founders of that city - isn't it amazing we're not sure!? Side note but I can't resist: the Aztecs didn't found Teotihuacan. When they arrived, it was over a thousand years old and had already declined as a Mesoamerican city-state!) Its location on a low mountainous range rising about the Valley (6,400 feet above sea level and 1,300 feet from the valley floor) means it is incredibly visible (we saw it as we flew into Oaxaca from the plane) and that it has incredible views. The site was largely abandoned by 1000 CE and exists now as ruins of the former city. There is so much to see: the Main Plaza, large platforms, ballcourts, temple ruins, carved stone monuments (Danzantes)(the originals are in the museum on the property). What to do: Definitely give yourself an hour or two to wander the site. We went as part of private tour (we were picked up at our hotel in the city center and then driven up to Monte Albán). I really like having a guide at sites like this, because they are massive and there usually is minimal signage (one sign for each structure). (The signs at Monte Albán are in Spanish, English, and Nahuatl.) Our guide was great - explaining general facts about the site and the Zapotec people and answering questions as we went, but you can definitely do this alone if that's more your thing! I really appreciated that our guide pointed out where Tomb 7 was (it doesn't look like much now - it's over by the parking lot - but its contents are considered among the most important and interesting objects found at Monte Albán, many of which are now housed at the anthropology museum in Mexico City and the museum in former convent at the Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán in Oaxaca); it's the kind of thing I would have missed by myself without a guide. There is also a small museum at the site that is worth wandering into before you leave! It's amazing to stand at a site as old as Monte Albán. And - to boot - the views are absolutely incredible. Whether you visit with a guide or on your own, don't miss this on your first visit to Oaxaca.

About 4.5 stars. The place is big. It is nice to visit. The challenge for the body is high difficulty, it need climbing and walk. It take time to cover entire area. This is a pre Columbian archeology sites. The visitors rest room need to be fix. There is no water to flush. Other than that, everything is good. This unesco sites date back 1500 years ago. We start at the north platform, you can get a glimpse from here to see overall area. We walk toward south platform and dancer hall. From south platform you can see the city of Oaxaca. We also visited the tomb and the ballgame court. A lot of walking in this area. The south platform has a lot of step to the top. Definitely a challenge to get up there.

Stunning site with amazing views! We spent a really enjoyable half day at this site. The views are amazing and the setting is stunning. We skipped the organised tours, opting instead to take a Didi rideshare to the site in the morning which cost around 220 pesos. We had no reception at the site so on the way back (around lunch time) we had to queue for a taxi. They seemed to arrive regularly and we only had to wait around 20 minutes. My husband and I ended up sharing a taxi back to the centre with another couple and it cost 200 pesos.

OMG. #1 Most people, when they go to Mexico, see many of the famous ruins of the southern part of the country. Here in the state of Oaxaca, Monte Alban towers high over the city on top of the mountain. It is utterly magnificent and huge in size with mini buildings on the grounds. This is the best of the great meso-american sites you can see. It predates the Aztec culture. A truly interesting journey leaving the city and going up on the mountain with magical views over the entire valley area below. One can easily spend a couple of hours wandering around marveling at these structures. I couldn't imagine anyone visiting the area and not making a trip up to see these truly remarkable buildings. It should totally be a shared first reason to visit this area.

Monte Alban is cool but it's allways crowded hard to get good pictures very loud little expensive to get in and you have all the vendors trying to call you to buy thete junk if your in oaxaca you have to go

A mere 30 minutes by minibus from the southwest side of the Zocalo, you are transported to the beautiful mountaintop historical park. The ruins, step pyramids and carvings are amazing. The park is well maintained and easy to enjoy, though some rough paths and scrambling are possible depending on the area you want to see. Allow at least one hour for a visit. This is an unmissable attraction on any visit to Oaxaca.

If you have any interest in archeology and anthropology and you are in the Oaxaca area this is a MUST DO experience for you. Take care to use sunblock. Definitely wear loose clothing comfortable shoes and wear a hat. The sun can be harsh. Make sure to be hydrated before you go and take plenty of water with you. Be sure to visit the museum when you are there Enjoy!!

Monte Albán is an archaeological site of pre-Columbian ruins in Oaxaca. Founded in around 500 BC, the city was a center of Zapotec culture (later also occupied by Mixtec and Olmec people). The site includes pyramids (remains of temples and various ceremonial structures), tombs, bas reliefs, and a Mesoamerican ballcourt, among others. At about 850 AD, the Zapotec capital's decline began, for reasons unknown. (UNESCO) GETTING THERE: Located really close to the city so there's really no excuse for skipping it. You can buy a tour that will take you (separately or as part of a larger itinerary). Check out oaxacatours.mx as it's very affordable and comfortable. I think it will include a guide as well. You can also just take a quick and cheap taxi. If you drive a rental car, there is a large parking area. TIPS: It's a large space so wear comfortable shoes. You will likely have to climb stairs as well. You will also be in direct sun. Bring water, sunblock, sunglasses, hat. Bring cash (in case you want to book a guide or buy a gift from one of the vendors in the parking lot). GUIDES: They have guides available on site for an extra fee (don't recall how much but it wasn't high). We booked an English-speaking guide. His English wasn't that great but it was enough to understand. He also spoke Zapotec and it was really cool to hear a few words. If you don't get a guide, they have some informational placards by the various ruins. You probably won't get as much information as you will with a guide but you'll be able to go at your own pace and still get some context regarding what you're looking at.

Such a beautiful experience and amazing scenery. It cost less than $5 to get in and well worth it. You can only go with a tour guide so make sure you plan accordingly. We learned and saw soo much here on our stay.

Very neat place on top of a mountain overlooking the entire Oaxaca Valley. The place was immaculate. You're only able to walk atop a handful of ruins. Bring lots of water as it's super humid with no shade!

Six of us went on a week-long vacation to Oaxaca and we planned on coming here because omg we had to. We paid for a tour that took us all over Oaxaca de Juarez and this was one of the stops. The whole group consisted of about maybe 20 people. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and spoke English well enough, (not that I needed it). After the museum walk through, the tour guide had us climb all over the ruins. The views are spectacular; there's plenty of photo ops throughout. I highly suggest coming here ready for a hike: sneakers, sunblock, sunglasses, water. Also know that in climbing up the ruins, you'll use your quads like no other. It's a workout! Not sure if I've ever mentioned this, but I'm super clumsy. I'm not coordinated or graceful in the least, so I had a really hard time climbing up and down the ruins. It doesn't help at all that the steps are so big and close together. I almost crab-walked down one. Not going to lie, I was scared of falling the whole time. I was only able to successfully go back down with help.

We were fascinated to learn about the Zapotecs​, an amazing pre-Columbian civilization whose offspring still live in the state of Oaxaca. Monte Alban is an archeological site similar to Maya and Aztec sites in other parts of Mexico. While there appear to be similarities to those cultures, theZapotecs​s were (and are) distinctly different. Monte Alban was primarily a ceremonial site and gathering place of the upper class. In its day we were told it was one of the most densely populated cities in Mesoamerica. How they built the pyramids, canals and terraces is a wonder. And their knowledge of the stars and the position of the sun in the sky to know when to plant and when to harvest is amazing. There are lots of stairs to climb, but reaching the top of the pyramid offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding valleys. The elevation is over 6300 feet, so be sure to stop and catch your breath.

When in Oaxaca, you must check out Monte Alban. We took a tour to Monte Alban, arranged by our hotel Casa Antica. This historical city of Monte Alban is incredible and dates back to 500 BC; being the one of the earliest cities in Mesoamercia. I was blown away by the history and the sheer size of the ruins. On the tour or to check out the site, be prepared to walk a lot - so rather than sandals, wear comfortable shoes. Also make sure to bring your sunscreen, it gets hot and even on a overcast day, you'll need it. On another day we visited the Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca, which provided more history by being able to view all of the artifacts found at Monte Alban. Both of these experiences really provided a great understanding of the rich culture of Oaxaca.

This is one of the best preserved and best operated site of ancient ruins we have experienced. Not as grand and magnificent as those Mayan ruins on the Gulf Coast or in Guatemala, but this site is very manageable. Get there early in the morning. They have parking for your car, but the area fills up fast. And the tour buses and tour groups pour into the site throughout the day. Obviously go during a week day as the Mexican families come on weekends and holidays. If you are taking a tour, it will most likely include a walking guide. If not on a tour... Highly recommend you hire a guide. There are many who are around the ticket booth, so be receptive and make the determination if the guide's English is understandable to you. Guides are also available in other languages, but check ahead for availability. The price for a 2 - 3 hour tour is very reasonable. Admission price for adults was 65 pesos for us, or about $3 - 5 US dollars, depending on the exchange rate at the time. The guide might have been 100 - 300 pesos, but well worth it. You are walking mostly on the level central area, taking in the various buildings. Initially you will walk up a flight of about 12 steps, but they are about all the steps you will encounter. If you have a handicap, check ahead to see what you can accommodate. You are out in the bright sun, so wear a broad brim hat. They sell hats like crazy by the parking lot, so if you forget or finally do decide that you need one, they are there. Vendors are very competitive. Suggest you take the walking tour and then go into the museum behind the ticket booths. Interesting and more information, but rather limited displays. Big news is that that is where the clean bathrooms are located. Take advantage of them. We had lunch in their terraced cafe which was quite nice. Decent menu, service was good and the views were excellent. You are outdoors, in the sun, so if it is a hot day, well...you choose. But we were glad to take the break and did have wonderful soups an lite bites. An adjacent site is visible across a valley from the Monte Alban ruins, but we did not visit it. One ruin in a day is plenty for us. But you might look at it

Monte Alban is so close the city that it would have been crazy to skip it. The ruins were really fascinating, and my favorite things were seeing the stone carvings of the leaders of competing groups who had been defeated and sacrificed, and the view from the tops of the two high pyramids. There are some informational boards throughout the park, but there could definitely have been more. The museum is great, though my Spanish is limited and I couldn't always make out the informational signs at each exhibit. I definitely reccommend that visitors to Oaxaca check out Monte Alban!

Monte Albán was the first ruin I had ever seen in Mexico or the United States years ago and this was my first return visit. It sits on a mountain plateau overlooking the valley and the city of Oaxaca that is a 30-minute drive to the east. Although the site dates to at least 500 BC, this city in the sky was probably rebuilt around AD 100 reusing stones of the original structures. The architecture here doesn't pack the dramatic punch of sites like Palenque but the sublime brown stone ruins blend in to the landscape beautifully. Monte Albán was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987 and it has yielded a literal treasure trove of history. Hundreds of tombs and burial sites provided insight into the cultures that resided here. In one tomb alone -- in what was considered a major discovery in North America -- were found over 500 objects in gold, stone, ceramic, jade, pearl, and ivory. There are concerns regarding the future of this site. Just like Teotihuacan outside of Mexico City, the explosive growth here of the urban area is encroaching upon Monte Albán. When I first visited here, I walked the twisty road down the mountain and back to the city. My memories of that walk are pleasant. There were still some dirt roads and Oaxaca was quite maneuverable on foot. No more. Oaxaca bustles and its footprint has grown. Get out of the way. On this visit, walking Monte Albán's grounds in the early morning sun, I was nostalgic and grateful for initial experience here because it set me on a path to discover more ruins in the Americas.

What a wonderful place to visit. A MUST. The tranquility you will find here is very hard to find in this modern world of ours.

A must when visiting Oaxaca. It is extremely close to the city and you do not need to rent a car or anything to get to. It is a 30 minute drive from the city and only a $120 pesos cab ride there. It is a beautiful site and absolutely wonderful experience. We were lucky enough to not have a lot of people here (not sure if it was the time of day or day of the week.. we went on a Saturday at around 11am) and there were only about 20 people there. Again, a definite must see to get to know the culture, experience something magnificent and also have a great view of Oaxaca City.

Outstanding views, interesting ruins. Definitely recommended if you're in Oaxaca. This was 2nd trip to Oaxaca and I was definitely thinking of going a 2nd time but ran out of time. It's not Machu Picchu, but definitely should be on your list. (Visited in 2007.)

Prior to coming here, I must admit, I never heard of these ruins. What a shame, because they are spectacular. I guess they are just not marketed as a tourist attraction to Americans? The location on a mountain top and the scale of this carved out valley with many impressive pyramids is a must for all history buffs. Now I have been to the Mayan ruins of Chicheniza which is about an hour from Cancun, and to the Mayan ruins of Tulum which is down the coastal road from Cancun. Actually I was much more impressed with the scale of these Zapotec ruins at first glance. According to my tour guide, who is a descendent of the people who built this location, it took many generations of construction to complete. So if you are a history buff like myself, please do not miss these very impressive pyramids. Also, the sun can be pretty intense here and for the most part your tour will be in the open sun, therefore, DO NOT forget to buy water at the entrance store.

Breathtaking. Oaxaca is culturally rich and Monte Albán is a must see when you visit. Go early, wear a hat and comfortable shoes. Prepare to enjoy the ruins and the views. You will be amazed.

Been to many ruins, this one is the best. It is huge and is well preserved. We took 1/2 day tour and only had 30 minutes to explore on our own. They should give us at least an hour. The place is so big, there is no way to finish in 30 minutes. That's the only regret.

Beautiful rich in history. Great for the entire family who likes to walk around and enjoys nature and history

You can not visit Oaxaca and miss going Monte Alban. Its worth every peso. Its an easy cab ride from town center. Make sure you get a guide, mine was very well versed and explained so many of the cultural exhibits. I spent 3 hours there and the time flew by. Make your next stop at the Cultural Museum and see many of the artifacts they discovered, jewellery exhibit is awesome.

Monte Alban is sheer beauty. I am so glad I got to visit this wonderful place. Oaxaca is beautiful and Monte Alban is most beautiful. I highly recommend coming here.