Zona Arqueológica de Monte Albán — Attraction in Oaxaca

Monte Albán - A Peaceful and Historic Wonder

I absolutely loved visiting Monte Albán! The site is incredibly peaceful and calm, providing a serene atmosphere that allows you to truly absorb the grandeur of this ancient archaeological marvel. Walking through the ruins was a humbling experience, and I felt a deep connection to the rich history of the Zapotec civilization that once thrived here.

Monte Albán is one of the most important archaeological sites in Mexico and was a major political and ceremonial center for the Zapotec people for over a thousand years, from around 500 BCE to 900 CE. It’s perched on a hilltop overlooking the Oaxaca Valley, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The site features impressive stone structures, terraces, ball courts, tombs, and intricate carvings, all reflecting the advanced engineering and artistry of its creators.

Being at Monte Albán was truly an honor. The sense of history and the silent stories embedded in the ruins made me feel privileged to be part of such a significant cultural heritage. The tranquility of the site allowed for reflection and appreciation of the ancient world, making it a must-visit for history enthusiasts and anyone interested in Mexico’s rich cultural roots.

Overall, Monte Albán is a remarkable place that combines stunning natural beauty with fascinating history. It’s a deeply inspiring experience that I highly recommend to anyone visiting Oaxaca. Whether you’re a history buff or simply looking for a peaceful place to connect with the past, Monte Albán is an unforgettable...

Amazing, gorgeous ruins surrounded by mountains! It was originally called Monte Alban aka "albino mountain" because of the white flowering trees. I'm not the most fit person and I was grateful to have the help of my partner when navigating the stairs, which were roughly 16" tall each. A walking stick would have been helpful! We went in early November and I didn't notice any mosquitos. Definitely wear good sneakers and sunscreen since there is almost zero shade-- the entire set of ruins functions as a giant calendar and sun dial! We had a beautiful crisp day and it wasn't too hot, but a sunbrella would have been essential had it been warmer. The site is 6,248 ft above sea level (roughly 1200 ft above Oaxaca City Centro) but I didn't have any issues acclimating. There are bathrooms on site. They didn't charge us to use them, but a lady sitting outside offered toilet paper, as there was none in the stalls, nor paper towels to dry one's hands.

We went with a guide named Miguel, from Lescas Tours (located in the zócalo). He was absolutely amazing and the trip included a bus ride to and from the archeological site. He had so much information to share and it made the visit much better than it would have been without a tour.

Tickets were 100 pesos; we didn't buy in advance. We arrived around 2pm and it wasn't crowded at all.

There's a wonderful (small) museum inside the visitor center, but it closed at 5pm so we had to rush. Nothing in the museum was in English, which wasn't an issue for me, but may disappoint other English speakers without Spanish practice (or...

Historically, very interesting/important site. No doubt about that. But the visitor experience is subpar compared to any other archeological tourist attraction I've seen or heard about.

Hardly any visual cues to help you imagine what was there where you are standing. Many structures have no signage at all and most of the ones that do are sun-bleached that they're illegible. Very disappointing from a educational standpoint.

Yes, the museum there has some cool stuff but a) you can see lots of cool stuff from Monte Albán at the cultural museum in Oaxaca, and b) the info is not helpful unless you plan to memorize it before you go walking around the site and recalling what you read about a certain structure.

Not even the ball game or sacrifices (in theory, super intense and interesting events) were given any imaginative or insightful presentation to help the visitor get a better sense of them. A missed opportunity to educate and raise awareness and interest.

And the little café is run down and the people working there clearly aren't interested in customer service.

And that's on top of the long wait in a warm bus to get onto the property. Two hours there is plenty, given the lack of information. Expect another 90 minutes or more to get there and back from central Oaxaca.

If you do decide to go, definitely go early or it will take longer and you'll be elbow to elbow with...