Monte Alban - Full Day Guided Tour with or without Food - Oaxaca
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 188 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Monte Alban - Full Day Guided Tour with or without Food - Oaxaca worth booking?
Monte Alban - Full Day Guided Tour with or without Food - Oaxaca is a 8-hour experience in Oaxaca City, Mexico, from $28 per person. It scores 88 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 188 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 88 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (188)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $28 per person
We will get to know Oaxaca, culture, history, art and gastronomy. We take a tour with a professional team, we will visit 5 special places in Oaxaca. The first is the wonderful archaeological area of Monte Alban where we
What you get
About this experience
We will get to know Oaxaca, culture, history, art and gastronomy. We take a tour with a professional team, we will visit 5 special places in Oaxaca. The first is the wonderful archaeological area of Monte Alban where we take a 2-hour hike with a certified guide. The second place to know is the house - workshop of a wood carving artisan or Alebrijes in San Martin Tilcajete. Third place is to eat at a local traditional food buffet restaurant. The fourth place is the house - workshop of a hip or waist loom craftsman in Santo Tomas Jalieza. The fifth and final place to visit is the house - workshop of a master black mud craftsman in San Bartolo Coyotepec.
What's included
Included
- Certified guide
- Departure from hotel and return to the city center.
- In-vehicle air conditioning
Not included
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
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.
120 minutes here · Admission not included
Santa Cruz Xoxocotlan
We will stop for lunch in a restaurant with a buffet service with traditional Oaxacan foods.
60 minutes here
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.
35 minutes here
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.
40 minutes here
San Martin Tilcajete
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
40 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Oaxaca City
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.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.
Ends at
The office is on Calle Macedonio Alcalá #201 or Andador Turístico right in front of the Museum of Contemporary Art of Oaxaca (MACO). We'll get back to M Street. Matamoros (Murguía) corner with M. Alcala. In high seasons, we will get as close to the starting point.
Options you can book
Guide Only - ING
Pickup included
Guide, Entrance and Food - ESP
Lunch or food.: Buffet-style food and a drink. Entry: Entrance ticket to Monte Albán Pickup included
Guide Only - ESP
Pickup included
Guide & Tickets Only - ING
Ticket: Entrance ticket to the Monte Alban archaeological zone. Pickup included
Guide, Tickets and Food - ING
Lunch or dinner.: Buffet-style food and a drink. Ticket: Entrance ticket to the Monte Alban archaeological zone. Pickup included
Guide and Tickets Only - ESP
Entry: Ticket to the archaeological site of Monte Albán. Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 10 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Continental Istmo
Know before you go
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Pick-up from hotels is between 7:30 a.m. and 7:50 a.m., this varies by the route to be followed by the driver.
- The total tour time may vary due to factors such as departures and returns to hotels, transfers between destinations, among others.
- Due to the demand during holiday seasons and festivals the number of people in this activity can be expanded
- The order of the itinerary can be modified by situations outside the company and for the benefit of the user.
- If necessary, the tour is conducted in English and Spanish by the same guide.
- They are shared tours and seats are reserved. If you require extra space for size or personal items, reserve another space and let us know so we can make an adjustment.
- Due to festivals or activities within the city in high seasons the completion point may vary.
- Not recommended for people with walking problems.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 188 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
5 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
188 verified traveler reviews for Monte Alban - Full Day Guided Tour with or without Food - Oaxaca. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great day.
Zenon picked us up right on time and stayed with us the entire day. We learned so much including the opportunity to listen to his native local language. He gave us a great tour even lead us down a tomb. Plenty of free time to explore afterwards and pointers of what we must check out. For lunch, we just wanted some beer and he was helped us order. Had a great day checking out the 3 shops and he even helped us translate everything. Safe driver, not sure what else to ask for.
via Viator
Monte Albán
Excellent, will do it again. June 29, The weather was amazing for the outdoor experience. Delicious food at the buffet 😋
via Viator
From Ancient Zapotecs to Master Artisans
Our third day in Oaxaca was outstanding, and Zenón was a huge reason why. He picked us up directly from our hotel, gathered another guest along the way, and immediately began sharing the history and culture of Oaxaca as we drove toward Monte Albán. What impressed me most was how he connected the stories of the region to the landscape around us. He explained the origins of the words used to describe Oaxaca, showed us the tree from which the city takes its name, and helped us understand what Monte Albán would have looked like during its height and why its location was so significant. At Monte Albán, Zenón struck the perfect balance between education and exploration. He gave us a thorough introduction to the site, explained how to respectfully navigate such an important archaeological treasure, and then gave us enough time to wander and absorb the experience on our own. The rest of the day was equally fascinating. We enjoyed a delicious Oaxacan lunch before visiting several artisan communities, including San Bartolo Coyotepec, Santo Tomás Jalieza, and San Martín Tilcajete. What made these stops special was that Zenón didn't simply drop us off and let us watch demonstrations. At each workshop, he personally walked us through the process step-by-step while the artisans were creating their work, helping us appreciate the skill, tradition, and generations of knowledge behind each craft. From the black clay pottery of San Bartolo Coyotepec to the intricate textile weaving of Jalieza and the vibrant alebrijes of Tilcajete, every stop felt meaningful because of the context Zenón provided. His passion for Oaxacan history and culture was evident throughout the day. If you want more than just a sightseeing tour and would like to truly understand the history, traditions, and craftsmanship that make Oaxaca special, spend a day with Zenón. You'll leave with a much deeper appreciation for the region and the people who keep its traditions alive.
via Viator
Excellent value
This is a very worthwhile tour. Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable, we learnt a lot about the history of this region. The tour was very varied and we covered many different areas, each one interesting and informative. We were shown the black pottery workshop and given a demonstration, and a workshop to see beautiful works of art being hand woven. Definitely well worth the cost.
via Viator
Great tour!
This was a lovely tour. We went to many different prehispanic sites during our trip to Mexico. Our tour guide for this tour was clearly very passionate about anthropology generally and Monte Alban in particular. He curated the information he gave us well and also gave us time to explore on our own and to take pictures. Visiting the artisans was fascinating. We loved the demonstrations of the pre-hispanic methods of creating traditional artworks. We have been on artisan tours in many different countries around the world, but this tour was still fresh and interesting because we got to observe unique techniques. The methods used by the weavers and the potters were different than I had ever seen before. We were given a bit of time to shop, but we're never pressured to do so. The the lunch was adequate, but definitely not my favorite part of the trip. We had taken a different tour the prior day with an excellent buffet lunch, so this one was a bit disappointing. In all other regards, this tour was excellent! I would absolutely recommend this tour! It was an excellent value for all of the fun activities we got to experience.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Price range
- $28 to $1230
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 66
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 88
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Monte Alban - Full Day Guided Tour with or without Food - Oaxaca: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Oaxaca City.
How much does Monte Alban - Full Day Guided Tour with or without Food - Oaxaca cost?
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Prices start at $28 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Oaxaca City usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Monte Alban - Full Day Guided Tour with or without Food - Oaxaca take?
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Plan for about 8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Oaxaca City is not rushed.
Is Monte Alban - Full Day Guided Tour with or without Food - Oaxaca worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 88 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 188 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Oaxaca City, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Monte Alban - Full Day Guided Tour with or without Food - Oaxaca?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Monte Alban - Full Day Guided Tour with or without Food - Oaxaca suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Monte Alban - Full Day Guided Tour with or without Food - Oaxaca?
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Around 66 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Oaxaca City can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Oaxaca City and add a light layer if any part of the 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Monte Alban - Full Day Guided Tour with or without Food - Oaxaca start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Oaxaca City within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Oaxaca City?
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On Outty we rank every Oaxaca City experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include AUTHENTIC OAXACA CULTURAL FOOD TOUR, eat like a local., Hierve el Agua 2.5 hours, Mitla, Tule, Rugs and Mezcal for a Day, Traditional Oaxaqueña Cooking with Grandma's Recipes. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Oaxaca City?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Oaxaca City?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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