Monte Alban, Alebrijes & Black Pottery: Oaxaca Essential Day Tour
Description
The ancient Zapotec city of Monte Albán is one of Mexico's most impressive archaeological sites, and this tour is designed for you to experience it without rushing and with the best explanations. Start your day with panoramic views of the Oaxaca Valley while a certified guide shares the history, temples, and secrets of the ancient Zapotec capital. Afterward, travel to the artisan village of Arrazola to get an up-close look at the real process of creating Alebrijes: the carving, painting, and symbolism. Later, discover the unique Black Pottery technique in San Bartolo Coyotepec, where artisans show you how they achieve its signature shine. This trip includes comfortable transportation, hotel pickup, on-board insurance, and guidance throughout the day. It's ideal for first-time visitors to Oaxaca looking for an authentic, clear, and well-guided experience. More than 24,000 travelers have enjoyed this route with us!
Tour Options
Itinerary
Explore the ancient Zapotec capital with a certified guide. Walk through plazas, temples, and terraces while enjoying spectacular views of the valley.
Learn about the complete process of creating alebrijes: copal carving, painting, and traditional techniques.
Visit an authentic workshop where the famous black clay is produced. Observe the unique firing, glazing, and design techniques found only in Oaxaca.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- May be operated by a multi-lingual guide
Reviews(99)
We really liked the explanation and Edelmira also does it in English. Very good transport. You will go to the workshops that you cannot see in the places of sale of the alebrijes and the black mud.
¡Gracias, Armando! Edelmira es una experta y nos encanta que hayan disfrutado sus explicaciones bilingües. Qué bueno que pudieron apreciar el arte de los alebrijes y el barro negro auténtico. ¡Saludos!
Monte Albán is a majestic archaeological zone! If you go to Oaxaca, you must visit this amazing place. You truly feel closer to heaven and their Zapotec's Gods. The tour included a visit to one of Arrazola´s alebrijes´factories, where you will be immersed in the magic of colorful creatures. We also went to a ¨Black Pottery¨factory, where the bilingual worker explained the full process of creating this beautiful ceramic. Ede, our tour guide, was engaging and funny. She is very passionate about Monte Albán and the Zapotec culture. Jesús, our driver, drove carefully and entertained us with Oaxacan music, Oaxaca history and legends. It was a wonderful trip!
The tour of the ruins was amazing, and I had worried that a short tour (only a couple of hours) meant a boring or shallow experience. No, this was actually fascinating, with lots of room to walk and explore, and our guides were so helpful in Spanish and English. The van picked us up right at our hotel. What stood out to us on the tour was that in the second half of the day, we explored two local artisan groups (one of wooden carvings, one of pottery) we never would have thought to seek out, and we were charmed. We've told all our friends this was the best day of our week-long trip to Oaxaca!
Amazing tour! I really enjoyed the time at Monte Alban. We were lucky the weather was perfect! Ede is a good and patient tour guide. ❤️
Excellent EDE attention very good explaining the whole tour from early explained us very well and gave us tips to have the best views and see the best landscapes for the best photos
We did the full day tour to Monte Albán, Arrazola town (alebrijes, Manuel Jimenez) and Coyotepec town (black pottery). It was a fantastic experience to learn more about the history and culture of Oaxaca and Mexico. Most of the tour is spent at Monte Albán and at the craft towns you see a bit of how things are made and have time to do some shopping. It’s nice because everything is quite close to Oaxaca city so the drives in-between weren’t too long and the transportation was very comfortable. Lunch was paid separately (230); it was a buffet that had a lot of local food and was good. Edelmira was our guide and Oscar was our driver. Both were fantastic! Edel was very knowledgeable, friendly, and took good care of the group. Tip: it gets very hot in the day and Monte Albán is very exposed so make sure to bring a hat, sunscreen, and water! Snacks also if you tend to get hungry, but there are places to buy things along the tour.
This is a trip that should not be missed. I was worried that it was in both Spanish and English but Edde was fully explaining in both languages. She has such a talent for telling the history and legends that you travel in time with her. I can't thank our driver, Ramsee enough for his skill and safe driving skills. All in all a magical trip. They took excellent care if this eighty year old!
Excellent tour, very attentive and friendly Ede, I explain the tour well, I answer our questions, the very friendly driver. I recommend the tour with Ede
Great tour with Ede and Clay! Ede is a passionate guide with an incredible knowledge and perfect attitude! Loved it! Thank you Ede!
Ede is a fantastic tour guide, really passionate and funny and knows so much, you can tell she really cares which made the experience 10 times better! Easy day being driven around by Chris (didn’t feel car sick like I normally do). Really enjoyed it, definitely reccomend
