A Complete Guide to Monte Alban Ruins
Monte Alban is one of the most important archaeological sites in all of Mexico.
We have put together this Monte Alban Ruins guide that includes all the answers a first-time traveler planning a visit might have. From how to get to Monte Alban, if it is needed to hire a guide, to how much things cost, opening hours, how much time is needed for the trip, or where to stay, we have got you covered.
Oaxaca is Mexico's top travel destination, which makes it to almost every itinerary. The city is a place with the strongest indigenous culture in the country, and it is so captivating that you can easily allocate three to four days to this city without getting bored. And even in so many days you will have a hard time to cover all the best things to see and do in Oaxaca.
Therefore, after we left the city and went through our memories, we realized that one of the best things we did in the area was a visit to Monte Alban Ruins, located about 20 minutes from Oaxaca. It is quite funny because a trip to Monte Alban Ruins, together with a day trip to Hierve el Aqua, is often mentioned as the best day trips from Oaxaca, but they are actually unique destinations on their own.
Monte Alban Ruins, nowadays a UNESCO-listed site, is a pre-Columbian site well-known for the Zapotec culture and the Zapotec civilization that occupied the area around 600 BCE. This is also the time from when the first mentions of Monte Alban come from.
When it comes to Mexican ruins, there is tough competition, with Chichen Itza and Edzna Ruins being top stars. That said, Monte Alban definitely made it to our list of best ruins in Mexico for several reasons.
First of all, the Zapotec history was fascinating. Secondly, the ruins had a more laid-back feel. Last but not least, its exclusive position on the top of the hill was incredibly scenic. So let’s get to know Monte Alban Ruins a bit better.
The central plaza at Monte Alban is enormous.
How to Get to Monte Alban
There are several ways to get to Monte Alban, and because we think the chances that you will be traveling from the nearest top destination are high, here are our tips on how to reach Monte Alban from Oaxaca.
Monte Alban sits on a hill towering 400 meters above Oaxaca, 10 kilometers from the city, which is quite close, so there is always an option for every type of traveler of every budget.
At the time of our trip to South America, we were traveling on a budget for almost a year and looking for a combination of the cheapest, most practical, and safest way to get to Monte Alban. So, we decided to visit the archeological complex by shuttle bus, but here are other options as well, which might make more sense to you.
Taxi
The most expensive, yet also the most comfortable way to reach the Monte Alban ruins is by taxi. Usually, one way costs Mx 250, but you can bargain and get as low as Mx 200, but it is never guaranteed as it depends on your skills and the driver's mood.
What we really recommend is to make sure you agree on the price before you jump in the car to avoid an unpleasant surprise.
Taxis can be found in the area around the main square; you can also ask the front desk at your hotel or hostel to help you arrange the taxi, but let the front desk clerk know in advance what your budget is for the ride.
If you opt for a taxi and want to return the same way, make sure to set off early from Oaxaca because later in the afternoon, it is harder to find a cab in Monte Alban. It is, of course, possible to ask the driver to wait for you, but we can imagine that you will not be willing to pay for 2-3 hours of wait time, but it might be just us.
If traveling on a budget but without the luxury of time, you can try to team up with fellow travelers to share the cost. The drive from Oaxaca to Monte Alban takes about 25 minutes.
Monte Alban can be easily reached by taxi or shuttle bus from Oaxaca.
Shuttle Bus
Several travel agencies in Oaxaca run regular shuttle buses from the city center to Monte Alban. The best known is Lescas Co Travel Agency, which we went with, and you can buy the Monte Alban Ticket in advance here.
Alternatively, you can join Viajes Turisticos Mitla. The service provided is completely the same, so choose the one whose travel schedule suits you the best. As mentioned before, we went with Lescas Co Travel Agency, which has an office on the main square opposite the cathedral.
Another popular place to arrange a shuttle bus for Monte Alban is Hotel Rivera del Angel. We did not book transportation in advance; we only had to wait a bit as the van bus leaves hourly at 8:30 AM, 9:30 AM, 10:30 AM, and continues every hour until 2:30 PM. You can return every hour between 12 PM and 4 PM.
The return tickets cost Mx 90 - 100, and only transport is included. The driver will then tell you what time you should wait in the parking lot to get back to Oaxaca (we had two and a half hours to spend on the site, which was just right).
Guided Tour
For those of you who prefer a hassle-free experience, it is always possible to book a tour and the good news is there are a few options to choose from when it comes to Monte Alban Tour from Oaxaca.
The pros of taking a tour are quite straightforward. You will be picked up from your hotel, get a knowledgeable guide, and, therefore, will get first-hand information about Monte Alban's history.
Also, you will get exact pick-up locations from Oaxaca and Monte Alban, so the only thing you need to worry about is to enjoy the ruins, which should be quite simple given how amazing they are.
The cons are, of course, the price, which is a bit higher than traveling independently, and the fact that you will spend the next few hours with people you do not know (yet).Believe us, people joining tours are usually like-minded travelers, so if you prefer company, this is the way to go.
Although you can definitely walk around Oaxaca and book a tour on the spot, often it's just easier to book ahead online, so it won't keep you from your busy schedule. There is this popular guided Monte Alban Tour from Oaxaca on Viator or this well-rated Monte Alban Guided Archaeological Tour on Get Your Guide.
Please note that these tours usually include transport and a guide, but the entry to the ruins still needs to be paid separately.
Many of the Monte Alban's pyramids are still well-preserved.
Public Transport
Another option, which we mention only to create a complete guide for you guys, is to take public transport, which is very cheap, only Mx 6.
Note that the last stop is not directly in Monte Alban, and you would have to walk for another hour to the ruins. We do not have to mention the heat and the gradual incline. To jump on the bus, you need to flag one down on the main square (Zocalo) with the Monte Alban sign
In our opinion, with so many other transport options, this one does not make sense unless you have a very specific itinerary or travel on a shoestring.
On Foot
Well, this is the cheapest but the most hardcore way to reach Monte Alban. The road climbs from Oaxaca all the way up to the ruins, so you can expect a grueling 10 kilometers (and then the same distance back). You know, usually, when it is possible to get somewhere on foot, we go for it, but honestly, we don't think it is worth it here to save a couple of dollars.
First, most of the road is dusty, there is quite a traffic, and you would have to walk through the poor neighborhood, which is not the safest not only because of some individuals who might see an opportunity here but also because of strayed dogs.
Car
You can rent a car in Oaxaca and drive to Monte Alban on your own. The ruins are about 8 kilometers west of Oaxaca Centro, depending on the route you follow.
There is a large parking lot in front of the Monte Alban's entrance.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
History of Monte Alban
According to archeologists, Monte Alban was founded in 500 BCE, and over the centuries, the city became the capital of Zapotec culture and one of the most significant cities in Mesoamerica.
At its peak between 200 CE and 600 CE, Monte Alban was a bustling city with a population of nearly 35,000. Its power was not merely in numbers but also in its architectural grandeur that we can still admire today.
Monte Alban was founded by Zapotec culture around 500 BCE.
However, Monte Alban gradually lost its power and was abandoned in 800 AD, only to be rediscovered by the Mixtec people, who repurposed it as a sacred burial site. The Aztecs later rediscovered the site again, though it never became as important as it once was.
During the Spanish conquest around 1500, it was forgotten almost entirely until the 19th century when local archaeologists rediscovered the site. It is also proven that Monte Alban influenced Teotihuacan culture, providing fascinating evidence of the cultural exchange between these two significant civilizations.
Yes, the same people lived in the famous Teotihuacan, one of the most important pre-Columbian cities located near Mexico City.
Monte Alban was also one of the first sites with clearly visible differences between the upper and lower classes, a unique aspect of its social structure. The lower classes lived on the sides of the hill while the elite lived on the top, a clear reflection of the city's hierarchy.
Do You Need to Hire a Guide
Unless you take a guided tour directly from Oaxaca that includes transport, you will face a dilemma at the entrance: whether it is worth hiring a guide or not. To be honest, we are always reluctant to hire a guide directly on-site because we can never be sure about the quality.
You might be lucky and get the best guide in the world who loves the place, but it can also turn the other way around, and you will, for an hour or two, get stuck with a person without significant knowledge.
We know that all guides at Monte Alban had their badge, which seemed official, but unfortunately, it does not guarantee anything. Therefore, we would save some bucks and go to the official museum on the spot, which holds a lot of important information.
We would have probably rethought it if Monte Alban was the only ruin on our Mexico itinerary, but we had seen many of them already and had a few more to see in the upcoming days/weeks. We also knew a bit about the ruins' layout, which was another reason for us not to hire a guide. But in the end, the decision is, of course, yours.
The ruins at Monte Alban were easy to explore, even without a guided tour.
What to See and Do in Monte Alban Ruins
Monte Alban Ruins is a spectacular place thanks to preserved ancient buildings and the location on the top of the hill overlooking the arid landscape that sets these ruins apart. We believe that, as we did, you will naturally find your way around and won't miss any of the must-see places, but just in case, we have put together sites you should pay attention to in particular.
Museum
Just after we bought a ticket, we went to the museum first (included in the ticket) to learn more about the history of Monte Alban and the area because we did not feel that well that day.
The museum was the only place where we could find shade and rest after the curvy, 45-minute-long drive from Oaxaca. The museum was pretty interesting, so look inside if time allows, as it will give you the needed understanding of how special this place is.
Then we went inside the complex, where we spent approximately two hours. We walk around leisurely, so we think two to three hours at the site, plus adequate time for the journey from Oaxaca, is enough. Here are some of the best structures you can see in Monte Alban Ruins.
Explore the museum first before venturing off to Monte Alban ruins.
Grand Plaza
The central plaza is, well, simply fantastic. It is a large square lined with a few structures in the middle as well. And when we say significant, we mean 300 x 150 meters! Main Square was the first place we went to once inside the complex, and it was a good choice as we saw the most impressive things at the beginning and realized from the start what the reason this site was UNESCO-listed.
Los Danzantes
You will find several stops with large carved stones inside the archeological site. Still, the most famous artifact is a group of stone structures depicting a scene that can remind you of dancing men. Despite the name Los Danzantes, which means dancers, it shows captured rulers from neighboring cities who were castrated and later most likely sacrificed.
Los Dazantes (Dancers) are the famous carvings at Monte Alban.
Ballcourt
Interestingly, although Zapotecs and not the Maya people ruled Monte Alban city, the ballcourt is not missing here, albeit it has a bit different shape (it is much more narrow). If you have not yet visited any Mexican ruins, we will just tell you it is not only the architecture that will let you think more about ancient civilizations.
Ballcourts were used as fields for playing games, with only, from our point of view, a small problem. Winners of the game were sacrificed to Gods.
El Palacio
El Palacio was a structure strictly used by the El Alban elite. Archeologists not long ago discovered a secret tunnel between the palace and other structures around Grand Plaza so rulers or other leaders could walk around the city unnoticed.
Observatory
Like the Maya people, Zapotecs were great in astronomy, and they used their knowledge, especially for agriculture and predicting the seasons, as it was crucial for them to know when the rainy and dry seasons started. This structure stands in the middle of the Grand Plaza, indicating its importance.
North & South Platforms
You can climb many structures in the Monte Alban complex, but the views from the top of the South and North Platform are the best. As we have already mentioned, what sets Monte Alban apart are the views and the fact that most of the pyramids are climbable. Take advantage of it, it is 100% worth it.
You can climb the North and South Platforms at Monte Alban.
Entrance Fee
The ticket for Monte Alban ruins and the museum costs Mx 90 for foreigners, which is relatively cheap compared to other admissions we paid in Mexico. Tickets do not have to be reserved in advance; it is enough to show up and buy them at the counter. It is possible to pay by card, but we were used to carrying cash in South and Central America, just in case.
Opening Hours
Monte Alban site is open every day from 8 AM to 5 PM, so you have plenty of time to visit the ruins throughout the day. Although we always try to keep this blog as accurate as possible, opening hours can change, so if you plan on arriving early or know you will arrive late, ask around to avoid disappointment.
When using any other way of transport than a taxi or rental car, remember it is safer to visit anytime between 9 AM and 4 PM to get safely there and back. Usually, Mexican citizens have free entry to tourist attractions on Sunday, but we don't think Monte Alban is so famous among locals that it should affect your visit negatively.
El Palacio is the most impressive structure at the Monte Alban ruins.
Food and Water
There is a stall in front of the entrance to Monte Alban Ruins where you can buy cold drinks and snacks, but it was so overpriced that we couldn't believe it. Usually, we never buy anything near tourist attractions, but while visiting Oaxaca, we both felt sick. After hours of walking in the sun at the archeological site, we thought we needed something sweet and cold.
But the price we were asked for a drink was so ridiculous (there is a road, so it is not hard to supply the place) that we decided not to support this business. If traveling on a shoestring, we advise you to bring water and snacks.
When to Go
Temperatures in the Oaxaca area are almost the same year-round; it is hot, but the precipitation changes as the region experiences two seasons, wet and dry. The dry season is from November to April, while the rainy season runs between May and October, during which you can expect showers, usually in the afternoon, especially during July and August, the wettest months.
When it comes to the time of the day, weather-wise, it is better to arrive at Monte Alban early to avoid the heat; although it is scorching even in the morning, it is still better than around noon.
Whenever we can, we always prefer arriving in the morning to avoid crowds.
Arrive at Monte Alban early to avoid heat and crowds.
Packing Tips
When visiting Monte Alban, here are five essential things you should pack. Good, strong sunscreen with high SPF should stay in your backpack throughout your Mexico trip, but apply it before leaving for Monte Alban.
Monte Alba has almost no shade, so a straw hat protects your head from the sun. Bring plenty of water and stay hydrated throughout the day. We always recommend taking a water bottle to hot countries like Mexico.
A comfortable daypack is also handy for every half-day trip to keep your valuables safe. Monte Alban is very photogenic, so don't forget to bring your camera.
Hotels in Oaxaca
Oaxaca is a large city with over 250,000 inhabitants, so if you do not want to use public transport, we strongly recommend you stay close to the historical center.
Oaxaca has many accommodation options, so we've handpicked three of the best places for every budget.
Budget | Andaina Youth Hostel - This hostel is the most popular option on where to stay for all travelers on a budget. Not only is it cheap, but it also has remarkable reviews because of its perfect location and cleanliness.
Mid-range | Hotel Victoria Oaxaca - Set in a tropical garden, this reasonably priced hotel offers a great location close to the center (they have a shuttle if you don't want to walk 15 minutes to the center) and features such as a swimming pool so you will have a relaxed holiday feel.
Luxury | Marialicia Suites Hotel Boutique - Professional service, comfortable and clean rooms, great position, and attentive staff are only a few reasons to stay in this hotel.
Is Monte Alban Worth It?
The answer is yes, one hundred percent. We have fond memories of visiting Monte Alban despite not feeling well. The location is just perfect, with 360-degree views of the surroundings, and thanks to the well-preserved structures, you can let your imagination run wild and imagine how the site must have looked when tens of thousands of people inhabited it.
It does not matter if the trip to Monte Alban is only an addition to your Oaxaca itinerary or if you decided to build your day around it; just make sure you visit it.
Monte Alban is best explored on a day trip from Oaxaca.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
