Monte Albán

Monte Albán is a Zapotec and Mixtec archaeological site in the state of Oaxaca in Mexico, on a hilltop overlooking Oaxaca city. This ancient city was the socio-political and economic center of the Zapotecs for nearly 1,000 years, a contemporary of Teotihuacán in central Mexico. Its central plaza is lined with the platforms of great temples adorned with strange carvings, and tombs underlie the dense neighborhoods where thousands of people once lived. Monte Albán is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. == Understand == === History === Around 500 BCE, Zapotecs (who called themselves the cloud people) began leveling the mountaintop 400 m (1,300 ft) above the floor of the Oaxaca Valley, in an easily defensible location. Terraces and other works remain from Phase 1 of the city's development. By Phase 2 (100 BCE-200 CE), Monte Albán house 17,000 people, dominated much of the Oaxacan highlands, and interacted with other regional states, such as Teotihuacan. The city lost its pre-eminence by the end of Phase 4 (500–1000), and was abandoned by the Zapotecs by 1200. A much smaller Mixtec population occupied the site until the Spanish conquest, mostly reusing existing structures. Large-scale excavations started in 1931, under the direction of Mexican archaeologist Alfonso Caso. Over the following 18 years, Caso and his colleagues excavated large sections within the monumental core of the site, including residential and civic-ceremonial structures and hundreds of tombs and burials. Much of what is visible today was reconstructed at that time. === Climate === Temperatures in Oaxaca are generally warm with winter low temperatures seldom going below 15°C. November through April is the dry season in Oaxaca, which sees most of its rain in late summer, particularly September. March through May are generally the hottest months, with daily highs over 30°C, though thankfully Monte Albán tends to be breezier than Oaxaca city. == Get in == Monte Albán is about 10km west of central Oaxaca. Oaxaca's airport has several flights daily from Mexico City, and direct flights from other cities around Mexico, the United States and Guatemala. From central Oaxaca, the best way to get there is to take a taxi or tourist bus 25-35 minutes up Carretera a Monte Albán. The ride is scenic as it winds through the hills surrounding the city. === By taxi === The most flexible, but most expensive way to visit the site. They will cost about M$200-300 round-trip from most downtown Oaxaca hotels (prices may be out of date). === By shuttle bus === 1 Autobuses Turísticos (Viajes Turísticos Mitla), Francisco Mina 501 (2 blocks west of Mercado 20 de Noviembre), ☏ +52 951 516 6175. Departs hourly from 08:00-15:00; return trips depart hourly from 10:30-17:00. M$120 round trip (March 2025). (updated Jan 2024) 2 Lescas Co, Francisco Mina 518 (lobby of Hotel Rivera de Ángel), ☏ +52 951 516 6666. Departs every hour from 08:30-15:30. This agency runs an hourly shuttle van from the lobby of Hotel Rivera de Angel and the Zócalo. Buy the ticket in the building labeled with a green "TOURS" sign, 2 buildings south of the post office (correos), directly across from Catedral Metropolitana. M$130 round trip. (updated Feb 2026) === On foot === There is a 2 km (1.2 mi) walking trail from the west edge of Oaxaca up to the lower parking lot. Monte Alban is 300 m (980 ft) above the city, so it'll be much easier walking back. == Fees and permits == Entry to the site costs M$210, or M$105 for Mexican residents (as of Feb 2026). An additional M$63 is charged for video cameras or tripods. The site is open every day from 8:00 to 17:00. On Sundays the museum may be closed. Zona Arqueológica de Monte Albán, Carr a Monte Albán, ☏ +52 951 513-3346. (updated Feb 2026) == Get around == The ticket counter and entrance gate are in the plaza outside the museum, uphill from the two parking lots. There are a few minor structures near the parking lots, outside of the controlled area. You can walk around the site and climb up the major structures. Some fencing is in place to limit access to certain structures. While there is a wide accessible pathway that winds near most of the major attractions, the site is hilly and most direct routes between points of interest require climbing stairs. There are restrooms at the museum and near the South Platform, but they may not be maintained to your standards; bring your own toilet paper. You can see just about everything in 2-3 hours. == See and do == There is interpretive signage in Spanish and English near major structures. Local guides can be hired near the site entrance and their interpretive knowledge is well worth the reasonable fees they charge. 1 North Platform (Plataforma Norte). Large, high platform with several structures (possibly temples) at the top. If you're in a hurry, you could go straight to the north platform and back in 15 minutes for a great view of the site. 2 Ball court (Juego de Pelota Grande). The Zapotec used a very different layout from the Mayan ball courts at sites like Coba or Chichen Itza. 3 Los Danzantes (Plaza de los Danzantes). Replicas of a group of carved stones found near Building L, noted for fascinating Olmec carvings of naked men in various contorted positions. The original archaeologists described them as "dancers", but a more recent interpretation is that these are mutilated victims about to be sacrificed. 4 Building J (Monticulo J / Edificio J). The unusual alignment and architecture indicate that this was an astronomical observatory. 5 South Platform (Plataforma Sur). A very large pyramid with an open plaza area at the top. This is one of the best viewpoints of the ancient city. 6 Tomb 7 (Tumba 7). Mexican archaeologists uncovered this treasure-filled tomb in the early 1930s. The tomb is closed off; its treasures are at the Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca in the city. 7 20 Peso Bill Viewpoint. The artwork on the back side of the M$20 banknote depicts the view from atop this small unexcavated ruin. (updated Feb 2026) 8 Museo del Sitio del Monte Albán (Monte Albán Site Museum). This small museum has some excellent interpretive displays plus a number of relics excavated from the site in the early 20th century. The highlights are its collection of stelae and the original Danzantes carvings. All the signs are only in Spanish. There are also restrooms, a small bookstore and a cafe. == Buy == A small bookstore and gift shop are next the museum and entrance gate. There are about 50 crafts and souvenir stands in the upper parking lot outside the site entrance. Inside the site, there are a few roaming guys licensed by the park to sell locally-produced crafts. == Eat and drink == There is a snack and drink window by the turnstiles, and a cafe serving light fare and beverages in the site's modern visitor center/museum. More substantial meals are available in Oaxaca. You'll want to bring a bottle of water into the park, since there are no vendors inside, and it can get very hot walking uphill without shade. == Sleep == There is no lodging onsite, stay in Oaxaca City. == Stay safe == Bring a hat, sunglasses, sun block and water to avoid sunstroke - the sun can be unrelenting at this altitude and latitude. There are many shady places to rest within the park, but if you want to walk around and see things, there's no avoiding direct sun. == Go next == The city of Oaxaca is spectacular. Don't miss the treasures of Tomb 7 on display at the Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca. Visit other Zapotec archaeological sites in Oaxaca: Mitla was a Zapotec and Mixtec spiritual center. Explore other ancient cities of Mesoamerica: Teotihuacan was the largest pre-Columbian city in the Americas. A number of Mayan ruins lie further east in Mexico.