Monte Albán, Hierve el Agua & Mezcal Tour from Oaxaca

Ancient ruins, a petrified waterfall, a weaver's home, and eight mezcals in one day

A full-day guided tour of Oaxaca covering Monte Albán's Zapotec archaeological site, Teotitlán del Valle's indigenous weaving workshop, Hierve el Agua's petrified formations, and a mezcal tasting at a distillery restaurant. The tour runs nine hours with private or small-group transportation included; admission fees and lunch are separate. English and Spanish guides available.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Oaxaca's highlights in one day

• Drive 30 minutes to Monte Albán
• Visit Monte Albán archaeological site
• Visit indigenous family weaving workshop
• Enjoy lunch and Mezcal tasting at distillery
• Explore Hierve el Agua petrified waterfalls
• Travel back to Oaxaca City and drop off

The Experience

The day starts with a 30-minute drive from the city to Monte Albán, Oaxaca's most important archaeological site. An expert guide walks you through the ancient Zapotec city while the morning light is still low—the operator times it this way to beat the crowds. You'll see the plaza, the pyramids and the carved stones that tell the history of the civilization that built here.

Next is Teotitlán del Valle, where you step into an indigenous Zapotec family's home and weaving workshop. They show you how they make wool rugs using natural dyes from plants, herbs, flowers and seeds—each color comes from something growing nearby. The designs carry meaning rooted in Zapotec culture, and you learn what each one represents as you watch the looms work.

Lunch happens at a distillery restaurant with an open-air setting where you can order mole, quesadillas, tlayudas and handmade tortillas. After eating, you do a mezcal tasting—the distillery walks you through the process of making it, then you taste eight different batches. This is the "happy hour" stop the operator calls it: the two things Oaxaca is known for, food and mezcal, in one place.

The final stop is Hierve el Agua, one of only two petrified waterfalls on Earth (the other is in Turkey). You can hike the area to see how the petrification forms over time, or skip the hike and visit the natural pools for swimming or photos of the views. The town operates under traditional governance, so the guide cannot accompany you into certain areas—you move through at your own pace.

What’s included

• Private or small-group transportation with an air-conditioned vehicle (your choice of group size at checkout).
• bottled water.
• fuel and parking fees.
• a live guide in English or Spanish.
• pickup from your location in the city.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Oaxaca Conmigo Tours

Is this one for you?Choose a private vehicle if your group wants the day shaped around your pace and interests; the shared van options work well if you're traveling solo or with one other person and want to meet other travelers. Either way, the nine-hour span and the fixed stops mean you see four very different parts of Oaxaca—archaeology, craft, geology and food culture—without building the itinerary yourself.

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Top questions

What exactly is Monte Albán and why does the tour go there first?

Monte Albán is the most important archaeological site in Oaxaca, built by the Zapotec civilization. The tour visits it early in the morning with an expert guide to avoid crowds and see the plaza, pyramids and carved stones when light and foot traffic are both manageable.

Do I get to see how the rugs are actually made at Teotitlán del Valle?

Yes. You visit an indigenous Zapotec family's home and workshop where they show you the looms and explain how they dye wool using natural materials from plants, herbs, flowers and seeds. They also teach you what each Zapotec design means.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Lunch is not included. You eat at the distillery restaurant where the mezcal tasting happens, and you order from their menu of mole, quesadillas, tlayudas and other Oaxacan dishes.

What happens at Hierve el Agua—can I swim there?

Hierve el Agua is a petrified waterfall with natural pools. You can choose to hike the area to see how the petrification forms, or skip the hike and visit the pools for swimming or photos. The town has traditional governance rules, so your guide cannot accompany you into all areas.

How many different mezcals do I taste, and what does that part of the day involve?

You taste eight different mezcal batches at the distillery. The distillery explains the mezcal-making process before the tasting, so you understand what you're trying.

Is admission to Monte Albán and Hierve el Agua included in the tour price?

Admission fees are not included. You pay them separately when you arrive at each site.