Oaxaca tour: Monte Albán, alebrijes, mezcal tasting

Five stops across Oaxaca's crafts, archaeology and spirit in a single day

This eight-hour guided tour covers Monte Albán's Zapotec ruins, the alebrijes workshops of San Antonio Arrazola, Teotitlán del Valle's wool-dyeing tradition, a mezcal tasting at an artisanal palenque, and the Tule Tree—the widest on earth. A certified guide leads the route in English or Spanish, with vehicle, insurance and pickup included; advance booking is required to keep group size small.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Oaxaca's culture and history

• Visit Monte Albán archaeological site
• Tour San Antonio Arrazola wood carving town
• Learn about wool rugs in Teotitlán del Valle
• Discover beeswax candle tradition
• See the Tule Tree in Santa María
• Tour artisanal Mezcal palenque and tasting
• Return to Oaxaca City Zócalo

The Experience

The day starts at Monte Albán, the ancient Zapotec city perched above the valley. Your certified guide walks you through the site's history and layout—the pyramids, the ball court, the carved stones that mark what stood here two thousand years ago. From there the route moves to San Antonio Arrazola, where alebrijes come from: the hand-carved wooden figures painted in wild colors that fill the town's workshops. You see how they're made and can buy directly from the artisans.

Teotitlán del Valle is next, a Zapotec town where you learn how wool rugs are dyed with natural colors and sealed using traditional methods passed down through generations. The same town also shows you the beeswax candle tradition—men still craft candles over a meter tall, decorated with beeswax flowers, to give to the bride's family. Both workshops offer explanations and products for sale. Then comes the mezcal palenque, where you tour the production setup and taste artisanal mezcal straight from the maker, with bottles available if you want to take some home.

The final stop is the Tule Tree in Santa María del Tule—over two thousand years old, more than forty meters tall and fourteen meters across. It's the widest tree on the planet. After that, the guide returns you to Oaxaca's Zócalo, the main square, where the day ends and you're free to explore the city on your own time.

What’s included

• Certified guide in English or Spanish.
• vehicle with air conditioning.
• passenger insurance.
• mezcal tasting at the palenque.
• pickup included.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Trip Tours Oaxaca

Is this one for you?At eight hours, this tour fills most of a day and leaves the evening free to explore Oaxaca's Zócalo or rest—it's built as a single experience rather than a series of quick stops, so you're not rushing between sites. The small group size means you get personalized attention and access to details a larger tour would skip.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

15 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What exactly are alebrijes and where do I see them being made?

Alebrijes are hand-carved wooden figures, usually animals, painted in bright colors and intricate patterns. San Antonio Arrazola is the birthplace of this craft, and the tour takes you to the workshops where artisans carve and paint them; you can watch the work and buy directly from the makers.

How does the mezcal tasting work at the palenque?

You visit a working artisanal mezcal palenque, tour the production process, and taste the mezcal made there. Bottles are available for purchase if you want to bring some home.

Is Monte Albán included in the tour price, or do I pay separately for entry?

Monte Albán entry is not included in the tour price and is paid separately when you arrive at the site; the guide's explanations of the Zapotec ruins are part of the tour.

How long is the drive between stops, and will there be time to eat?

The tour runs eight hours total across five stops plus travel time between them. Meals are not included, so you'll want to eat before the tour starts or bring snacks; the palenque stop and returns to the city leave some flexibility if you want to grab food on your own.

What's the Tule Tree, and is it worth the stop?

The Tule Tree in Santa María del Tule is over two thousand years old, stands more than forty meters tall, and has a diameter of fourteen meters—it's the widest tree on the planet. It's a quick visit but a striking sight.

Do I need to speak Spanish, or is the guide available in English?

The certified guide leads tours in both English and Spanish; let the operator know your language preference when you book.