Oaxaca: Private Day Tour Monte Albán, Mitla & Artisan Villages

Summary

Monte Albán ruins, Mitla mosaics, weaving families and mezcal tastings in Oaxaca’s valleys

You’ll walk ancient Monte Albán with a local guide, trace mosaics in Mitla, try weaving with Zapotec artisans in Teotitlán del Valle, eat smoky barbacoa at Tlacolula Market and taste mezcal straight from clay pots. It’s not rushed or staged — just honest moments that stick with you long after you leave Oaxaca.

What’s the experience like?

“Is that really the Tule tree?” I asked our driver, half expecting him to say it was a trick of the light. He just grinned and nodded — it’s honestly wider than some houses back home. We’d already been laughing about my failed attempts at pronouncing “Teotitlán del Valle” when he pulled over for us to get a closer look. The air smelled faintly sweet, like morning bread from the market. There was no rush; nobody herded us along. I liked that.

I didn’t expect to feel so small at Monte Albán. Our guide (Miguel — super patient with my endless questions) explained how the Zapotecs built everything by hand, stone after stone. Standing on those ancient platforms, you can see all of Oaxaca spread out below — kind of dizzying, actually. My shoes got dusty but I didn’t care; I just kept staring at the patterns carved into the walls. Later, in Mitla, we traced our fingers along those wild geometric mosaics while Miguel told stories about earthquakes and how they designed the buildings to survive them. I still think about that view from up there.

Lunch ended up being a smoky tangle of barbacoa and tortillas at Tlacolula Market — not fancy but so good I nearly forgot to take pictures. The sounds: vendors calling out for chiles and fruit, someone laughing nearby, kids darting between stalls. We stopped by a family workshop in Teotitlán del Valle where they showed us how they dye wool using plants (the red from cochineal is wild). I tried spinning yarn and mostly made a mess; everyone pretended not to notice.

We finished with mezcal tasting in a tiny village where clay pots bubbled quietly in the shadows. The mezcal burned just enough to make me laugh — “mezcal doesn’t get you drunk, it gets you magical,” our host said with a wink. Not sure if that’s true but walking out into the late afternoon sun felt different somehow. So yeah — if you want a private day trip from Oaxaca City that feels real and lets you meet actual people (not just see places), this is it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Oaxaca's culture and landmarks

• Arrive in Oaxaca
• Private tour in comfortable vehicle
• Visit Monte Albán archaeological site
• Hike to see petrified waterfalls at Hierve el Agua
• Tour Mitla city and its architecture
• Visit family workshop for Oaxacan wood art
• See the Tule Tree in Tule Town
• Watch natural dye demonstration in Teotitlán del Valle
• Observe black pottery making process
• Hike to prehispanic caves with petroglyphs
• Learn about beeswax candle making tradition
• Visit Tlacolula Market on Sunday
• See women weaving with backstrap loom
• Visit ancestral Mezcal distillery
• Tour Mezcal fields and distilleries east of Oaxaca city

Top questions

How long does the private Oaxaca day tour last?

The tour is customizable but typically lasts around 8-10 hours depending on your chosen stops.

Is hotel pickup included for this Oaxaca private tour?

Yes, private transportation with hotel pickup is included in your day trip from Oaxaca City.

Which sites are visited during the tour?

You can visit Monte Albán, Mitla, Tule Tree, Hierve el Agua, artisan villages like Teotitlán del Valle and Tlacolula Market—your route is flexible.

Are meals or tastings included?

No set meals are included but there are stops at markets for food (like barbacoa) and optional mezcal tastings—bring cash for purchases or tips.

Is this Oaxaca tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, transportation options are wheelchair accessible and suitable for all fitness levels.

Can families with children join this private day trip?

Yes—infant seats are available and strollers/prams can be accommodated comfortably during the tour.

Do we meet local artisans during the tour?

Yes—you’ll visit family-run workshops for weaving, pottery or alebrije carving depending on your interests.

What’s special about Hierve el Agua on this itinerary?

You can hike early to see petrified waterfalls before crowds arrive; local guides from the community lead you up for a tip-based fee.

What’s included

Your day includes private air-conditioned transportation with hotel pickup and drop-off in Oaxaca City, bottled water throughout the journey, all fuel costs and parking fees covered—plus plenty of time to linger at each stop or chat with artisans before heading back whenever you’re ready.