Ultimate Guide to the Monte Alban Ruins

The Zapotec ruins of Monte Alban sit high on top of a large hill, just outside of bustling Oaxaca.  In a perfect defensive position, these are some of Mexico’s most important ruins.  Monte Alban was a major seat of power for over 1,000 years, from 500 B.C. to roughly 750 A.D. ~ with ties to Mexico’s other famous site: Teotihuacan.  Today, you can still witness many of the terraces & pyramids that were built here, & explore the region’s former economic, political, social, religious, & cultural center.  We’ll discuss everything you need to know as a visitor in this “Ultimate Guide to the Monte Alban Ruins!”

Standing on top of a pyramid at historic Monte Alban. Its hilltop position gives you stunning 360 views of Oaxaca.

How to Get to Monte Alban from Oaxaca

The quickest way to reach Monte Alban from Oaxaca City is by taxi.  And it’s best to have the same driver pick you up (your hotel can arrange this).  You can also take a group shuttle with other tourists, at prearranged pick-up times.  Public bus is the least expensive ~ but you’ll still need to walk 40 minutes uphill from the final bus stop.

Photos of Monte Alban

What makes Monte Alban special as a visitor, compared to so many other ruins, is that they’re NOT crowded.  Particularly compared to Chichen Itza, which was busy by 8:30AM, Monte Alban felt very relaxed.  And you can climb most of the pyramids ~ & capture all kinds of great photos with very few people in them.  The first photo below gives a great idea of how many people to expect at Monte Alban: & you can see, it’s not crowded.  The wide open space of the main plaza adds to the feeling of openness.  And there are restrooms in the far, diagonal corner from the entrance (HUGE bonus!!) 

Machu Picchu, for example, has no bathrooms AT ALL onsite ~ only outside the ruins.

When I first entered Monte Alban, this is the sight that greeted me: very few tourists, & a wide open, grand plaza, surrounded by pyramids.

Being able to climb most of the pyramids allows for great vantage points framed by lush foliage…

I love using a GoPro at archaeological sites (as in this shot), as it offers a more birds-eye perspective of these vast spaces.

Why is Monte Alban Significant?

Monte Alban is by far the most significant historical site in Oaxaca, as it represents a highly-evolved civilization that lasted for nearly 1,500 years.  Terraces, dams, canals, & pyramids were all carved literally out of the mountainside itself, & are not only evidence of masterful planning: but are important symbols of sacred topography.  Aside from the impressive pyramids which flank the site & the great plazas, you can also see the site’s famous ball court, along with important tombs like “Tomb #7” ~ which, when excavated, unearthed a number of important items, including a jade-covered skull which can be seen in Oaxaca’s Museo de las Culturas. 

Monte Alban was the second-largest ceremonial center in all of Mesoamerica (after Teotihuacan), & some say that its site was chosen because it’s an important “energy center.”  And much of Monte Alban still remains mysterious today: there are numerous hieroglyphs that have never been decoded, stone monuments called “Danzantes” depicting contorted figures that may be prisoners, but historians are still unsure of their exact significance.

Stone monuments called “Danzantes,” may be depictions of early prisoners at the site.

Incorporating the pyramid’s stairs into your shots allows for good contrast & many creative photo options.

Make sure to get shots on both ends of the plaza!

Grab some sangria & a bit of shade in the cute cafe inside Monte Alban’s small museum..

Ultimate Guide to the Monte Alban Ruins

xoxo Noelia 

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