ADVICE
The best time of day to visit Monte Alban is right when the site opens in the morning. The three main reasons for this are:
There are fewer people.
There are fewer vendors.
The air is fresher and cooler allowing easier walking, hiking and climbing.
Additionally from a photographer’s point of view, the morning light can produce a very nice creamy morning glow to your masterpieces.
Planning the Length of Your Visit
A visit to Monte Alban will likely take 2 to 4 hours or more of a moderately challenging walk. The Main Plaza is 300 meters (984 feet) long and you will likely walk it 2 to 4 times to see all the buildings a 600 to 1200 meter (1969 to 3937 feet) walk. Additionally climbing both North and South platform and touring these and the grounds take additional energy and stamina!
The site is 1,940 m (6,400 ft.) above sea level so unless you are used to such heights, be prepared to take lots of small breaks.
GETTING THERE
Determine how you will get to the site. You will be clear about the various Mexican Challenges regarding transportation!
Driving
Driving from Oaxaca is relatively easy and the directions are well signed. Note that the roads in Oaxaca – one of the poorer states in the country – are filled with many potholes and navigating between them, the topes and crazy Mexican drivers is challenging. Driving in Mexico is complicated by very aggressive drivers.
It takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes to drive the 10 KMs (6.2 miles) to Monte Alban. There is free parking onsite.
Taxi
Taking a taxi from Oaxaca is relatively inexpensive. For 100 pesos you should be able to negotiate a taxi. The price coming down will likely be more expensive.
Tours and Tour Busses
Your best bet is to select a tour bus from your hotel because there will be a business connection and possible recourse if something doesn’t work out. Try to select one that guarantees bilingual tours if this is what you require. Many travelers report that the bilingual guide doesn’t show up so this is important.
Compare what tours offer, the entrance fee, guide, lunch, and more activities are included or not. We believe Monte Alban is enough for one day so don’t try to see all the sights in the area in one day.
Consider that tour companies often will spend a lot of your time promoting specific vendors and stores.
Cost varies considerably. $45 to $70USD depending on what is included.
Bus (Self-guided) and Walk
The cheapest option is to locate city busses that go towards Monte Alban. Strange as it seems, they will have Monte Alban on the front. The fee is less than 10 pesos. The busses take you to a drop off point and you must walk the remaining distance for approximately one hour UPHILL.
ACCOMODATION
HOTELS & APARTMENTS
We suggest you search the internet for the best price and quality of Hotel you prefer in Oaxaca City. There are ample online resources to do this. We also suggest searching for apartments for stays more than a week, Search the internet and make sure to include Craig’s List.
RV PARKS AND CAMPING
The Oaxaca Trailer Park is in desperate need of repairs but it is close to Centro Oaxaca. The Overlander Oasis is our preferred park. It is located south of Oaxaca in the small town of El Tule. The hosts are bilingual and treat you like family.
Oaxaca Trailer Park
Violeta # 900, Oaxaca, Oaxaca 68000
See More Here
Overlander Oasis
3ra Privada de Niños Héroes, Lote 2
Santa María Del Tule, Oaxaca
Phone: (52) 951 144 3099
See More Here
WHAT TO WEAR
Leave your stilettoes at home! It is important to wear good, comfortable, non-skid footwear. The stairs of the pyramids and temples are rock and can get very slippery and the walk will likely take two to four hours so you will need shoes that are comfy and practical.
Take a backpack that can store a bottle of water to keep you hydrated and also to store extra layers of clothes, your wallet or purse and camera. It is particularly important to have your hands free if you are going to climb the pyramids.
In the winter especially, it can get quite cool in the mornings. In the afternoons it can get hot. Determine what time of year you are going and time of day and plan accordingly. In the winter, wear a light jacket and layered top or shirt. You can always take off or put on more layers. Long pants or jeans are practical for the hike.
In the warmer months, again layer your clothing. It will still be cool in the morning so pack a sweater. Shorts are acceptable and they too could be packed in a backpack. Clothes that breathe are important.
Wear a hat.
Additional
The sun can get quite hot so pack accordingly. Sunscreen and sunglasses are a must. Pack your camera of course.
WEATHER AND CIMATE
Monte Albán – Historical Notes
One of the oldest archeological sites in Mexico, Monte Alban’s builders started their massive city well before Teotihuacan or any Aztec city. The top of a hill was leveled to make way for the main plaza in 500 to 100 BC. The area was massive – 300 X 180 meters – was paved with white stucco. Portions of the plaza that could not be leveled were used as the base for the central plaza buildings.
Construction around the main plaza also began; the Northern platform and some of the buildings on the east side including the dancers. Some believe the layout of the site and the main plaza symbolized the Zapotec religious belief system with the southern platform representing the underworld, the Northern Platform with the celestial. The plaza and specifically the ball court connected the worlds of human and the world of Gods. The Central plaza was the place most civic-ceremonial rituals were located as well as where the elite-residential structures were located.