Sep 13, 2024
Interesting visit to Monte Alban, the alebrijes, the dark mud and the chocolate and ancient mezcal - We took this tour with the Guide Luis Garcia who gave us a lot of information about the place and was always very attentive in solving our doubts. The places we visited were very good and were interesting only the food from the buffet to which we were taken was not the best as they did not indicate what the stews were from and I had one to guess and apart some fried things were already cold, outside of that everything else was very good. Also another thing I noticed is that it is the only tour in which several did not return to their hotel so if they should make that clarification since at least when I hired they had told me that it included pickup and return to our hotel and many people were told that that was the last point in the chocolate factory and only another couple and us if they took us near the hotel because we were on our way. I don't know if that tour includes it or not, but hopefully they'll clarify that.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sep 2, 2024
Great choice - A great experience, always attentive to any doubt of the points to visit each, always attentive and helpful, a wonderful experience
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jul 21, 2024
Amazing Site and Trip. - Our tour guide, Angel was very friendly and knowledgeable about Monte Albán. We had a good time on this trip. Overall, we give it a 5 out of 5.
Review provided by Viator
Jul 12, 2024
Oaxaca - They are guarantee in tour service, especially Monte Alban very complete all visits that are within this tour!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
May 31, 2024
Tours - Everything was excellent, punctuality when picking us up, the guides were super prepared and concerned about providing us with the best service, Ángel was an excellent guide. The tour is beautiful, the food was good. The truth is that I highly recommend them.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
May 11, 2024
The Best - This wonderful tour was a fantastic value. Not only did we see the awesome ruins of Monte Alban, but we also went to two different artisanal workshops, getting a chance to see how carvers and painters create the delightful alibrijes and how Oaxacan black pottery is made, all for a very reasonable price. Our guide, Eloye, was knowledgeable and able to explain in both English and Spanish. He brought a lot of background information about Monte Alban that made us appreciate how sophisticated the people who built the site really were. Have to also give a thumbs up to our driver, who navigated some serious back roads with aplomb. We could not have been happier with the experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
May 8, 2024
A good tour, but be prepared and pack what you will need - The tour was great and compiled everything we were hoping to see and experience in one day. One-stop-tour if you will. We really wanted to see Monte Alban but also wanted to see how they made the Alebrijes and the black clay crafs. Our guide was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable.
Monte Alban was absolutely knowledgeable and we got incredible amounts of information we wouldn't have been able to get on our own otherwise. The ruins can be climbed (this was a nice treat).
The Alebrijes stop was nice to see and pretty impressive to see the process, the artisans carving and painting the little mythical characters are amazing artists. However the entire town works as a form of cooperative in an arrangement that prevents individual artisans to sell their crafts outside of the arrangements with the cooperative and for this reason we (along with most everyone else in the tour) found the prices of the alebrijes to be somewhat overpriced and unreasonable. I am not saying they are not worth whatever price the artist wishes to tag, is art after all. However, if you are leaving a $2000 USD piece of art out collecting dust and with legs and limbs missing piled along with other supposedly $300 USD or $1000 USD pieces (vs being protected if they are actually that expensive), it is evident they are not that well taken care of and the price tag is there only for the tourist who is willing to pay.
The black clay stop was great, it was amazing to be in the place where one pioneer lady many years ago figured out this technique to give a black colour effect to an otherwise normal clay. The tradition has continued in her family and the crafts are beautiful and a nice stop for an array of souvenirs.
A few things to keep in mind: (1) it was very hot and there is no shade (specially in the Monte Alban leg of the tour), an UV umbrella, a light long sleeve UV sweater, a shawl to cover your shoulders and or a big hat would be useful to have handy. (2) lunch with the tour is not until 2:30pm, so make sure to either have a good breakfast prior to the start of the tour and/or pack some snacks. Be mindful that no food is allowed inside the Monte Alban grounds, so time your nibbling accordingly. Also of course pack your water bottle (3) the tour is not "all-inclusive" (i.e. the entry fee to Monte Alban is an extra $100 pesos per person, lunch is also extra and there are no other places around the area to eat, so either pack a light lunch with your snacks or have cash ready for your lunch as this will be your only option otherwise. The buffet lunch is (if I recall correctly) $280 pesos per person not including drinks or beer and tips, if you opt for the lunch though, there is plenty of food to be had and everything was tasty.
All an all a good tour, the main star of the show is monte alban and the knowledgeable tour guide.
Review provided by Viator
Apr 24, 2024
Our guide did an absolute... - Our guide did an absolute wonderful job explaining everything to us! It really made the tour come to life!
Review provided by Viator
Apr 18, 2024
Highly recommended tour - ELOY of Oaxaca Dreams travel agency (c/o Viator) was our tour guide. He was the best guide one could ever ask for: knowledgeable, professional, charming, had positive vibes. The tour itself was very interesting. Monte Alban tour gave us a little history lesson about the rich culture of the Zapotec people. The visit to the local art/ceramics/chocolate shops was icing on the cake. The Oaxacan lunch buffet was sooo good. So many dishes to choose from. At 200 pesos each person, it was a bargain. Loved the tour. (Wish the temperature was cooler.) Gotta give props to Oscar, our very good (and handsome) driver. Overall, I recommend this tour. Thank you again, Eloy & Oscar!!!
Review provided by Viator
Apr 13, 2024
Great value - so much to see! - We saw so much in one day! The tour guides were so accommodating and friendly and seamlessly transitioned from Spanish to English. Monte Albán is huge and a bit strenuous; wear good walking shoes and sun protection. It was great to see local artisans and their work - bring extra money for purchases. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Viator