Day Trips in Oaxaca

The ancient Zapotec city and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Monte Alban sits about 9 miles (6 kilometers) west of Oaxaca. With this tour, explore the hilltop archaeological site with a guide and enjoy views overlooking the Oaxaca Valley. That leaves enough time to visit the artisan towns of Arrazola, Cuilapam de Guerrero, and San Bartolo Coyotepec. Plus, round-trip transportation from your hotel in downtown Oaxaca is included.

Explore the highlights of Oaxaca's Tlacolula Valley without getting lost on this day trip with special appeal for first-time visitors. You'll jump from the Zapotec weavers town of Teotitlan del Valle to the Mitla archaeological site, traveling between attractions with ease in an air-conditioned minivan. This leaves time to visit the Tule tree and the petrified waterfalls at Hierve el Agua. A mezcal tasting is also included.

Visit all of Huatulco's famous seven bays during a single 9-hour boat trip. Relax on the sandy beaches and swim in the tranquil turquoise waters at each stop. Round-trip transportation from Huatulco hotels included.

Explore the archaeological highlights of Oaxaca without getting lost on this day trip, a great choice for first-time visitors. Take a guided tour of Monte Alban, the largest Zapotec urban center and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visit its satellite city, Atzompa. Then travel to Yagul and Mitla to see other examples of Zapotec architecture. Plus, round-trip transportation from downtown Oaxaca is included.

Get to know the natural and cultural beauty of the Oaxaca Valley on this guided day trip by comfortable coach. Visit the Zapotecan ruins of Mitla, modern-day rug weavers in Teotitlan of the Valley (Teotitlán del Valle) and Santa Maria's 2,000-year-old Montezuma cypress, the world's thickest tree. Spend time at the carbonized falls flowing from the cliffs of Hierve el Agua before wrapping up the day with a delicious mescal tasting in Santiago Matatlan. Round-trip hotel transport from Oaxaca included.

Pyramids, tombs and mosaic murals - embark on an archaeological adventure with this guided full-day tour from Oaxaca featuring Mitla and Monte Alban. Travel by comfortable coach to the ancient religious center of Mitla, and see how the Zapotecs lived before the Spanish conquest in the 1500s. Then, from the mountaintop of Monte Alban, a UNESCO site, marvel at panoramas of the city and Oaxaca Valley. Walk about Monte Alban's vast complex as you hear about the excavations. Convenient hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Experience the coastal splendor of Huatulco on a 7-hour sailing tour of the region's bays and virgin beaches. In a small group limited to ten, you'll cruise to Santa Cruz Bay and Chahue Bay, and recline on the pristine sands of Yerbabuena and La Entrega beaches. Opportunities to swim and snorkel abound, and the gigantic rock known as La Cara de Piedra (The Rock Face) and Cacaluta Bay's heart-shaped beach provide excellent photo opportunities. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Huatulco are included.

From the mountaintop pyramids of Monte Alban to the Cuilapam Convent on the valley floor, learn all about the rich history of Oaxaca Valley on this guided full-day trip by coach. Discover the Zapotec pyramids and excavated ruins of UNESCO-listed Monte Alban, admire the mystical woodcarvings of San Antonio Arrazola and meet resident artisans in San Bartolo Coyotepec, a town known for its beautiful black pottery. Hotel pickup and drop-off from Oaxaca included.

Gain an understanding of Oaxacan culture during this 5-hour tour, including visits to a mezcal distillery, the Zapotec ruins of Mitla, the village of Teotitlan, and the Tree of Tule. Round-trip transportation from select Oaxaca hotels included.

Discover the archaeological zone of Copalita, located along the shores next to the Pacific Ocean, on this 11-hour guided trip from Puerto Escondido. See three pyramidal bases, a pre-Hispanic lighthouse, and the on-site museum that showcases the history of the 16 ethnic groups that exist in the state of Oaxaca. After sightseeing, relax on a beach and swim and snorkel to your heart's content. Hotel pickup and drop-off included.

Visit Hierve el Agua, a mezcal producer, and the Zapotec town of Teotitlán del Valle on a full-day tour from Oaxaca. Have plenty of time to walk down to the swimming area at Hierve el Agua and take a leisurely dip in the warm spring waters. Next, head to Teotitlán del Valle to learn about Zapotec weaving traditions and explore the town. You'll also visit a mezcal producer and sample several varieties of mezcal. Your tour includes guide, mezcal tasting, entrance fees, and round-trip transport from Oaxaca.

Explore all Huatulco has to offer on this 8-hour comprehensive tour by land and sea. Visit the Church of the Virgin of Guadalupe, the town's zocalo, or town square, and La Crucecita. By boat, explore the seashore and stop at the Bay of Maguey for some swimming and snorkeling. Round-trip transportation from Huatulco hotels included.