Valles Centrales
The former capital of the Zapotec people is today an illustrious ruin, but for over a thousand years it served as the second-largest ceremonial site in…
Must-see attractions in Valles Centrales
Hierve El Agua
Natural springs have never looked this good. Set in truly ethereal surroundings amid low brush-covered mountains, Hierve El Agua (meaning 'the water boils…
Valles Centrales
Second only to Monte Albán in their importance, though not as old, the ruins of ancient Mitla date from the final two or three centuries before the…
Valles Centrales
If you like your pre-Hispanic Mexican ruins suitably ‘ruined’ and crowd-free without compromising on authenticity or spectacular setting, opt for Atzompa…
Centro de las Artes de San Agustín
Valles Centrales
Pretty San Agustín's large, early-20th-century textile mill has been superbly restored as the Centro de las Artes de San Agustín (CaSa), a spectacular…
Valles Centrales
Visitors flock to the village of El Tule to behold El Árbol del Tule, which is, by some counts, the fattest tree in the world. California's General…
Monte Albán
This structure combines an early (Monte Albán I) building, which contained famous carvings known as Danzantes (Dancers), with a later structure that was…
Monte Albán
The North Platform is almost as big as the Gran Plaza, and affords the best views. It was rebuilt several times over the centuries. The 12 column bases at…
Monte Albán
The 40m-high South Platform, with its wide staircase, is the tallest in Monte Albán and is great for a panorama of the plaza and the surrounding mountains…
Valles Centrales
It was doña Rosa Real Mateo (1900−80) who invented the method of burnishing barro negro with quartz stones for the distinctive shine. Her family…
Valles Centrales
If you want photos of Zapotec ruins without hordes of tourists milling around in the background, Yagul is your kind of place. The ruins (known as 'Pueblo…
Valles Centrales
Standing by the highway in dusty Cuilapan, the Ex Convento Dominicano (aka Santiago Apóstol) with its pale 'green' stone walls seems almost to grow out of…
Valles Centrales
As far as Zapotec ruins go, Mogote is the oldest of the old. The site predates Monte Albán in its earliest incarnation. Indeed its inhabitants are thought…
Valles Centrales
Ancient Zaachila, rather like Mitla, was a post-Classic Zapotec city that took root after the demise of Monte Albán. It was later conquered by the Mixtecs…
Prehistoric Caves of Yagul & Mitla
Valles Centrales
Approaching Yagul from the main road, you can make out a large white rock painting of a person/deity/tree/sun on a cliff face on the Caballito Blanco rock…
Valles Centrales
Tlacolula's main church is notable for its ornate baroque side-chapel, known colloquially as the Capilla de la Plata (Silver Chapel), a dazzling riot of…
Monte Albán
Arrowhead-shaped Building J, constructed about 100 BC and riddled with tunnels and staircases (unfortunately you can’t go inside), stands at an angle of…
Valles Centrales
This rehabilitated former convent, previously a dilapidated jail, is now a first-class art museum and includes a room dedicated to the work of local magic…
Museo Estatal de Arte Popular de Oaxaca
Valles Centrales
San Bartolo's excellent, modern, folk-art museum, with its bright pink facade, is on the south side of the main village plaza. It’s very nicely done and…
Valles Centrales
This family-owned distillery in San Baltazar Guelavila (about 9km southeast of Santiago Matatlán) produces top-notch mezcal made from wild agaves,…
Monte Albán
Building P was topped by a small pillared temple and was probably an observatory of some sort. The sun shines directly down into a small opening near the…
Monte Albán
The stone terraces of the deep Ball Court, constructed about 100 BC, were probably part of the playing area, not seats for spectators. It’s thought they…
Monte Albán
About 300m long and 200m wide, the Gran Plaza is the heart of Monte Albán. Some of its structures were temples; others were elite residential quarters…
Centro Cultural Comunitario de Teotitlán del Valle
Teotitlán del Valle
A new cultural center with exhibits focused primarily on, you guessed it, all things weaving. Definitely worth a peek if you want to learn more about…
Valles Centrales
A popular place to taste and buy artisan mezcal right next to the fields where they grow the agave. Granted, it's a hot spot on the tour-bus circuit (if…
Valles Centrales
This is a good little community museum in the village of Santa Ana del Valle, 33km southeast of central Oaxaca, with exhibits on local textiles, history,…
Valles Centrales
Two kilometers down the road from the ruins toward Santa María Atzompa, the neglected Community Museum exhibits some very fine pieces of pottery found at…
Iglesia Preciosa Sangre de Cristo
Teotitlán del Valle
From the plaza, steps rise to this handsome 17th-century church with a fine broad churchyard and colorful 18th-century frescoes inside. It was built atop…
Museo Comunitario Balaa Xtee Guech Gulal
Teotitlán del Valle
Facing the Mercado de Artesanías on the central plaza, this interesting community-run museum displays local archaeological finds as well as exhibits on…
