You’re in the right place because all the must-see and coolest Oaxaca ruins are featured in this article.
From Monte Alban Ruins and Mitla Ruins, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, to off-the-beaten-path sites, they’re all here!
Let’s get to this list of the ruins themselves. Keep reading to discover the 7 Best Oaxaca Ruins in Mexico!
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1. Monte Alban Oaxaca Ruins
What is Monte Alban?
Monte Alban is a pre-Columbian archaeological complex in Oaxaca, Mexico.
It is the most famous Oaxaca Ruins and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Monte Alban dates back to 500 BC. It was inhabited for about 1,500 years by the Olmec civilization, Zapotec civilization, and Mixtec civilization.
Views from Monte Alban Archaeological Site are impressive because it is located 6,400-feet above sea level (396 m), and 1,300-feet (1,950 m) above the Oaxaca Valleys below.
The ruins of Monte Alban have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Mexico since 1987, along with other landmarks like the Teotihuacan Ruins near Mexico City and the Sian Ka’an Biosphere near Tulum.
Why is Monte Alban special?
Monte Alban is special because it is one of the oldest cities in Mesoamerica. The architecture at Monte Alban is beautiful, and the views of the valleys in Oaxaca below are spectacular.
The city was inhabited for 13 centuries by the Zapotec people. Later, the Mixtec people occupied it.
The site’s stones and architecture imbue all of this history. They offer unique insight into Zapotec culture and lifestyle.
Monte Alban has rich information about the ancient people who lived in Oaxaca, their rise and decline, and how the city developed over time.
Can you climb Monte Alban Ruins?
Yes — You can climb several structures in Monte Alban Ruin in Oaxaca.
In fact, you’ll get some truly amazing views of Oaxaca when climbing a Monte Alban pyramid. It’s great way to experience the site and enjoy the spectacular views.
Head to the South and North Plaza for the most incredible panoramas and best views at Monte Alban.
Climbing up high will also give you a special appreciation for the genius of the people who made Monte Alban.
🚨 Please Note: Be respectful and don’t climb on restricted structures!
This will help prevent the site from eroding and degrading, since some areas are more fragile than others.
2. Mitla Oaxaca Ruins
After Monte Albán Ruins, Mitla is the second most important Oaxaca ruins site — and Mitla itself is one of the best pueblos magicos in Mexico.
The main attraction in the Oaxaca pueblo magico of San Pablo Villa de Mitla are the ruins of Mitla.
The city of Mitla Oaxaca is home to two prehispanic archaeological complexes, caves, and rock shelters.
Some of these shelters even have rock art and archaeological evidence demonstrating the evolution of humans in the region, going from hunter-gatherers to farmers.
🗿 Looking to take some Oaxaca Ruins Tours to Mitla? You can book yours here and let a qualified guide show you around town.
Mitla is known as the Place of the Dead in the Nahuatl language. The Zapotec indigenous people believed that Milta was a getaway between the word of the dead and the living.
It was a religious center run almost exclusively by priests who spent their time performing rites, burning incense, and sacrificing to the gods.
The ruins, located just outside the city of Oaxaca, are one of the most preserved archeological sites in the Valley of Oaxaca.
They are thought to be more than 10,000 years old.
3. Yagul Oaxaca Ruins
Yagul Archeological Site is a must see if you’re someone fascinated by the ancient ruins in Mexico.
While not as famous as some other sites, like Chichen Itza in Yucatan or Teotihuacan near Mexico City, Yagul is worth checking out.
It is located only about 10 minutes by car from Mitla Ruins. If you’re renting a car in Oaxaca, you can combine these two for one of the best day trips from Oaxaca City.
Yagul Ruins are known locally as the pueblo viejo, meaning “old town.”
What you’ll see at these ruins are a series of buildings that almost look like an ancient home. They were built from about AD 750 to AD 950 by the Zapotec of Oaxaca.
4. Atzompa Oaxaca Ruins
This is a smaller site, and completely off the main tourist radar, so you might even have the whole place to yourself!
Atzompa opened to the public in 2012 when the road to it was built.
It was excavated in the early 21st Century, though excavations are still ongoing.
Archeologists say Atzompa was built in about 650 AD, and abandoned in about 950 AD, just 300 years later.
The Ruins of Atzompa include three ceremonial plazas, the remains of two large residences, and several ball courts.
This site has the largest Mesoamerican ball court in Oaxaca state.
Head to the north side of the site to see the pottery oven.
It’s identical to the pottery ovens still used by modern potters in Atzompa today — and in fact, this town is known more for its pottery than the Atzompa Ruins themselves.
✳️ Santa María Atzompa: Oaxaca Green Pottery Town
Pottery has a rich history in Santa María Atzompa Oaxaca, where it has been made for generations.
This famed Oaxaca art town attracts art lovers worldwide to buy the Atzompa green pottery from local craftspeople.
The clay is dug from a nearby area and brought back by burro (donkey) on the same paths used by the town’s founding fathers.
Once the villagers collect the clay, the men pulverize it and mix it with water until it’s uniform.
Pieces are thrown on foot-powered potter’s wheels and dried for about eight days. They are then fired, glazed, and fired again.
If you can’t reach the town, you can find the green Atzompa pottery in most local Oaxaca markets.
5. Zaachila Oaxaca Ruins
The small town of Zaachila is about 30-40 minutes from Oaxaca City. It makes for a great day trip to see the ruins and the town itself.
Many of its structures at Zaachila Ruins have yet to be excavated, as they’re located beneath the houses that local residents live in today!
However, several Zaachila caves have been discovered — complete with interesting cave art and Zapoteco symbols.
This was the last Zapotec capital in Oaxaca, and still an important place for Zapotec people today.
6. Dainzú Ruins
Dainzú Oaxacan archeological site was inhabited simultaneously as Monte Alban Ruins, though archeologists believe Dainzú is older.
They say Dainzú had inhabitants for nearly 1950 years — from about 750 BC to 1200 AD.
It is an interesting site because it has been built into the surrounding hills, likely as a protective measure.
At Dainzú Ruins, don’t miss the stone reliefs that depict ancient ball players.
There are also other structures like residences, religious centers and the same ball court you’ll see in the reliefs.
7. Xochimilco Aqueduct Arches (Oaxaca Aqueduct)
Are you looking for the best things to do in Oaxaca City? Or Don’t you have time to leave Oaxaca City but still want to see the ruins?
Located about a 20 minute walk from Centro Historico, the Historic Downtown Oaxaca, you can see the 15th Century Xochimilco aqueduct.
The aqueduct is in Barrio de Xochimilco, a neighborhood founded in 1486 by the Xochimilco Warriors on the orders of an Aztec emperor.
Oh, and in case you’re wondering, the Xochimilco pronunciation is so-chee-mill-co.
It is among the most historic, oldest and best neighborhoods in Oaxaca City.
Xochimilco is famous for colorful streets, artisan shops, restaurants serving traditional Oaxacan cuisine like tlayudas, mole and memelas, and centuries-old history — after all, this was the ancient Oaxaca Zapotec capital.
Ready to Book Your Mexico Vacation? Here Are Some Resources To Look At:
Mexico is a large country — the 14th largest country on Earth by size — and it’s also the 6th most biodiverse diverse country in the world.
Though it’s mostly known for beaches, there’s a lot more to Mexico than that. Check out these Mexico articles to discover parts of the country you never knew existed.
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