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Monte Alban Chesillo and handicrafts alebrijes and black mud

13 Reviews 5.00 out of 5 stars Based on 13 reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 100% of reviewers | Oaxaca City, Mexico
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 23 (0) days in advance.

8 to 9 hours (approx.)
Hotel pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
and 1 more
Spanish
Instant confirmation

Overview

Let yourself go for a day full of flavors, colors and traditions that make Oaxaca unique.
Start your experience with making Oaxaca cheese as it is called elsewhere and enjoying a breakfast with traditional memelitas (small corn tortillas), learning the secrets of local cuisine directly from the creators.
Admire the grandeur of Monte Albán, the Zapotec city that dominates the valley with its ancient structures and breathtaking views.
Enter San Antonio Arrazola, where artisans bring to life the colorful wooden figures called tones and nahuales — popularly known as alebrijes — and share with them the richness of their tradition.
Finish in San Bartolo Coyotepec, home of the unmistakable black mud, and discover how clay is transformed into unique pieces through generations of techniques.
You can take authentic souvenirs directly from the family workshops, preserving a piece of Oaxaca with you.

What's Included

  • Breakfast
  • Carbonated beverages Soda/Pop
  • Bottled water
  • Meals
  • Gratuities
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Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point
Pickup details

We offer direct pickup from your location within the main areas of Oaxaca de Juárez. Our driver will arrive at the hotel, Airbnb or indicated address at the time of booking, so there is no need to travel to another meeting point.In order for you to easily identify us, the driver will show up at the reception desk (in case of hotel) or at the entrance of the home with the list of travelers.In case of staying in the Historic Center, we can also coordinate the pickup at a nearby and secure landmark if access by vehicle is limited.

What To Expect

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Reyes Etla

Start your day at the home of a local cook, where you will discover one of the best-kept secrets of Oaxacan cuisine: quesillo, known elsewhere as Oaxaca cheese.You can get up close and personal with the artisanal brewing process, from the curds to the characteristic strip-rolling that makes it unique. In addition, you will have the opportunity to taste fresh cheese accompanied by traditional memelitas,—thick corn tortillas, soft and slightly browned, typical of Oaxaca—freshly made and prepared with local ingredients.An authentic experience that connects with the culinary roots of Oaxaca and the work of the families that keep this tradition alive.
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1 hour 20 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Zona Arqueologica de Monte Alban

After breakfast, head to Monte Albán, the ancient Zapotec city that dominates the Oaxaca Valley.During the guided tour, you will explore its wide squares and archaeological structures while learning about the history, culture and traditions of this important civilization. You will know how its inhabitants lived, their social and ceremonial practices, and the influence that this city had in the region. In addition, you will enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the valley, ideal for photographs and to appreciate the magnitude of this historic site. This visit offers a perfect combination of education, culture and natural beauty
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2 hours Admission Ticket Included

San Antonio Arrazola

WOODEN BREWSIn this colorful town at the foot of Monte Albán we will visit one of the artisan families that keep alive a unique tradition: the elaboration of figures in copal wood that many popularly know as alebrijes. However, in Oaxaca its origin is different: here they are called tones and nahuales.Tones represent protective animals that, according to Zapotec tradition, are linked to the day of birth of each person, while nahuals are mystical beings that link the human world with the animal and spiritual. Each hand-carved and hand-painted figure reflects a deep connection to the ancestral worldview.During the visit you can see the craft process up close, hear directly from the creators about the symbolism of their designs and, if you wish, acquire an authentic piece directly in the family workshop.
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1 hour Admission Ticket Free

San Bartolo Coyotepec

Finally, we visit San Bartolo Coyotepec, a town famous around the world for its unrivalled black mud, one of the most emblematic craft expressions of Oaxaca. Here we will discover how the clay soil of the region, worked with ancient techniques, gives rise to pieces that are not only beautiful, but also bearers of history and symbolism.We will see the complete process: from mud preparation, modelling and natural drying, to cooking in traditional ovens. Most striking is the quartz stone burnishing technique, which gives each piece that characteristic metallic shine without the need for enamels or paints.Black mud is used for utilitarian objects, decorative pieces and figures representing the local worldview. During the visit you will see how each work comes to life in the hands of artisans and you will have the opportunity to purchase directly in the workshop unique pieces that carry centuries of tradition.
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1 hour Admission Ticket Free

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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Frequently Asked Questions (8)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Monte Alban Chesillo and handicrafts alebrijes and black mud?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CST). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

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Activity code: C-5586890P7

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.00
13 reviews

Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 13 traveler reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
13
4 stars
0
3 stars
0
2 stars
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1 star
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Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 23 (0) days in advance.

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What's Included

Activity name

  • Breakfast
  • Carbonated beveragesSoda/Pop
  • Bottled water
  • Private transportation
  • Entrance fee
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Parking Fees
  • Meals
  • Gratuities

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

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