15 Ancient Mexican Ruins That Will BLOW Your Mind (You Won’t Believe #1)
Want to see the Oaxaca Pyramids?
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!
The easiest, fastest, and most convenient way to see all the best ruins in Oaxaca, Mexico? You’ll want to rent a car in Oaxaca City, and explore from there.
All the ruins listed here are within about 30 minutes to two hours of Oaxaca City. Since many of them are quite remote, they aren’t easy to get to via public transportation — if you can get to them that way at all.
Now that you know the best way to visit Oaxaca ruins, let’s get to this list, so keep reading to discover the 15 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 the state of Oaxaca, Mexico.
It is the most famous of all Oaxaca Ruins and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Monte Alban dates back to 500 BC. The Olmec, Zapotec, and Mixtec civilizations inhabited it for about 1,500 years.
The Monte Alban Archaeological Site offers impressive views because it is located 6,400 feet above sea level (396 m) and 1,300 feet (1,950 m) above the Oaxaca Valley 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.
Is Monte Alban worth visiting?
If you’re wondering whether a trip to Oaxaca Mexico Monte Alban Ruins is worth it — the answer is yes, especially for history buffs and culture travelers.
If you’re the least bit interested in ruins in Mexico, ancient civilizations, pre-hispanic culture and archaeology, it is 100% worth visiting Monte Alban Ruins in Oaxaca.
Be sure to check out the museum on your way to the site, as it offers wonderful information you wouldn’t want to miss.
Going on a tour or hiring a guide is also well worth the expense.
The site has about 170 tombs, a ball court, underground passageways, pyramids, plazas, and hieroglyphs.
Stelae carved with sacrificed captives are also an impressive sight. For many travelers, visiting Monte Alban is the highlight of their Oaxaca trip.
For travelers short on time, a half-day visit is possible, but for the best experience, opt for this full-day Monte Alban tour.
Can you climb Monte Alban Ruins?
Yes — You can climb several different structures in Monte Alban Ruin in Oaxaca.
In fact, climbing a Monte Alban pyramid offers some truly amazing views of Oaxaca. It’s a 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
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 pre-Hispanic 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 served as 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 making sacrifices 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 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.”
These ruins consist of a series of buildings that almost look like ancient homes. The Zapotecs of Oaxaca built them from about AD 750 to AD 950.
🗿 Best Things to see at Yagul Archeological Site
If you want to see Zapotec Ruins without the crowds, like you will have at Monte Alban, then head to Yagul.
When you arrive, don’t miss the main buildings and structures: Patio 4, the Underground Tombs, and the Palacio de los Seis Patios (Palace of the Six Patios).
There’s also the Juego de Pelota (Ball Court), which is the second largest ball court ever discovered in Mesoamerica; the largest is at Chichén Itzá Mayan Ruins in Yucatan.
For the best views of the Yagul site, climb up to the top of the Fortaleza (Fortress), and make sure you have your camera handy.
4. Atzompa Oaxaca Ruins
Visitors looking for an Oaxaca off-the-beaten-path experience will love Atzompa Ruins.
This is a smaller site and pretty much 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.
At the Ruins of Atzompa, you’ll find three ceremonial plazas, the remains of two large residences and several ball courts.
This site actually 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 from all over the world to buy the Atzompa green pottery from local craftspeople.
👩🎨 Best Way to Visit: Discover the whole town by booking this Oaxaca private tour of Monte Alban Ruins and Santa María Atzompa.
The clay itself 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 actually located beneath the houses that local residents live in today!
However, there have been several Zaachila caves 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 at the same time 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 hills that surround it, 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)
Looking for the best things to do in Oaxaca City? …or, Don’t have time to leave Oaxaca City, but still want to see ruins in Oaxaca?!
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.
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.
🏩 Best Hotels in Xochimilco Oaxaca
Looking for the best places to stay in Oaxaca Mexico? Look no further than the Xochimilco Oaxaca City neighborhood.
Here, you’re still within easy walking distance of downtown, but far enough on the outskirts that you don’t feel like you’re surrounded by tourists.
If you want something a bit more wallet-friendly than the city center of downtown, the quiet, charming and low-key Xochimilco Oaxaca neighborhood is the place for you — and these are the best Xochimilco hotels:
8. Casa de la Cacica Ruins
Casa de la Cacica Ruins are located in what was once the Mixteca state of Teposcolula.
This area is now known as San Pedro y San Pablo Teposcolula, a small town located about 90 minutes from Oaxaca City by rental car.
The Casa de la Cacica, meaning “House of the Cacica” or “House of the Chieftain,” was part of a larger religious and administrative complex within the Teposcolula chiefdom.
This was part of the ancient Mixteca civilization. In fact, the Casa de la Cacica is said to have been a palace and residence of the last Mixteca queen.
It is one of the few remaining buildings built for indigenous royalty still standing in Mexico today.
Once located atop Yucundaa Hill, the complex has since been moved to the town of San Pedro y San Pablo Teposcolula — one of the Oaxaca pueblos magicos (magic towns).
The house itself is believed to date back to 1550, and archaeologists say it was constructed to incorporate both indigenous designs and Spanish elements.
The name, Casa de la Cacica, likely refers to Doña Catalina de Peralta, the Cacica who took possession of this home in 1569.
9. San José el Mogote Ruins
The Ruins of San José el Mogote are located in the Villa de Etla, near the charming town of San Agustin Etla.
If you plan a day trip from Oaxaca City to San Agustin Etla, make sure you stop at these ruins.
The San José el Mogote Ruins are part of one of the oldest settlements in the Valley of Oaxaca.
Though not as famous, it predates even the settlement near the Monte Alban Ruins.
San José Mogote is said to be the oldest permanent agricultural village in the Oaxaca Valley. It is also likely the first settlement in the area to use pottery.
🎨 Oaxaca Fun Fact: Oaxaca pottery is quite famous — including the Oaxaca black pottery (barro negro) from San Bartolo Coyotepec, and the Oaxaca green pottery from Santa María Atzompa.
Archaeological investigations from the late-20th Century concluded San José Mogote was an early center of Zapotec culture in Oaxaca.
Today, it is among the best things to do in San Agustin Etla Oaxaca.
10. Lambityeco Ruins
Unlike some of the other Oaxacan ruins on this list, Lambityeco’s economy wasn’t rooted in agriculture.
Rather, this Zapoteca town was important among the Zapotec for the cultivation and sale of salt — a vital food preservative.
The Lambityeco Oaxacan Archeological Site is famed for the intricate and beautiful art found here, especially statues of Cocijo (or Cociyo).
Cocijo is a rain, thunder and lightning god, and among the most important Zapotec gods.
11. Huamelulpan Ruins
Huamelulpan means “flying hill” in Nahuatl, the Aztec language. Like the name says, Huamelulpan was built on a hill.
It has unique architecture with terraced sides and massive terraced platforms that have a drainage system built in.
As plumbing wasn’t the norm in prehispanic times, this shows what an important site Huamelulpan must have been.
Archeologists believe the terraced platforms found here once served as the base of pyramids.
They may have also been elevated homes that once housed elite members of society.
12. Guiengola Ruins
Much like Dainzú Ruins (#6 on this list), the Guiengola Archeological Site is surrounded by mountains.
Some historians believe it was once a grand fortress, built in a way that made it difficult to attack.
According to pre-Columbian scholars, various indigenous tribes including the Mixtec and Zapotec lived at the Guiengola site at different times.
They believe the city was inhabited until circa 1350 AD.
13. Bocana del Río Copalita Ruins (Huatulco Ruins)
The Copalita Ruins in Huatulco are the only ruins on this list that are not in Oaxaca City.
They are located near the Pacific Coast of Oaxaca, in the beach town of Huatulco — one of the best beaches in Oaxaca Mexico.
Located in Copalita Eco-Archaeological Park, these are the only ancient ruins in Huatulco Mexico.
Bocana del Río Copalita Archaeological Zone is a smaller site, but has two prehispanic temples and ancient ball courts to see.
Copalita excavations have confirmed both the Zapotec and Mazatec peoples used the site as a ceremonial center.
During digs, archaeologists uncovered two tombs at Copalita ruins in Huatulco, which contained ruling class members.
While Huatulco is undoubtedly a beach town, if you want some culture, you won’t regret visiting Copalita Archeological Site.
In fact, this is one of the best things to do in Huatulco Mexico that doesn’t involve the beach.
14. Cerro de las Minas Ruins
Cerro de la Minas, meaning “Hill of the Mines,” is an archaeological site near the north Oaxaca city of Huajuapan de León.
It is quite far from Oaxaca City and near the border with Puebla state. As the name says, these ruins are on a large hill atop the valley farmlands.
These farms provided food, and the Cerro de la Minas was a stop on the trade routes in this valley, which made it regionally important
Besides food and trade, the site contains several settlements.
Historians say evidence suggests this site was reserved for the elite who were considered important enough to live near a food source.
15. Yucuita Ruins
Yucuita archeological site is one of the oldest and longest-inhabited ancient sites in Mexico.
It was a small Mixteca village, which has given historians much information on the pre-Hispanic Mixteca people.
There are two complexes to see at Yucuita Ruins; a housing area and a ceremonial center.
Archeologists have also found a large quantity of painted ceramics in the area, which might indicate that it was a center for trade and the arts.
Ready to Book Your Mexico Vacation? Here Are Some Resources To Look At:
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