Which one to choose in Oaxaca
Two ancient sites in Oaxaca. Dainzu has 2 tickets and tours to book; Monte Alban has 32 tickets and tours to book. The table and the two notes below put them side by side; the full pages have what to see, the ticket and the timing for each.
Oaxaca, Mexico
Dainzu is a Zapotec town on a hillside in the Tlacolula valley, about 20 km south-east of Oaxaca city, at its height from about 200 BC to AD 350. Its main platform carries a gallery of dozens of carved stones showing ballplayers in helmets and gloves, a set of reliefs found nowhere else in Mesoamerica.
Oaxaca, Mexico
Monte Alban is the hilltop capital of the Zapotecs above Oaxaca City in southern Mexico, founded around 500 BC on an artificially levelled ridge 400 metres above the valley. Its Great Plaza is framed by pyramids, platforms, a ball court and carved stones of captives known as the Danzantes. It shares a UNESCO listing with the historic centre of Oaxaca.
| Dainzu | Monte Alban | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Ancient City | Ancient City |
| Civilisation | Mesoamerican | Mesoamerican |
| Founded | 650 BC | 500 BC |
| Entry | Small INAH fee; Sundays free for Mexican residents | MXN 210; Mexicans and residents MXN 105, free on Sundays |
| Hours | Usually 8 am to 5 pm; INAH sets the hours, so confirm before going | 8 am to 5 pm daily; last entry about 4 pm |
| Time needed | About an hour | 2 to 3 hours |
| Booking | Pay at the gate; no booking needed | Pay at the gate or buy online from INAH; no need to book ahead |
| UNESCO | — | yes |
| Tickets and tours on GetYourGuide | 2 | 32 |