Best ancient sites in Oaxaca

All four Oaxaca sites are Zapotec, spanning the culture from early towns to later hilltop strongholds. Monte Alban, founded around 500 BC on a levelled ridge above the city, is the capital, with its Great Plaza, ball court and carved Danzantes. Atzompa is its quieter satellite on a neighbouring hill, with three ball courts. Dainzu, in the Tlacolula valley, has a gallery of ballplayer reliefs found nowhere else, and Yagul, further east, has the valley’s largest ball court, a palace of six patios and a fortress above.