Monte Albán is a large archaeological site located in southern Mexico's Valley of Oaxaca. Oaxaca City is located 9km east of Monte Albán. It is situated atop an artificially-levelled mountain, 400 metres above the valley floor.

Sightseeing
Monte Albán has many step-pyramids, temples, elite tombs, and a court for playing the Mesoamerican ballgame. The site is built around the Gran Plaza, which is ringed by the ruins of step pyramids and mounds. Three pyramids occupy the centre of the plaza, along with the enigmatic Building J. Building J has invited much speculation due to its unusual shape and orientation, and several researchers have found various astronomical alignments. The building also features large carved "conquest slabs" depicting vanquished enemies. The oldest carved stones at the site are the so-called "Danzantes", featuring drawings of naked men in contorted and twisted poses. The notion that they depict dancers is now largely discredited, and the present consensus is that these "dancers" represent tortured, sacrificed war prisoners. The site has a small museum.

Getting there
Buses leave the Hotel Rivera del Ángel in Oaxaca every hour between 8.30am and 3.30pm. The return bus is normally 2 hours after, but you can stay longer if you arrange a seat on a later bus.