Tour Monte Albán

The tour was great and compiled everything we were hoping to see and experience in one day. One-stop-tour if you will. We really wanted to see Monte Alban but also wanted to see how they made the Alebrijes and the black clay crafs. Our guide was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable. Monte Alban was absolutely knowledgeable and we got incredible amounts of information we wouldn't have been able to get on our own otherwise. The ruins can be climbed (this was a nice treat). The Alebrijes stop was nice to see and pretty impressive to see the process, the artisans carving and painting the little mythical characters are amazing artists. However the entire town works as a form of cooperative in an arrangement that prevents individual artisans to sell their crafts outside of the arrangements with the cooperative and for this reason we (along with most everyone else in the tour) found the prices of the alebrijes to be somewhat overpriced and unreasonable. I am not saying they are not worth whatever price the artist wishes to tag, is art after all. However, if you are leaving a $2000 USD piece of art out collecting dust and with legs and limbs missing piled along with other supposedly $300 USD or $1000 USD pieces (vs being protected if they are actually that expensive), it is evident they are not that well taken care of and the price tag is there only for the tourist who is willing to pay. The black clay stop was great, it was amazing to be in the place where one pioneer lady many years ago figured out this technique to give a black colour effect to an otherwise normal clay. The tradition has continued in her family and the crafts are beautiful and a nice stop for an array of souvenirs. A few things to keep in mind: (1) it was very hot and there is no shade (specially in the Monte Alban leg of the tour), an UV umbrella, a light long sleeve UV sweater, a shawl to cover your shoulders and or a big hat would be useful to have handy. (2) lunch with the tour is not until 2:30pm, so make sure to either have a good breakfast prior to the start of the tour and/or pack some snacks. Be mindful that no food is allowed inside the Monte Alban grounds, so time your nibbling accordingly. Also of course pack your water bottle (3) the tour is not "all-inclusive" (i.e. the entry fee to Monte Alban is an extra $100 pesos per person, lunch is also extra and there are no other places around the area to eat, so either pack a light lunch with your snacks or have cash ready for your lunch as this will be your only option otherwise. The buffet lunch is (if I recall correctly) $280 pesos per person not including drinks or beer and tips, if you opt for the lunch though, there is plenty of food to be had and everything was tasty. All an all a good tour, the main star of the show is monte alban and the knowledgeable tour guide.