This site is about an hour outside Oaxaca and is easily explored in less than two hours since everything is fairly close together. You should hire a guide in order to learn the stories behind all that you will see. There are usually several hanging out near the entrance. The buildings with their intricate stonework patterns are remarkably intact with traces of the centuries old paintings also still visible. This archeological site exceeded my expectations for it.

Small set of ruins located within the town itself. One should have a guide to understand the place as there is very little signage. A small site but impressive with elaborate and intricate mosaic fretwork and geometric designs that cover tombs, panels, friezes, and even entire walls of the complex.

This is a small site, which one can visit in less than one hour. Whilst a guide might be ideal, we found that the Lonely Plantet gave us a good description. The ruins itself are very interesting and they are better preserved, needing less restoration than Monte Alban To us it makes sense to combine the visit with seeing Hierve del Agua, Yagul, Dainzu and El Tule which you can easily do by hiring a car for the day in Oaxaca.

There is a lot to do in the area of Mitla and the ruins are unique and beautiful. We hired a taxi driver from Oaxaca and spent the day visiting Hierve el agua, el arbol del Tule and Mitla. The area can get busy but in my opinion it's worth it. The geometric patterns (grecas) seem so modern. You can do the whole thing in less than two hours.