Private Custom Oaxaca Tour – Design Your Perfect Day

The perfect day could not describe it better. After booking, I provided Fernando with an itinerary with the primary items that I would like to see with my high level interests and open to his suggestions to fill in the gaps. Fernando promptly responded and arrived for our adventure exactly on time. His vehicle was spotless and comfortable for our entire day and extra water was provided. Our first stop was Hierve del Agua. Due to restrictions, Fernando could not accompany us on our hike, but he provided details of options to explore on our own for our level of ambition. The views of the waterfall were breathtaking, and we had most spots to ourselves by beating the tours, crowds, and the heat. After we visited Mitla, and here Fernando’s knowledge and passion for his Oaxacan culture and history really shined. Most groups visiting in large tours, but we had a personal guide in Fernando to share so many details about the complex and magical history of the ancient complex and later colonization by the Conquistadors. As the heat of the day as well as our appetites were picking up, it was time for lunch. Fernando selected a beautiful location to enjoy local cuisine at Ranchero Zapata. The family was preparing their altar for El Dia de Los Muertos with provided an intimate and colorful backdrop. With a full stomach, we headed to our next curated stop. We were warmly greeted at Casa Sigiloso by the manager and a tasting of the house mescal. He then provided a private tour of the palenque. The tour started at their garden and the varieties of wild agave plants. We then had a full walkthrough of the artisan and ancestral mescal making processes. We ended with a tasting of a variety of special mescals made in house, each with unique flavors enhanced by wild agave plants and distilling processes. There was absolutely no pressure to buy anything, but of course, we bought a bottle to enjoy on our vacation and a special bottle to share with our friends at home. On our drive to see the indigenous weavers, I had been admiring the beautiful fields of marigolds and flowers on the mountainous backdrop. I asked if there was a good place to stop as take a picture. Fernando saw a good stop and talked to the farmers. For a small tip $40 ($2), we were able to enjoy a walk through the field to take as many pictures as we liked Our last stop curated specifically by Fernando was Casa Pochote, an indigenous weavers collective. Here we had another private tour by the son of an award winning weaver. We learned about how they make dies out of natural wood ingredients, indigenous elements in their designs, and weaving process. The collective had a shop with beautiful rugs, purses, and other items woven at the location. The final stop of our tour was the Arbol de Tule. This incredible tree is estimated to be 2,000 years old and the widest tree in the world. I can’t say enough great things about our experience provided by Fernando. The entire day we knew we were in good hands. We were able to see so much more and at a deeper level than I could have ever imagined. If anyone is considering designing your own adventure, I would highly recommend this experience for you.

Fernando was on time for our pick up and we were able to customize our sightseeing for the day in a comfortable ride. He was informative and personable. Excellent job and highly recommend Fernando!

We had four other different guides during our stay in Oaxaca and they were all decent, but Fernando with Tours Privados Oaxaca routes was the best. He took us all over and moved swiftly to make sure we had the best experience. Super accommodating and communicates very well. Don’t hesitate.. this is your guy, and will be for us every time we come back to Oaxaca.

Fernando provided an experience we will always hold near in our hearts. His attention to detail, passion for history, and calm nature made for the perfect guide. He was not rushed and catered the tour to our interests and questions. The tour provides an authentic, curated experience. Monte Alban and visiting a 5th generation wool artisan family were the absolute highlights. Rest assured, this is the best tour you can take to capture a slice of the beautiful Oaxacan culture. My family and I couldn’t be happier with the experience! Thank you, Fernando!

Excellent day with Fernando. Super friendly, helpful, knowledgeable and informative. We saw both Monte Alban and Mitla in the same day and loved it. Cannot recommend highly enough. Felt very safe and it was 100% worth spending the extra to have a private tour. Fernando is trained and qualified and clearly loves what he does.

We have booked a lot of tours around the world on Viator, this one does not disappoint. It was an absolutely fantastic day. Fernando was such a great guide, spoke excellent English and took lots of photos of us!

Fernando did an absolutely fantastic job! He was so good natured and positive, was deeply knowledgeable about the archaeological sites, and was a safe driver. We thoroughly enjoyed our day with him exploring Monte Alban and Mitla, stopping to see the Tule tree, eating a delicious lunch, and learning about the art of rug weaving in Teotitlan del Valle. Highly recommended!

We had a deep and thorough visit to Monte Alban and Mitla with additional stops for lunch, and the Turk tree and Teotitlan. Our guide , Jaime, was absolutely wondert, with deep historical and cultural knowledge.

Private tours can of course be pricey for solo travelers but if you have the budget I highly recommend, especially if you can't drive or would struggle to navigate the vicinity of Oaxaca by yourself. I had time constraints and specific goals for the day trip, and this was the only tour I could find that would go both to Monte Alban and Mitla. I had an incredible time and was able to learn a ton about the indigenous cultures and communities of the region, including comparative insights regarding sites I had previously visited near Mexico City and in Guatemala. I also learned that many tour guides in Mexico go through years of study before obtaining a license to guide tourists around important archaeological sites, meaning they are very knowledgeable and eager to share their knowledge with visitors. Miguel (who stepped in to replace Fernando as he wasn't feeling well) was extremely well-informed and did an amazing job accommodating my interests (including a quick pit stop at a mezcal distillery on the way back to Oaxaca city) and time constraints (an early afternoon bus ride back to CDMX). All in all, if you have an interest in Mesoamerican cultures and sites in the Oaxaca region, I highly recommend this tour.

Our guide Cesar was extraordinary - he was extremely professional and knowledgeable about the ruins and the many Mesoamerican civilisations. He also explained to us how the communities around Oaxaca City live and how they interlace their ancient traditions in the present. He brought us to visit local Mezcal artisans as well as master weavers which was extremely insightful. He truly enhanced our experience with his witty and funny comments. Would definitely recommend to anyone visiting Oaxaca!

We had a wonderful tour with Fernando today. He is very personable and knowledgable about all the places we went. We started at Monte Alban. It is a must to see! It was truly a highlight of our trip to Oaxaca!

Fernando was fantastic. Knowledgeable, engaging, great English, caring, interesting—and interested in us, too. His interpretation of all the key sites added personal and community flavor to the experience. Very comfortable transportation and a stop off at a great restaurant for lunch made the day perfect. Pick up and drop off at our rental was flawless. We felt that we were in good hands and thoroughly enjoyed taking one of our four days in Oaxaca to experience the history and culture of the area.

Our guide Fernando was excellent. He had extensive knowledge about Monte Albán and Mitla. He was very accommodating to our interests and was extremely helpful climbing up and down the pyramid steps.

Absolutely incredible tour at just the right pace and with a guide whose astounding knowledge of all the sites made the journey all the more pleasant. We loved it and would recommend this tour to all visitors to Oaxaca

If you want to truly understand Oaxaca , its people, history, and traditions, this is the perfect tour. Everything was tailored to what we wanted to see, and our guide made the experience unforgettable. We visited local artisans, tasted mezcal straight from the producer, and explored stunning landscapes. The flexibility and personal touch made all the difference.

Our tour with Fernando was fantastic! He picked us up right from our hotel and made everything so easy and comfortable. It was just my partner and me, and we always felt safe and well taken care of. Fernando was very professional, respectful, and friendly, and he shared so much knowledge about the culture and history of Oaxaca. We learned a lot while also having so much fun. I highly recommend Fernando, this tour was phenomenal!

One of the reasons why we picked it was both Monte Alban and Mitla on the same day. And the size of a group. It was day dedicated to the sight seeing and very private tour experience. Fernando was really attentive, did not rush us and answered all our questions.

Visiting Oaxaca with Fernando was an absolute pleasure. He knows the city and its history inside out and has a way of making every site come alive with stories and insights. From hidden local gems to famous landmarks, he guided us smoothly and made sure every moment was comfortable and enjoyable. His enthusiasm and professionalism really stood out.

We’ve been on many tours, but this one was exceptional. Fernando’s timing, organization, and passion for Oaxaca are unmatched. He shared history, legends, and even personal anecdotes that gave the sites more meaning. The visit to the rugs family was authentic and not touristy at all.

Had a fantastic day exploring Oaxaca and its surrounds with Fernando. His passion and in depth knowledge of the areas history and culture make this tour a must do! Both historic sites of Mitla and Monte Alban are definitely worth the visit.

Fernando’s tour was the perfect mix of history, culture, and local flavor. We never felt rushed, and every stop felt intentional. His knowledge of Zapotec and Mixtec history is deep, and he explains it in a way anyone can understand. Don’t miss this experience if you come to Oaxaca.

This private tour was everything we hoped for and more. Fernando picked us up in a comfortable vehicle, provided water, and tailored the itinerary to our interests. His explanations at Monte Albán were fascinating, and we loved the stop in the weaving village. It felt like traveling with a friend who knows everyone in town.

Our private tour with Fernando was an unforgettable journey through the heart of Oaxacan history and culture. From the moment he picked us up right on time, we knew we were in for something special. Fernando guided us through Monte Albán and Mitla with deep knowledge and a genuine passion that brought each site to life. He explained the stories behind the ruins, the meaning of Zapotec symbols, and the cultural importance of each place with clarity and enthusiasm. We also stopped at a traditional mezcal distillery and an artisan workshop, where we met local families and learned firsthand about their crafts. The tour was well-paced, personal, and filled with insights we would have completely missed on our own. This experience gave us a true connection to Oaxaca. Absolutely recommended!

I highly recommend Fernando, he’s very knowledgeable, passionate, he answered all our questions and Fernando took us to beautiful places. Thank you so much Fernando!!

I looked at every tour and this is the WINNER, don’t miss out! Fernando was the best guide I have ever had. He has created a tour that is perfect, you see most everything in one day. The car was great, A/C, cold water superb service. His knowledge was extensive and I loved his passion for Oaxaca. A good honest hard working young man, support him.

This was an Amazing day. We had asked Fernando if we could drop the Textile part of the tour so we could spend more time exploring Oaxaca. He agreed and offered to pick us up at 8am rather than 9am so we could get to Monte Albán before the crowds. We left at the earlier time, and did beat the crowds. Fernando has a vast amount of historical knowledge and was able to answer all our questions. We can't rave enough about Fernando and this tour. He was efficient, kind, funny, and thoughtful. We Do recommend you bring a hat or umbrella. We were in full sun for most of the tour and sunscreen is a must. We asked for suggestions of what else we could see and Fernando created a tour just to meet our interests and time schedule. 5/5 rating for this exceptional guide.

Fernando was an excellent guide and very accommodating about customizing the day to what we wanted to do. We started with a great tour of Monte Alban. Fernando gave us lots of interesting information about the site and the Zapotec history and culture. We then went to the Tule Tree. It is majestic and amazing! The photos do not do it justice. Fernando took us to a locals restaurant off the beaten path and we had a great, traditional Oaxacan lunch. He then took us to the weaving workshop of a multi-generational weaving family. They spin and dye all the yarn by hand using organic materials and do all the weaving by hand on wooden looms. The rugs they are producing are works of art and although we did buy something, there was absolutely no high pressure sales pitch which was greatly appreciated. Just an outstanding day!

Fernando was a terrific host! He was extremely knowledgeable of the history and traditions of everything from Monte Alban, the beautiful El Tule tree, the town of Mitla and an authentic Zapotec weaver with the most beautiful colored yarns. He even showed us cave drawings that had been exposed on the side of the road after an earthquake! I highly recommend taking his tour -- you will not be disappointed!

Fernando is an excellent guide. Very knowledgeable and accommodating. He speaks English well. I would highly recommend him.

Fernando was an excellent guide. He was on time, knowledgeable, and flexible with the tour. I would recommend him to friends and family visiting Oaxaca, and the next time we visit we will hire him to explore places we didn't go to.

I VERY highly recommend this tour with Fernando! He is a very well informed individual who has a deep knowledge of the fascinating Zapotec culture and history behind the archaeological sites. On my second day in Oaxaca I went with him to Mont Alban which was an incredible experience - I learned so much. He then took me to several off the beaten path villages where they still practice indigenous crafts. My only regret is that I did not have Fernando with me on my first day when I went on my own to several sites. This is money well spent - one gets a much deeper understanding of Oaxaca and the surrounding area and its peoples. Thank you Fernando for what was the highlight of this trip to Oaxaca!

Fernando is one of the most knowledgeable , friendly and professional guide I have ever known. He was our guide for a whole day in Monte Alban and several other villages in Oaxaca. He is completely fluent in English which is another big advantage. I would highly recommend Fernando for any type of tour in Oaxaca.

Extraordinary guide, driver and tour; highly recommended as first dive in Oaxaca. On this same trip we returned for more tours.

The tour was very nice. Fernando shared a lot about the history and amazing facts about each place we visit! I definitely recommend that you do this tour with Fernando, a very friendly and very intelligent person! Very nice and very interesting views!