Antonio Zarate, Professional Guide Services, Oaxaca, Mexico

Oaxaca Tour Guide Service Oaxaca, Mexico Oaxaca Expert Guide Service, specializing in tours of all archaelogical ruins, museums, weaving, markets, local attractions, Day of the Dead festivities, and more!

Antonio Zarate has 20 plus years of experience as a guide authorized by the Mexican government and specializing in Oaxaca, for large groups or singles -- you could not do better! Tour Selections There are so many things to see and do in Oaxaca. Arrange tour times that fit your needs, and create your own personalized itinerary! With our personal guide service, you can personally determine in advance what you will be doing, and you are not dependant on preset schedules.

Try your hand at spinning!

Explaining the Zapotec calendar

Monte Alban Visit what may be the oldest city in the western hemisphere! Built by Zapotecs around 300 -500 BC, this incredible site sits alone on a hilltop carved away by its builders. The spectacular location alone makes it worth a visit. From here you can see the valleys and villages around Oaxaca City and the City itself. Amazing architecture constructed with the most basic tools stirs the imagination. There are bas relief carvings of disputed meaning in the "Gallery of the Dancers." A museum on the premises shows the original position of the skeletons found in its tombs and some of the artifacts. Monte Alban is close to Oaxaca City, but to see the site you'll want a minimum of three hours.

Mitla Completely different from Monte Alban is the smaller, but deeply spiritual site of Mitla. The Spanish ravaged the site in order to use the intricately detailed stones in the construction of their church. On the way to Mitla is the famous Tule tree, a massive cypress in the small town of Tule.

Mitla church, Oaxaca

Yagul (Oaxaca, Mexico)

Yagul Unlike Mitla and Monte Alban, Yagul is not a big destination for organized tours. And that's what makes it special! This remote site above the rich farmland provides spectacular views and refreshing breezes at the top. Below the hilltop is an extensive complex of patios and structures that may have been home to priests. The absence of large groups of tourists here adds to the peaceful and contemplative atmosphere of Yagul.

And more...

There are other smaller sites that may be visited if archaeology is your special interest.

Crafts and Shopping Visit craftsmen who make the animals painted in fantastic colors and patterns in the towns of Arrazola and San Martin Tilcajete.

The Zapotec village of Teotitlan del Valle is known worldwide for its fine rugs. Handwoven and colored with natural dyes these rugs have been produced by the same families for generations. The traditional processes of making the natural colors with plants and the chochineal insect are explained and demonstrated. You will have the opportunity to look through the vast choices available for sale. Village Markets are open different days in the towns of Tlacolula, Zaachila, Ocotlan, and other special areas too numerous to name.

Weaving demonstration

San Bartolo Coyotepec is known for its beautiful black pottery. Visit a potter and see how the pots are made.

Hierve del Agua, "The Water Boils", is an area where mineral springs running down the side have become petrified. At the bottom are pools where bathing is popular.

Rates

Antonio is so much more than a tour guide. He is a kind of goodwill ambassador for his home city and state of Oaxaca. He conveyed his knowledge of archaeological sites: Monte Alban, Yagul, Mitla and others-- in such a way that their history came alive as I climbed their hills and pyramids. At Monte Alban he explained the theories of positioning of the observatory and described the details of the dancers in stone. At Mitla I could imagine the construction of the decorative friezes which adorn the pyramids . At Yagul, he led us to the peak looking out over the pyramids in one direction and over the fertile patchwork of agricultural fields in the other. Atop this mountain we imagined the royalty as they relaxed in the bathtub carved at the summit.

Antonio is invaluable to an exciting stay in Oaxaca. He may introduce you to a restaurant which embodies the warm hospitality of the Mexican people. A typical midday meal is so welcome after hiking, and I wanted to preserve the visual and culinary feast in my memory.

He may lead you through a market to locate chocolate, "queso", and music CD's. He will accommodate your desire to find the perfect souvenir of your trip as he did mine. Never mind the fact that he has numerous times seen the demonstration of making natural dies for the exquisite rugs of Teotitlan. He patiently leads you to the the most outstanding rug maker in the village and graciously indulges your choosing the perfect piece. Thank you, Antonio, for the pride with which you share the many faces of Oaxaca.

-Stephanie Mitchell
Raleigh, North Carolina

My brother and I visited the wonderful city of Oaxaca, a friendly, pleasant and beautiful city filled with spectacular churches,museums as well as several very large local markets. One day we employed the guiding services of Antonio Zarate as we wished to visit some places outside the city. Of special interest to us was the market at Zachilla and the wood carver village of Arrazola. The market was fabulous with Antonio providing as much local history and information about the market's people and products as we wanted without being overbearing. He was most attentive to our questions and safety making us feel as if we had known him for a long time.At Arrazola he took us to homes of 2 of the best wood carvers. Asthe carvers spoke no English and we no Spanish,Antonio became a very good interpreter and helped us with the purchase of several very nice carvings. When we found a piece that was more expensive than we had money in hand for, Antonio even offered to buy the piece and have us send him the money when we returned to the States. He also provided a tour of a huge church under repair, and awed us with his tremendous knowledge of the church's history as well as well as how the church fit into the history of the surrounding area. After a relaxing lunch at a very nice restaurant in the countryside,we toured the ruins at Yagul. Again Antonio impressed us with his extensive knowledge,not only of the site, but again the history and culture of the area.

Antonio was a very safe and careful driver and made the entire day a most memorable experience. I would highly recommend his services to anyone seeking guide services in Oaxaca or the surrounding area. I know we will ask him to guide us on our next trip there.

My trip to Oaxaca was enhanced by the delightful guide service provided by Antonio Zarate, who was more like a friend showing us his favorite sites than a guide just doing a tour. I felt like I'd run into an old pal who was eager to show me the places where he'd grown up, wanting to share his enthusiasm and archeological knowledge with eager listeners.

The best part was that he knew little places to visit that weren't typical tourist spots. I especially enjoyed the home of the rug weavers, where we were the only guests. The weavers told us their story, and Antonio translated it into perfect English, telling us how the weavers dyed their own wool, and then spun it into yarn. My friend and I attempted to do some spinning ourselves - luckily the failures were not captured for posterity in photos! Unfamiliar with the custom at such a place, we were not sure if we were obligated to buy a rug, but Antonio assured us that nothing was expected of us. Had we ventured there on our own somehow, I am sure I'd have come away with several beautiful rugs that I really wouldn't have needed.

In traveling throughout the countryside with Antonio, I felt safe and secure, knowing that he knew his way around, and I didn't have to think about where we were going, what time we had to be there, or any other little details. He made everything easy, entertaining, and fun. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him to anyone, and I will certainly look him up the next time I am in Oaxaca!

-Johanna Hewlett Brown
Seattle, Washingtion

We've been escorted by guides in other parts of Mexico, but Antonio is by far the best. His knowledge of the people who inhabited the outstanding archeological sites around Oaxaca makes you feel like you can see the priests and ball-players as you walk Monte Alban, Mitla, and Yagul. He's fun to be with, too, and makes the whole touring day a delightful one by suggesting restaurants with authentic regional food and music and helping with any translations necessary.

If you're interested in visiting some of the outlying villages to find local artisans at work, you can trust Antonio to get you safely there and back, and with a satchel full of treasures too. You'll feel like you've made a new friend by the end of the day.

-Deborah Mawhar
Kwajalein, Marshall Islands

How to Reach Us We will be happy to help you with any questions you might have about the Oaxaca area and our services. E-mail us, or call us (after 8:30 p.m. Central Standard Time) at International Access Code 011; Mexico country code is 52. My phone number in Oaxaca is 01 (951) 5-12-80-45; from U.S.A. (011) 52 (951) 5-12-80-45. My cell phone number is 1 951 1777492. Note: Cell phone may not be available due to mountainous terrain.

Personal Services are offered.