Cidade Turismo
Mexico

Before you go

Your trip to Santa María del Tule.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Santa María del Tule – Oaxaca Destination Oaxaca and Monte Albán about 12 km from Oaxaca

How to get there

  • Aeropuerto Internacional de Oaxaca (OAX) Oaxaca · 12 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

From Oaxaca it is about 12 km along the highway to Mitla, roughly a 20-minute drive. Buses and shared vans to Mitla depart from Oaxaca and stop in the village.

How many days

A one-hour stop, as part of the Mitla route tour.

When to go

Any time of year. Mornings have fewer groups. In October the village holds a festival in honor of the tree.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No. The vans to Mitla stop in the village, and the tree is right beside the road.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Santa María del Tule
  1. Morning
    Tule Tree

    See the Tule tree in the churchyard and walk around the trunk with one of the local boys who act as guides; they point out figures in the folds of the bark.

  2. Afternoon
    Tule Market

    Try the dishes at the food market next to the square, such as tlayudas and amarillito empanadas.

  3. Late afternoon
    Teotitlán del Valle

    In the afternoon, continue to Teotitlán del Valle, about 20 km away, and visit the wool rug workshops.

  4. Evening
    Return to Oaxaca

    At the end of the day, return to Oaxaca, about 12 km away, to have dinner downtown.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

How old is the Tule tree?

Estimates commonly say more than 1,500 years, but the exact age is not known.

Is the Tule tree far from Oaxaca?

About 12 km east, on the road to Mitla.

What kind of tree is the Tule?

A Montezuma cypress, called ahuehuete in Mexico, the country's national tree.

Can you touch the Tule tree?

No. It is surrounded by railings in the churchyard, and visitors walk around it.

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