Tree of Tule

Historical landmark · Santa María del Tule ·

Tree of Tule

Historical landmark · Santa María del Tule ·

Widest tree in the world, ancient Montezuma cypress, next to church

Information

2 de Abril, 8va Etapa IVO Fracc el Retiro, 68297 Santa María del Tule, Oax., Mexico Get directions

@travelleisure

28,641 Postcards · 5,542 Cities

These Are the 20 Best Things to Do in Oaxaca, Mexico

"An ancient and celebrated tree honored each October with local festivities in the nearby suburb; noted for having what is considered the widest trunk in the world, it is open to visitors (with a small fee for closer access) and sits close to a historic Baroque 16th-century church, which is recommended to see while in town." - Patricia Doherty Patricia Doherty Patricia Doherty is a writer who specializes in covering destinations, resorts, and cruises for Travel + Leisure and other publications. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines

https://www.travelandleisure.com/best-things-to-do-in-oaxaca-7510112

Tree of Tule

@afar

25,132 Postcards · 3,702 Cities

"Widest Tree in the World The Tule tree is estimated to be over 2,000 years old. It's not the oldest or the tallest, but at about 30 feet in diameter, it is the widest tree in the world, and it's quite impressive. The species is Taxodium mucronatum, but it's commonly known as a Montezuma Cypress. If you visit on the weekend, you can ask one of the local children who act as guides to give you a "tour" of the tree—they point out figures in the natural formations of the tree's bark and branches."

Oaxaca Day Trip: Eastern Valley

Photo by Suzanne Barbezat

Tree of Tule

@harpersbazaar

81 Postcards · 58 Cities

"A visit to see El Árbol del Tule, the widest tree in the world, is a must for me. It's a natural wonder that sits in the church grounds of Santa María del Tule."

The Wanderlust: Where Mercedes Salazar Wants to Travel Post-Lockdown

Tree of Tule

@nomadicmatt

6,682 Postcards · 1,172 Cities

The 15 Best Things to Do in Oaxaca (Updated 2025)

"Near Oaxaca, in the town of Santa María del Tule, the Montezuma cypress—estimated at 1,500–3,000 years old with a trunk diameter of about 14 meters—is a magnificent sight and quick to see, so I suggest combining it with other nearby activities." - Matthew Kepnes

https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/best-things-oaxaca/

Tree of Tule

Rafael Gonzalez V.

Google

Visiting El Árbol del Tule in Santa María del Tule was such a cool experience! I had seen pictures before, but nothing compares to seeing this massive tree in person. The trunk is unbelievably huge — it honestly makes you stop and just stare for a minute. It’s amazing to think about how many generations have stood in that same spot looking at it. The little town itself is super charming and relaxed. The plaza area is clean, easy to walk around, and there are vendors nearby for snacks and drinks. It’s a quick stop, but definitely worth it if you’re in the Oaxaca area. Simple, beautiful, and kind of mind-blowing when you realize how old that tree really is. 🌳

Joe L.

Google

What an amazing site to see while visiting Oaxaca! The Tree of Tule was so beautiful! This Montezuma Cypress tree has the largest trunk base in the world! The Tree of Tule along with the town of Santa Maria de Tule is a definite must visit when coming to Oaxaca!

John F.

Google

The largest tree by mass in the world! Witness this magnificent tree and the surrounding gardens. Parrots live in the tree, first we have seen them down here. The town is also very cute and clean. Not a place to miss.

Jennifer R.

Google

Great place to walk around on a Sunday afternoon. We had two couples and two kids in our group. It is 20 pesos to enter the garden. There are actually 2 younger trees the the vacinity and a bunch of varieties of flowers and bushes that are shaped into animals.

Nancy H.

Google

What a remarkable garden, for $20 pesos you get to see 2000 years of history up close. This tree is that old and being able to observe it is such a gift. There is also a small chapel and behind it there is another tree, 1000 years old. Don't miss it!

Hanncel S.

Google

I'm completely in awe! What a wonderful creation of Mother Earth. I'm still assimilating how big and sacred this tree is. The plaza is also so beautiful, nice, clean, plenty of seating and shade, lots of authentic shops around. Totally worth the trip!

Ben Q.

Google

This is a witness tree that is easily accessible. It is beautiful and even though you cannot get close to it, you can enjoy it. The grounds are well maintained and cared for by staff. Always bring toilet paper because they are greedy with the squares. Be ready as well because just like most other WC they remove the toilet seats.

Craig Weiner, D.

Google

Absolutely worth the visit, this tree is truly spectacular and powerful…the surrounding grounds are meticulous…we were lucky to happen to visit the day before its annual celebration so not overly crowded and got to see all the preparations occurring…

James V.

Yelp

Yes the widest tree according to Guinness! A sight to see in person. Charming, beautiful, clean town not far from Oaxaca city. Definitely worth checking out if time allows. The street was delicious and affordable as well.

Alexis B.

Yelp

We visited el Árbol del Tule on our last full day in Oaxaca last week, and I'm so glad we didn't miss it. What is it? It's the tree with widest known trunk in the world! 46.1 feet in diameter!!! It's hard to make sense of this; you just have to see it! Its age is technically unknown, but estimates range between 1,200 and 3,000 years old. (Local Zapotec legend holds that it was planted about 1,400 years ago by Pechocha, a priest of the Aztec god Ehecatl.) The name of the tree (Tule) refers to a different plant that grows in the area, the tree is actually a Montezuma Cypress (English), Sabino (Spanish), or Ahuehuete (Nahuatl). It's a little bit out of the city. You can get to Santa María del Tule (the town/village where the tree is located) by car or bus or you can do what we did. We booked an Airbnb experience and road bikes to the Árbol del Tule (about 5 miles each way) with a guide who shared a lot of information about the tree and the community. There's a small entrance fee, but I thought visiting the tree was totally worth it (we were in Oaxaca for 6 nights, which might be a little longer than some tourists). Santa María del Tule is also really charming and beautiful, so you can grab some food, walk around, take in the views, go to the mercado, and spend a couple of hours there. The tree was just majestic and amazing. Awesome, truly.

Julia V.

Yelp

Árbol de Tule or "La Gigante" is mustn't miss. Located in pueblo Santa María del Tule, not far from Oaxaca, it is said to been of the world's widest (200 ft) & perhaps oldest tree. With sun somehow streaming through its ancient branches, El Tule is simply magnificent. Botanically it is a bald cypress, tho it's known popularly as Montezuma's Cypress. Apt! Alexander von Humboldt, the great 18th-19th century polymath & geographer, thought El Tule was 4,000 years old although botanists today say 2,000-3,000 years. In his marvelous "Oaxaca Journal" Oliver Sacks muses, "What has El Gigante seen? The rise and fall of a half a dozen civilizations, the coming of the Spaniards, the whole human history of Oaxaca." It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2003.

Osula L.

Yelp

Came here via DiDi Rider, a taxi app, on a Wednesday afternoon in early July 2023. The tree was beautiful and was part of the church property which was fenced off. You need to buy tickets to get up close to it where there was another smaller fence preventing people from touching or climbing it. The tickets were MX$20 per person. The tree is over 2,000 years old and there is another younger tree that is about 1,000 years old on the south side of the church. Great place to visit if you have some time to kill. You can even hire a tour guide, which we didn't do. We were staying in the center of Oaxaca and it was surprisingly difficult to hail a cab back. Most taxi drivers wouldn't take us to the center. The taxis were all red and white and are based in Tule. Thankfully, we eventually found someone willing to take us. Make sure you negotiate the cost before getting into the cab. Ours came out to MX$150.

Lissa G.

Yelp

Definitely worth visiting if you're in Oaxaca! Jim G. and I did the best kind of visit, I think: we took a Bike Riding Tour with Ivan and rode ~6 miles to the area, then locked up our bikes as Ivan told us all about El Tule. It's a stunner as the widest tree in the world and a very old one at that! I love the canopy of shade it provides, while also allowing for some beautiful rays of sun to come pouring through! The formations on the bark make for some interesting interpretive conversations. "That's a lion." "That's a dragon." "That's an anteater." LOL The entire park area and church grounds are lovely and well-maintained. This was a nice part of our trip to Oaxaca.

Royce K.

Yelp

If you have a few hrs to kill this is cool little Pueblo they have the oldest tree in mexico it massive the garden surrounded it is nice the shops have all kinda of finds seems to have some nice restaurants all around definitely will go back

Oren P.

Yelp

It is NOT necessary to pay to see the tree - and the best views and photos are actually usually from outside the church's fenced off area. And there are also OTHER large interesting trees - similar in size and age - in the same plaza and other areas of this small (now tourist) town, so unless you want to enter the church (grounds), you can access and photograph "trees without fees" and also possibly many other things that might interest you. Besides the famous tree(s), and adjacent church, much of this town seems devoted to restaurants and tourist shops, but there is also a bicycle path (that people walk). A colectivo taxi to or from downtown Oaxaca is only 15 Pesos. Bus service is even cheaper.

Douglas V.

Yelp

If you find yourself in Oaxaca City, The Árbol de Tule is a must see. Located in pueblo Santa Maria del Tule, this is the largest and one of the largest trees in the world. There's a lively market and mercado de comedor (food market) within walking distance.

Josh B.

Yelp

Being from the east coast of Canada, my version of "big trees" is way off base. Some of our oldest trees are a few hundred years old, and are typically not as impressive as you would think. Those on the west coast have a better sense of the term, but still non of those trees compare to this. The Tule Tree is the widest tree in the world. It's spectacular. It's located in the middle of the town next to the church. There is a fence around the tree, but it's iron, so you can see through. There is an "admission" fee for those who want to walk the church grounds to get closer. I'd make the trip out of town again to see this tree - it's one of a kind. Want to see this video? Check out the adventure here! https://youtu.be/w6pSeJn3LZ8

Jose G.

Yelp

A must for those that enjoy historical locations. A definite Bucket-List. It's majestic presence truly felt. Just knowing that it surpasses the age of the religion which cares for it is amazing.

Justine S.

Yelp

One of my favorite stops around Oaxaca! I wasn't expecting to be so impressed but I was! We hired a driver for the day, so it was super easy for us to get here in about a 20 minute drive from Oaxaca. It was a 10 peso entrance fee and then we just spent about 15-20 minutes gawking at the tree while circling it and taking photos. It's really amazing and weirdly serene to look at. Drop by if you have the chance!

Karen O.

Yelp

This was one of my favorite things to see during my trip to Oaxaca, this tree is the widest tree in the world! And so beautiful!!! We got help from one of the kid tour guides hanging out around the tree, they are able to point out the different animal faces on the tree with a little mirror and they accept donations for their services.

Haley B.

Yelp

Arbol del Tule is incredible. I was startled by the sense of awe that overcame me as my eyes traveled the geography of the massive trunk with its countless knots and crevices, though in hindsight I think wonder is the only appropriate response to being in the presense of something so ancient, giant, and beautiful. 10/10, would recommend. A visit to Arbol del Tule is definitely worth the 100 peso price of admission.

Mariana G.

Yelp

I do remember coming here when I was a kid, and at the moment I thought it's no big deal. After coming here a few years ago with my husband and being able to appreciate how impressive this tree is my thoughts completely changed. No wonder this tree is on the list of the most famous trees around the world. It's over 2000 years old and the trunk is HUGE!! and if you are lucky enough, you can get a tour done by some kids who will walk you around the tree and show you where all the animal shapes are hidden. The kids are really friendly and very patient for their age, and at the end of their "tour" you can give them a small tip for helping you out. Be sure to bring a drink or an ice cream, sit in one of the benches and enjoy the shade provided by this magnificent tree. You can even visit the church and grab something to eat after.

@travelleisure

28,641 Postcards · 5,542 Cities

These Are the 20 Best Things to Do in Oaxaca, Mexico

https://www.travelandleisure.com/best-things-to-do-in-oaxaca-7510112

Tree of Tule

@afar

25,132 Postcards · 3,702 Cities

Oaxaca Day Trip: Eastern Valley

Photo by Suzanne Barbezat

Tree of Tule

@harpersbazaar

81 Postcards · 58 Cities

"A visit to see El Árbol del Tule, the widest tree in the world, is a must for me. It's a natural wonder that sits in the church grounds of Santa María del Tule."

The Wanderlust: Where Mercedes Salazar Wants to Travel Post-Lockdown

Tree of Tule

@nomadicmatt

6,682 Postcards · 1,172 Cities

The 15 Best Things to Do in Oaxaca (Updated 2025)

https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/best-things-oaxaca/

Tree of Tule

Rafael Gonzalez V.

Google

Joe L.

Google

John F.

Google

Jennifer R.

Google

Nancy H.

Google

Hanncel S.

Google

Ben Q.

Google

Craig Weiner, D.

Google

James V.

Yelp

Alexis B.

Yelp

Julia V.

Yelp

Osula L.

Yelp

Lissa G.

Yelp

Royce K.

Yelp

Oren P.

Yelp

Douglas V.

Yelp

Josh B.

Yelp

Jose G.

Yelp

A must for those that enjoy historical locations. A definite Bucket-List. It's majestic presence truly felt. Just knowing that it surpasses the age of the religion which cares for it is amazing.

Justine S.

Yelp

Karen O.

Yelp

Haley B.

Yelp

Mariana G.

Yelp

Tree of Tule

Information

Postcards

Media

These Are the 20 Best Things to Do in Oaxaca, Mexico

The 15 Best Things to Do in Oaxaca (Updated 2025)

You might also like

These Are the 20 Best Things to Do in Oaxaca, Mexico

The 15 Best Things to Do in Oaxaca (Updated 2025)