{"id":263317,"date":"2023-10-16T15:11:58","date_gmt":"2023-10-16T19:11:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/?p=263317"},"modified":"2025-06-04T13:35:49","modified_gmt":"2025-06-04T17:35:49","slug":"where-to-stay-oaxaca","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-blogs\/where-to-stay-oaxaca\/","title":{"rendered":"Where to Stay in Oaxaca: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"A<\/p>\n

Oaxaca<\/a> is now one of the most popular destinations in Mexico<\/a>. Thanks to its history, textiles industry, and architectural beauty \u2014 and the growing popularity of mezcal \u2014 everyone wants to go there. There\u2019s a ton to see and do<\/a>, and every time I visit, it seems busier. (It\u2019s not just foreigners either: it\u2019s become really popular with Mexicans and Argentinians too.) <\/p>\n

While there are lots of neighborhoods to stay in, most everything is adjacent to downtown (Centro<\/em>). Whether you stay in one area or another is just a matter of how far you want to walk to the center. Do you care if you walk 20 or 30 minutes, or would you prefer just 5 minutes? That\u2019s the only real difference that you have to think about.<\/p>\n

The only noncentrally located neighborhood is Reforma, the more modern and upscale part of town. It\u2019s a really nice area, and there are a lot of good accommodations, shops, and restaurants there. <\/p>\n

However, as a tourist with likely only a few days here, I think you\u2019re better off staying in a more central part of town. This will make it easier to get around (Reforma is not really within walking distance of the main sights). <\/p>\n

So, with that said, I\u2019m just going to name my favorite places to stay and tell you how far of a walk they are from the Z\u00f3calo (the main public square downtown):<\/p>\n

BUDGET: Viajero Hostels Oaxaca<\/a><\/strong> – Just a 10-minute walk to the main square, this social hostel boasts a chill rooftop bar with panoramic views over the city (it’s the perfect spot to relax, enjoy a delicious breakfast, or sip on local Mexican cocktails while taking in Oaxaca\u2019s magical sunsets). The beds are comfy with thick mattresses and the dorm beds have privacy curtains so you can get a decent sleep. There’s always something going on here too so you can easily meet other travelers (they organize food tours, mezcal tastings, and more). The restaurant offers vegetarian options and there are even female-only dorms for added privacy and security. It’s my go-to hostel in the city.<\/p>\n

BUDGET: Casa Angel Hostel<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 This is a super social hostel on the northern edge of downtown, just a 15-minute walk to the main square. The staff organize many events, including happy hours, yoga classes, and group barbecues. Breakfast is included and there\u2019s also a bar on the roof that makes hanging out and meeting people a breeze. The beds are soft, comfortable, and come with privacy screens. The bathrooms are kept really clean too. It\u2019s one of the best hostels in the city.<\/p>\n

BUDGET: Hostal Central<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 Located on the western edge of downtown, just a 10-minute walk to the main square, Hostal Central offers one of the best free breakfasts in town. The beds have orthopedic mattresses and all the dorms have lockers so you can store your gear safely and securely. There\u2019s a shared kitchen for cooking your own meals and the staff organize regular activities so it\u2019s easy to meet people.<\/p>\n

MIDRANGE: La Casona del Llano<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 Right on Parque Llano, about 15 minutes walk from the main square, this is a really nice, traditional hotel with rooms centered around a beautiful garden. The restaurant serves a delicious breakfast (as well as tasty traditional cuisine throughout the day), and the rooms are rustic and quiet. The interior may be a bit outdated, but the staff is super friendly, the Wi-Fi is strong, and the water pressure is great. I love staying here. When we used to run tours here, this is where we stayed with our groups.<\/p>\n

MIDRANGE: Los Arrayanes<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 This hotel in the center of town is in an old hacienda<\/em> (large estate house) with lots of plants and colorful art around. The rooms are bright, spacious, and colorful; the water pressure in the showers is great, and the beds are comfy. There\u2019s a beautiful courtyard and rooftop garden and the staff goes out of their way to ensure you have a comfortable stay. It\u2019s one of the best hotels in Oaxaca. <\/p>\n

MIDRANGE: One Oaxaca Centro<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 About 20 minutes walk from the Z\u00f3calo, in the Jalatlaco district, this modern business hotel has comfy (though a bit bland) rooms. The beds are soft, there\u2019s lots of natural light, showers have good pressure, and there\u2019s a table to work from. There\u2019s also a robust breakfast spread to fill up on too. Consider this lodging to be like a Holiday Inn. <\/p>\n

MIDRANGE: Oaxaca Real Hotel<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 This huge hotel in a restored colonial mansion right in the center of town has a small pool, a rooftop restaurant serving delicious traditional food, and friendly staff. The rooms are homey and clean (albeit a little dark and dated). But the beds are soft and it\u2019s quiet so you can get a good sleep. It\u2019s located minutes from the main square and has the best location out of all the hotels on this list. <\/p>\n

UPSCALE: City Centro by Marriott<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 Located east of Centro in the Jalatlaco area, this is one of the most modern, hip hotels in town. Its rooms are plush with trendy art, lots of light, and firm beds. The staff is really helpful and there\u2019s a gym, bar, and outdoor pool here. It\u2019s quite photogenic with its pink d\u00e9cor and inspirational signs, so you\u2019ll see lots of people popping into the hotel just to take photos. <\/p>\n

***<\/center><\/p>\n

I love Oaxaca<\/a>. It\u2019s a beautiful, lively city that\u2019s easy to get around if you stay in the center. All the properties here are excellent and rather centrally located, so no matter what your choice is, you\u2019ll have a great place to stay. Oaxaca lives up to all the hype, so you\u2019re going to have a blast! <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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Book Your Trip to Oaxaca: Logistical Tips and Tricks<\/h4>\n

Book Your Flight<\/strong>
\nFind a cheap flight by using Skyscanner<\/a>. It is my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe, so you always know no stone is left unturned!<\/p>\n

Book Your Accommodation<\/strong>
\nYou can book your hostel with Hostelworld<\/a> as it has the largest inventory. If you want to stay elsewhere, use Booking.com<\/a>, as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels. <\/p>\n

For more hostel suggestions, here is a complete list of my favorite hostels in Oaxaca<\/a>. <\/p>\n

If you prefer to stay in a hotel, these are more of my favorites<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance<\/strong>
\nTravel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancelations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it, as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:<\/p>\n