The 13 Best Places to Stay in Oaxaca City in 2023
Oaxaca City is brimming with wonders, each one unique and worth a visit. From its cuisine and shopping to the colorful colonial architecture, culture, history, and all its natural richness, the city are among the top destinations of Mexico—and definitely my personal favorite.
If you are planning a trip there, this post on the best places to stay in Oaxaca will help you find the perfect accommodation for your trip.
Oaxaca is also a designated UNESCO world heritage site along with its nearby archaeological site, Monte Albán.
But to explore it properly, you’ll need cozy lodging, so in this post, I’m going to tell you about the 13 best places to stay in Oaxaca City.
Full of things to do, see, and explore, Oaxaca City is located in Southern Mexico’s Central Valleys region. The natural charm of Sierra Madre, including lush greenery and breathtaking mountains, surrounds Oaxaca.
The stunning beauty of this spectacular region is a marvel on its own, but Oaxaca City brings extra charm to your vacation with its history, tradition, culture, and popular attractions—making it one of the most beautiful cities in Latin America.
To top things off, Oaxaca City also has lots of modern Mexican appeal to it as well. Besides all the incredible things to do in Oaxaca and its surrounding, its annual Day of The Dead festival brings thousands of tourists to the city every year, and the art galleries, traditional Oaxacan food, and nightlife complement its cultural attractions.
It is also a great city to keep as a base if you want to explore its surrounding with day trips from Oaxaca.
There’s no shortage of hotels in Oaxaca City, so you can find one on every budget. In this post, I’ll tell you about the best places to stay in Oaxaca City, ranging from luxury hotels to mid-range and budget hotels, for your next trip to this dreamy destination.
Where to stay in Oaxaca – Best areas and best hotels
There are many unique areas of Oaxaca City, each one with its own perks. San Agustin de la Juntas is a neighborhood next door to the Oaxaca International Airport, but it’s a little far from the attractions.
Universidad and Barrio de la Noria are serene neighborhoods close to Centro where you will find budget lodgings and fewer crowds. Santa Maria del Marquesado is a residential suburb great for someone looking to enjoy the green hills around Oaxaca, with outdoor activities, walks, and hiking included!
But, in my opinion, Centro is still the best area of Oaxaca City to stay in—especially if you’re visiting the city for the first time. The historic center of Oaxaca is where all the main attractions of the city are, making it the best area to stay in as well.
Oaxaca Centro also has some of the best neighborhoods in the city, with lots of luxury hotels to accommodate you in this central location.
With luxurious lodgings in neighborhoods like Xochimilco, famous for its historical richness, and Barrio de Jalatlaco, famous for its hip vibe and colorful architecture, the Historic Center is just perfect.
Being in the center of town, it’s within easy walking distance of all the popular attractions of the city and offers both luxury and budget hotels.
Oaxaca Centro (Historic Center) luxury hotels
1. Los Amantes
Los Amantes is a contemporary boutique hotel in the heart of Oaxaca city’s historic center. Los Amantes translates to “The Lovers”, and it’s a complete work of art on its own. I picked it for the mix of comfort and luxury it provides with the amazing location of the property.
The historic building of Los Amantes is restored in the contemporary classical style by Joao Boto Caeiro, a renowned Portuguese architect, making it a blend of art, sophistication, and Oaxaca city’s traditional Colonial architecture.
This gorgeous luxury hotel features a bar and roof terrace with a great view of the lovely garden.
With interior design just as amazing as the exteriors, Los Amantes truly suits the magical charm of Oaxaca City. The suites of this hotel are carefully decorated, each one unique in its charm and comfort.
I really love the bamboo-derived fiber bedding these suites have, and the free breakfast is made perfect with its taste and freshness to start your day with.
Combined with the central location, these amenities make Los Amantes one of the best hotels for you if you’re looking to truly explore Oaxaca City.
Since Los Amantes is in one of the best areas of Oaxaca City, I highly recommend taking the night tours offered by the hotel to explore the blissful beauty of its downtown area. Also, do include some bicycle rides around town because the luxury hotel has free bikes that you can use to go wherever you like.
Check out rates and availability on Booking.com
2. Casa Carmen Reforma
Reforma is one of the two Casa Carmen luxury hotels in Oaxaca Centro. The 5-star hotel is located just a short walk from the Botanical Gardens of Oaxaca City and the Santo Domingo Temple and offers four delightful private rooms featuring decor and art by the famous artist Amador Montes.
Amador Montes has a very unique view of the home, and that’s what he incorporates in the interiors of these suites. Room 1975 is a room with a vintage aura featuring a king bed, free wifi, a 42” flat-screen TV, and a private bathroom. The Amador is another room with the same features and very intimate decor.
The Nest takes it one step further by adding a private terrace and spa into the mix, and the Carmen is a room that has all the amenities I mentioned, along with a rooftop terrace spa and hammock, making your stay the most luxurious.
It goes without saying that these rooms maximize comfort along with their aesthetics, so you will have a grand stay no matter which one of the four spacious rooms you choose. The location will give you easy access to the beautiful city and all its popular attractions.
Check out rates and availability on Booking.com
3. Casa Antonieta
Casa Antonieta is a peaceful hotel in the city center, offering the Oaxacan historical vibe in its colonial architecture along with modern amenities. The hotel is a remodeled historical building, and has lots of unique accommodations, and a central courtyard functions as one of its common areas.
The enchanting architectural beauty of Casa Antonieta is perfectly complemented by its location in downtown Oaxaca de Juarez. You will have a bar, terrace, and garden views to enjoy during your stay here, and the accommodation includes free continental breakfast.
The rooms have air conditioning, flat-screen TV, and a private bathroom with a shower. A tour desk and concierge service are also offered by the hotel along with a 24-hour front desk. Some of the rooms feature a kitchen as well for guests who like some cooking on their own every now and then.
Nearby, you have popular tourist areas like Oaxaca’s Food and Flea market, the Church of Santo Domingo de Guzman, and Oaxaca Cathedral. You can also explore many other attractions of the Centro while staying in Casa Antonieta, and the Oaxaca International Airport is only 8 kilometers away from it.
Check out rates and availability on Booking.com
4. Oaxaca Quinta Real
Oaxaca Quinta Real is a restored mansion of the Colonial era. The hotel highlights Oaxacan culture and tradition in all its interiors, creating a rich atmosphere with intimate designs and interiors combining colorful decor with works of local artists.
On top of being artistically designed and comfortable, the rooms of Oaxaca Real are quite spacious. These rooms feature free wifi and cable TV as well, and free room service is available in all of them. The staff is really friendly and helpful, too!
The rooftop terrace at Oaxaca Real has one of the best restaurants when it comes to traditional Oaxacan food, and the hotel also features an outdoor swimming pool, garden, and a poolside bar. Along with the central location of the hotel, these features make it a haven for travel-lovers.
Oaxaca Real also has free private parking for its guests, and it’s just a minute walk from attractions like the 16th-century Templo de Santo Domingo and Museum of Cultures, so exploring the best things of the city is very convenient for you.
Check out rates and availability on Booking.com
5. Hotel Casa Antica
Casa Antica is another 16-century building in the Oaxaca Centro building restored into a luxury (but old-fashioned) hotel. The hotel is well-liked for both its atmosphere and location because very central
The unique rooms and suites of Casa Antica feature warm interiors and choice furnishings. Everything from the bedding to the staff is amazing here.
All the rooms feature modern amenities like wireless internet, flat-screen TV with streaming services, and air conditioning even though the hotel doesn’t stand out for its style which appears a little tired and retro’. Services include a tour desk offering trips to all the tourist areas in Oaxaca, and you can avail babysitting service as well.
Free spa service is on site to help you relax into the vibe of Oaxaca city. A heated swimming pool is available year-round, and the outdoor pool features a waterfall as well. You also have access to the gym here.
Casa Antica features a spacious terrace and a bar, and the property also has a seating area and TV lounge for guests. The hotel is located just a block away from Zocalo, the city’s main square where many of its attractions are found.
Check out rates and availability on Booking.com
Mid-range prices in downtown Oaxaca
6. Hotel Boutique El Parador Oaxaca
Hotel Parador is a boutique hotel very close to the Oaxaca Cathedral downtown. It’s one of the small hotels in this area, but still compares to all the best lodgings in terms of location and luxury, and provides a memorable stay for the guests.
Every room here has modern amenities to go with its colorful decor and Colonial-style design, and the floors also feature Mexican tiling.
Air conditioning, cable TV, free wifi, and a seating area are also available to guests staying in the hotel.
These rooms are very spacious and homelike, and the hotel also features a terrace and a garden. Breakfast is included and guests can have delicious Mexican cuisine at the El Andariego restaurant along with afternoon pastries and Mexican coffee in the gorgeous courtyard.
Hotel Parador is just a few blocks’ distance from popular attractions of Oaxaca City, which is another pro of the hotel on top of being a great option for a mid-range stay.
You can visit places like Alameda de Leon, Church of Santo Domingo de Guzman, and the crafts market easily from here.
Check out rates and availability on Booking.com
7. Marialicia Boutique Hotel
Marialicia is another mid-range hotel offering stays in the heart of Oaxaca City. Located very near to the main square, it’s a great place to stay if you’re looking for accommodations close to most of Oaxaca’s attractions.
The pristine rooms of Marialicia all have contemporary decor and bright lighting. The furniture and interiors of these rooms are very upscale, and they come with a patio, private bathroom, and amenities including TV, air conditioning, and spa-grade bathroom features.
Marialicia features a fully-equipped kitchen on the property as well, so you can make use of it whenever you like. Don’t worry about the groceries, they also have a delivery service for those so you won’t have to go shopping (unless you feel like it).
Apart from its location in the cultural center, Marialicia also offers guests great value in terms of amenities and services. There is a terrace and a snack bar in the hotel, and you can have tours arranged by the tour desk.
Check out rates and availability on Booking.com
8. Nardazul Casa de Sueños
Casa de Suenos is a gorgeous hotel a little distance north of the downtown area. Although it’s not in the center of things, the hotel’s location is exceptional because it’s close enough for you to visit the attractions, and secluded enough to make your stay peaceful and serene.
Every room is large and very delightfully furnished and features a seating area and patio. The private bathrooms include a shower, and modern amenities like flat-screen TV, safe deposit box, and free wifi are also included.
Nardazul Casa de Suenos also features a garden, sun terrace, and services like 24-hour front desk, room service, tour desk, concierge service, and luggage storage for guests.
The staff is also great and will accommodate you the best way possible, and you will love the breakfast here.
Lots of places worth a trip are close to Nardazul Casa de Suenos, including the Conzatti Garden, Ethnobotanical Gardens, Museo Textil de Oaxaca, Santo Domingo Temple, and Centro Fotografico Manuel Alvarez Bravo.
Check out rates and availability on Booking.com
9. La Casa de Pino
La Casa de Pino is a captivating mid-range hotel less than a kilometer from the downtown area of Oaxaca City. With so many great value features and the close to city center location, the hotel is rated one of the best in this range.
Featuring tile floors, neat interiors, and flawless decor, the rooms of La Casa de Pino feature satellite TVs, safety deposit boxes, private bathrooms, and even a full kitchen complete with microwave, fridge, toaster, and coffee machine.
The apart-hotel also has an outdoor swimming pool and a nice terrace. The staff goes above and beyond to accommodate all of your requests and make you comfortable, and you’re just steps away from all the popular sites of the city.
I highly recommend spending at least a night in this stunning hotel, because everything is just perfect here. The facilities, services, staff, and attention to detail are amazing, and you have easy access to places like the Oaxaca Cathedral and Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán.
Check out rates and availability on Booking.com
Budget hotels el centro Oaxaca
10. Hostal Central
When it comes to budget lodgings in the Oaxaca Centro, Hostal Central is one of the best you will find there. Everything about this place is parallel to all the luxurious hotels in the neighborhood, except, of course, for the price.
This hostel is inside a renovated building with various rooms offering lodgings for every traveler on a budget. The rooms are clean, spacious, and comfortable, with facilities including free wifi, breakfast, cable TV and Netflix, seating area, security lockers, and outdoor terrace.
Hostal Central is also very close to the historical monuments of the city. Additionally, many nice cafes and shops are nearby along with the Central de Abastos market where you will find lots of different things from Oaxacan culture.
The staff here is great. You can get tours arranged, use one of the cooking stations in the kitchen, meet the other guests staying at the hostel, or ask for anything else you may want—they’ll always try to satisfy your requests.
Check out rates and availability on Booking.com
11. Ayook
With a dozen luxurious rooms featuring air conditioning, free wifi, flat-screen TVs, private bathrooms, minibars, and safe boxes, Ayook is very upscale despite being a budget hotel. The interiors of the hotel are decorated with vibrant colors and art from many local artists of the city.
The comfort of Ayook’s charming rooms is matched with its facilities as well. You get to pick two delicious items from the daily breakfast menu of traditional Oaxacan food, and the hotel has concierge service as well.
Ayook also has a patio, garden, rooftop terrace, and a 24-hour front desk. The accommodations are perfect for both families and couples, with lots of neat rooms for you to choose from. Though each room here is unique, the one thing that remains the same is the incredible hospitality and friendliness of the staff.
Since Ayook hotel is located at a small distance from the downtown, you have easy access to both the archaeological site near Oaxaca, and some of the best restaurants, shops, nightlife, and other attractions of the city.
Check out rates and availability on Booking.com
12. Parador del Dominico
Parador del Dominico is another great budget option in the historic center of Oaxaca City with lovely rooms, lots of facilities, and great service.
The hotel comprises romantic lodgings with a patio for couples, as well as double rooms to accommodate families. The decor, furnishings, and comfort of these rooms is amazing. Amenities include free wifi, TV, air conditioning, balcony, dining area, and room service.
Parador del Dominico also has a central courtyard garden and free private parking for the guests, along with its sun terrace, souvenirs shop, and bar. Free valet service, daily cleaning, and round-the-clock desk are also among the services of the hotel.
There’s a nice on-site restaurant here as well, where you get a la carte or American breakfast during your stay, and the staff is great (they’ll even pack you lunch to bring with you on your day trips).
Hotel Parador del Dominico is only 800 meters from downtown, so the city center is within walking distance.
Check out rates and availability on Booking.com
13. Hostal de las Américas
Hostal de las Américas has a more central location among the budget accommodations I picked for my list. It’s only a few hundred meters from the Santo Domingo Church, Oaxaca Cathedral, and the Plaza de la Danza Square.
Besides the excellent location, Hostal de la Américas has plenty of facilities and charms to offer. The rooms are nice and comfy with a homey vibe to them, and the atmosphere of the hotel is very laidback and cozy.
Along with amenities including free wifi, air conditioning, satellite TV, and included continental breakfast, guests have access to the furnished terrace, garden, and shared common area of the hotel. A shared kitchen, tour desk, and concierge service are also available for your use.
Oaxaca downtown and all its allures are within walking distance of Hostal de las Americas, including the cultural attractions, many cafes and restaurants, colorful streets, and the Food and Flea Market. The Auditorio Guelaguetza is also just a 10-minute drive from here.
Check out rates and availability on Booking.com
There you go. Now you know all about the best places to stay in Oaxaca City. I hope my post helped you finally decide on the best area and hotel for you to make your base during your visit to the fascinating capital of Oaxaca state.
If it’s your first time visiting Oaxaca de Juárez, brace yourself, because Colonial-style architecture, colorful streets, nightlife, art galleries, festivals, mouth-watering food, archaeological sites, and even day trips to some of Mexico’s best beaches (like the one at Puerto Escondido) await you.
Pro tip: No matter which hotel you choose to stay in, don’t forget to visit the Monte Alban archaeological site to experience the great view its Southern and Northern Plaza offer!