Not sure where to stay in Oaxaca City? Don’t worry, I’ve broken down four of the best areas and hotels to consider for a first visit, along with its advantages and drawbacks.
If you’re planning your first trip to Oaxaca City, where you stay matters more than you might think. After spending weeks exploring the city and getting to know its different neighborhoods, I’ve learned that the right location can make your trip considerably easier, especially when you want to walk to restaurants, markets, sights, and those little places you discover along the way.
Short on Time? Here’s a snapshot of my top hotel picks and planning tips:
Best Places to Stay
- Oaxaca Centro, for first-time visitors who want to walk almost everywhere | Hotel Sin Nombre ($$$), Hotel Quinta Real ($$$$), Hotel Ayook ($$), Casa Carmen Morelos ($$$), Casa Ziña ($$), Casa 1800 Oaxaca Boutique Hotel ($$$), Casa Antonieta ($$$), Sauve Casa Boutique Hotel, ($$$, where I stayed), Casa Naila Hotel Boutique ($$$), Pug Seal Oaxaca ($$$$), Grana B&B ($$),
- Reforma, for a quieter stay | Casa Los Cántaros ($$), Zen Suites by Regente ($$), Holiday Inn Express Oaxaca ($$)
- Barrio Jalatlaco, for colorful streets, cafés, street art and a neighborhood atmosphere | Los Pilares Hotel ($$), Tabáa Hotel & Spa ($$)
- Barrio de Xochimilco, for a quieter, more residential stay that’s still close to Centro | El Callejón Hotel Boutique ($$$), La Casa Carlota ($$), Casa Acueducto ($$)
Things to Do
- Immersion Tour and Oaxaca Markets
- Traditional Oaxaqueña Cooking with Grandma’s Recipes
- Art walk & Cacao delight
- Free Street Art Waking Tour
Best Day Trips I Took
Travel Tips
- Book tours in advance. I recommend using reputable sites like Viator or GetYourGuide.
- Get an eSIM before you arrive. I use Airalo for international cell data.
- If you decide to rent a car, I use Discover Cars to compare pricing with trusted rental companies.
- Arrange your airport transfer ahead of time. Kiwi Taxi is an option for getting to and from Oaxaca’s airport.
Helpful Guides to Plan Your Oaxaca City Trip
Planning a trip to Oaxaca City? Start with my guide to the Best Things to Do in Oaxaca City, then use my 3-day Oaxaca itinerary to turn those ideas into an easy day-by-day plan. If food is high on your list, don’t miss my ultimate Oaxaca food guide, and if you’d rather have someone else handle the logistics, my guide to the best Oaxaca City tours is a great place to start.
Things to Consider When Choosing Where to Stay
- Location is the first thing I’d consider. Oaxaca’s historic center and surrounding neighborhoods are compact, so many of the places you’ll want to visit can be reached on foot.
- Think about the physical side of walking, too. Cobblestones, uneven sidewalks, heat and occasional inclines can make a short walk feel longer than it looks on a map, especially in areas like Xochimilco.
- Air conditioning is worth checking. Oaxaca’s climate is generally mild, but rooms can still get warm, and I wouldn’t assume every boutique hotel has air conditioning.
- Don’t overlook room size and stairs. Many Oaxaca hotels occupy converted colonial buildings, which can mean charming but smaller rooms, unusual layouts and stairs instead of elevators.
- Finally, think about how quiet you want your evenings to be. Centro, especially around the Zócalo, can be lively and noisy, while Jalatlaco and Xochimilco generally offer a quieter neighborhood feel.
Oaxaca City Neighborhood Map
I’ve mapped out the areas for you so you can see exactly where each neighborhood sits in relation to the major sights.
4 Best Oaxaca City Neighborhoods to Stay In
Oaxaca Centro | Best for First-Time Visitors
If you’re visiting Oaxaca City for the first time and don’t want to spend your vacation worrying about transportation, Centro is the easy answer. This is where you’ll find the Zócalo, major markets, museums, churches, restaurants, shops and much of the city’s nightlife, all packed into a wonderfully walkable historic center. Plus, there’s a huge variety of accommodations, so you’ll have plenty of options at different price points. It’s where I stayed and wouldn’t have had it any other way.
The Cons of Staying in Oaxaca Centro: The trade-off for all that convenience is that the most central streets can be noisy, especially at night. Hotels around Santo Domingo also tend to be more expensive, and the busiest parts of Centro can feel more touristy than neighborhoods like Jalatlaco or Xochimilco.
Best Hotels in Oaxaca Centro
- Sauve Casa Boutique Hotel ($$$, where I stayed) – This is the property I chose for my own Oaxaca stay and I was pleased with my choice. It’s a comfortable and clean place that felt safe.
- Hotel Sin Nombre ($$$) – This hotel occupies a 17th-century house in the historic center, with 19 rooms arranged around a sunlit courtyard.
- Hotel Quinta Real ($$$$) – Stay here for a more 5-star luxury experience. The hotel occupies a former convent in the historic center, giving you the unusual experience of sleeping inside a building with centuries of history rather than a newly constructed hotel.
- Hotel Ayook ($$) – this is a smaller, more contemporary option that was built from the remains of an 18th-century house at the beginning of the historic center.
- Casa Carmen Morelos ($$$) – small boutique property I’d recommend when you want your hotel to feel more like a beautiful home than a traditional hotel.
- Casa Ziña ($$) – a newer boutique option just off the main square, and its location near the Zócalo and markets is hard to beat.
- Casa 1800 Oaxaca Boutique Hotel ($$$) – another boutique option for travelers who want to be right in the historic center and within easy walking distance of Oaxaca’s main sights.
- Casa Antonieta ($$$) – If your dream Oaxaca morning involves stepping downstairs for breakfast before wandering into the city, this place is worth a look. It has the bohemian Muss Café on the property.
- Casa Naila Hotel Boutique ($$$) – housed in a restored 18th-century home and sits on Avenida José María Morelos, about five blocks from Santo Domingo.
- Pug Seal Oaxaca ($$$$) – luxury property occupies an early-19th-century colonial house that was transformed into a boutique hotel in 2020, with artwork and design elements inspired by Zapotec culture.
Things to Do in Oaxaca Centro
This is the neighborhood where you can build an entire day without needing transportation. Start at the Zócalo, wander through Mercado Benito Juárez and Mercado 20 de Noviembre, visit the Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán, and spend time at the Museum of Cultures and Jardín Etnobotánico. The historic center’s compact layout is one of its biggest advantages.
➞ For more fun activity ideas see my Best Things to Do in Oaxaca City, Mexico
Colonia Reforma | Best for a Quieter Modern Feel
This is the neighborhood I’d consider if you want a comfortable home base with good restaurants and cafés nearby, a little breathing room from the tourist crowds, and easy access to Centro without actually sleeping in the middle of it. The hotel selection ranges from straightforward three-star properties to boutique hotels and suite-style accommodations.
You can also walk to Santo Domingo and other Centro attractions, although you’ll be farther from the Zócalo than you would be if you stayed directly in Centro. For example, Google Maps estimates about an 8-minute walk from Zen Suites to Santo Domingo.
The Cons of Staying in Colonia Reforma: The trade-off for the quieter, more residential feel is that you won’t be right in the middle of the historic center, so you may find yourself walking a little farther or occasionally taking a taxi. The neighborhood also feels more modern than Centro, so you’ll give up some of the colonial atmosphere, and because Reforma is fairly spread out, I’d pay attention to the exact location of your hotel rather than simply searching for a property labeled “Reforma.”
Best Hotels in Colonia Reforma
- Casa Los Cántaros ($$) – The colonial-style property has warm rooms and a leafy courtyard. It’s on Calzada Porfirio Díaz, putting you within walking distance of the historic center while keeping you in the quieter Reforma neighborhood.
- Zen Suites by Regente ($$) – For travelers who like having a bit more functionality in their hotel room, this is a particularly good option. This four-star suite-style property has rooms that include kitchens with refrigerators and microwaves, plus there’s free parking.
- Holiday Inn Express Oaxaca ($$) – If you like the idea of staying just south of Reforma but still want easy access to the historic center, this is a practical choice. It sits on the southern edge of the neighborhood, near El Llano Park, and is about a 7-minute walk from Santo Domingo and roughly 13 minutes from the Zócalo.
Things to Do in Colonia Reforma
The appeal here is less about checking off major attractions and more about experiencing Oaxaca like a local for a few hours. Spend time wandering the neighborhood’s cafés and restaurants, visit the Fuente de las 8 Regiones, or walk south toward Santo Domingo and the historic center. Reforma also puts you within easy reach of the Santo Domingo complex, Ethnobotanical Garden and museums, making it possible to enjoy the quieter neighborhood without feeling disconnected from the Oaxaca experience.
Barrio Jalatlaco | Best for Street Art & Neighborhood Charm
Jalatlaco is the neighborhood I would choose if you want to feel like you have discovered a different side of Oaxaca without actually staying far from the center. It’s roughly a 10-to-15-minute walk from the Zócalo and has its own distinct personality, with colorful buildings, cobblestone streets, murals, cafés, restaurants and small shops. It’s also one of my favorite neighborhoods to wander because there is something fun about not having every minute planned.
The Cons of Staying in Jalatlaco: The cobblestone streets can be a little awkward when you’re rolling luggage, and you’ll have a longer walk to reach the main markets and some of Centro’s attractions. Hotel choices also lean heavily toward smaller boutique properties, so you’ll find fewer large, full-service hotels (which is something I like!). Some streets can be especially quiet at night, which might feel wonderfully peaceful to some travelers but a little too sleepy if you’re looking for nightlife right outside your door.
Best Hotels in Jalatlaco
- Los Pilares Hotel ($$) – One of the most charming places to stay in Jalatlaco, occupying a restored colonial house right in the neighborhood. The property has just 14 rooms arranged around a traditional courtyard, giving it an intimate feel.
- Tabáa Hotel & Spa ($$) – This is particularly appealing if having wellness amenities is important to you.
- Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca ($$$) – If you want a polished, full-service hotel then this is a strong choice.
Highlights of Things to Do in Jalatlaco
The biggest attraction is simply wandering. Follow the colorful streets, hunt for murals, stop at cafés and explore the little shops. I particularly recommend taking the Free Street Art Waking Tour because learning the stories behind the murals makes them much more meaningful than simply snapping photos. Jalatlaco is also an easy walk from Centro when you want to combine the two neighborhoods in one day.
Barrio de Xochimilco | Best for a Quiet Local Stay
If Centro sounds a little too busy and Jalatlaco a little too trendy, Xochimilco could be your sweet spot. This historic neighborhood sits north of Centro and has a more residential feel, with cobblestone streets, traditional architecture, artisan workshops and the old aqueduct running through the area. It’s still close enough to walk into the historic center, but the atmosphere changes noticeably once you leave the busiest streets.
The Cons of Staying in Xochimilco: You’ll find fewer hotels here than in Centro, and there’s less nightlife immediately outside your door. Some of the city’s major sights will require a longer walk, so this probably isn’t the neighborhood for you if you want to step outside your hotel and be right in the middle of the action.
Best Hotels in Xochimilco
- El Callejón Hotel Boutique ($$$) – This hotel combines modern architecture with traditional adobe walls, with 12 rooms arranged across four contemporary towers.
- La Casa Carlota ($$) – a good choice if a personal B&B sounds more appealing than a traditional hotel. It has just five rooms and a quieter setting near the historic aqueduct.
- Casa Acueducto ($$) – a budget-friendly option that has a comfortable sun terrace to hang out on.
Highlights of Things to Do in Xochimilco
Start with the historic Arcos de Xochimilco aqueduct, then simply wander. The cobblestone streets are lined with colorful murals, artisan workshops, chocolate shops, cozy cafés, and traditional eateries, making this a great neighborhood for slowing down and enjoying the details.
Which Neighborhood in Oaxaca City Is Best for You?
- Best for First-Time Visitors: Oaxaca Centro, the easiest choice for convenience and walkability.
- Best for a Quiet Neighborhood: Colonia Reforma, a peaceful home base with easy access to Centro.
- Best for Street Art & Cafés: Jalatlaco, a colorful neighborhood where wandering is part of the fun.
- Best for a Quieter Stay: Xochimilco, a residential escape that’s still close to the action.
- Best for Couples: Jalatlaco, charming streets, boutique hotels, and an intimate atmosphere.
- Best for Walking: Oaxaca Centro, the best choice for minimizing taxis and maximizing exploration on foot.
- Best for a Luxury Hotel: Oaxaca Centro, the strongest selection of upscale and luxury boutique properties.
- Best for Food & Restaurants: Centro, a great choice for a strong local dining and café scene.
- Best for Neighborhood Charm: Jalatlaco, colorful streets, murals, cafés, and a distinctly local feel.
Traveling Soon? Use my Favorite Resources for Booking Your Trip!
Book Your Flight
Expedia is my favorite flight search engine, because it checks dozens of airlines so you can easily find the best fare deals. You can also select ‘Watch Prices’ to get an email alert when the prices change.
Book Your Accommodations
I use both Booking.com and Expedia for hotels, because each offers a couple different hotel choices and I like to compare the reviews on each one. If you have a group or are looking for more of a home atmosphere, head over to VRBO or AirBNB that has houses, apartments and even just a room for rent in every price range.
Book Your Rental Car
If love the freedom to explore like I do, driving from place to place is the best option! I always book with RentalCars.com (it’s part of booking.com) for the best prices and top brand options.
Book Some Fun Tours!
Viator and Get Your Guide are my go-to search engines for cool bucket list experiences! Each one can have different tours, so check both—why limit yourself, right?
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel can be unpredictable. Whether it’s a last-minute cancellation, an injury, or (ugh) theft, things happen. That’s why I recommend never leaving the country without travel insurance. Here are my faves: Safety Wing and World Nomads.
Get Packing & Travel Essentials Ready
Check out the Bucket List Journey Amazon Store to find all my favorite travel essentials. Everything from Packing cubes, to travel adapters and toiletry containers to walking shoes.
Flying International?
Get Cell Data Before You Arrive: I recommend using airalo for international travel. Also, book an airport transfer in advance (I use Kiwi Taxi). Lastly, check travel.state.gov for visa requirements and safety information.
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