Where to Stay in Oaxaca, Mexico - 5 Best Areas & Hotels

Oaxaca de Juárez, Oaxaca, Mexico
Jonathan Davis
• 11 min read

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An old church with a garden in front on a sunny day
Oaxaca is a must-visit historic city in Mexico that's home to unique cultural sites

Oaxaca City, officially known as Oaxaca de Juárez, is the capital and largest city of the Mexican state of Oaxaca. Known for its historic colonial charm and proximity to pre-Columbian landmarks, Oaxaca is one of the top tourist destinations in Mexico.

Most of the town's noteworthy attractions are located within a handful of tourist-friendly neighborhoods scattered around Oaxaca's central area. The city's busiest neighborhood is Centro, the centralmost district which houses most of the region's museums, parks, and churches.

But Centro is far from the only place to stay in Oaxaca. Other popular areas include the trendy Barrio de Jalatlaco, the residential districts of La Noria and Xochimilco, and the modern La Reforma, which has the most international flavor in the city.

In this practical guide, you'll learn more about the city's most popular tourist neighborhoods. By the end of the article, you will be able to make an informed decision on where to stay in Oaxaca to maximize your holiday experience.

🛏️ Best budget hotel: Las Mariposas Hotel & Studios
🏨 Best mid-range hotel: Hotel Hacienda
🏖 Best family-friendly hotel: Las Mariposas Hotel & Studios
💕 Best romantic hotel: Hotel Hacienda

5 Best Places to Stay in Oaxaca City

  1. Best Areas to Stay in Oaxaca
    1. Centro
    2. Barrio La Noria
    3. Barrio de Jalatlaco
    4. Barrio de Xochimilco
    5. La Reforma
  2. Where to Stay in Oaxaca City
    1. Where to stay in Oaxaca with family?
    2. Where to stay in Oaxaca for nightlife?
    3. Where to stay in Oaxaca for the Day of the Dead?
    4. Where to stay in Oaxaca on a budget?

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Best Areas to Stay in Oaxaca

An old stone cathedral with two tall bell towers
Centro boasts attractions that celebrate the city's rich history and culture

Centro

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Centro is the historic center of town. It's where you find the majority of hotels, often in renovated colonial mansions. Most travelers, especially those visiting Oaxaca for the first time, tend to stay here. The northern half of Centro is often referred to as Santo Domingo, while the southern half is known as Zócalo.

Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, Centro Oaxaca City blends modern luxury with classic colonial charm. The southern area of Centro is focused around Zócalo Plaza, the city's main square, and the adjacent Catedral Metropolitana de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción.

In the north of Centro is where you'll find the Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán (Church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán), one of Oaxaca's top tourist attractions, with its origin dating back to the 16th century.

While most areas where tourists would stay are within walking distance, Centro is unquestionably the best area to stay in Oaxaca regarding convenience. This is especially true if you're only visiting the city for a few days and want to take in as many sights as possible.

You'll also find Centro an excellent choice for local dining and nightlife. As the region's economic and cultural hub, Centro offers a diverse range of restaurants, including innovative fusion concepts, and some of the best nightlife spots in Oaxaca.

From hostels to renovated colonial mansions, accommodations in the Centro neighborhood fit within all budgets. Prices tend to be higher around Santo Domingo, however, and lower south of Zócalo.

🛏️ Budget-friendly place to stay in and nearby Centro

🏨 Mid-range places to stay in and nearby Centro

🏖 Child-friendly places to stay in and nearby Centro

💕 Romantic places to stay in and nearby Centro

🛎️ Luxury accommodations in and nearby Centro

Barrio La Noria

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Located just to the southeast of Centro, Barrio La Noria is one of the quietest areas of central Oaxaca. While you will find few noteworthy sights within La Noria, the colorfully-painted residential neighborhood is ideal for travelers looking to get away from the noise and bustle of Centro.

Comprising mainly small hotels and privately rented accommodations, Barrio La Noria is a popular place to stay for families. Most central attractions are just a brief walk (or taxi ride) away, with numerous markets south of Zócalo Plaza, like the Mercado Benito Juárez, offering everything from fresh and prepared foods to local textiles and handcrafted souvenirs.

And while all of Oaxaca has a low crime rate, primarily consisting of petty crimes like pickpocketing in the most visited areas, Barrio La Noria is among the safest in the city. This is generally attributed to its quiet, residential ambiance and the absence of large groups of tourists.

If you're traveling on a budget, you can find affordable accommodations within Barrio La Noria that will be cheaper than in the Centro neighborhood of Oaxaca. These low rates and the district's advantageous central location make La Noria preferable for more extended stays where hotel costs can quickly add up.

🛏️ Budget-friendly places to stay in and nearby Barrio de la Noria

🏨 Well-priced accommodations in and nearby Barrio de la Noria

🏖 Child-friendly places to stay in and nearby Barrio de la Noria

💕 Romantic accommodations in and nearby Barrio de la Noria

🛎️ Luxury accommodations in and nearby Barrio de la Noria

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Men riding horses on a cobblestone street near a tree and a pink house
Barrio de Jalatlaco is known for its colorful buildings and cobblestone streets

Barrio de Jalatlaco

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Known for the colorful Oaxaca street art which covers buildings throughout the district, Barrio de Jalatlaco is one of the town's most vibrant, up-and-coming neighborhoods. Situated just to the northeast of Centro Oaxaca, Jalatlaco puts travelers right near the center in a more relaxed setting filled with local restaurants, coffee shops, and cobblestone streets.

The most noteworthy attraction in Barrio de Jalatlaco is the quaint 18th-century Templo de San Matías Jalatlaco. The stone church, the oldest in Jalatlaco, originally served as the center of the neighborhood. Today, it's a great place to stop and relax in the shade of the centuries-old trees lining the church's atrium.

Barrio de Jalatlaco is one of the best neighborhoods to stay in Oaxaca if you want to immerse yourself in the city's trendy, artistic side. Although it's busier than residential areas like La Noria and Xochimilco, Barrio de Jalatlaco provides a more casual ambiance than the adjacent Centro.

You'll find most of the hotels in Barrio de Jalatlaco along Calle Aldama on the neighborhood's western border with the Centro area. Great for tourists, these properties as just a few minutes walk from northern Centro landmarks like the Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca and El Llano, a tranquil park.

Hotels in Jalatlaco are generally cheaper than in Centro, with many visitors opting for the area's central location, unique ambiance, and mid-priced accommodations.

🛏️ Budget-friendly places to stay in and nearby Barrio de Jalatlaco

🏨 Mid-range places to stay in and nearby Barrio de Jalatlaco

🏖 Family-friendly accommodations in and nearby Barrio de Jalatlaco

💕 Romantic accommodations in and nearby Barrio de Jalatlaco

🛎️ Luxury places to stay in and nearby Barrio de Jalatlaco

Aurora Angeles/Shutterstock.com
Barrio de Xochimilco is where to stay in Oaxaca to see the ancient aqueduct
Barrio de Xochimilco is a quaint area with eateries serving authentic cuisine

Barrio de Xochimilco

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Located north of Centro, the hilly Barrio de Xochimilco is the oldest part of Oaxaca de Juárez. And despite being less than a twenty-minute walk from the busy tourist area around Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán, Xochimilco has a more small village than bustling city vibe.

While you may not find central Oaxaca's beautiful colonial architecture, Xochimilco has plenty of art-covered buildings, multi-generational textile businesses, and an overall Oaxaca experience that is far different than you will get in Centro. Plus, Barrio de Xochimilco is home to several local, family-owned eateries serving up traditional Oaxacan cuisine.

One of the most exciting things to check out in this historic neighborhood is the Aqueduct Arcos De Xochimilco (Xochimilco Aqueduct). Constructed during the first half of the 18th century, the aqueduct carried water to the city from San Felipe Hill until 1940. Nearly 1,000 feet of the Aqueduct Arcos De Xochimilco remain intact and open to visitors.

Barrio de Xochimilco may not have the same selection of hotels that you'll find in Centro. Still, you will notice more competitive prices than properties closer to the city's main tourist sites.

For a broader range of accommodations, some visitors planning to spend time in Barrio de Xochimilco opt to stay in the northern end of Centro, just across Carretera Federal 190.

🛏️ Low-priced accommodations in and nearby Barrio de Xochimilco

🏨 Mid-range places to stay in and nearby Barrio de Xochimilco

🏖 Family-friendly accommodations in and nearby Barrio de Xochimilco

💕 Romantic places to stay in and nearby Barrio de Xochimilco

🛎️ Luxury accommodations in and nearby Barrio de Xochimilco

La Reforma

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La Reforma, which sits east of Xochimilco and north of Jalatlaco, is one of the most upscale neighborhoods in Oaxaca. The area feels much more modern than Centro. But, as such, it lacks the abundance of historical sites and cultural attractions.

Fuente de las 8 Regiones, a large statue fountain in the northern end of La Reserve, in front of the UABJO School of Medicine, is worth checking out, though.

But despite the lack of famous landmarks, La Reforma is one of the best neighborhoods in Oaxaca City for travelers who want to stay near plenty of international food and retail options. You'll find shopping malls, like Plaza Mazari and Pabellón Violetas, filled with familiar brands. Local eateries offer everything from typical Mexican fare to hamburgers and sushi.

Another benefit of staying in La Reforma, especially for travelers with a vehicle, is that the neighborhood lacks the gridlock traffic often found in Centro. This, plus La Reforma's convenient location along Carretera Federal 190, is ideal for traveling outside the city to visit pre-Columbian attractions like Monte Albán, one of the most famous landmarks in Mexico.

It's worth noting, however, that La Reforma is a pretty large district that's among the furthest touristic areas from the city center. While major Centro sites like Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán and Zócalo Plaza are walkable from hotels in the neighborhood, many visitors staying in La Reforma opt to take taxis instead.

🛏️ Budget-friendly places to stay in and nearby Reforma

🏨 Well-priced accommodations in and nearby Reforma

🏖 Family-friendly accommodations in and nearby Reforma

💕 Romantic places to stay in and nearby Reforma

🛎️ Luxury accommodations in and nearby Reforma

Where to Stay in Oaxaca City

A cobblestone street with trees and a lampshade near colorful builings
Staying in Centro puts you and your family within walking distance of top attractions

Where to stay in Oaxaca with family?

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For families visiting Oaxaca City, the Centro neighborhood offers the largest assortment of things to see and do. It also provides the most convenient access to popular kid-friendly local attractions.

Located in the northern end of Centro, between Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán and Barrio de Jalatlaco, Parque Juárez el Llano is a scenic outdoor green space that has something going on most days, especially on the weekends. And the Museo Infantil de Oaxaca, the city's premier children's museum housed in an old train station, is just west of Centro along Calle Francisco I. Madero.

Plus, it's the best place to find accommodations with an outdoor swimming pool, an excellent way for families to cool down after a long day exploring central Oaxaca.

For a slower-paced family vacation, check out Barrio La Noria. While within walking distance of Centro's markets, squares, and historic churches, residential La Noria provides a quiet reprieve from the non-stop action around Santo Domingo and Zócalo.

There's also Barrio de Xochimilco, the oldest area of Oaxaca, which offers a peaceful, small-town feel. However, this area isn't as flat as Centro or La Noria, and walking up and down the neighborhood's hills can be pretty tiring for some younger sightseers.

🏖 Family-friendly accommodations in and nearby Centro

Where to stay in Oaxaca for nightlife?

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Without a doubt, the best place to stay in Oaxaca for nightlife is Centro. This central neighborhood is where you'll find nearly all of the city's bars, dance clubs, and live music.

The northern Centro area has the highest concentration of things to do at night in Oaxaca. Although the Zócalo area, south of Avenida de la Independencia, still has plenty of nightlife options in its own right. The Centro area offers a little of everything, including craft beer and cocktail bars, local music venues, and traditional mezcalerías.

In fact, the Centro area of Oaxaca de Juárez has some of the best nightlife in the entire Mexican state of Oaxaca. Many people consider its only competition to be the Oaxacan beach town of Puerto Escondido, a popular getaway from Oaxaca City known for its scenic shoreline and all-night parties.

Apart from Centro, you can find a smattering of late-night restaurants and nighttime venues in Barrio de Jalatlaco, the trendy area of town east of Centro, and La Reforma, the large, more modern neighborhood north of Jalatlaco. But if you're serious about nightlife, neither area will likely meet your expectations.

🛏️ Low-priced accommodation in and nearby Centro

🏨 Mid-range places to stay in and nearby Centro

🛎️ Luxury accommodations in and nearby Centro

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A decorated building facade near a street with parked cars and colorful buildings
Centro is where to stay in Oaxaca during the celebration of Día de Muertos

Where to stay in Oaxaca for the Day of the Dead?

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Oaxaca City is one of Mexico's most popular travel destinations for the Day of the Dead, locally referred to as Día de Muertos or Día de los Muertos. The annual celebration, which is actually a multi-day event on November 1st and 2nd (although festivities often run for days before and after), is one of the busiest times in the city.

For the best Day of the Dead experience, you will want to stay in the Centro neighborhood of Downtown Oaxaca. Centro, especially in the north, is where you'll find the most celebrations for Día de Muertos.

Just to the east of Santo Domingo, Barrio de Jalatlaco is another excellent place to stay for the Day of the Dead. Although slightly quieter than Centro, many of the event's parades pass through Jalatlaco, and festivities occur across the neighborhood.

Regardless of where you choose to stay in Oaxaca for the Day of the Dead, the most important thing is that you book your accommodations early. This is one time of the year when local hotels will sell out. Travelers who wait until the last minute to book their stay often get stuck choosing between a small selection of expensive, out-of-the-way properties.

🛏️ Low-priced accommodation in and nearby Centro

🏨 Mid-range places to stay in and nearby Centro

🛎️ Luxury accommodations in and nearby Centro

Where to stay in Oaxaca on a budget?

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If you want a convenient location without the comparatively high prices of Centro, the best neighborhood to stay in Oaxaca on a budget will be either Barrio de Xochimilco or Barrio La Noria. Both offer reasonably-priced accommodations within walking distance of the top central Oaxaca attractions.

Barrio de Xochimilco, the oldest neighborhood in Oaxaca City, is located north of Centro, across Carretera Federal 190. With a small-town vibe that feels far removed from the city center, Xochimilco is a budget-friendly community with family-owned hotels and restaurants. It's a short walk from major Centro landmarks.

To the southeast of Centro lies Barrio La Noria, a primarily residential area known for its quiet, relaxing ambiance and colorful buildings painted in assorted hues.

Like Xochimilco, La Noria has a selection of small accommodations at prices generally lower than in the center of Oaxaca. It's also equally conveniently located, albeit nearer to Zócalo Plaza on the southern side of Centro.

For some budget travelers, mainly those planning to take taxis rather than walk to and from central attractions, paying slightly more to stay in the Centro area makes sense when considering the additional transportation costs and hassle.

🛏️ Budget-friendly places to stay in and nearby Barrio de Xochimilco

🏨 Well-priced accommodations in and nearby Barrio de Xochimilco

In Summary

As a charming colonial city, most of Oaxaca's attractions are located in and around the area's historic core. But while Centro may be the most convenient and popular part of the city to stay, it's far from the only option.

Quieter areas like Barrio La Noria and Barrio de Xochimilco provide a more laid-back experience than you'll find in the bustling Centro. The trendy Barrio de Jalatlaco offers the best of both worlds, with less noise and traffic than Centro but more dining and entertainment than in residential La Noria and Xochimilco.

La Reforma, the modern and upscale area to the northeast of Centro, remains a popular option for travelers who prefer the neighborhood's cosmopolitan feel with tons of international cuisine and name-brand shopping. Wherever you choose to stay, you'll have a memorable time exploring this Mexican city!

This article was edited by Alli Sewell.

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Jonathan Davis

Written by Jonathan Davis

JDavis WRITER Jonathan is a Florida-based travel writer who can't seem to stay in one place for long. With more than two decades of trips under his belt, Jonathan has a wealth of information to share about travel within the United States and abroad.

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