Where to Book a Stay in Oaxaca, Mexico, for a Local Experience
The name of both a state and its capital, Oaxaca is among Mexico’s most popular tourist destinations. The city, a Unesco World Heritage site, combines colonial architecture, fine museums, indigenous culture and handicrafts in a sensuous, photogenic package. Elsewhere in the state, the glorious Pacific coast remains relatively undeveloped, despite its seemingly endless beaches. And if you’re wondering where to stay in Oaxaca to experience it as a local would, try these hotels – bookable on Culture Trip.
1. Samora Luxury Resort Hotel
Resort, Hotel, Spa Hotel, Luxury
Samora’s thatched bungalow suites face the sun-drenched Pacific Ocean in a private residential community near Puerto Escondido. A cavernous palapa, or traditional open-sided pavilion, stands at the head of a runway-like 40m (130ft) pool and no two villas or rooms bear the same style or accents. Just up the coast, Zicatela Beach boasts some of the world’s most famous – and demanding – surf breaks for which you’ll more likely need to surf like a pro than a local.
2. Selina Puerto Escondido
Luxury, Hotel, Spa Hotel
The Selina brand’s hip-hostel format is perfectly attuned to Puerto Escondido’s bohemian surf-dude atmosphere. Arranged around a pretty garden, accommodation ranges from tipis – yes, really – to suites via community rooms or dorms, and there’s co-working space with wifi for nascent nomad-entrepreneurs. Surf lessons, dolphin watching, turtle tours and kayaking through the bioluminescence of Manialtepec lagoon lend ample excuses for guests to, in their words, max their chillax.
3. Secrets Huatulco
Resort, Hotel
5. Casa Carmen Morelos
Luxury, Hotel, Spa Hotel
Behind a typical heart-of-the-old-city colonial facade, Casa Carmen’s four-room boutique property offers an unusually homely take on this most appealing of Mexican cities. White walls and a modern touch are enlivened by the enigmatic if not abstract paintings and designer-eye of local – and internationally exhibited – artist Amador Montes. It’s ideally located in the city’s historic old quarter and, although there’s no restaurant, the communal terrace provides a pleasingly authentic retreat from the daily outside hubbub.
6. Casa de las Bugambilias
Hotel, Independent Hotel
One of three linked and family-owned B&Bs in Oaxaca’s historic center, Bugambilas’s vivid facade heralds a modern home of bold colors, patterns and textures. Breakfasts are served at one long communal table and the premises hosts La Olla, a well-known restaurant specializing in Oaxacan cuisine. Head chef Pilar Cabrera, who also runs a cooking school, offers hands-on cookery classes that reflect her passion for traditional recipes. Temazcal cleansing, a traditional herb-infused sweat bath, might round off your cultural immersion.
7. Casa Oaxaca
Hotel, Budget Hotel, Boutique Hotel, Independent Hotel
From one-time medieval monastery to private guesthouse to today’s boutique hotel, this charming low-rise mansion in Oaxaca’s old quarter is as discrete as it is stylish. Seven spacious rooms with terracotta floors meld modernity and tradition alongside a pool, rooftop patio and courtyard. The latter doubles as a highly regarded gourmet restaurant specializing in Oaxacan cuisine and guests can book a cookery workshop in its kitchens.
8. Hotel Azul
Boutique Hotel, Hotel
In its look and location, the exterior of this two-story courtyard mansion exudes the stately air of a heritage hotel. Inside is quite another matter; when the crumbling building was restored, its architect unleashed contemporary Mexican designers and artists to imbue the place with fun and flair, especially in its suites. Two patios provide contrasting space and there’s a small library. But perhaps the ultimate contrast lies in the fact of its cool rooftop terrace-bar and, almost hidden away, a small antique-filled chapel.
9. Grana B&B
Bed and Breakfast, Budget Hotel, Boutique Hotel, Independent Hotel
In name, this 18th-century mansion pays homage to grana cochinilla, or cochineal – the extraordinary insect-derived scarlet dye whose once thriving export from here helped finance Spain’s New World colonies such as Mexico. Faithful to the home’s original configuration, the recent restoration utilized local artists and craftsmen but this is no time capsule. Instead, the design – subtle use of greens (think insect-hosting cactii) and reds (the dye) – deliberately echoes cochineal’s almost alchemical history.
10. Casa de Sierra Azul
Hotel
11. Quinta Real Oaxaca
Boutique Hotel
Looking for somewhere different to stay? Book into one of the best hotels in Oaxaca, or, for something extra special, opt for a top boutique hotel. With countless reasons why you should visit Oaxaca state at least once in your lifetime, don’t miss out on the top things to see and do while you’re here. And don’t miss the best restaurants, either.
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
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