The capital of the Mexican state of the same name, Oaxaca is an exciting destination that’s for sure. Choc full of vibrant culture, textiles, strong mezcal and a literal ton of tasty cuisine, this is somewhere you won’t wanna miss on your Mexico trip.
However, it’s not all city-based stuff. Get out into nature nearby and you’ll discover waterfalls, ancient ruins, and a stunning stretch of Mexico’s Pacific coast.
Where you stay in Oaxaca may dictate your experience though! So what do you want? A gourmet tour of local life, a quiet residential area, or somewhere you can easily explore the surrounding area?
Well, with our handy list of the best hostels in Oaxaca we’ve made it easy for you to choose the hostel that’s right for you. We’ve even put our choices into categories so you can easily decide on the perfect place.
So peep the top hostels in Oaxaca below!
Photo: @amandaadraper
Quick answer: The Best Hostels in Oaxaca
- Best Overall Hostel in Oaxaca – Hostal Central
- Best Party Hostel in Oaxaca – Casa Angel Youth Hostel
- Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Oaxaca – Azul Cielo Hostal
- Best Cheap Hostel in Oaxaca – Hostal Luz de Luna
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Oaxaca – Cielo Rojo Hostel
- Best Hostel with a Private Room in Oaxaca – Hostel La Cochinilla
Best Hostels in Oaxaca
If you head to Oaxaca on your backpacking Mexico trip, you’re definitely in for a treat if you plan it right! Make sure to inform yourself about the epic places and things to see so you’ll know exactly where to stay in Oaxaca. Choose your hostel according to the location of the hotspots you want to explore.
Hostal Central – Best Overall Hostel in Oaxaca
Just two blocks over from the traditional market and park, staying RIGHT in the middle of the city at this Oaxaca backpackers hostel means soaking up a load of the city’s Oaxacan culture. It’s also set inside a renovated 19th-century house, complete with a chill courtyard.
This is the best overall hostel in Oaxaca, not only because of its heritage credentials but because it’s a great place to meet other travellers. There’s a big ol’ dining room here where you’ll get your fill of the tasty free breakfast on offer. Staff are super friendly, too. All good stuff.
Casa Angel Youth Hostel – Best Party Hostel in Oaxaca
A top choice for backpackers in Oaxaca city, this is a very well maintained hostel that’s got a decent fun atmosphere. Loadsa people to chat to here, and loads of daily activities to get involved with here: stretch out with yoga in the mornings and get involved in the happy hours at night.
They have their own bar, which definitely helps earn this place the title of best party hostel in Oaxaca. Duh. The dorms here are also pretty high standard. Beds feel proper deluxe, everything’s clean and crisp – from the towels to the linen. Love us a clean party hostel.
Azul Cielo Hostal – Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Oaxaca
Travelling alone can seem like a pretty daunting experience in Mexico, so at this super chill hostel – like an oasis in the middle of the city – it’s like the perfect place to come back to if you’re by yourself.
Being the best hostel for solo travellers in Oaxaca, there are a bunch of activities you can get involved with (including yoga) plus a load of very good free tours to go on, helping you to meet and mingle with your fellow backpacking buddies. The lush terrace here is a calm place to hang out with everyone (or by yourself).
Hostal Luz de Luna – Best Cheap Hostel in Oaxaca
You want cheap? You got it. Hostal Luz de Luna is definitely the best hostel in Oaxaca, and that’s mainly down to the value for money factor. Here your coin goes a long way, from the free breakfast and super central location to the communal kitchen (the market’s 2 mins away for all the ingredients you need).
The ambient atmosphere, sometimes a little quiet, makes for a decent place to chill out and get chatting to other peeps staying here if you’re a sociable type. Sure, it may be a lil’ basic but the rooms are comfy and it’s VERY AFFORDABLE.
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View on Osprey View on REICielo Rojo Hostel – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Oaxaca
Cool, comfortable and clean, this top hostel in Oaxaca is run by a local couple who are friendly and definitely go the extra mile when it comes to service. If you’re travelling with a laptop as your companion and you need to get some work done, you can do that in the shade of the courtyard, on the roof terrace, or on one of the sofas in the lounge.
But it’s not just about space to work when it comes to being the best hostel for digital nomads in Oaxaca. This place bills itself as ‘young, cultural and environmentally friendly’ which is pretty cool in itself. Ideal place to work and chill. As a side note: it’s openly LGBTQ friendly.
Hostel La Cochinilla – Best Hostel with a Private Room in Oaxaca
Set in the middle of the city, in the chilled area of Jalatlaco, the surrounding streets of this place – one of the coolest hostels Oaxaca, we’d say – are all cobbled streets and brimming with culture. Definitely makes for a cool area to wander about.
Being the best hostel with a private room in Oaxaca, let’s talk about those, eh? They’re simply decorated, nicely sized (though not huge) and come with their own little private terraces. They also come in different sizes for different budgets – or if you’re travelling with a friend and you don’t want a dorm (we get you). Not cheap though.
Hostal Chocolate – Best Hostel for Couples in Oaxaca
Hostal Chocolate… well the name sounds romantic enough, and this Oaxaca backpackers hostel definitely delivers. Set in a historic renovated building, this place is stylishly decorated (houseplants dotted about), as well as clean and very secure.
The romance continues over on the rooftop terrace – a nice place to hang with your partner. The best hostel for couples in Oaxaca not just for all that, but it’s also affordable which is great if you’re backpacking together on a tight budget. And as for location? Bars and restaurants are in walking distance.
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Hide Yo’ Money!More Best Hostels in Oaxaca
Not quite happy with the hostel options yet? Don’t worry, we’ve got even more epic hostels in Oaxaca picked out for you!
Iguana Hostel
A classic sorta typical hostel vibe, there’s loads of big hang out areas, the decor’s all colourful, the seating ranges from sunken sofas (if that’s what they’re called) to hammocks. The dorms are also spacious and the beds are pretty large.
Basically, if you’re looking for a real boho kinda backpacking vibe, then this youth hostel in Oaxaca is the place for you. Staff might not be the most professional in the world but we did say this is like, typical hostel territory. Basic-ish but fun.
Hostel De Las Americas
You’ll find this Oaxaca backpackers hostel in one of the more wealthy areas of the city, close to a load of the top tourist sights, museums and restaurants. So it’s great if you wanna see that stuff.
Featuring friendly staff and a basic but decent free breakfast, this recommended hostel in Oaxaca also has strong Wi-fi AND air con, both of which make all the difference. The atmosphere is… lacking, maybe it’s too quiet for some. But if you don’t care, it’s a decent choice in a convenient area.
Hostal Mixteco Nava Nandoo
This top hostel in Oaxaca is crammed full of good points. It’s got courtyard with a fountain, a rooftop terrace with amazing city views, free snacks and water all day (YES), and they have a little doggie that runs around, which is cute if you like dogs.
It’s a family run place so it has a friendly, family sorta atmosphere so you’ll feel pretty welcome here. And secure, since the security is good, too. Rooms are only private but it’s more of a ‘hostal’ than a hostel, so good to share if you have a travelling buddy. Shared bathrooms though.
What to Pack for your Oaxaca Hostel
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
Monopoly Deal
Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.
Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!
Check out our definitive Hostel Packing list for our top packing tips!
Photo: @amandaadraper
Why you should travel to Oaxaca
So that’s the end of our handy list of the top hostels in Oaxaca.
Now you know all about where to stay in this buzzing city. From backpacker hostels where the local market is practically on your doorstep, to more affluent areas filled with top sights, there’s something for everyone.
Some of the best hostels in Oaxaca are family run, meaning a warm and welcoming atmosphere – nothing better than hospitality when you’re in a city you don’t know!
Others are set in very Instagrammable old buildings that you won’t wanna leave!
And if you can’t decide on a hostel that’s right for you after all that, well, we don’t blame you.
But we do recommend Hostal Central if you can’t choose. It’s the best overall hostel in Oaxaca.
Photo: @amandaadraper
FAQ about Hostels in Oaxaca
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Oaxaca.
How much do hostels in Oaxaca cost?
The average price of hostels in Oaxaca starts from $14 – $17+ per night. Of course, the private rooms are on the higher end of the scale than the dorm beds.
What are the best hostels in Oaxaca for couples?
We would recommend Hostal Chocolate are a lovely little getaway for a couple in Oaxaca!
What is the best hostel in Oaxaca near the airport?
The airport is quite far from the city center, so it is better to find the best place that offers airport transfer. I recommend Hostal Chocolate, just a 14-minute drive from the airport.
Travel Safety Tips for Oaxaca
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
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More Epic Hostels in Mexico and North America
Hopefully by now you’ve found the perfect hostel for your upcoming trip to Oaxaca.
Planning an epic trip all across Mexico or even North America itself?
Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!
For more cool hostel guides around North America, check out:
Over to you
By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in Oaxaca has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure!
If you think we’ve missed anything or have any further thoughts, hit us up in the comments!
Photo: @amandaadraper
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Mexico for a wealth of info!
- Check out the best places to stay in Oaxaca before you arrive.
- Remember to grab yourself an international sim card for Mexico to avoid any issues.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Get ready for your next destination with our ultimate Central America backpacking guide.
And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!
