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, you won’t wanna miss this on your Mexico trip.
There is an abundance of eclectic history in Oaxaca City, but it’s not all city-based stuff. However, if you get into nature nearby, 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 gastronomical tour of local life, a quiet residential area, or somewhere you can easily explore the surrounding area? Is it important to you to be able to walk to Santo Domingo Church every day? Do you want a bumping vibe with sunrise yoga, sociable people and in house Margaritas?
Well, with my handy list of the best Oaxaca City hostels, amigo, I’ve made it easy for you to choose the hostel that’s right for you! I’ve even put my choices into categories so you can easily decide on the perfect place.
So shake that margarita, pour it up and let’s peep the top hostels in Oaxaca below!
Photo: @amandaadraper
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Quick Answer: The Best Hostels in Oaxaca
- Best Overall Hostel in Oaxaca – Hostal Central
- Best Hostel in Oaxaca for Solo Travelers – Azul Cielo Hostel
- Best Cheap Hostel in Oaxaca – Hostal Luz de Luna
- Best Party Hostel in Oaxaca – Casa Angel Youth Hostel
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Oaxaca – Cielo Rojo Hostel
Photo: @amandaadraper
The 5 Best Hostels in Oaxaca
Backpacking Mexico is elite. Beautiful people, beautiful food, beautiful culture… The Broke Backpacker team have collectively spent some serious hours here to bring you this top five.
1. Hostal Central – Best Overall Hostel in Oaxaca
Peep the pets!
- Dorm (mixed): From $20
- Private Room: From $66
- Address: Huzares 103, 68000 Oaxaca City, Mexico
Just two blocks over from the traditional market and park, you could stay RIGHT in the middle of Oaxaca City at Hostal Central. Staying here means soaking up a load of the city’s Oaxacan culture. It’s 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. The helpful staff are super friendly, too at Hostal Central. All good stuff.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Free Breakfast
- Friendly Staff
- Free Oaxaca City Maps
In an epic neighbourhood, surrounded by cute coffee shops to park up at, epic local eats and the infamous Central de Abastos market. Also in the ‘hood is a boxing gym, yoga classes, and the necessities like laundry and hairdressing parlours. All of this is by locals, for locals so an epic experience of Oaxaca City.
Oaxaca is the biggest agave producing state in Mexico and you best believe the mescal comes alive in the nighttime! Have pre-drinks at Hostal Central in the Hostel Garden Area and viva la vida local with all your new homies. When you’re done having fun, the beds at Hostal Central will hold you tenderly and restore you to good health ready to do it all again mañana.
The dorms are spacious and with standard beds rather than bunk beds which is wonderful for a quiet night’s sleep. There’s a double room if you want some privacy, with an en suite bathroom which is lovely… Especially if you’re not alone and want to stay in your love cocoon! If you are alone, Hostal Central is an epic joint to meet other travellers, the shared dining space is designed to bring people together.
2. Azul Cielo Hostel – Best Hostel in Oaxaca for Solo Travelers
- Dorm (mixed): From $16
- Private Room: From $61
- Address: Arteaga, 608, 68000 Oaxaca City, Mexico
Travelling alone can seem like a pretty daunting experience in Mexico and it takes a lot of energy. This super chill hostel is the perfect place to come back to if you’re by yourself. An oasis in Oaxaca City with a sweet inner garden that feels safe to be by yourself and kick back.
Being the best Oaxaca hostel for solo travellers, 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).
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Free Wifi
- Yoga Classes
- Rooftop Terrace
This hostel offers bikes to roam around Oaxaca City for free (for two hours), which is an epic way to explore Oaxaca. Another bonus is that you’re welcome to stay after checkout, so if your next stop is taking a late-night bus outta Oaxaca, chill, and stay awhile. Although I do recommend hitchhiking in Mexico, it’s an epic adventure and as I’ve already said, beautiful people.
The communal spaces here are epic for meeting fellow travellers if that’s your jam. There’s always something going on, whether it’s communal kitchen cooking or the Oaxacan Traditional Dinner on Saturday nights. Or even yoga on the rooftop terrace looking out over Oaxaca City before you explore Oaxaca for the day.
The dorm rooms at Azul Cielo Hostel include a four-bed female-only dorm and a couple of big mixed dorms. So pick your poison and get amongst the people, or, choose a private single, double or queen room.
3. Hostal Luz de Luna – Best Cheap Hostel in Oaxaca
- Dorm (mixed): From $10
- Private Room: From $34
- Address: Avenida Juarez 101, 68000 Oaxaca City, Mexico
You want cheap in Mexico? You got it. Hostal Luz de Luna is definitely the best cheap 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 budget travel vibes are done immaculately.
The ambient, sometimes quiet, atmosphere makes for a decent place to chill out and chat with 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.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Rooftop terrace
- Free Coffee
- Communal Kitchen
With bright art throughout the property, this is a fun and vibrant place to sleep and save your pesos! The market’s two minutes away for all the ingredients you need to cook up a storm and pack your lunches to keep that budget tight. When the necessities are taken care of, retire to the rooftop for sunset and enjoy the (not so) serenity of Oaxaca City.
And, there’s a chess board set up in the garden to keep you entertained. Although, depending on your constitution, a walk to explore Oaxaca might get you a bit more fired up. Go check out Santo Domingo Church!
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View on Osprey View on REI4. Casa Angel Youth Hostel – Best Party Hostel in Oaxaca
- Dorm (mixed): From $24
- Private Room: From $60
- Address: Tinoco y Palacios 610, Centro, Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico
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 with here, and loads of daily activities to get involved with here. You can stretch out with yoga in the mornings and get involved in the happy hours at night.
Casa Angel has 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’s a clean party hostel, especially if you’re gearing up for a festival in Mexico.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Spacious showers 😉
- Good Location in the City Centre
- Epic Daily Activities
Casa Angel Hostel is such a vibe, if you want to stay somewhere social and not have to direct your own mission to explore Oaxaca… You’ve arrived! The daily schedule is full of activities you can join in on, from yoga classes to street food tours, to happy hours and other nighttime activities.
You’re almost guaranteed to have a good night’s sleep on the lush mattresses at Casa Angel, they’re new and each has some form of privacy. Whether you choose your own room, a pod bed (which has its own window), or a standard bunk (with curtains), you’ll have peace. The bathrooms are new at Casa Angel and the helpful staff are always down to give you a hand with anything you might need.
5. Selina Oaxaca – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Oaxaca
- Dorm (mixed): From $15
- Private Room: From $60
- Address: 5 de Mayo # 217, Colonia Centro Oaxaca City, Mexico
Selina Oaxaca is the perfect spot to stay awhile, settle into some work and explore Oaxaca City. Ideal for digital nomads as the free wifi is strong and so is the co-working space game. There are so many different little nooks, bars, and even desks in the private rooms to make your temporary home office.
You’ll be right in the heart of Oaxaca and able to venture out and explore the city when you knock off. Until then though, enjoy the abundant amenities on-site – a bar, a kitchen if you like to self-cater, yoga on the rooftop to start your day… The choice is yours!
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Strong Free Wifi
- Great Location
- Friendly staff
There are tonnes of different options for where to stay in Selina Oaxaca, depending on how much privacy you want or need. The dorms are fresh and modern and each dorm bed comes with a reading light, a personal shelf, a locker aaaaand a seating area. Perfect if you can balance your laptop on your knee and get down to business.
When you shut up shop for the day, heaps is happening in Selina hostel, at the rooftop bar, or on the streets. Oaxaca is defined by its tree-shaded streets, authentic foodie scene, and intensely beautiful cultural heritage. Nearby ruins make for great hiking while the city’s colonial past leads to interesting art, culture, museums, and tours, explore Oaxaca and enjoy!
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Hide Yo’ Money!More Epic Oaxaca Hostels
Read through this many Oaxaca hostels and haven’t found the one? Don’t worry, I’ve got even more epic hostels in Oaxaca picked out for you! It’s important to find somewhere to stay in Oaxaca that you love.
6. Cielo Rojo Hostel
- Dorm (mixed): From $8
- Private Room: From $28
- Address: Xicotencatl 121, Centro, Oaxaca, Mexico
Cool, comfortable and clean, this top hostel in Oaxaca City is run by a local couple who are super friendly. 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. Or, on the roof terrace, or one of the sofas in the lounge, or on the outdoor patio under an umbrella.
But it’s not just about space to work when it comes to being an Oaxaca hostel in a great location. This place bills itself as ‘young, cultural and environmentally friendly’ which is pretty cool in itself. An ideal place to work and chill and it’s openly LGBTQ friendly.
7. Hostal Chocolate
- Dorm (mixed): From $12
- Private Room: From $29
- Address: 310 Calle de Nuño del Mercado, 68000 Oaxaca City, Mexico
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. This Oaxaca Hostel for couples is not just loved for that, but it’s affordable which is great if you’re backpacking together and wanting budget options. As for location? Bars and restaurants are within walking distance.
8. Iguana Hostel
- Dorm (mixed): From $10
- Private Room: From $35
- Address: Calle 1008 Morelos, Oaxaca centro, 68000 Oaxaca City, Mexico
A classic sorta typical hostel vibe. There are loads of big hang-out areas, the decor’s all colourful and 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 I did say this is like, typical hostel territory. Basic-ish but fun.
9. Hostal De Las Americas
- Dorm (mixed): From $11
- Private Room: From $40
- Address: Porfirio Díaz 300, Colonia Centro, 68000 Oaxaca City, Mexico
You’ll find this Oaxaca backpackers hostel in one of the more wealthy areas, close to a load of the top tourist sights, museums and restaurants. So Hostal De Las Americas is great if you wanna see that stuff and still stay in a lower than average price hostel.
Hostal De Las Americas features friendly, helpful staff and a basic but decent free breakfast. This recommended hostel in Oaxaca also has strong Wi-Fi and air conditioning, both of which make all the difference! The atmosphere at Hostal De Las Americas is… lacking, maybe it’s too quiet for some.
But if you don’t care, it’s a decent choice in a convenient area. Viva Hostal De Las Americas!
10. Hostal Mixteco Nava Nandoo
- Private Room: From $30
- Address: Avenida Morelos no 1308, 68000 Oaxaca City, Mexico
This top hostel in Oaxaca is crammed full of good points. It’s got a 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.
11. Hostal Andaina
- Dorm (mixed): From $12
- Private Room: From $15
- Address: J.P. García Núm. 308, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca City, Mexico
Hostal Andaina is in a great location in the city centre, close to the Centro and Zocalo, the historic centre of Oaxaca. The rooms here are huge and there are basically enough balconies to each have your own. You can spread out whatever passion project you dream of completing in this inspiring, creative city!
The staff are friendly and Hostal Andaina is in a good location to explore Oaxaca. Make sure you have a sundowner on one of the balconies overlooking Oaxaca City. Oaxaca International Airport is just a 30-minute drive away too so it’s a goodie to be close if you’ve got an early flight out.
12. Hostel La Cochinilla
- Private Room: From $73
- Address: Calzada de la República 406, 68000 Oaxaca City, Mexico
Set in the middle of the city, in the chilled area of Jalatlaco. The surrounding streets of this place are all cobbled streets and brimming with culture. Definitely makes for a cool area to wander about, hence the higher than average price.
This Oaxaca Hostel has great rooms. 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, hostel prices my ass.
Combat the cost with street food, it’s some of the best food you can find, and cheap!
13. Yabanhi Hostel
- Private Room: From $33
- Address: Panorámicas del Fortín 108 A Col. Centro, 68000 Oaxaca City, Mexico
Yabanhi Hostel has everything you look for in budget options, a great location, and friendly staff in the city centre! Explore Oaxaca for this city centre hostel with other travellers you meet in the common room or on the rooftop terrace… Also, perfect for a drink and some guacachile and chips after a big day in the hot sun.
The rooms sleep up to five at this adults-only hostel, you can pick whichever room best suits the size of your party. A safe place to stay in Mexico and fair hostel prices. Oaxaca International Airport is 7 km from Yabanhi Hostel.
Getting Insured BEFORE Visiting Oaxaca
Everyone needs good hostel travel insurance so you can have good hostel fun.
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!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
FAQ about Hostels in Oaxaca
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Oaxaca.
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 my definitive Hostel Packing list for even more top hostel packing tips!
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?
I would recommend Hostal Chocolate as a lovely little getaway for a couple in Oaxaca!
What is the best hostel in Oaxaca near the airport?
The Oaxaca International Airport is quite far from the city centre, so it is better to find the best place that offers airport transfers. I recommend Hostal Chocolate, just a 14-minute drive from the airport. Most other hostels are about a 30 minute drive.
Final Thoughts on Oaxaca’s Hostels
So, you get it, Oaxaca City is amazing, abundant in lively markets with fresh foods tantalising your tastebuds. With street vendors who will have you in stitches with their sales pitches, with museums that will broaden your understanding of history. This vibrant city will capture your heart.
By now I hope my epic guide to the best hostels in Oaxaca has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure! If you’re on the fence, book in for a couple of nights at Casa Angel Hostel, the vibe is high and the location is great. You really can’t go wrong here.
If you’re looking for a cheaper stay, Azul Cielo Hostel is the one. These guys beat the average price significantly and don’t skimp on what they deliver. Again, I’d recommend booking in for a couple of nights, sussing the vibe and going from there.
Wherever you stay, I’m sure you’ll fall in love with at least something in this sexy city. I want to hear all about it.
If you think I’ve missed anything or have any further thoughts, hit me up in the comments! I love to chat 🙂
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.
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