3 Best Hostels in Oaxaca, Mexico – Where Vibrant Hostel Design & Indigenous Culture Meet

It’s time to venture to Latin America and take a look at our collection of the 3 best hostels in Oaxaca, Mexico.

This city in the foothills of the Sierra Madre is full of picture-perfect colourful houses, seriously yummy local cuisine and unmissable temples. It’s well known for its indigenous cultures.

FYI: Oaxaca is also the name of the state Oaxaca City resides in.

We’ve worked hard to bring you the coolest hostels in the area. You only need one, right? Well, to make sure everyone’s tastes are met, here’s three to choose from.

Your shortcut:

1. Casa Angel Hostel – for solo travellers
2. Hostal Central – ideal for older travellers
3. Azul Cielo Hostel – perfect for female solo travellers

In a nutshell, POD-style beds, a free hot breakfast and vibrant design with big common areas await you in Oaxaca hostels.

This guide is perfect for YOU, when you…

• are tired of crappy hostels!
• want a social Hostel to actually meet people
• are happy to spend $1 to $2 more for a much better experience

Six hours from here, over on the coast, you can enjoy beach vibes and the best hostels in Puerto Escondido and of course 3 best hostels in Mexico City, the capital.

All of the hostels are part of our epic guide to the 40 best hostels in Mexico.

Quick Introduction to Oaxaca

Average price for a bed: Hostels in Oaxaca cost 5€ – 13€ per night for a bed in a dorm. A private room starts from 15€ up to 38€ per night. This is a rough average just to give you an idea.

Prices always depend on season and holidays. Please always check exact rates on Hostelworld.com or Booking.com.

Check-In and Check Out: The average check-in time is from 15:00 (3pm), while the Check Out time is before 11:00 (11am). Hostels usually offer luggage storage in case you arrive earlier or leave later. Make sure you check if luggage storage is free or if there is an extra cost.

🎁 New to Hostels? Read our guide to staying in a Hostel for the First Time here. We especially recommend reading:

• How to book hostels? (and websites to save $)
• 23 clever items: the hostel packing list to download
• How does the Hostelworld App work exactly? Our Advanced Guide

The 3 Best Hostels in Oaxaca

Let’s jump right into the boutique hostels in Oaxaca.

1. Casa Angel Hostel
2. Hostal Central
3. Azul Cielo Hostel

We put all three accommodation on the map, you will find the map at the end of the article.

Overview: Best Hostels by Traveler Type

🦸 Solo Traveler:	Casa Angel Hostel
🙎‍♀️ best for Female Solo Traveler:	Azul Cielo Hostel
🥳 Party Hostel:	Iguana Hostel Oaxaca
👩‍❤️‍👨 Couple Hostel:	Azul Cielo Hostel
👨‍👩‍👦 Family Hostel:	Casa de Don Pablo Hostel
👩‍💻 For Digital Nomads:	Hostal Central
🧘 Cozy Hostel:	Hostal Central

1. Casa Angel Hostel

Ready to discover our absolute top hostel choice in Oaxaca City? Honestly, it was super easy to choose Casa Angel Hostel, let’s show you why.

This hostel is open for nothing other than having lots of fun!

“We don’t like to brag but, here at Casa Angel Hostel we’ve been named as Lonely Planet Top Choice for 2020!”

Why did they win this award, you may ask? Probably because of the…

• Free hot breakfast
• Events throughout the week
• Hostel bar + daily Happy Hour
• Rooftop terrace

The thing is, it doesn’t stop there – the list of awesome amenities and inclusions continues! So what about the events? From yoga lessons and free walking tours, to pizza nights and salsa dancing, there’s something for everyone happening all the time.

Read: We wrote a detailed guide for best yoga retreats in Mexico.

If you prefer to relax, the common area has Netflix and the POD-style beds means you can grab some privacy any time of the day or night.

In fact, all of the dorms are either deluxe or superior, offering sliding doors or curtains on the beds, plus USB chargers, a shelf and a light!

Private rooms are also pretty fancy, with some of them including a private bathroom and balcony or terrace.

Reception is open 24/7 for checking in, and there’s a handy kitchen if you prefer to cook.

Location: The city centre is a quick 10-minute walk, and you’ll find the world famous Santo Domingo Church 3-blocks from the hostel. Take the shuttle from the airport and you’ll reach Casa Angel in 30 minutes.

This is one of the best hostels in Oaxaca for

• Solo travellers
• Backpackers

Book Casa Angel Hostel here

Compare prices and check availability at: Booking.com | Hostelworld

2. Hostal Central

Up next is a luxury house turned into an ideal meeting point for backpackers that enjoy relaxing above all else.

Welcome to Hostal Central, an ideal base for travellers seeking to stretch their budget.

“We are a young and open minded group of individuals who welcome anyone from all walks of life, come spend time and let’s exchange a great time in Oaxaca!”

There’s plenty of reasons older travellers and digital nomads love staying here.

Here’s a few of those reasons to tickle your fancy:

• Free cooked breakfast daily
• Beautiful outdoor garden
• Fibre optic high-speed free Wifi
• Free international calls
• Kitchen & dining/work area

What we really love is that the mixed dorms are kept small with just 4-beds in each room. And! One of them has only single beds with little wall partitions for excellent privacy.

Spacious double rooms are also available.

Each night there’s a pregame in the garden area. Feel free to head into town afterward to enjoy the nightlife scene.

Note: Reception opening hours are limited so bear this in mind for your arrival time.

Thanks to the cosy, relaxed vibe the staff team has more time for every guest and they go above and beyond to make guests feel at home.

Location: Situated in downtown Oaxaca on the west side, Hostal Central is just across the road from a traditional Oaxaqueño market. The infamous Central de Abastos market (the biggest in the state) is also very close by.

This is one of the best hostels in Oaxaca for

• Older travellers
• Digital nomads

Book Hostal Central here

Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld

3. Azul Cielo Hostel

To end the top 3 with a bang, we bring to you Azul Cielo Hostel which most certainly offers the most impressive design out of all of them.

Wall art, bright colours, cute details and plenty of livings plants really create a special atmosphere here. Vibrant is the perfect word to describe this hostel.

“The hostel was designed to make you feel at home. We provide an open space with a beautiful garden full of native plants which serves as a great center point.”

Each room is individually decorated to display authentic Oaxaca culture. Nice!

These rooms include a female-only dorm, two mixed dorms (8-10 beds) and 10 private rooms which are suited to single travellers and couples.

No doubt you’re eager to know the perks of choosing this hostel:

• Free bike hire (2 hours)
• Hostel bar
• Rooftop terrace
• Board games
• Yoga classes & Spanish classes

To top it off, the team make sure a freshly cooked Oaxaca breakfast that changes everyday is provided. Complimentary, of course!

Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages can be bought onsite, and the communal kitchen offers the chance to rustle up a meal with new friends.

Location: An easy 10 minute walk from the city centre of Oaxaca. The airport is 10km from the property, taking 30 minutes by car/taxi.

This is one of the best hostels in Oaxaca for

• Female solo travellers
• Couples

Book Azul Cielo Hostel here

Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld

What about cheapest hostels in Oaxaca?

Of course, there are always cheap hostels. Forget Oaxaca hotels!

We think, it’s not worth it to go with the cheapest hostel out there.

Why?

The difference is usually 1-2€ ($1-2) per night, and a lot of amenities are not included. This can be breakfast or linen.

However, if you are traveling on a shoe-string budget and you wanna save every penny, there are ways to find the cheapest places in Oaxaca.

1. Open Hostelworld with full list of budget places to stay in Oaxaca
2. Order the listing by price

Simple as that.

Read: 15 hacks for booking hostels

Make sure you use then the other filters and rank per price.

Also keep a close eye on the ratings, especially the “extreme ratings”. Meaning, the best and worst. These ratings can give great insight on what to expect.

To give you an idea, a cheap hostel example in Oaxaca is Paulina Youth Hostel.

Best Hostels in Oaxaca for Solo Travellers?

What is seriously the best hostel in Oaxaca for solo-travellers?

Well, we know a large percentage of our readers are solo travellers these days, which is why our #1 hostel in this guide is also the best for those that travel alone.

That’s right, Casa Angel Hostel is our top recommendation for you.

It’s full to the brim with fun hostel events to help you put names to new faces, and the daily Happy Hour is an easy ice breaker.

Thanks for the privacy-led dorms, it’s possible to enjoy a balance of social and private time here.

Book Casa Angel Hostel here

Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld

Party Hostels in Oaxaca

In the mood for a little partying?

Alright, well as promised at the start of this guide, we help those that “want to avoid the “young party kids”” yet still aim to have a good time. So, we do not include any crazy party hostel here.

Instead, we’d like to introduce Iguana Hostel Oaxaca.

There is a hostel bar here that’s open every night until 11pm. Coupled with event nights and a rooftop terrace, the social vibes flow easily here.

It’s easy to get a good night’s sleep if you choose a 4-bed dorm, or opt for larger 12-bed. They are all deluxe and bunkbed free!

Start a new day with a free cooked breakfast and a swing in the hammock. Perfect.

Book Iguana Hostel Oaxaca here

Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld

More Hostels worth a mention

Come on, you’re still eager for a little more, right? Luckily for you, Oaxaca has a surprisingly large amount of hostels worth a mention so we doubt you’ll leave here disappointed.

To tempt you further, we suggest you have a glance at the below hostels as well:

• Casa de Don Pablo Hostel
• Andaina Youth Hostel
• Selina Oaxaca

Casa de Don Pablo Hostel

Fancy colourful design and a super friendly and relaxed hostel? Then head to Casa de Don Pablo Hostel.

The best bits about this place has to be the daily free breakfast (including eggs, fruit and coffee) and passionate staff.

As for rooms? There are mixed and female only dorms ranging from 4 and 10 beds, plus private options that come with or without a private bathroom.

This is a top budget backpacker choice.

Book Casa de Don Pablo Hostel here

Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld

Andaina Youth Hostel

For the couples out there and anyone else looking for a relaxed, less lively atmosphere, consider staying at Andaina Youth Hostel.

This is a huge property with plenty of space. Whilst there are communal areas, this hostel is more about doing your own thing in a central location.

Some amenities include a gym, kitchen, art zone as well as free tea/coffee and rooftop with 360 degree views.

Good to know: there is a mix of shared and private rooms here.

Book Andaina Youth Hostel here

Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com

Selina Oaxaca

Selina Oaxaca sets the hostel standard to a whole new level!

The dorm rooms here are not like you’d find at your typical hostel. Alongside a bed you’ll get a seating area, a shelf, reading light, and a locker to store your things safely.

As for common areas?

Well, you could catch up on work in the designated CoWork area, or relax in the lounge, courtyard, or bar area. The design and decor is seriously cool and very Instagrammy!

Discover: All Selina Hostels around the world

Book Selina Oaxaca here

Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld

What about the cheapest hostels in Oaxaca?

Of course, there are always cheap hostels. But how do you actually find them? When you are traveling on a shoe-string budget and you want to save every dollar, there are ways to find the cheapest places in Oaxaca.

1. Open Hostelz.com with a full list of all hostels in Oaxaca
2. add your dates
3. Order the listings by price

Simple as that.

Hostelz.com is a price comparison site for hostels. They list every single one in the world and tells you exactly which website is cheaper to use.

Another smart Tip: Check what is actually included, and what is excluded. Take a closer look at the location, too. A further location might mean more costs in transport.

Any Discounts?

You can find all our hostel discounts worldwide here. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the freshest hostel discounts directly in your inbox. We even have special discount codes we only share in the newsletter.

It is completely free to join!

How to book?

The most popular booking platforms are Booking.com and Hostelworld.com. On both platforms, your credit card is 100% protected and the booking 100% confirmed.

We included some handy links to each of the recommended hostel. Just click on the hostel name. The link will lead you to check prices and availability.

Read: Step-by-Step guide on how to book with Hostelworld

We recommend booking your hostel as early as possible! All of Oaxaca best hostels are popular; especially in high-season. To make sure you end up in those stylish and good hostels, secure your room/bed as soon as you have your travel dates fix.

The coolest Hostel App you need comes as well from Hostelworld. It gives you super cool features like you can contact your hostel mates beforehand, ask questions, and make plans together. Find more details in our review of the app.

Download the Hostelworld App here

Scan the QR Code with your Smartphone to download the Hostelworld App from the App Store - like a real Hostel Geek!

Our Favorite Hostels in Oaxaca put on a map + sights

Let us have a look on the map. Below we list all three best Oaxaca hostels on a map.

Personally, we love to plan our trips with a map having all sights and potential hostels on it. We thought this map will help you with planning your trip too.

Looking for things to do in Oaxaca?

We also included the main tourist attractions you’ve to know in this list:

• Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán
• Zona Arqueológica de Monte Albán
• Mercado Benito Juárez
• Mercado 20 de Noviembre
• Catedral Metropolitana de Oaxaca
• Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad

FAQ

Alright, you should have found your accommodation already. Below we list all the frequently asked questions. Have a look.

Flights to Oaxaca?

We use Skyscanner and Omio.com to find cheap flights and good connections all over the globe.

More guides

Alright, this is your answer to where to stay in Oaxaca.

We created more handwritten hostel guides for you.

• best hostels in Mexico
• best hostels in Mexico City
• best hostels in Tulum
• best hostels in Cancun
• best hostels in Sayulita
• best hostels in Puerto Vallarta
• best hostels in Playa del Carmen
• best hostels in Puerto Escondido
• best hostels in Guadalajara
• best hostels in Cozumel
• best hostels in San Cristóbal de las Casas
• best hostels in Holbox
• best hostels in Bacalar

Party Hostels:

• coolest party hostels in Mexico
• coolest party hostels in Cancun
• coolest party hostels in Mexico City

Surf Hostels:

• best surf hostels in Mexico

You can find all our new and updated articles for Best Hostels in here.

We also created a huge guide to hostels. Here we cover how to build lifetime friendships in hostels, the perfect packing list and more.

Over to you

Do you have any questions left, maybe doubts? Then please leave it in the comment below. We are very keen to help you - and actually you would even do us a favor!

Your question will help us to improve this Oaxaca guide.

Last note: Our commitment

This is a genuine article to help you travel a bit smarter, and find the best place on a budget! We will never recommend you any place we haven’t evaluated or are not convinced by. We are constantly updating all our guides to keep them as fresh and accurate as possible.

Safe travels,
The Hostelgeeks

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