The 7 Best Hostels in Oaxaca City in 2025

Before I decided to call Oaxaca City home, I spent over three months staying in different hostels. As a result, I’ve personally stayed at every single one of these Oaxaca hostels and several more than once!

I’m not going to simply tell you which is the best hostel in Oaxaca City since that is a personal preference. What I will do is give you an honest opinion of each Oaxaca hostel.

I’ve listed the amenities, summed up my experience, and included any negatives I noticed during my stay. This way you are empowered to decide which hostel is best for you. 

I’ve included details about important things like bathrooms, wifi, and common areas. That being said, let’s do a quick look at my pick for the top hostels in Oaxaca.

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My Picks for Best Hostels in Oaxaca City

If you just want to book a place, here are my picks for the best hostels in Oaxaca.

1. Best Hostel for Solo Travelers

At Casa Angel Hostel, travelers can easily meet others thanks to the large communal dining space and social rooftop area. But it’s the weekly events that turn this into the best hostel for solo travelers.

This Oaxaca hostel schedules regular events from salsa dancing to mezcal tastings as well as a walking tour and a food tour.

The location is great too. Casa Angel Hostel is centrally located just a few blocks from Santo Domingo Church. 

You’ll find a range of room types at Casa Angel Hostel in both the shared and private accommodations. The private rooms are tastefully styled with modern furnishings. They feature a desk and reading lamps. The deluxe rooms have a private bathroom and include a small private balcony.

The shared dorms come in a variety of sizes (2-10 people), all with capsule-style beds and curtains for privacy. All of the beds have a reading light and access to an outlet. The deluxe dorms add more features such as a shelf and air conditioning. And the superior dorm adds a small window for each bed and a sliding door instead of a curtain.

The space inside the hostel is split into pods. As a result, shared bathrooms are designated per group of dorm rooms. The nicer rooms correspond to the nicer bathrooms. 

Overall, this Oaxaca hostel is a beautiful concept with a great location, all of which is reflected in the slightly higher price.

2. Best Party Hostel in Oaxaca

Iguana Hostel is a self-proclaimed party hostel. But even if you’re not into a party, there are some really nice features that make it one of my favorite hostels in Oaxaca. 

Let’s start with the personal space. Perhaps the most unique feature of Iguana Hostel is the platform beds in the dorms. Yes, there are still two levels but they are not connected. This results in a more peaceful night’s sleep since you won’t feel your bunk neighbor’s every move. 

It also means that those with a top bunk have a floor! I didn’t realize how amazing this is until I stayed at Iguana Hostel.

In addition, there’s ample space around each bed, a sheet curtain for privacy, a multiplug outlet, and large lockers. They’ve even thought of little things such as a side table that folds out from the wall and can be locked with your small valuables inside. 

Upstairs is a co-working space with really comfortable chairs. The multiplug outlets are continued here and it’s shaded enough to still get work done in the middle of the day.

The rooftop bar and lounge area is always a great place to meet people. They advertise drink specials on the Whatsapp group in the evenings.

Perhaps it’s due to the laid back atmosphere of the hostel itself, but I also found this hostel to have some of the best backpacking traveler vibes.

3. Most Chic Oaxaca Hostel

Ticuchi Hostel is by far the most beautiful Oaxaca hostel. Its minimalist design is consistent throughout the reception area, rooms, and back courtyard which features a bar and swimming pool.

And I’d argue it competes for the best party hostel in Oaxaca. After hanging poolside at the hostel bar, you can often find a group heading out for a night in the city.

If you are sensitive to noise or prefer more privacy, I recommend that you book one of the smaller six-bed dormitory rooms. All of the beds have a curtain, but these dorms are quieter and open to the long side of the bed for easier access.

I also love the ample outdoor space at Ticuchi Hostel, including the open-air kitchen with two refrigerators and two stoves. The only thing to consider here is that during the rainy season in Oaxaca, the consistent afternoon showers limit these areas some.

4. Best Hostel for Digital Nomads

I always meet travelers that rave about Hostal Central, so there was no question it would be featured as one of the best hostels in Oaxaca. It’s located in a non-touristy neighborhood a few blocks from the Central de Abastos Market. 

From Hostal Central, it takes 10 minutes to walk to the Zocalo and twenty minutes to Santo Domingo. The neighborhood is a business district, so during the day, there’s a lot of everyday life in the surrounding streets. At night, they are quiet and empty. For that reason, it’s smart to take a taxi home after dark.

The hostel is a large, three-story house that has been modified without sacrificing the space. When you book your reservation at Hostal Central, I recommend the slightly more expensive 3 bed dorm.

It’s located at the back of the hostel, away from street noise. Each bed is separated by a half wall partition for privacy and the shared bathroom is located within the room. Can you remember the last time you shared a hostel bathroom with only two other people?

The entire first level of Hostal Central comprises common areas, including a small living room and a cozy patio with an outdoor kitchen. In between is a dining room that doubles as a comfortable workspace. In fact with its free, on-demand coffee and tea, it feels like working in a coworking space. And the two-course breakfast rivals some of the best places for breakfast in Oaxaca. 

I can’t rave about this hostel enough. The only reason I would look elsewhere is if you want to walk out the door and be in the heart of the city. But keep in mind, Hostal Central books quickly, so I would recommend reserving as soon as you can.

Wondering what to do in the city? Check out my favorite things to do in Oaxaca.

5. Budget Hostel in Oaxaca City

El Cielo Hostel is a great value for budget travelers, especially when you consider the heated swimming pool and social bar area. In fact, all guests receive a ticket for a free drink (beer or mezcal) upon arrival.

It’s also centrally located, just a five-minute walk from Santo Domingo Church. However, the shared rooms are extremely small. Two sets of bunk beds are squeezed into a room that feels as though it should be a small private room. 

Between the two sets of beds are lockers with a narrow path in front. This results in only one person being able to access the lockers at a time. It also proves hard to organize your belongings since you need to keep nearly everything in your locker. Oh, and the only outlets are located inside the locker, another logistical issue.

There is a fairly comfortable workspace in the common areas, though it is also lacking outlets. The kitchen is stocked and usable. The bathrooms are functioning but could use an upgrade, especially in the shower areas. And the wifi works but is strongest in the front sitting area which isn’t typically the place you want to hang out.

Overall, this is a great budget hostel in Oaxaca if you’re looking for a hostel with a pool and social scene that is close to the center.

Read Next: Magic Mushrooms and Mountains in San Jose del Pacifico

6. A Peaceful Oaxaca Hostel

The enchanting central garden and colorful decorations impart a whimsical vibe to Azul Cielo Hostel. Attached to the garden is the open-air kitchen, dining, and living room. These areas become the social hub in the mornings as travelers discuss their plans for the day.

Upstairs is a small but social bar with delicious cocktails that also proved to be a comfortable spot to get some work done during the day. And above the bar is a large open rooftop with views of Oaxaca City.

The rooms include a four-bed female dorm, a larger mixed dorm, and a handful of very stylish private rooms.

The only reason Azul Cielo Hostel didn’t make my list of the top four hostels in Oaxaca is the location. While it’s a similar walking distance as Hostal Central to the Zocalo and Santo Domingo, the residential neighborhood gets very quiet and dark at night. You will definitely want to take a taxi back to the hostel after dark.

7. Best Hostel in Oaxaca for Families

While Hostel Casa Don Pablo has dorm rooms, it’s a great Oaxaca hostel for families because there are private rooms with multiple beds. It’s also fairly quiet for a hostel.

The building itself is a colonial house featuring beautiful original tiles with colorful tables and chairs. The central courtyard is next to the kitchen where breakfast is prepared each morning. And there’s ample outdoor space including a covered rooftop with mountain views of Oaxaca.

The location also makes it a great hostel in Oaxaca for families. It’s in a residential neighborhood, away from the busy Zocalo area but also a short walk the center.

Traveling to the coast next? Discover my favorite hostels in Puerto Escondido.

8. Oaxaca Hostel With a Private Room

If you prefer to stay at a hostel in Oaxaca with a private room, Andaina Hostel is the best value. I was quite shocked to find prices for a private single room lower than a bed in a dorm room at other hostels. They also have private rooms with multiple beds if you’re traveling with others.

The common kitchen and balcony foster a social atmosphere. There’s also a large open rooftop with views of the city. On the rooftop, there are tables and chairs as well as a few plants, but the space could be more inviting.

This hostel is centrally located, just a block from the sprawling market area of Benito Juarez and 20 de Noviembre. However, this is not my favorite area to stay in Oaxaca because it’s a really busy area.

Final Thoughts on Oaxaca Hostels

As you can see, there are a variety of Oaxaca hostels for travelers to stay. From tranquil hostels to the party hostels in Oaxaca City, choosing the best hostel will depend on what you’re looking for.

Most of the Oaxaca hostels on this list are centrally located, ensuring you won’t be far from the action no matter where you choose to book.