Youve come to the right place because this article highlights the seven best Oaxaca neighborhoods for tourists, travelers and visitors. Hoodmaps is a crowdsourced map to navigate cities based on hipsters, tourists, rich, normies, suits and uni areas. ), and in the summer you frequently can catch a free concert. Oaxaca is the largest city and capital of the state of Oaxaca. Centrally located in Jalatlaco, Oaxacas hippest hood, this hotel has comfortable rooms, modern features, a swimming pool, a sundeck and free wifi. But aside from that, it can get really boring like a mexican suburbia. Want to visit the best Oaxaca beaches including Puerto Escondido, Zipolite, Huatulco, San Agustinillo and Mazunte? What is the best time to visit Oaxaca Mexico? Oaxaca City is the states capital city, and located about six hours south of Mexico City, you can book direct flights. Good dining, but no sights to speak of; sights in Santo Domingo and Centro are a short taxi ride or 15-25 minute walk away. Mexico is packed with incredible flavors, dazzling sights and unique things to do. It may not always be accurate. Its hard to beat the subtly-lit cobbled streets, beautiful architecture, luxurious boutique hotels and fine dining of Santo Domingo if youre on a romantic vacation with your other half. Rooms are spacious and comfortable, and each comes complete with a range of amenities. Unfortunately, you won't find private lift vans for rent, only large passenger vans without platforms or ramps. Oaxaca city was once a tiny, barely known town in the centre of Mexicos mountainous region. Just dont forget to keep your senses open. Last updated: 2023-05-01T05:52:55+00:00. But, after staying here for a month, I'm ready to move on. Also, there are A LOT of old, wealthy gringo retirees here that were once hippies, so a lot of organic and vegan options are here. Take it all in on the cantinas patio area, which is decked out with quirky murals. Oaxaca is a university town, so there are lot's of young people out on the town late at night. Hotel NaNa Vida is one of the best places to stay in Oaxaca. Your Oaxaca road trip starts here: 5 ways to explore Mexican culture. It is a hip and colourful neighbourhood best known for its quirky cafes and bars. Centro Historico Oaxaca is the main tourist hub, brimming with activity and history and its actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site! stay aware of yourself, your belongings and your surroundings you should be safe traveling to Oaxaca City. So, if youre looking to eat well while in Oaxaca city, Jalatlaco is the neighbourhood for you! Based on Oaxaca's cost of living, here's selected remote jobs that would cover your costs: Definitely a place you can digital nomad at. This neighbourhood is the heart and soul of the city and is the best place to be if youre keen to be at the center of the action. There is a lot of dogs barking at all hours that echo due to this area being a valley. Here, youre still within easy walking distance of downtown, but far enough on the outskirts that you dont feel like youre surrounded by tourists. Its in the low 80s each day and sunny. The app-based ride-hailing company Didi provides service in Oaxaca under a partnership with a group of yellow taxis, and it's reasonably priced as well. This neighborhood is hip, artsy, and one of the coolest places to stay in Oaxaca, especially if you love street art which this hipster Oaxaca neighborhood is known for. We are staying in Garmisch Patenkirchen for 5 days in early May 2023. Thats not to say bad things dont happen in Oaxaca City; they do. Quiet, less population, no dust, and most importantly, you can avoid the broke Americans from Bushwick or WeHo who eat at Orinoco every night to save money. Today, it boasts a deep history and diverse culture. The oldest part of Oaxaca, the former Pre-Columbian settlement of Xochimilco predates the present-day city by several millennia. Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzman Hoodmaps is a crowdsourced map to navigate citie based on hipsters, tourists, rich, normies, suits and uni areas. Eat incredible local dishes and delicacies at Cocina Econmica El Atrio. Thats because this lively and vibrant city has so much to offer tourists. Its located right outside Jardn Conzatti and El Llano park, then just a 10 minue walk to Santo Domingo Church. The blocks of streets referred to as Zocalo are centred on Oaxacas eponymous main plaza and its imposing cathedral. Theyve been doing it since 2002 protecting, connecting, and inspiring independent travellers just like you. Xochimilco is good for unpretentious local food and family-run eateries, while in Jalatlaco youll also find some excellent typical Oaxacan food, as well as good Italian restaurants, and coffee shops. Its just that easy. Indulge in fresh, delicious and flavorful Mexican fare at El Bicho Pobre. The cobbled streets around the church rich in attractions, from museums and art galleries to some of Oaxacas best dining, as well as the biggest concentration of bars to suit all tastes. Oaxaca City is one of the best places to visit in Mexico for many reasons, from history to art to food to nature. Another picturesque enclave known for its exploding urban art scene is the Xochimilco quarter, an important weaving district and one of the citys oldest neighborhoods: it dates all the way back to the 15th century. The most important thing about any kind of trip is making sure youre safe. Its also one of its most culturally-rich, famed for lively festivals and yummy food but theres much more to the story. Pacific Coast. Compared to places like Latin America & Africa it's safer, however, there is a lot of pickpocketing and petty theft now. Santo Domingo is the northern half of Centro Historico, and considered the nicest part of Downtown Oaxaca. Oaxaca Zocalo: Main Square 3. The hotel sits in a restored colonial mansion, complete with swimming pool, poolside bar, and an onsite restaurant. Pros: -bea, Just spent almost two weeks here after a two week stay in SMA. Touristy circus of a place. Its more trendy than Xochimilco, but also with beautiful, hilly streets, and a good mix of traditional dining and hipster cafes, as well as a proliferation of street art. It's easy to make friends in the suburbs, perhaps not so much in the city itself. Neighborhood Map of Oaxaca by locals. Its okay expensive now even for foreigners. If you hear the seismic alert system sound, remain calm and move to an open space away from buildings and power lines. There are more reasons to visit this beautiful nation than any list can contain but we've gathered togethersome of the best things Mexico has to offer. Some visitors prefer staying here, as it minimises culture shock, while others feel that its not real Oaxaca. West of the city center is Jalatlaco. The smell from waste + the humidity is also bad in some areas. San Cris is one of the undiscovered gems of Mexico - it's growing fast, with lots of great places to stay (see Casa Satoshi on Instagram). North of the city center you will find Barrio de Santo Domingo, a small neighborhood with the best nightlife in Oaxaca. All your colorings are saved anonymously with everyone else's and the most drawn color in a place is shown. I felt safe in the tourist areas, but with many narrow passageways, be careful if you are alone. This apartment in the city center has a charming atmosphere set in the heart of the historic centre. Next, get cultured at theMuseo de las Culturas de Oaxaca, a first-rate museum housing a treasure trove of ancient Mixtec and Zapotec artifacts. Overall, it's a great place to be and I would see myself stay for a long time. Barrio de la Noria Oaxaca City 5. It lies at an altitude of 1,555 m, so in winter nights are cold and days are warm. Its an excellent place to explore by day, but Santo Domingo really comes alive at night. Set south of Centro Oaxaca, La Noria is a calm and peaceful neighbourhood just a stones throw from the Zocalo plaza. In my opinion, it has a Chiang Mai vibe except smaller and cleaner. Theres also a relaxing balcony and free hot breakfast buffet. Book your Oaxaca flights now! This map was created by a user. I fell in love with this city. Excite your sense with a delicious Italian meal at Miel & Canela. I agree with most of the reviews posted here. There isnt much to Barrio de la Noria, a compact residential neighborhood just south of Centro, though if youre looking for peace and quiet at night while being within an easy walk of Oaxacas main attractions, it makes a good base. That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we dont believe are up to scratch. Casa Angel Youth Hostel in Santo Domingo is our favourite hostel because it is ideally located for exploring, shopping, dining and dancing. Just looking for the cliffs notes on the best Oaxaca City neighborhoods? Description text is based on the Wikivoyage page . As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads usingthis link. The colors and architecture of the buildings really give a European vibe, not to mention the cobblestone roads. The maroon-and-white sedans congregate on the northeast side of Oaxaca's 2nd-class bus station, and they display their destination on the windshield. Head for the verdant foothills of San Agustn Etla, a relaxed suburb of the capital city and a gateway to the beautiful countryside of Oaxaca state. Some stay open until the early hours of the morning. Best Neighborhoods in Oaxaca to Stay for First Timer: Centro, Santo Domingo Oaxaca is the fifth largest state in Mexico at 36,820 square miles and inhabits both tropical and subtropical climates. Today, its one of the most popular places to visit; its even number one for celebrating the Day of the Dead festival. Although, when I visited in December 2021 they had problems with garbage removal. Sample a variety of drinks and shots at El Cortijo Mezcaleria. The website Accessible Mexico has listings and maps of Oaxaca eating establishments and sights with wheelchair access; for additional information, see Lonely Planets accessible travel resources. Many of the best things to do in town can be found here. Re: Visiting Salzburg from Munich for the day. Theres everything fromrich history, colorful festivals, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, locally-made Oaxacan mezcal, beautiful nature, colonial architecture, indigenous artisan communities, and of course,the Oaxacan food. From the avenue outside the 1st-class bus station, "Jurez" buses will take you three blocks east of the Zcalo, while the "Tinoco y Palacios" line plies a route three blocks west of the main square. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This cosy hideaway is the best airbnb in Oaxaca. Best Areas to Stay in Oaxaca: Quick Guide. Oaxaca city is the capital of the homonymous state that is located southwest of Mexico. With its countless bars, lively clubs, and restaurants, its charming cobblestone streets come to life as soon as the sun goes down! Hostels like Selina Oaxaca are great to have the best experience. Oaxaca is full or arts, artisans and creatives. A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic booooring. Finally, south of the city centre is the Barrio de la Noria. If youre keen to get back to nature, than this is the perfect place to make your base. You can only add one review per city or it replaces/edits your old one. Downtown Oaxaca is centred on the large historic square, the Zocalo, overlooked by a massive cathedral. See a great collection of contemporary works of art at the Museo de Arte Contemporneo de Oaxaca. The heart of Oaxaca, a.k.a. There are many many steps and hills, so walking is the best way to get around. Barrio de Xochimilco is another good bet, being laidback and pretty quiet, though its father away from Centro, and youll need to take taxis to and from. Whats the best site to buy Oaxaca flights? The stock image wouldn't lie now, would it? This three-star hotel is one of our best recommendations for where to stay in Oaxaca for families. Enjoy a sweet and refreshing treat from Helado Frito Oaxaca. At night, there are salsa dance class in the neighborhood, coffee culture and did i say arts? I started wearing a mask outside at day 7 because it was tough to breathe. Want to be featured in our list? The square is lined with inexpensive souvenir stalls, though if youre serious about shopping, its worth checking out the three markets a few blocks south of the Zocalo. You might see this airport called XoxocotlnInternational Airport, but its still OAX. Several specialty coffee shops in Centro sell bags of locally grown and roasted beans, and you can buy bottles of hard-to-find mezcal from small local producers both in stores around Centro and bars such as Mezcaleria In Situ. Google Trips Alternative Must See Archaeological Sites in Oaxaca Santa Cruz Xoxocotln Printable Tourist Map Puebla Printable Tourist Map Cuernavaca Printable Tourist Map Acapulco Printable Tourist Map Taxco Printable Tourist Map Tlalpan Printable Tourist Map Iztacalco Printable Tourist Map Coyoacn Printable Tourist Map . Barrio de Jalatlaco Oaxaca City 6. At Mina 501, Autobuses Tursticos has hourly morning and early afternoon departures to the astonishing Zapotec ruins of Monte Albn. For a taste of Oaxacan life, wander through the nearby barrios of Jalatlaco and Xochimilco, two of Oaxacas oldest quarters, where today street artists have transformed aging buildings into colorful works of art. Dachau (German pronunciation: ) is a town in the Upper Bavaria district of Bavaria, a state in the southern part of Germany.It is a major district towna Groe Kreisstadtof the administrative region of Upper Bavaria, about 20 kilometres (12 miles) north-west of Munich.It is now a popular residential area for people working in Munich, with roughly 45,000 inhabitants. While much of the crime in Oaxaca (and Mexico in general) is confined to cartel on cartel violence, occasional violent robberies do take place. It was $250 per hour.. (yes Per Hour no typos here). It's one of the most unique places to stay in Mexico, located in the Central Valleys region in the foothills of the Sierra Madres. Theyre actually a great option for hostels throughout Mexico. That said, opportunistic pickpocketing does happen, so be aware of that while exploring the area around the Zocalo, the markets, etc. Instead, buy an eSIM! If much of Oaxaca has a very distinctive vibe and look, Reforma could almost be anywhere. There are so many different places such as parks, lakes, hills, mountains, beaches, etc. Casa Angel is our favorite hostel in Oaxaca. Visitors are advised not to wander off into the suburbs outside central Oaxaca. When to visit Oaxaca for festivals, food and fun, 10 things to know before going to Oaxaca, one of Mexico's most intriguing destinations, Top things to do in the culturally rich Oaxaca City, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. North of Santo Domingo and across Hwy 190 is the compact neighborhood of Barrio de Xochimilco, Oaxacas oldest. This item: StreetSmart Oaxaca Map by VanDam -- Laminated State, Region and City Map to Oaxaca, Mexico with all attractions, sights, museums, mezcalerias, hotels, . Now, thats not to say bad things dont happen here; they do. As a visual person myself, I get it! I've been hanging out in Berlin on and off for 30 years. Loved this city! There is very little green space. Hotel Posada San Rafael is the best place to stay in Oaxaca on a budget. After combing through it, youll know exactly where to stay in Oaxaca City. In a city with an estimated 20,000 street vendors, the waiting list for a permit is at least 10 to 15 years long, said Carina Kaufman-Gutierrez, the deputy director of the Street Vendor Project, a . Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzman 6. Oaxaca is one of the most intriguing destinations in Mexico. But dine at a table for the full cafe menu, which includes huevos rancheros served with warm, soupy black beans. Visit Casa de la Ciudad, a community centre that offers a variety of creative and artistic exhibits. One of the best climates in al. Check out these articles so you know the best Oaxaca tours to book: Though its known as one of the safest places in Mexico, Oaxaca City does have some neighborhoods that are better than others, so stick to the ones listed below. Oaxaca is a must-see for every traveller in Mexico. A vehicle is especially practical when traveling with children. Hostal La Cochinilla is a friendly and welcoming hostel in the heart of Jalatlaco. Pros - extremely cheap (excl. Are there any unsafe areas of Oaxaca to avoid? Oaxaca is also the mezcal center of Mexico try "pechuga" which is distilled across a turkey imparting a distinctive umami flavor. When visiting, spend some time strolling the quirky Calle Aldama Street, and dont miss the Templo San Matas Jalatlaco Cathedral. Our top pick for where to stay in Oaxaca with kids, this neighbourhood offers a great escape from hustle and bustle while still being within walking distance of the city centre. It is not big although has great nightlife, coworkings, amazing streetart and is quite cheap. This four-star hotel has charming rooms that feature a great range of amenities. From ski slopes and jungle to deserts and sublime stretches of sand, expect to use many transport options to get around the world's 13th biggest country. It is a colorful, fun, and vivacious city that seamlessly combines its rich history and culture with excellent food, buzzing nightlife, and a boisterous energy. With a whopping 1200 historic monuments and an extraordinary concentration of restaurants, galleries and museums spread out across 247 blocks, the easily walkable downtown has well earned its Unesco World Heritage badge. CityBus, Oaxaca's new bus network, is equipped with wheelchair lifts. Downtown Oaxaca is centered around Zocalo, a large square that houses the massive Oaxaca Cathedral, and many of the best things to see in Oaxaca City. Here are the best things to eat and drink on your trip. It is conveniently located in La Noria and offers easy access throughout the city. But, what this trendy neighbourhood lacks in landmarks and attractions, it certainly makes up for in restaurants, cafes and bars. If youre considering a Oaxaca Airbnb, also check VRBO, which is often cheaper than Airbnb. How did SF get scored #98 on Nomad score? The majority of travelers will receive a 180-Day FMM Tourist Visa upon arrival. Oaxaca is one of a kind. Santo Domingo is renowned for its nightlife, beauty and colonial architecture. If you want to explore the artisan towns and unique areas surrounding the city, youll want another 1-2 full days. Airbnbs are plentiful near the centro and december 5, more expensive in the romantic zone and even more expensive in Sayulita. Pasillo de Humo in Mercado 20 Noviembre Market 9. There's plenty to do in NYC. You might also like: The website Accessible Mexico has listings and maps of Oaxaca eating establishments and sights with wheelchair access; for additional information, see Lonely Planet's accessible travel resources. Then youll want another 3-4 full days. The compact grid of streets that makes up Barrio de la Noria borders Centro to the southeast, along Calle la Noria, framed by Calle de Armenta y Lpez to the west, Calle Gonzles Ortega to the east, and Hwy 175 to the south. Dine on fresh and fried seafood (and everything in between) at Marisquera La Casa del Pirata. Cars do, however, make sense for getting out into the surrounding areas and seeing a completely different side of Oaxaca, such as the wildlife-rich mountain villages of the Pueblos Mancomunados, the mezcal-producing region of Santiago Matatln and several small towns south of the city that craft high-quality folk art like barro negro (polished black pottery) and alebrijes (colorful wooden animal sculptures). This neighborhood has the best of everything: Oaxacas top sights (Santo Domingo Church, Museum of Oaxacan Cultures in the cloisters attached to the church, ethnobotanical garden filled with regional plants, etc), Oaxacas best bars, Oaxacas most celebrated restaurants and the best luxury and boutique hotels. What you wont find are luxury hotels with posh rooms; for those, head to downtown. Best Neighborhoods in Oaxaca for Sightseeing: Santo Domingo, Centro Oaxaca City Pro Tip: The best way to do this is by renting a car in Oaxaca and driving. Here we have five epic drives to fuel your wanderlust. What the middle-class Colonia Reforma neighborhood lacks in sights, it makes up for in convivial restaurants and bars. The outdoor swimming pool is a unique feature in Oaxaca city too! Enable JavaScript to use it. Make the most of your time in Mexico with Lonely Planets range of travel guides and phrasebooks. Xochimilco (pronounced so-chee-mill-co) is famous for colorful streets, artisan shops, restaurants serving traditional Oaxacan cuisine like mole and tlayudas, and centuries-old history after all, this was the ancient Zapotec capital. Hierve el Agua Oaxaca 2. I was here for a month and the internet was never a problem. You can also get super-cheap tacos and other street food at stalls on the fringes of Mercado 20 de Noviembre; if youre brave, buy a bag of dried grasshoppers with chilli and lime juice as a snack. Visit the majestic Templo de San Matias Jalatlaco. Zocalo, is where all the action is. Most folks head to Etla to check out the superb exhibits, concerts and dance performances at theCentro de las Artes de San Agustn, a 19th-century textile factory that has been lovingly converted into a modern arts center. Apart from that, Jalatlaco is light on attractions, but is a mere 10-15 minute walk from sights in Centro and Santo Domingo. (Read more), Yes Renting a car in Oaxaca is one of the best ways to see the state. Here youll find an abundance of bars, clubs, and restaurants, with plenty happening when the sun goes down. Here's what you should know before you go. 7. Updated: January 20, 2023. All rights reserved. I'm also going to have to agree with the recent reviews. Oaxaca has a relatively low crime rate for a large city, and neighborhoods frequented by visitors, such as Centro, Santo Domingo, Barrio de Xochimilco, Barrio de la Noria, Barrio de Jalatlaco and Reforma are considered generally safe. To increase honesty, reviews are anonymous. Quirky, colourful and packed with excitement, Oaxaca city is a cant miss destination for travellers.