8 Best Hotels in Oaxaca, Mexico

Imagine staying at the stylish beach home of good friends, and you’ll get a sense of the vibe at this small adults-only hotel near the tidal pools of Agua Blanca, the only place to stay near the turtle sanctuary at La Escobilla Beach. Owned by a young couple—he’s American and she’s Kiwi—the property offers a collection of four cheerful casitas, each equipped with a king-size bed and rooftop palapa with ocean views. All meals are included (you preorder from a menu featuring American, Thai, and Mexican cuisine before you arrive) and are served alfresco overlooking the free-form swimming pool. Finish your meal with a chilled shot of coconut-infused mezcal from Los Cántaros mezcaleria. Wi-Fi is free. Time your visit for a turtle arribada or release at La Escobilla, one of the world's most important nesting beaches for olive ridley turtles.

Watch migrating humpback whales while you float in the infinity pool at this glamorous eco-hotel made of five thatched-roof bungalows. On a jungle-covered cliff between Mazunte and San Agustanillo, the rooms feel more tree house than hotel, but fortunately there's not too much stair climbing needed. Access to the honeymoon suite and its 360-degree ocean views is via a dramatic suspension bridge. Cabaña No. 5 offers sweeping ocean views from everywhere, including the shower. For the ultimate in escapism, order room service via the hotel's mobile app. An excellent breakfast is served in the sleek restaurant terrace overlooking the water.

All the rooms (two per bungalow) at this simple hotel have beautiful ocean views and well-thought-out decorative details like stone floors in the bathrooms, vibrant colors, and hammocks on private terraces. The buildings themselves are arranged like a small village on the beach, and there's a small restaurant, where Claire and David, the French couple who run the place, make you feel right at home. The family-size bungalow has two bedrooms and sleeps five.

Both this attractive B&B and its resident restaurant, La Olla, are run by chef-personality Pilar Cabrera. In Las Bugambilias, one of three houses that make up this B&B, every room is different, but they're all brightly painted and comfortably outfitted. Some rooms have little terraces or patios. All rooms are no-smoking. Guests get both free Wi-Fi and some international calls (including to the United States and Canada).

Although they're starting to feel a bit dated, these Mediterranean-style rooms with private terraces are spacious and thoughtfully equipped with everything from small kitchens to Wi-Fi. Satellite TV—rare for the area—is available. The lounge and restaurant, under a big palapa, have cushy sofas and an infinity pool overlooking the ocean. Note that the hotel is a challenging (read: hilly) 20-minute walk, or about a third of a mile, west of San Agustinillo and east of the heart of Mazunte. Because of its cliff-side location, children aren't allowed. The on-site restaurant serves delicious breakfasts and snacks (try the crepes) until 4 pm.

A fantasy villa buried in the wooded hills about 30 minutes north of the city center, Casa Raab is ideal for traveling groups. You can rent rooms in the main house or take over a casita that's perfect for a family of four. Hiking trails surround the house, which has breathtaking mountain views. You'll feel part of the family as you eat meals together in the dining room. Owner Tony Raab grows his own agave plants, produces his own artisanal mezcal, and helps to organize excursions. To really get around, though, you need to rent a car.

María Teresa Villarreal, the owner and operator of this pleasant little place, proudly shows off her restored colonial-style home, which is not fancy but has the lived-in feeling that many people are looking for in Oaxaca. You can mingle with other guests (some long-term) on the open patio gladdened with laurel and lemon trees. Those staying in standard rooms share a brightly colored outdoor kitchen, while those who have booked studios get kitchenettes with coffeemakers and other essentials.

This sparkling, French country–meets–Spanish colonial hotel, owned by a Parisian interior designer, is pristine and comfortable. Each one- or two-story apartment feels like a private home, with fresh flowers, a sprinkling of carefully chosen antiques, and blue-and-white Mexican tiles. The kitchenettes are sizable, and the shared pool area is a nice place to escape the heat. Wi-Fi is free. The hotel is a five-minute walk from Playa Carrizalillo, a good beach for swimming. Tax is already included in room rates, so they may seem higher than they actually are.