Hotel Abu Oaxaca: The Definitive Review [2024]

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Are you planning a trip and want to know if you should stay at Hotel Abu Oaxaca?

Finding a hotel in Oaxaca is very difficult because there are literally hundreds to choose from.

While there are some great options out there, it’s important to choose the perfect hotel to ensure that your trip is everything that you want it to be.

The last thing that you want to do is choose a bad hotel and return home disappointed and frustrated.

To make sure that doesn’t happen, I’ve set out a comprehensive guide to the beautiful Hotel Abu Oaxaca so that you can find out everything that you need to know before making your decision.

Let’s dive right in.

*All images of Hotel Abu Oaxaca in this article are credited to Expedia.com*

Hotel Abu Oaxaca: The Definitive Review

Where is Hotel Abu Oaxaca?

Hotel Abu Oaxaca is a highly-rated 51-room boutique hotel situated just two blocks south of the Templo de Santo Domingo in the historic center of Oaxaca City, Mexico.

If you aren’t familiar with Oaxaca, it’s a vibrant city in southern Mexico that is known for its rich cultural heritage and colorful traditions.

Probably the most famous of these is the Day of the Dead festival, which is held in Oaxaca each year from 31 October to 2 November.

Other attractions of the city include its countless beautiful colonial-era buildings that date back to the time of Spanish rule in Mexico during the 16th century.

And if that isn’t impressive enough, just a short drive outside the city you’ll find Zapotec ruins that are literally thousands of years old.

Let’s take a look now at how to get you to Hotel Abu Oaxaca.

Hotel Abu Oaxaca: The Definitive Review

How Do I Get To Hotel Abu Oaxaca?

Getting to Hotel Abu Oaxaca is a simple two step process.

The first step is to fly into Oaxaca International Airport (OAX). The second step is to book a private transfer, get a taxi or rent a car to drive to the hotel.

I’ve set out the steps you’ll need to take to get to Hotel Abu Oaxaca as simply and efficiently as possible.

Flying Into Oaxaca

To reach Hotel Abu Oaxaca, you’ll need to first fly into Oaxaca International Airport (OAX), which is around 5 miles from the hotel.

In North America, you can get a direct international flight from Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston or Los Angeles.

From elsewhere in the world, you’ll need to fly into Mexico and take a connecting flight. There are regular flights to Oaxaca from Mexico City, Tijuana, Cancún, Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Mexicali.

Flights from Mexico City are by far the most frequent. Unless you’re planning on stopping over in one of the other cities listed above for a few days, I recommend you fly via Mexico City.

Oaxaca Airport to the Hotel

Once you arrive in Oaxaca airport, you’ve got a few options to get to Hotel Abu Oaxaca. You can book a private transfer, take a taxi or rent a car.

I’ve gone through each of these below.

Rent a Car

If you’re staying in Oaxaca for more than a day or two, I recommend that you rent a car at the airport.

Even though Hotel Abu Oaxaca is very centrally located in the historic center of Oaxaca, many of the best attractions in Oaxaca are outside of the city, so having a rental car is the ideal way to get around.

Hotel Abu Oaxaca can provide you with offsite parking for 250 Mexican pesos (US$15) per day, so you won’t need to worry about where to park your car when you’re not using it.

Getting a car at the airport is very easy. You can book ahead and pick up your car in the arrivals hall of the terminal when you get off the plane.

I recommend using DiscoverCars to book the best deal available ahead of your arrival. You can expect to pay around US$30 per day plus gas for a basic rental car.

Book a Private Transfer

The simplest way to get to the hotel is by booking a private transfer on a platform like Viator. There are plenty of different providers for you to choose from, and prices start at around US$25 for a couple.

If you prefer to get a local recommendation, you can reach out to the staff at Hotel Abu Oaxaca. Their contact details are below:

Take A Taxi

If you haven’t booked a car with the hotel, the simplest way to get from the airport to the hotel that requires absolutely no planning whatsoever is taking a taxi.

You’ll need to be able to tell the driver your destination and agree a price for the trip. The journey should cost you around US$15 – US$20 and you may need to haggle to get the driver down into that range.

You’ll also need to make sure that you have Mexican pesos with you, as the driver may not accept US dollars and won’t take credit cards.

Now that you know where it is that you’re going and all of the options that you have for getting there, let’s get into the review itself.

Hotel Abu Oaxaca: The Definitive Review

Review Of Hotel Abu Oaxaca

Hotel Abu Oaxaca is beautiful 51-room boutique hotel in central Oaxaca City set in an 18th century mansion building.

The hotel was fully renovated in 2011 with a more contemporary approach than many other boutique hotels in Oaxaca, so that it looks a little more modern than many of its competitors.

The Spanish colonial architecture of the period has been retained, though, and you’ll notice it as soon as you enter the beautiful open-air interior courtyard with its signature white supporting columns and bright, airy atmosphere.

Breakfast is available at the onsite restaurant, Los Chapulines, which prepares a daily Oaxacan breakfast for a small additional charge, and it’s also open to the public if you’re not staying at the hotel.

The rooms are cosy, clean and modern, and if you’re a digital traveller, the hotel also has a business center where you can catch up on a bit of work during your stay.

All in all, Hotel Abu Oaxaca is a modern centrally-located hotel in a beautifully renovated period building where you can be very comfortable and have all of the attractions of Oaxaca within walking distance.

I’ve set out below a summary of the hotel, the rooms, hotel facilities, dining options and nearby attractions.

After that, I’ve given you a list of pros and cons of the hotel and given my personal view on whether you should book Hotel Abu Oaxaca for your trip.

Let’s jump right in.

1. Location

Hotel Abu Oaxaca has a great central location in the historic center of Oaxaca City.

You’ll find it on Murguía between Calle 5 de Mayo and the pedestrian street known as the Andador Turístico. It’s just two blocks south of the Templo de Santo Domingo, one of Oaxaca’s most well-known buildings.

If you follow the Andador south for a few blocks, you’ll reach the Zócalo, which is the heart of Oaxaca City. From there, you can easily reach all of the city’s attractions on foot.

Whatever you choose to do, Hotel Abu Oaxaca is a fantastic base for you to explore the city.

2. Price

The price per room at Hotel Abu Oaxaca starts at about US$126 per night for up to two, including taxes. Breakfast is available at the hotel’s onsite restaurant, Los Chapulines, for an additional 150 Mexican pesos (US$10) per day for adults and 75 Mexico pesos (US$5) per day for children.

Discounted offers may be available from time to time, so it is worth checking prices in advance of your travel dates to see if you can get yourself a deal.

Check out Booking.com or Expedia.com for prices and availability on your travel dates, or use the search box below:

3. Rooms

There are 51 rooms at Hotel Abu Oaxaca, each of which is simply and tastefully furnished with parquet flooring and soundproofed windows.

There are several different types of rooms available. You can choose from a Standard Room, King Room, Double Room and a Superior Room.

You’ll have bottled water in the rooms and lift-access to the rooms on the upper levels.

I’ve set out more detail on each of these below.

Standard Room

The Standard Room is a cosy 86 sq. ft. (8 m²) and comes with a double-bed and a private shower-only bathroom. This room doesn’t have any windows.

The Standard Rooms are air-conditioned and you’ll also have access to a 32” LCD flatscreen TV, cable channels, free WiFi, a room safe, desk and chair, a closet and a ceiling fan.

In the shower-only bathroom, you’ll find complimentary toiletries, towels, and a hairdryer.

The Standard Rooms are available on the lower and upper levels and start at US$126 per night for up to two.

King Room

The King Room is 118 sq. ft. (11 m²) and comes with a king-sized bed and a private shower-only bathroom.

You’ll also have access to the same amenities as the Standard Room.

The King Room starts at US$138 per night for up to two.

Double Room

The Double Room is 151 sq. ft. (14 m²) and comes with two double-beds and a private shower-only bathroom.

You’ll also have access to the same amenities as those available in the Standard Room.

The Double Room starts at US$138 per night for up to two. You can also have up to two additional guests stay in the room for US$15 per person per night.

Superior Room

The Superior Room is a spacious 237 sq. ft. (22 m²) and comes with two double-beds and a private shower-only bathroom.

You’ll also have access to the same amenities that are available in the Standard Room.

The Superior Room is available on the upper and lower levels of the hotel and starts at US$177 per night for up to two. You can also have up to two additional guests stay in the room for US$15 per person per night.

4. Hotel Facilities

Although Hotel Abu Oaxaca doesn’t have as many facilities as some boutique hotels in Oaxaca like Hotel Parador de Alcalá Oaxaca, it does have a spacious interior courtyard and a business center.

The hotel can also arrange you an airport transfer for an additional fee.

I’ve set out more detail on these below.

Interior Courtyard

The interior courtyard of Hotel Abu Oaxaca is a chic space in the center of the hotel.

You’ll notice immediately that the courtyard has a much more modern design than the courtyards of the more traditional hotels like the Casa Antonieta Oaxaca or the NaNa Vida Hotel Oaxaca.

Rather than using stone or marble, the hotel has gone for parquet flooring with a central illuminated pylon with sofas, armchairs, and chairs and tables sporting accents of the hotel’s branded red color.

It’s a great space for you to relax between day-trips or if you just want to catch up with some work on your laptop.

Business Center

If you want a more private space to take a call or catch up on some work, the hotel has a small business center that you can use.

The space isn’t huge, but there are tables for your laptop as well as power points for charging, so you’ll have everything that you need in addition to the free WiFi.

5. Dining Options

Next to the courtyard you’ll find the hotel’s onsite restaurant, Los Chapulines, named after the famous deep fried or roasted grasshoppers that are a delicacy in Oaxaca.

The restaurant lives up to its name, serving a range of great Oaxacan specialities for breakfast including chilaquiles and huevos rancheros.

The room itself is bright and spacious and the walls are decorated with modern Oaxacan works of art.

Breakfast is served from 8:00 a.m to noon a.m every day. The restaurant isn’t open for lunch or dinner.

6. Reviews

Hotel Abu Oaxaca has a rating of 8.3 out of 10 from over 250 reviews, which is a strong score.

The story that the reviews tell is that most people have a great time at this hotel, but there are a few negative reviews from time to time.

Most of the negative reviews are in relation to the size of the rooms. Some guests were unhappy with the Standard Room in particular, which is very cosy and doesn’t have any windows.

On the basis of the room size, some guests thought that the prices charged were a little high.

However, those reviewers are in the minority, and the large majority of guests have had a great time during their stay at this hotel.

7. Check-In and Check-Out

Check-in at the hotel is from 3:00pm, and check-out is before noon.

Late check-in and check-out can be provided subject to room availability.

8. Pet-Friendly?

No, Hotel Abu Oaxaca is not pet-friendly.

Unfortunately, if you want to stay at Hotel Abu Oaxaca, you’ll need to find a pet-sitter for your pet.

9. Family-Friendly?

Yes, children of all ages are welcome at Hotel Abu Oaxaca.

Children under 7 years of age can stay in existing beds free of charge.

There are no rollaway beds available, so if you need more beds you’ll need to book one of the rooms with additional beds.

Unfortunately, no cots are available.

10. Nearby Attractions

Hotel Abu Oaxaca is very close to all of the attractions in Oaxaca City, and you’ll be able to reach everything within the city limits on foot.

Don’t forget your sunhat, suncream, and bottle of water from the hotel.

Attractions in Oaxaca City

If you’re planning to set off exploring the city on foot from the hotel, I would recommend that you start by walking the two blocks to the north until you reach the Templo de Santo Domingo.

If you’re not familiar with it, the Templo de Santo Domingo is a beautiful building designed in the neo-Spanish baroque architectural style dating back to 1551. It’s one of the primary landmarks in Oaxaca City and an absolute must-see.

The Oaxaca Cultural Museum (Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca) is also next to the church and has lots of fascinating Oaxacan cultural exhibits. You can also walk over to nearby El Llano park, which is known for having a statue of one of Mexico’s most famous presidents, Benito Juárez, who was a native of Oaxaca.

If you prefer to head south from the hotel, the pedestrian-only Andador Turístico is just one block to the west. If you walk over to it, you can take it south a few blocks until you reach Oaxaca’s stunning cathedral, Nuestra Señora de la Asunción and the nearby Zócalo, right in the heart of Oaxaca City. The beautiful Teatro Macedonio Alcalá is also just a few blocks to the east.

From the Zócalo, you can also continue further south to visit some of the city’s great markets like the Mercado 20 de Noviembre and Mercado Benito Juárez.

Attractions Outside Oaxaca City

If you have time to do a day-trip out of the city, there are also some fantastic places that I recommend you visit, and some of them are quite close by.

I’ve described a few of the best of these below.

Monte Albán

The closest attraction outside the city limits is the ruined Zapotec city of Monte Albán. It’s only three miles away from Oaxaca City, so you can reach it easily and can even fit something else in after you’re done exploring.

Monte Albán is built on the top of a hill overlooking Oaxaca. It’s quite large at about four square miles and there’s lots to see. Among other buildings, there are two pyramids, a ball court, and around 170 tombs.

The simplest way to reach Monte Albán is by taxi. It will cost around US$5 – US$10. Make sure you bring Mexican pesos and agree the price before you depart. 

There are also lots of Monte Albán tours available if you’d rather have the trip planned for you. Viator offers lots of different options, and you can often combine it with other attractions.

Hierve El Agua

Hierve El Agua is a unique geological marvel created from two petrified waterfalls about 40 miles to the south-east of Oaxaca.  

The smaller waterfall is called “la cascada chica” and the bigger one is called “la cascada grande”. The waterfalls were formed over thousands of years as mineral-rich waters ran over the edge of the cliff and down the escarpment.  

The plateau above the falls is covered in large shallow pools separated by beautiful mineral formations that look like atolls in an ocean. It makes you think that you are walking on a shallow reef in the Caribbean.

You can also hike to the bottom of the waterfalls, where there some more pools that you can sit in. There are change-rooms and toilets nearby.

The best way to visit Hierve El Agua is with a tour. There are some great tours from Oaxaca that combine Hierve El Agua with a visit to local mezcal producers or other attractions.

The hotel can recommend a tour operator, and Viator also has lots of them to choose from if you’d prefer to arrange a tour yourself.

Mitla

The ancient ruins of the Zapotec city of Mitla is about 30 miles to the south-east of Oaxaca, on the way to Hierve El Agua.  The name is derived from the Nahuatl word “Mictlán”, meaning “place of the dead”.

The ruins are situated in a valley nearly a mile above sea level and the site is thought to have been inhabited as far back as about 500 BC.  The city was a center of religious power in the region and was destroyed by the Spanish shortly after their arrival in the 16th century.

Mitla is perhaps best known for its intricate stone mosaics, which are sometimes called “Zapotec Greco”. You’ll recognize the striking pattern in lots of ancient friezes adorning walls and floors at the site, and it is often used in clothing and other artwork produced in Oaxaca.

My recommendation is to combine Mitla and Hierve El Agua together as a tour. They start at about US$50 per person on Viator, and you can speak to the concierge at Hotel Abu Oaxaca if you’d prefer to organise it through the hotel.

If you prefer to guide yourself, you can reach Mitla with a taxi or the bus, and its about a 90 minute trip each way.

Entrance to Mitla costs US$5 so bring your Mexican pesos with you.

Hotel Abu Oaxaca: The Definitive Review

Hotel Abu Oaxaca: Pros and Cons

To try to pull all of the information above together for you, I’ve set out below the pros and cons of Hotel Abu Oaxaca as I see them.

Pros

Pros are easy here, because there are some genuinely top-notch aspects of Hotel Abu Oaxaca.

Top Location

Hotel Abu Oaxaca has an amazing location in the middle of the historic center of Oaxaca, making it an ideal base to explore the city.

From the hotel, you’re just two blocks south of the Templo de Santo Domingo and you’re just three blocks north of the Zócalo. Whatever you decide to go and see, you can quickly reach any attraction on foot.

The location is so good that reviews on Booking.com give it a location-rating of 9.7 out of 10.

If you’re looking for a centrally-located hotel, this is a great option.

Beautiful Modern Architecture

Another big selling point of Hotel Abu Oaxaca is its beautiful modern renovation of the 18th century mansion that dates back to the period of Spanish rule over the city.

The renovation of the hotel is very modern, while still preserving the signature features of the Spanish colonial architecture of the building.

If you enjoy the beauty and history of old buildings, but you’re looking for a modern take, you’ll love Hotel Abu Oaxaca.

Price

The price of the hotel starts at around US$126 per night per couple, which is lower than average for a hotel with Hotel Abu Oaxaca’s rating and central location.

It’s true that Hotel Abu Oaxaca doesn’t offer the degree of luxury that you will find around the corner at Quinta Real Oaxaca, but it also costs about one third of the price.

Hotel Abu Oaxaca’s rooms are also a little on the small side (more on that below), but if you’re looking for a centrally-located hotel on a budget, I think it’s definitely worth considering.

Cons

There are a few cons to Hotel Abu Oaxaca, although I think a lot of these have been factored into the price of the rooms.

Small Rooms

The rooms at Hotel Abu Oaxaca are all a bit on the small side. The largest room is 237 sq. ft. (22 m²), which is comfortable enough for a couple, but the smallest room is a very cosy 86 sq. ft. (8 m²).

Put simply, they’re rooms for sleeping comfortably in and then waking up and going out to explore the city.

If you intend to use them that way, then I think that they do what they’re intended to do. You’ll also save money because you won’t need to pay for additional luxuries that you won’t use.

Limited On-Site Amenities

Hotel Abu Oaxaca doesn’t really do much in the line of amenities. The hotel itself is beautiful and it has a great interior courtyard, a business center and an onsite restaurant, but there isn’t much else offered by the hotel directly.

There’s no spa offering, no pool, and no gym. There are also no bicycle rental options available, which is something offered by similar-sized hotels like Pug Seal Oaxaca and Hotel Azul Oaxaca.

If you weren’t planning on spending enough time in the hotel to use the amenities anyway, then you won’t even notice that they’re missing.

But if you were planning for a spa treatment or using the gym, you should be aware that Hotel Abu Oaxaca doesn’t offer those amenities.

Noise

A lot of the rooms open out onto the central courtyard. The courtyard is used throughout the day, so you might hear a little noise from time to time while guests are having breakfast or relaxing.

It’s also very centrally located in Oaxaca City, so you will likely hear traffic from time to time if you have a room with window facing the street.

Most of the reviews don’t make too much of this, and the hotel staff try to make sure that there’s no noise of an evening or too early in the morning.

On that basis, this is unlikely to be a major problem, but I thought it was worth flagging.

Hotel Abu Oaxaca: The Definitive Review

My Personal Views

I think Hotel Abu Oaxaca is a great boutique hotel and a very convenient place to base yourself when you visit Oaxaca City.

The hotel does a reasonable job of providing you with value for money, although there are hotels like the Casona Oaxaca that are a little cheaper per night with slightly larger rooms. Having said that, they aren’t as modern as those offered by Hotel Abu Oaxaca.

The hotel’s location is pretty close to unbeatable, which makes it great if you’re like me and tend to do a lot of your exploring on foot. The central location ends up saving you lots of money on taxis, because you can just walk everywhere.

If there’s one area that brings Hotel Abu Oaxaca down it is their room sizes in their Standard Rooms. At just 86 sq. ft. (8 m²), they are quite small, even if they are similarly priced to similar-sized rooms in hotels like Hotel Con Corazón Oaxaca.

But in my opinion, the room quality is wrapped up in the price. Hotel Abu Oaxaca offers you a great location and a small modern room in a lovely building for a reasonable price, and that’s the deal.

If you want more, you’ll have to go somewhere else like Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca or Quinta Real Oaxaca, and obviously you can expect to pay a little more.

But if you’re looking for a simple room in a super central location, I think that the Hotel Abu Oaxaca is one of the best hotels in Oaxaca for you.

Hotel Abu Oaxaca: The Definitive Review

Frequently Asked Questions

Just in case you still have a few questions that I haven’t covered, I’ve set out some responses to a few frequently asked questions about Hotel Abu Oaxaca below.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Hotel Abu Oaxaca?

The best time to visit is during the high season (December to April) because the weather is cooler and there is little or no rain.

However, it’s also more expensive during the high season, so if you’re on a budget and can put up with a little rain, the low season is also a good option.

Is It Safe To Visit Hotel Abu Oaxaca?

There is a 24-hour front-desk service at Hotel Abu Oaxaca, and you’ll have access to a room safe so that you can store your belongings when you’re not in the room.

You’ll also have no troubles when you explore Oaxaca provided you take basic precautions.

You can read more about safety in Oaxaca here.

What’s The Closest Airport To Hotel Abu Oaxaca?

Oaxaca International Airport (OAX) is the closest airport, and is about 5 miles away.

You can reach the hotel by booking a private transfer, taking a taxi or renting a car. If you want to book a private transfer, I recommend using Viator or reaching out to the staff at Hotel Abu Oaxaca.

Why Is Hotel Abu Oaxaca Special?

Hotel Abu Oaxaca is a recently renovated modern boutique hotel in an 18th century building that has a perfect location right in the center of the historic part of Oaxaca City.

If you’re looking for a highly-rated boutique hotel in a great spot at a good price and you aren’t looking for lots of amenities, you’ll love Hotel Abu Oaxaca.

Hotel Abu Oaxaca: The Definitive Review

Final Thoughts

Hopefully you now have all the information that you need to decide whether Hotel Abu Oaxaca is the hotel for you.

If you’re interested in booking, you can get the latest current prices and availability on your dates at Booking.com or Expedia.com.

If you want to check prices of car rentals at Oaxaca airport, you can find out at DiscoverCars.com.

Enjoy your stay!