Hotel Con Corazón Oaxaca: The Definitive Review [2024]

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

Finding a hotel in Oaxaca is very difficult because there are hundreds and 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 Hotel Con Corazón 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 Con Corazón Oaxaca in this article are credited to Expedia.com and Hotel Con Corazón Oaxaca*

Hotel Con Corazón Oaxaca: The Definitive Review

Where is Hotel Con Corazón Oaxaca?

Hotel Con Corazón Oaxaca is a boutique eco-hotel situated in the historic center of Oaxaca City in the state of Oaxaca, 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 Con Corazón Oaxaca.

Hotel Con Corazón Oaxaca: The Definitive Review

How Do I Get To Hotel Con Corazón Oaxaca?

Getting to Hotel Con Corazón 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 Con Corazón Oaxaca as simply and efficiently as possible.

Flying Into Oaxaca

To reach Hotel Con Corazón 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 Con Corazón 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 Con Corazón 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.

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 contacting the hotel. They will arrange a private transfer for you for an additional fee.

The contact details for Hotel Con Corazón Oaxaca are below:

If you would prefer to arrange your own transfer, the easiest way to do it is by booking 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.

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 Con Corazón Oaxaca: The Definitive Review

Review Of Hotel Con Corazón Oaxaca

Hotel Con Corazón Oaxaca is a 17-room eco-hotel that sets itself apart from most other hotels in Oaxaca through its focus on social and environmental responsibility.

The hotel uses biodegradable bathroom and shower products, buys food locally where possible, and operates a gray-water system. The water for your shower is heated using solar energy and the hotel also has a recycling program for all waste produced on site.

However, what really sets the hotel apart is its investment of its profits into education and training of local Mexican children and teenagers. It does this in partnership with Oaxacan and Chiapan charities and has invested over US$500,000 to date in helping young Mexicans.

The hotel building is very modern, having been fully renovated in 2022, and includes a leafy interior courtyard, a spacious roof terrace, and a bright inviting breakfast space. There is even a self-serve bar where you can pour yourself a beer or mezcal whenever you like and leave payment on the counter.

The hotel is well-known for offering cooking classes not only in relation to Oaxacan food, but even broken down into different regions of Oaxaca. You can also do an “impact tour” to visit local mezcal and black pottery producers, walking tours within Oaxaca, or to visit attractions outside the city.

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 Con Corazón Oaxaca for your trip.

Let’s jump right in.

1. Location

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

You’ll find it on Calle División Oriente just opposite Calle de 5 Abril, very close to the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad. If you aren’t familiar with it, it’s a magnificent church constructed in 1690 and dedicated to Our Lady in Solitude, Oaxaca City’s patron saint (Nuestra Señora de la Soledad).

The hotel is also about a 15-minute walk to the Zócalo, which is the heart of Oaxaca City and from which you can reach all of the city’s other many attractions with ease.

Whatever you want to do or see, Hotel Con Corazón Oaxaca is the perfect base for you to explore the city.

2. Price

The price per room at Hotel Con Corazón Oaxaca starts at around US$115 per night. That price is for up to two and includes breakfast and all taxes.

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 17 rooms at Hotel Con Corazón Oaxaca and each is tastefully decorated in a simple but pleasant style with a range of Oaxacan artwork and artisanal crafts.

You can choose from a Round Room, Compact Room, Queen Room, King Room, King Patio Room and King Triple room.

I’ve set out more detail on the rooms available at Hotel Con Corazón Oaxaca below.

Round Room

The Round Room is a cosy 108 sq. ft. (10 m²) and comes with a double-bed and a private shower-only bathroom. It’s air-conditioned and looks out onto the inner courtyard and garden area.

As you may have guessed from the name, the Round Room is actually round, which it its signature features. There’s not a great deal of space in the Round Room, but it’s designed very practically so that you have access to lots of storage space, including under-bed storage.

You’ll also have access to free WiFi and a closet, as well as towels, toiletries and a hair-dryer in the bathroom.

The Round Room starts at US$115 per night and sleeps up to two.

Compact Room

The Compact Room is a slightly smaller than the Round Room at 97 sq. ft. (9 m²) but comes with a queen-sized bed and a private shower-only bathroom.

Like the Round Room, each Compact Room is air-conditioned and has a view of the inner courtyard and patio area.

You’ll have a fair amount of storage space, including under the bed as in the Round Room, but you should travel light if you’re keen on booking the Compact Room.

You’ll also have access to all of the amenities available in the Round Room.

The Compact Room starts at US$115 per night and sleeps up to two.

Queen Room

The Queen Room is also 140 sq. ft. (13 m²) and comes with a queen-sized bed and a private shower-only bathroom.

Like the Compact Room, each Queen Room is air-conditioned and has a view of the inner courtyard and patio area.

You’ll have access to the amenities available in the Compact Room as well as a desk and a small seating area.

The Queen Room starts at US$140 per night and sleeps up to two adults.

King Room

The King Room is also 194 sq. ft. (18 m²) and comes with a king-sized bed and a private shower-only bathroom.

Like the Queen Room, each King Room is air-conditioned and has a view of the inner courtyard and patio area.

You’ll have access to the amenities available in the Queen Room and you can exchange the king-sized bed for two single beds if you would prefer.

The King Room starts at US$155 per night and sleeps up to two adults.

King Patio

Similar to the King Room, the King Patio is also 194 sq. ft. (18 m²) and comes with a king-sized bed and a private shower-only bathroom.

Like the King Room, each King Patio is air-conditioned and has a view of the inner courtyard and patio area. However, as its name suggests, the King Patio comes with its own private patio area.

You’ll also have access to all of the amenities available in the King Room. You can exchange the king-sized bed for two single beds if you would prefer.

The King Patio starts at US$175 per night and sleeps up to two adults.

King Triple

The King Triple is also 194 sq. ft. (18 m²) and comes with a king-sized bed, an additional single bed and a private shower-only bathroom.

Like the King Room, each King Triple is air-conditioned and has a view of the inner courtyard and patio area.

You’ll also have access to all of the amenities available in the King Room. You can exchange the king-sized bed for two single beds if you would prefer.

The King Triple starts at US$155 per night and sleeps up to three adults.

4. Hotel Facilities

Hotel Con Corazón Oaxaca does not have an extensive range of facilities, however, it does have a beautiful courtyard and a roof terrace.

It also offers “impact” tours in and around Oaxaca, fantastic cooking classes where you can learn to cook regional Oaxacan food, and transportation to and from the airport for an additional fee.

I’ve set out in more detail the onsite offerings below.

Courtyard

Hotel Con Corazón Oaxaca has a beautiful inner courtyard area with lovely leafy trees and potted plants.

The courtyard is right next to the breakfast area and the self-serve honesty bar, so you can enjoy breakfast or an evening drink on the courtyard patio as you please.

Rooftop Terrace

The hotel also has a small roof terrace area with a view of nearby Cerro del Fortín and the Auditorio Guelaguetza.

It’s leafy with lots of potted plants a few sun loungers, making it a great place for you to relax in the shade on a hot day or when you’re taking a rest between attractions.

Impact Tours

Hotel Con Corazón Oaxaca offers “impact tours” where you can visit local mezcal or black pottery producers.

Many of the producers are family-operated businesses that use traditional methods handed down over generations.

The hotel also offers a Oaxaca City walking tour, as well as day-trips out to Hierve el Agua and Monte Albán.

Cooking Classes

Hotel Con Corazón Oaxaca isn’t the only Oaxaca City hotel offering cooking classes, but it is one of the very few that offer a range of cooking classes specialising in particular Oaxacan regions.

Depending on what takes your fancy, you can learn how to cook delicious meals from any or all of Sierra Mazateca, Mixteca, Costa and Valles Centrales regions of the Mexican state of Oaxaca.

Cooking classes are available to book from 1:00pm to 6:00pm each day.

5. Dining Options

The dining options are a little limited at Hotel Con Corazón Oaxaca, but there is a breakfast area with a self-serve bar.

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

Breakfast Area

The onsite breakfast area at Hotel Con Corazón Oaxaca is decorated in a light and bright manner designed to create a positive welcoming atmosphere.

Within your room price you’ll be able to enjoy a traditional Oaxacan breakfast each morning. The menu changes frequently, but might include chilaquiles, totopos, enmoladas, enfrijoladas or entomatadas.

Breakfast starts at 7:30am each day. Unfortunately the service is only available for breakfast, so you’ll need to plan to eat out for lunch and dinner.

Bar Area

Next to the breakfast area is a self-serve honesty bar where you can freely go and pour yourself a beer, a mezcal, or a glass of wine whenever you like.

The honesty bar is very convenient because you don’t need to wait for service and can leave the money for the drinks at the bar.

It’s not a system operated by many hotels in Oaxaca City, and is a nice touch.

6. Reviews

Hotel Con Corazón Oaxaca has a rating of 9.4 out of 10 from over 450 reviews. After so many reviews, such a high rating is nothing short of stellar.

The story that those reviews tell is that people absolutely love this hotel. The hotel’s sustainable focus clearly resonates with a lot of its guests.

7. Check-In and Check-Out

Check-in at the hotel is from 3:00pm to 10:00pm, and check-out is before noon.

Late check-in and check-out can be provided subject to room availability, but you’ll need to confirm with the hotel staff in advance.

8. Pet-Friendly?

No, Hotel Con Corazón Oaxaca is not pet-friendly.

Unfortunately, if you want to visit this hotel, you’ll need to find a pet-sitter.

9. Family-Friendly?

Yes, children of all ages are welcome at the Hotel Con Corazón Oaxaca.

The hotel can supply additional rollaway beds for children between 5 and 12 years of age for an additional 120 Mexican pesos (US$7.00) per bed.

Children over 12 will be treated as adults, but if you book the King Triple, you’ll be able to sleep at least one of your children in the same room.

The hotel also has cribs available free of charge if you’re travelling with an infant.

10. Nearby Attractions

Hotel Con Corazón 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 a bottle of water.

Attractions in Oaxaca City

If you’re planning to explore Oaxaca City on foot, one option is to do the walking tour offered by the hotel. It starts at 800 Mexican pesos (US$45) per person for a four-hour tour led by a certified guide.

If you prefer to guide yourself, I recommend that you start by first walking a block to the east to visit the beautiful Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad. It’s an important church in the city and is dedicated to its patron saint, Our Lady in Solitude.

From there, you can continue east a few more blocks until you reach Oaxaca’s stunning cathedral, Nuestra Señora de la Asunción. It’s right opposite the Zócalo, which is the heart of Oaxaca City, and the beautiful Teatro Macedonio Alcalá is just a few blocks further to the east.

From the Zócalo you have a few options. If you head north, you can take the pedestrian street known as the Andador Turístico north to the Templo de Santo Domingo.

If you’re not familiar with it, it 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.

Another option is to head south from the Zócalo, which will lead you to some of the best markets in Oaxaca City. If you’re looking to get a local experience of Oaxaca, a visit to Mercado 20 de Noviembre and Mercado Benito Juárez is one of the best ways to do it.

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.

You can also speak to the staff at Hotel Con Corazón Oaxaca, who can speak to you about tours offered by the hotel directly.

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.

The hotel also offers a tour to Monte Albán as one of its “impact” tours.

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 offers a tour to Hierve El Agua as one of its “impact” tours and Viator also has lots of different options 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 Con Corazón 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 Con Corazón Oaxaca: The Definitive Review

Hotel Con Corazón 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 Con Corazón Oaxaca as I see them.

Pros

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

Sustainable Approach

If there is one thing that really sets Hotel Con Corazón Oaxaca apart from other hotels, it’s the sustainable and environmental approach that it follows.

The hotel takes various steps to minimise waste and to use energy efficiently and invests its profits into the education and training of local Oaxacan youth.

It’s an approach that resonates strongly with a lot of people at the moment, and it shows in the reviews that the hotel has received from its guests.

Price

Another selling point of Hotel Con Corazón Oaxaca is its price per night.

When you consider its central location, US$115 per night including breakfast and taxes is a reasonable price. If you also get value out of the sustainable approach, then that is a cherry on top.

The hotel’s child-friendly approach also means that you can get a good deal as a young family, as children under 4 won’t be charged, and you won’t have to pay extra for cots for infants.

On a strict economic basis, I don’t think the price offering is quite as good as other hotels like Hotel Trebol Oaxaca. But if you are keen on eco-hotels and see value in their model, I think you’ll find the prices very reasonable.

Cooking Classes

The cooking classes at Hotel Con Corazón Oaxaca are also worthy of special mention.

The classes offered by the hotel are well-known in Oaxaca for having an authentic experience and people who aren’t even guests of the hotel often come for the classes.

It’s unusual to be able to choose a class by Oaxacan region, so if you’re really into your cooking, this is a solid plus for you.

Cons

There are a few cons to Hotel Con Corazón Oaxaca, although some of them are inevitable given the small size and boutique style of the hotel.

Small rooms

Although the price per night for rooms at the Hotel Con Corazón Oaxaca are quite reasonable, the largest room available is only 194 sq. ft. in size.

The smallest room is the Compact Room, which is a very cosy 97 sq. ft. If you want to book that room, you’ll definitely have to pack light.

To be fair, the prices reflect the size of the room, and the King Triple comfortably sleeps three, so there is no doubt that the amount of space is adequate.

The point is that the size of the rooms doesn’t reach the luxury level, so you should just be aware of it when you book to ensure that you know what to expect when you arrive.

Noise

Hotel Con Corazón Oaxaca is on a busy street close to two intersections. Traffic tends to die down in Oaxaca City to a fair degree after 10:00pm at night unless there is a festival on, but you still might hear noise from time to time.

Some guests have also complained that some of the bathrooms have vents that let in a lot of noise from the outside that could disturb your sleep.

I don’t think that the hotel can reasonably do a lot about those issues, and only a small number of guests mentioned the issues in their reviews. Pack your earplugs and I’m sure that you’ll be fine.

Limited Dining Options

The hotel does a lovely Oaxacan breakfast each morning, but there’s no lunch or dinner offering at all.

This isn’t really a big criticism, because it isn’t easy to profitably operate a restaurant in a 17-room hotel when your prices aren’t in the premium bracket.

There are also lots of great restaurants nearby such as Criollo, El Quinque and Humar, so you’ll still be able to dine well without needing to walk too far.

You should just be aware that if you were thinking that you might like to spend the night in and just dine at the hotel, that won’t be possible at Hotel Con Corazón Oaxaca.

Hotel Con Corazón Oaxaca: The Definitive Review

My Personal Views

I think Hotel Con Corazón Oaxaca is a unique hotel in Oaxaca City. There are other hotels with environmentally-friendly aspects, but I’m not aware of any others that take the sustainable approach quite as a far as this hotel does.

If you are keen to know that the money you spend on a hotel is being used for good causes and that the hotel follows environmentally-friendly practices, Hotel Con Corazón Oaxaca is a place that lets you do that.

On top of its sustainability credentials, the hotel has a central location in the historic center of Oaxaca City. You can easily get anywhere you like on foot quickly and the hotel also offers tours in and around Oaxaca if you feel like letting someone else take the reins on your day-trip.

As far as the building and facilities go, the hotel doesn’t have the amenities of the Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca or the historic setting of Quinta Real Oaxaca.

But having said that, it does have a great central courtyard, a roof terrace, offers a delicious Oaxacan breakfast within the room price, and also offers some great cooking classes.

If you see value in eco-hotels, I think you’ll love Hotel Con Corazón Oaxaca, as many guests have before you.

Hotel Con Corazón 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 Con Corazón Oaxaca below.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Hotel Con Corazón 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 Con Corazón Oaxaca?

You’ll have access to a safe deposit box at the hotel 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 Con Corazón 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 directly to the staff at Hotel Con Corazón Oaxaca.

Why Is Hotel Con Corazón Oaxaca Special?

Hotel Con Corazón Oaxaca is special because of its integration to sustainable practices into both the operations of the business as well as the investment of profits of the business into education and training for young Mexicans.

Because of this, they have some of the highest rating given to a hotel in Oaxaca.

Hotel Con Corazón Oaxaca: The Definitive Review

Final Thoughts

Hopefully you now have all the information that you need to decide whether Hotel Con Corazón 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!