Hotel Misión Oaxaca: The Definitive Review [2024]

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Are you planning a trip and want to know if you should stay at Hotel Misión 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 Misión 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 Misión Oaxaca in this article are credited to Expedia.com and Hotel Misión Oaxaca*

Hotel Misión Oaxaca: The Definitive Review

Where is Hotel Misión Oaxaca?

Hotel Misión Oaxaca is a resort-style hotel situated in the hills about three miles north of 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 Misión Oaxaca.

Hotel Misión Oaxaca: The Definitive Review

How Do I Get To Hotel Misión Oaxaca?

Getting to Hotel Misión 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 Misión Oaxaca as simply and efficiently as possible.

Flying Into Oaxaca

To reach Hotel Misión Oaxaca, you’ll need to first fly into Oaxaca International Airport (OAX), which is around 7.5 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 Misión 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.

Hotel Misión Oaxaca is situated in the hills three miles north of the historic center of Oaxaca. Since you won’t be staying in the city itself, having a rental car is a great way to get in and out of town without needing to take taxis or public transport.

Also, many of the best attractions in Oaxaca are outside of the city, so having a rental car is the ideal way to make sure you can see everything easily.

Hotel Misión Oaxaca also offers free onsite parking, so you won’t have to worry about where to park the 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.

You can also reach out to the staff at Hotel Misión Oaxaca, who can arrange an airport shuttle for you for an additional fee. 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$20 – US$25 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 Misión Oaxaca: The Definitive Review

Review Of Hotel Misión Oaxaca

Hotel Misión Oaxaca is a resort-style 154-room hotel about three miles outside the historic center of Oaxaca.

The hotel is part of the Misión hotels group, which operates 60 hotels in 40 destinations across Mexico. Hotel Misión Oaxaca was constructed by the group in 1984.

The hotel grounds cover several acres and include several three-floor apartment buildings, a large outdoor pool area, extensive gardens, a full-service restaurant, and an onsite parking area.

The hotel was fully renovated in 2012 and you’ll be able to enjoy all of the modern features you’d expect in a modern hotel including free WiFi and cable TV.

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 Misión Oaxaca for your trip.

Let’s jump right in.

1. Location

Hotel Misión Oaxaca has a great location in the hills three miles north of the historic center of Oaxaca City.

It’s only 20 minutes in a taxi to the Zócalo, but it’s far enough outside of the city that you’ll be able to enjoy the fresh air and a little more peace and quiet when you’re not exploring.

It’s a great location that is outside the city and yet still close enough for you to access the excitement of the city whenever you want.

It’s a great base for you to relax and to explore the city without needing to be in the urban rush unless you want to be.

2. Price

The price per room at Hotel Misión Oaxaca starts at around US$85 per night for up to two.

That price doesn’t include breakfast, which will cost you around US$15 at the onsite restaurant, Restaurante Del Pueblito.

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

3. Rooms

There are 154 rooms at Hotel Misión Oaxaca, divided into Superior Rooms and Junior Suites.

I’ve set out more detail on rooms available at Hotel Misión Oaxaca below.

Superior Room

Each Superior Room is a spacious 226 sq. ft. (21 m²) and comes with two double-beds, a private shower-only bathroom, and a private balcony or a private patio, depending on your floor.

Additionally, there are 12 Superior Rooms that have just an individual king-sized bed if you would prefer to have the extra space rather than an additional bed. There are also 4 Superior Rooms that are dog-friendly.

The rooms are air-conditioned and you’ll also have access to a table, chair, iron, closet, TV with cable channels, free WiFi, telephone, coffee machine and bottled water. In the bathroom you’ll find towels, complimentary toiletries, a hair-dryer and a vanity mirror.

You can also order room service if you would like it.

The Superior Rooms start at US$85 per night for up to two. If you are travelling as a larger group or as a family, up to two additional people can sleep in the room for US$10 per person per night.

Junior Suite

The Junior Suite is a spacious 463 sq. ft. (43 m²) that comes with a king-sized bed, a private shower-only bathroom and a private balcony.

The Junior Suite includes a separate living area with a dining table and chairs, as well as a sofa with a coffee table. You’ll also have access to all of the amenities available in the Superior Rooms.

There are only two Junior Suites available, so if you’re interested you should book ahead if you can.

The Junior Suite starts at US$155 per night for up to two.

4. Hotel Facilities

Hotel Misión Oaxaca has an outdoor pool and patio area, a business center, and events areas. It also offers free onsite self-parking and there is complimentary coffee, water and fruit juice available daily in the lobby area.

You can also take a complimentary shuttle bus into Oaxaca City and back between 12 noon to 9:00pm each day.

I’ve set out a little more detail on the onsite facilities below.

Pool Area

Hotel Misión Oaxaca has beautiful and very modern heated pool area in the center of the hotel complex.

The patio area has lots of sun loungers and sun umbrellas where you can set yourself up during the heat of the day and enjoy a cocktail from the nearby bar.

Pool towels are provided at the pool.

Business Center

If you are a digital nomad or need to work during your stay for any reason, the hotel also has a dedicated business center space that is ideal for private meetings or working.

The business center is air-conditioned and has a flat screen display as well as tables, chairs, a telephone, printer and power outlets that you can use. 

Events Spaces

If you’re planning an event with a large group, the hotel also has a large spaces available that can be used for events and can help you furnish them with whatever you need for your event.

The spaces range in size with the largest having a capacity of up to 400 people, meaning that they can be used for weddings, birthdays or other events.

Free Parking

One of the advantages of a hotel outside of Oaxaca City is that you are often able to park onsite.

Hotel Misión Oaxaca offers free onsite self-parking at no additional charge, which is a great plus if you’re planning to drive or rent a car at the airport when you land.

5. Dining Options

Hotel Misión Oaxaca has an onsite restaurant bar area called Restaurante Del Pueblito, which specialises in Mexican cuisine and local Oaxacan dishes including enfrijoladas and entomatadas.

Even though the hotel has 154 rooms, the restaurant is also quite large with capacity for around 120 people, so you’ll be able to find a table without any issues.

It’s open for a buffet breakfast each morning from 7:00am to noon, which will cost 255 Mexico pesos (US$15) per adult and 150 Mexican pesos (US$10) per child.

It’s also open for lunch and dinner every day of the week.

6. Reviews

Hotel Misión Oaxaca has a rating of 7.8 out of 10 from over 600 reviews on Expedia.com.

The story that those reviews tell is that while most people have a great time at the hotel, there have been some people who have had issues during their trips.

The most frequent complaint from guests leaving negative reviews is that they thought the rooms were a little dated and could do with some modernization. A few others thought that the outdoor heated pool was too cold during the cooler months of the year.

The hotel staff read and respond to all reviews so they appear to be doing what they can to resolve the issues as far as possible, although the next renovation of the hotel is still likely to be a few years away at least.

7. Check-In and Check-Out

Check-in at the hotel is from 3:00pm to midnight, 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?

Yes, Hotel Misión Oaxaca is pet-friendly.

Only dogs are allowed, and only one dog per travelling group. It will cost you 300 Mexican pesos (US$18) per night to bring your dog with you to the hotel.

Your dog can’t also be any larger than 33lbs (15kg) and there are only four rooms available that are dog-friendly, so you’ll need to make sure that the rooms are available when you’re planning to travel.

Food and bowls can be provided on request.

9. Family-Friendly?

Yes, Hotel Misión Oaxaca is family-friendly and children of all ages are welcome at the hotel.

Children under 12 years of age can stay with you for no additional charge in the existing beds in your room.

Rollaway beds and cots can’t be provided by the hotel.

10. Nearby Attractions

Hotel Misión Oaxaca is within a short shuttle-bus ride into Oaxaca City, and you’ll be able to reach everything within the city limits on foot once you’ve been dropped off.

Don’t forget your sunhat, suncream, and the bottles of water from the room in your hotel.

Attractions in Oaxaca City

Given that there is a free shuttle-bus service available at the hotel, I’d recommend that you start by taking that into the city unless you have a rental car that you’re planning to use.

As the hotel is north of the city, I recommend that you start your explorations at the Templo de Santo Domingo, which it at the northern end of the historic center of Oaxaca City. If you’re not familiar with it, it’s a beautiful building designed in the neo-Spanish baroque architectural style that dates back to 1551.

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.

After you’ve explored that area, you can take the pedestrian street known as the Andador Turístico south towards the Zócalo, which is the heart of Oaxaca City. From there, you can easily reach all of the landmarks in the city.

You can go further south to visit some of the city’s great markets like the Mercado 20 de Noviembre and Mercado Benito Juárez. Oaxaca’s stunning cathedral (Nuestra Señora de la Asunción) is also right opposite the Zócalo, and the beautiful Teatro Macedonio Alcalá is just a few blocks to the east.

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$15 – US$20. 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 Misión Oaxaca if you’d prefer to organise it through the hotel.

If you prefer to guide yourself, you can reach Mitla from Oaxaca City 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 Misión Oaxaca: The Definitive Review

Hotel Misión 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 Misión Oaxaca as I see them.

Pros

Pros are easy here, because there are some genuinely positive aspects of Hotel Misión Oaxaca.

Price

While it isn’t the cheapest hotel available in Oaxaca City, the price per room at Hotel Misión Oaxaca is definitely below average for Oaxaca.

That’s particularly the case if you’re traveling as a family or in a larger group. You can get a lot of value from choosing the two double-bed option and paying the small additional fee to have extra people in the same room.

If you don’t mind being a little outside the city, you can get good value out of Hotel Misión Oaxaca.

Good Range of Facilities

Hotel Misión Oaxaca has a good range of facilities.

The outdoor pool area is the highlight. It’s a reasonable size, it’s heated and there are plenty of sun loungers and sun umbrellas so that you won’t have to fight for real estate poolside.

The hotel also offers complimentary coffee, water and fruit juice in the lobby area and there’s also free onsite self parking as well as a free shuttle bus in and out of Oaxaca City.

Definitely enough to make you feel like you’re getting a bit of bang for your buck.

Great Onsite Restaurant

The hotel restaurant, Restaurante Del Pueblito, enjoys great reviews for both the food and the service provided.

Its focus is Mexican cuisine and it also incorporates Oaxacan food into its menu so that you can try great local food without having to leave the hotel.

Although breakfast isn’t included in the price, it’s available each day at for around US$15 per person per day and you can also stop in for lunch or dinner if you feel like dining the hotel.

Cons

There are a few cons to Hotel Misión Oaxaca, although some of them come with the style and location of the hotel.

Outside The City Center

The hotel’s location is a bit of a halfway-house. It’s outside the historic center of Oaxaca, but it’s not so far outside the city that you really feel like you’re up in the mountains.

If you choose a resort or a secluded hotel, you often do that intending to spend most of your time at the hotel. If that is your goal here, I think a hotel like Hotel Casa Santo Origen is a better option, provided you can afford it.

On the other hand, if you’re intending to spend a lot of time exploring Oaxaca City, you might want to consider a hotel in the city. There are lots of great options like NaNa Vida Hotel Oaxaca where you can have a great location and a luxurious experience for about the same price.

The hotel does what it can here by offering a free shuttle bus service as well as free self-parking, so you can definitely have a great stay at Hotel Misión Oaxaca. Just make sure that you know what you’re looking for in your hotel before you book.

Approaching Need For renovation

Hotels ordinarily require a full renovation every 25 to 30 years. Hotel Misión Oaxaca was last fully renovated in 2012, so it’s getting close to being halfway through its renovation life-cycle.

Some guests have suggested recently that some areas of the hotel could do with a bit of a freshening up, so there is a chance that you’ll find a few minor blemishes in the hotel deco from time to time.

I don’t think that it’s a major issue, but it’s just something to bear in mind when you’re booking.

No Spa Area

With a hotel of this size, you would usually expect there to be a spa offering, but that isn’t the case here.

If you’re planning on getting spa treatments during your trip, you’ll need to find a different hotel. The NaNa Vida Hotel Oaxaca has a great onsite spa, as does the Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca if your budget will stretch that far.

Hotel Misión Oaxaca: The Definitive Review

My Personal Views

Personally, I would ordinarily choose an inner-city location when I visit a city I’m planning to explore, and choose an idyllic area away from the city if I want to relax and rarely leave the hotel.

Hotel Misión Oaxaca walks the line between these two options. If you don’t want to stay in the busy part of the city but you want to be close enough to visit it regularly, Hotel Misión Oaxaca is a great option for you.

There is a free shuttle-bus that will take you into the center of the city, so you won’t have to take a taxi in every time. Having said that, the shuttle buses only start running at noon, so if you want to get in earlier you’ll have take a taxi or one of the public buses.

When you’re at the hotel, you can enjoy the beautiful outdoor pool, the hotel gardens, and the onsite restaurant. The price is quite reasonable when you take all of that into account. I think it’s particularly good value if you’re traveling with your family or with a large group.

The hotel also has reasonable reviews when you consider the number of reviews it has received. Some reviews complain about the rooms being a bit dated, although I think the room price takes that into account.

All things considered, if you want to book a fairly-priced hotel that is outside of Oaxaca City’s hub-bub and noise but you still want to be able to visit it without needing to travel for hours, Hotel Misión Oaxaca is a great option for you.

Hotel Misión 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 Misión Oaxaca below.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Hotel Misión 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 Misión Oaxaca?

There is a 24-hour front-desk service at Hotel Misión Oaxaca, so you can be comfortable that no one can enter the hotel without being challenged by the front-desk.

You’ll also have no troubles personally 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 Misión Oaxaca?

Oaxaca International Airport (OAX) is the closest airport, and is about 7.5 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 Misión Oaxaca.

Why Is Hotel Misión Oaxaca Special?

The Hotel Misión Oaxaca is a reasonably-priced hotel with a great outdoor pool and free onsite self-parking just a few miles north of the historic center of Oaxaca City.

It gives you the best of a hotel outside of the city while keeping you close enough to be able to visit the attractions of the city without needing to travel for hours to do it.

Hotel Misión Oaxaca: The Definitive Review

Final Thoughts

Hopefully you now have all the information that you need to decide whether Hotel Misión 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 Expedia.com.

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

Enjoy your stay!