Hotel con Corazón Oaxaca: Responsible Hotel Near the Zócalo With Social Impact

Best Responsible Hotel in Oaxaca: Hotel con Corazón Near the Zócalo (Review + Pictures)

During my last trip, I decided to stay at Hotel con Corazón Oaxaca for one simple reason: this responsible hotel in Oaxaca reinvests its profits in educational programs that support local youth.

Having already explored Oaxaca and its surroundings several times, I wanted this trip to be more meaningful. Staying here was the perfect way to start with a solidarity tourism experience in Oaxaca, before heading to the Pueblos Mancomunados in the Sierra Norte for a few days of community tourism.

• Looking for more inspiration? Don’t miss my complete guide to the best hotels in Oaxaca.

Here’s my full review of Hotel con Corazón Oaxaca: the rooms, facilities, social impact, and of course my honest impressions with photos.

1. Location

Hotel con Corazón Oaxaca is located right on the edge of Oaxaca’s historic center, less than a 15-minute walk from the Zócalo.

The location is ideal for exploring museums, local markets, and emblematic churches, while still enjoying a quiet and relaxing atmosphere after long days of sightseeing.

If you’re looking to stay in a responsible hotel in Oaxaca that combines social impact and excellent location, this is one of the best options.

2. Rooms and comfort

Hotel con Corazón Oaxaca has 17 rooms arranged around a beautiful tree-filled patio, giving the hotel a true boutique hotel in Oaxaca feel.

You can choose between single, double, queen, and king rooms.

I stayed in a queen room, which was perfect: spacious, with a large window overlooking the inner courtyard, and above all a very comfortable bed.

On the practical side: fan, air conditioning, safe, and reliable Wi-Fi. A nice touch: two artisanal chocolates were waiting for me on arrival.

3. Services and common areas

Roof terrace

The roof terrace at Hotel con Corazón Oaxaca is a small hidden gem, with flowers, herbs, and a few comfortable deckchairs.

We grabbed a refreshment from the café on the first floor and headed upstairs to relax. To our surprise, no one else was there—it felt like our own private spot!

It turned out to be the perfect place to unwind in Oaxaca after a day of walking through the city’s historic center and visiting its main attractions.

Patio on the first floor

At the heart of Hotel con Corazón Oaxaca lies a peaceful patio, shaded by a magnificent jacaranda tree that bursts into bloom between February and April.

It’s a lovely spot to enjoy a morning coffee or simply relax after exploring Oaxaca’s historic center. If I’d had a little more time before leaving for the Pueblos Mancomunados, I would have gladly lingered here.

Restaurant & self-service (based on trust)

The hotel has a bright, welcoming restaurant where breakfast is prepared with fresh local products. One morning I enjoyed a zucchini flower tamal with frijoles — a perfect start to the day in Oaxaca.

Don’t miss the homemade guayaba jam, a true highlight of the breakfast spread!

Other areas

The hotel also has a small lounge and an artisanal boutique that supports the local economy — perfectly in line with the values of a responsible hotel in Oaxaca.

4. Social commitment

Hotel con Corazón Oaxaca is much more than just a place to stay: it’s a social enterprise with hotels in Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Mexico.

Its model is simple but powerful: the hotel operates like any other, but around 75% of its profits are reinvested in local educational projects in Oaxaca.

This means that every guest night creates a direct social impact, fully aligned with the principles of responsible tourism in Oaxaca.

The hotel finances several programs:

• Motivation Program – The Oaxaca Learning Center: support for 60–70 middle and high school students through tutoring, extracurricular courses, orientation, English classes, exam preparation, empowerment workshops, and parental involvement.
• Mundo de Talentos – career guidance: initially financed as a pilot program by the hotel, it now aims to support around 40 children per year in public schools to broaden their professional horizons.
• Apprenticeships at the hotel: internships and practical training in hospitality for teenagers and students. It’s not unusual for an apprentice to welcome you at reception or serve breakfast coffee.

What really struck me was seeing the concrete impact of this responsible hotel in Oaxaca: the faces, names, and inspiring stories of the young people directly supported by the program.

5. What to Do in Oaxaca While Staying at Hotel con Corazón

If you’re staying at Hotel con Corazón Oaxaca, you’re perfectly located to discover the city’s highlights and take part in some of the best excursions:

• Guided tour of Monte Albán – the region’s most iconic archaeological site, not to be missed.
• Excursion to Mitla, Hierve el Agua and mezcal tasting – a full day exploring Zapotec culture, natural landscapes and local gastronomy.
• Visit artisanal communities in Ocotlán, Santo Tomás Jalieza and San Martín Tilcajete – learn about textiles, basketry and woodcarving.
• Alebrije painting workshop – create your own colorful wooden sculpture with a local family.
• Mezcal tasting with an expert – an introduction to Oaxaca’s most emblematic drink.
• Visit an agave plantation and mezcal distillery – discover the mezcal-making process from field to bottle.
• Guided bike tour of Jalatlaco and Xochimilco – explore two of Oaxaca’s most charming neighborhoods with a local guide.

6. My opinion of the hotel

Over the years, I’ve stayed in many hotels in Oaxaca, but this Oaxaca boutique hotel with social impact is without a doubt one of my favorites.

I first chose it for its committed concept, as well as its excellent reviews on Booking.

The location is central enough to explore Oaxaca on foot, yet far enough from the busiest streets to avoid noise. The service is warm, the atmosphere relaxed, and the whole experience perfectly in line with the idea of a responsible hotel in Oaxaca.

In terms of value for money, it’s excellent: peaceful setting, hearty breakfast with local produce, and all the practical services you need. For me, the best part is knowing that my stay supports a concrete educational project in Oaxaca—without compromising comfort or price. I’ll definitely be back!

7. Frequently Asked Questions – Hotel con Corazón Oaxaca

7.1 Is Hotel con Corazón really a solidarity hotel in Oaxaca?

Yes! It operates as a genuine responsible hotel in Oaxaca. Unlike some projects that only look good on paper, around 75% of the hotel’s profits are reinvested in local educational initiatives through recognized foundations.

7.2 How does my stay support local educational impact?

Every night you spend here directly funds programs with local partners: tutoring, English and orientation classes for 60–70 secondary school students, the Mundo de Talentos program for career guidance, and even apprenticeships within the hotel itself.

7.3 How far is the hotel from the Zócalo?

The hotel is located on the edge of Oaxaca’s historic center, less than 15 minutes’ walk from the Zócalo. This makes it easy to explore on foot while staying in a quieter area.

Another plus: parking is easier to find than in the heart of downtown Oaxaca, which is a big advantage if you’re traveling by car.

7.4 Does the hotel offer Wi-Fi and air conditioning?

Yes, rooms are equipped with reliable Wi-Fi, air conditioning, a fan and an in-room safe for convenience.

7.5 Is breakfast included in the stay?

Yes, a homemade breakfast with local products is included and served every morning in the hotel restaurant.

Renting a Car to Explore Oaxaca After the Guelaguetza

Driving from Mexico City to Oaxaca de Juárez takes around 6 hours, or about 4 hours if you’re coming from Puebla.

Renting a car is for sure the best way to explore Oaxaca and make the most of your stay!

To rent a car, personally, I always use Booking.com Cars, for a few reasons:

• You can easily compare the rental cars prices between all the agencies: for sure the easiest way to find the best rate!
• Cancellation is often offered free of charge: no need to worry if you change your mind
• Booking Cars offers full insurance coverage at a lower price than the rental companies, so it’s an instant saving with no effort

Simply click on the green button to find your rental car at the best price:

How to Find Cheap Flights to Oaxaca

Xoxocotlán International Airport receives flights from Mexico City, Cancun, Guadalajara, Tijuana and other national and international destinations, mainly with Aeromexico and Volaris.

To find your cheap flight to Oaxaca or your international flight to Mexico, use our flight comparator in collaboration with Skyscanner. It will help you find the best price!

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