My husband, daughter and I utilized the upstairs guest bedroom at the Starkman's Casa Machaya, located fifteen minutes outside the main section of Oaxaca City -- living as though family members. Our hosts were kind, hilarious, vibrant and filled with great suggestions for experiences and day trips. We can't wait to go back!

My first visit to Oaxaca and Casa Machaya was just a few months ago. I was with my girlfriend and we loved all our experiences - the city, Casa Machaya, our hosts Arlene and Alvin, etc. It was such a great introduction that when I returned home and spoke to my friends about it, three of us decided on a... More

Recent reviews on the TripAdvisor site, together with some browsing among Alvin Starkman's many articles about the area convinced us to "splurge" a little on our visit to Oaxaca and ask Alvin to guide us for two days of our week-long stay in Oaxaca at his B&B, [an inexpensive cab ride up into a nearby hillside colonia above the bustle... More

Casa Machaya is an ideal spot for visitors wanting spend some time getting to know Oaxaca and its many cultures. Arlene and Alvin Starkman are extremely knowledgeable about a wide range of local subjects (and foods!), and they went out of their way to make sure we had the experiences we were after. Even though Alvin was away while we... More

We feel so lucky to have stayed with Alvin & Arlene at the sweet, comfortable and very pretty Casa Machaya. Alvin's expert knowledge of the area and deep community ties made our experience rich, interesting and lively. We took one of Alvin's tours and had one of the funnest, and most wonderful traveling days ever. We felt safe & well... More

Casa Machaya is clean and comfortable and nestled in a neighborhood outside of the city central. A quick taxi ride gets you to town within 15 mins. The Starkmans are gracious and take helpful to a new level. We have young kids and were looking for a more authentic experience during our trip. Alvin's knowledge of the surrounding villages is... More

We loved staying in this Oaxacan neighborhood with a view of the local culture out our kitchen window and an answer to any of our questions about the city, best restaurants and tour options just a few steps up to Alvin and Arlene's kitchen door. We had both privacy and personable attention when we needed it. With the open patio... More

We had a great week in Oaxaca and one of the reasons was Alvin and Arlene Starkman. Not only are they gracious hosts, they take helpfulness to a new level. Whether you go with Alvin on one of his tours or simply mine him for information, he is very well connected and very knowledgable about the area. We had a... More

I’d been reading the ads for Casa Machaya in one of the Canadian antiques magazines for years, and never gave much thought to visiting Oaxaca because I usually go to resorts for vacations. But I became intrigued with what the ads said about Oaxaca, and the fact that Alvin, one of the owners, was writing in that magazine and online... More