place to stay in Oaxaca and best things to do

Jeff, you've done a lot more Mexico travel than we have! We seem to keep going back to the same places and the fact that we've developed a close friendship with a family in Morelia also drowses back to that town.
I have to say we missed La Barra last year and expect to miss it this year but circumstances change and finding the ideal place to stay is a big part of beach time.
I'll come back and do a trip report and maybe we'll be back to Z in 2018...one never knows.