A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mar del Plata vs. Oaxaca de Juarez for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Mar del Plata or Oaxaca de Juarez?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Mar del Plata and Oaxaca de Juarez can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Mar del Plata or Oaxaca de Juarez?

Mar del Plata

Mar del Plata is found only 404 km southeast of the city of Buenos Aires, on the Atlantic coast. Today Mar Del Plata is Argentina‘s most well known beach resort. It has successfully married the two worlds of beach and city into a fun, cosmopolitan urban center with the presence of highly developed tourist infrastructure. Founded in 1874, Mar del Plata was at first mainly an industrial and commercial center before becoming a vacation destination for Argentinians. For a peaceful trip and intimate oceanfront promenades, avoid visiting Mar del Plata during summer time, as the gorgeous arced coastline will be crawling with visitors. But the city is more than just beaches. It also offers some culture, lively nightlife, and great food.

Oaxaca de Juarez

Officially known as Oaxaca de Juarez, Oaxaca is the capital and largest city in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. It's a beautiful colonial city in the foothills of the Sierra Madre. The city has beautiful architecture and a variety of festivals as well as a tree lined square called El Zocalo. Oaxaca's economy is heavily dependent on tourism and it is a wonderful place to see Mexican art and handicrafts. There are many artists and artisans in Oaxaca and the contemporary art scene is on the rise. The artists combine the area's rich indigenous culture and tradition with a modern twist. While you're in the area you should definitely make a point of experiencing the area's wonderful museums, interesting architecture, charming hotels and unique twist on Mexican cuisine.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Argentina, The Best Budget Tours to Argentina, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mexico City, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen.


Which place is cheaper, Oaxaca de Juarez or Mar del Plata?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Mar del Plata Prices
    Argentina Prices
    Oaxaca de Juarez Prices
    Mexico Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Mar del Plata $56
    Oaxaca de Juarez $54

The average daily cost (per person) in Mar del Plata is $56, while the average daily cost in Oaxaca de Juarez is $54. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Mar del Plata and Oaxaca de Juarez in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mar del Plata $43
    Oaxaca de Juarez $19
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mar del Plata $86
    Oaxaca de Juarez $38
Compare Hotels in Mar del Plata and Oaxaca de Juarez

Looking for a hotel in Mar del Plata or Oaxaca de Juarez? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Mar del Plata


Hotels in Oaxaca de Juarez


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Oaxaca de Juarez Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mar del Plata $3.09
    Oaxaca de Juarez $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Oaxaca de Juarez

Also for Oaxaca de Juarez, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • From Oaxaca: Private Transfer to Huatulco: $465
  • From Oaxaca: Transfer to Puerto Escondido: $436
  • 4 Day Oaxaca Excursion with Transfer included: $300
  • Oaxaca Airport: Private Transfer Service: $130
  • Xoxocotlan Airport: Private Transfer to Oaxaca City: $88
  • Private Transfer Oaxaca Airport to Hotel or Airbnb 24/7: $79
  • Private Transfer from the Airport to your Hotel in Oaxaca: $70
  • Oaxaca Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca de Juárez - Round-Trip Transfer: $58
  • Oaxaca Xoxocotlan Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca hotels -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $58
  • Private Airport Transfer in Oaxaca Safe and Reliable Service: $53
  • Private transfer from Oaxaca Airport to Oaxaca City: $50
  • Transfer Oaxaca Centro Boerve del Agua: $30

Is it cheaper to fly into Mar del Plata or Oaxaca de Juarez?

Prices for flights to both Oaxaca de Juarez and Mar del Plata change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Mar del Plata $6.81
    Oaxaca de Juarez $24

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Oaxaca de Juarez

For Oaxaca de Juarez, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Oaxaca: Walking Traditional Food Tour with Ancestral Drinks: $26
  • Food Tour at the 20 de Noviembre Market (All Inclusive): $52
  • Oaxaca: Guided Food Tour with Local Chef and food experts: $54
  • Legends and Ghosts Sightseeing Tour in Downtown Oaxaca with Dinner: $55
  • Taste Oaxaca Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
  • FOOD TOUR IN THE ABASTOS MARKET: $61
  • Oaxaca: Evening Street Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $66
  • Oaxaca Streets Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $69
  • Oaxacan Vegetarian Cooking Class: $70
  • Oaxaca: Vegetarian Cooking Class: $70
  • Bike Ride and Street Food Tour in Oaxaca: $70
  • Flavors of Oaxaca: Cooking Class with No Set Menu and Local Market Tour: $75

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mar del Plata $21
    Oaxaca de Juarez $12

Tours and Activities in Oaxaca de Juarez

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Oaxaca de Juarez.

  • “Las Nieves” Monte Albán, Arrazola, Cuilapam 6h Bike Tour: $128
  • 8-Hour Monte Albán Tour from Oaxaca: $51
  • Among Flowers and Candles: A Tour of Oaxaca's Cemeteries: $86
  • An adventure for the senses: Mezcal, fields and crafts.: $82
  • Ancestral Mezcal Tour Experience-A pre Hispanic Heritage: $68
  • Archaeological sites Tour and Red Pottery in Tlacolula: $170
  • Art & Flavors of Oaxaca Experience: $141
  • Art Workshops and Chocolate Shops Tour in Oaxaca: $58
  • Artisanal Mezcal Culture Tour for Tasting and History: $106
  • Authentic Mezcal Experience Oaxaca Small Group Local Producers: $97
  • Bike Adventure to the World's Widest Tree: $25
  • Bike Adventure to the World's Widest Tree – Fun Guided Ride: $26

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mar del Plata $7.69
    Oaxaca de Juarez $14

Sample the Local Flavors in Oaxaca de Juarez

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Oaxaca de Juarez:

  • Oaxaca Pub Crawl with Shots and Party Games: $19
  • Oaxaca Pub Crawl: $19
  • Oaxaca: Sustainable Mezcal Tour at an Award-Winning Family Distillery: $24
  • Hierve el Agua, Tule Tree, Mitla and Mezcal Distillery Tour: $55
  • Breakfast in Tlacolula; Ancestral and industrial mezcal distillery: $55
  • Hierve el Agua, Mitla, El Tule Tree, Rugs, Mezcal Distillery Tour: $58
  • Hierve el Agua and Distillery of Mezcal Tour: $60
  • Hierve el Agua and distillery of mezcal tour: $60
  • Oaxaca: Hierve el Agua & Mezcal Distillery Small-Group Tour: $70
  • Distillery Tour and Agave Fields by Mal de Amor Mezcal: $70
  • Oaxaca: Mezcal Distillery Tour with Tastings: $134
  • Mezcal Distillery Day Trip: $141


When comparing the travel costs between Mar del Plata and Oaxaca de Juarez, we can see that Mar del Plata is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Mar del Plata is in South America and Oaxaca de Juarez is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mar del Plata Expensive? and Is Oaxaca de Juarez Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Mar del Plata or Oaxaca de Juarez?

Mar del Plata has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Oaxaca de Juarez. When comparing the sizes of Mar del Plata and Oaxaca de Juarez, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.