A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Oaxaca de Juarez vs. Alexandria for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Backpackers

Should you visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Alexandria?

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

Should I visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Alexandria? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Oaxaca de Juarez

Oaxaca de Juarez is a traditional, historic, and cultural city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Alexandria

Alexandria is a quaint, historic, and charming city. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Oaxaca de Juarez and Alexandria: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oaxaca de Juarez or Alexandria?

You'll generally find more things to do in Oaxaca de Juarez than Alexandria. Oaxaca de Juarez is bigger than Alexandria, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Oaxaca de Juarez is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, and shopping, while Alexandria is more popular for its small town charm and impressive beauty. Oaxaca de Juarez is well known for its indigenous cultures, historic center, and excellent food scene. Also, Oaxaca de Juarez is famous for Mercado Benito Juárez. Alexandria is well known for its long-running history, beautiful architecture, and small town atmosphere.

How is Oaxaca de Juarez different from Alexandria?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Alexandria and Oaxaca de Juarez. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Oaxaca de Juarez or Alexandria?

Oaxaca de Juarez is an unbeatable place for its historical sights. Also, Alexandria is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Oaxaca de Juarez has many famous sights for visitors. There are many museums and historical sights in the city and nearby. The Oaxaca Cathedral is located on the city's main square, Zocalo. Also worth visiting is the Church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán and the Basilica of Our Lady of Solitude. Just a few kilometers outside of the city is the historic settlement of Monte Albán as well as the Ex-Monastery of Santiago Apóstol. Also check out the Rufino Tamayo Museum and Museo Casa Juárez.

Alexandria offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. George Washington's Mount Vernon home is an iconic destination in Alexandria. There are also many other museums in town that focus on the region's history. The Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum and the Gadsby's Tavern Museum are both interesting. There's Gunston Hall and the Carlyle House, as well as an archeology museum and many historic landmarks around town.

Is the Food Better in Oaxaca de Juarez or Alexandria? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Oaxaca de Juarez is an unbeatable place for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Alexandria is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Eat your way through Oaxaca de Juarez, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. This is a city for foodies. Of all the destinations in Mexico, this one always tops the list for its cuisine. The food is influenced by traditional ingredients like corn and many of the recipes have been passed on through the generations. Local dishes include mole, Oaxaca cheese, coloradito, and tlayudas.

Alexandria offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The food, like the city itself, reflects the area's history. There are many southern classic dishes as well as a lot of seafood. You'll find lots of local restaurants that serve high quality dishes and a quaint atmosphere.

Is Oaxaca de Juarez or Alexandria Better for Nightlife?

Oaxaca de Juarez is great for its evening party scene. Also, Alexandria is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

Many people head to Oaxaca de Juarez for the nightlife scene. The nightlife scene starts late in the evening and can continue into the early hours. Many people meet up around Oaxaca Zocalo and it's very lively in the evenings. You'll often find live music and a fun atmosphere. As the night progresses, many people make their way to Santo Domingo, which is where you'll find a number of bars and clubs.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Alexandria. There's a great bar scene, as well as tons of restaurants that make for a relaxing night out.

Is Oaxaca de Juarez or Alexandria Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the amazing old towns in both Oaxaca de Juarez and Alexandria.

With a famous historical old-town, Oaxaca de Juarez offers plenty to see. The historic center is filled with colonial Spanish architecture. It's laid out in a grid pattern and there are many historic monuments. The surrounding region also has a history that dates back 1500 years.

The rich history of Alexandria can be explored in its historical center. At the heart of the city is the historic old town. Its lined with townhomes that date back to the 18th century. There are many historic sights that have stories from the early days of the country. There are also cobblestone streets and a great waterfront.

Is the Shopping Better in Oaxaca de Juarez or Alexandria?

Oaxaca de Juarez is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Alexandria is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many people travel to Oaxaca de Juarez specifically to go shopping. The region's indigenous populations are known for the artisan crafts and handmade items. Many visitors enjoy shopping at the city's markets, where you'll find handmade ceramics, hand blown glassware, and more.

Alexandria is an extremely popular place for shoppers. King Street is the main shopping street in town and it offers the largest concentration of independently owned boutiques in the Washington D.C. area. It's the perfectly place to spend an afternoon shopping.

Is Oaxaca de Juarez or Alexandria Better for Families?

Oaxaca de Juarez is a good destination for its kid-friendly activities. However, Alexandria is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Oaxaca de Juarez offers lots of family activities. For trampolines, bouncy houses, and other fun activities, head to El Llano Park on a weekend. There's also an outdoor playground and other fun activities for kids at Museu Infantil de Oaxaca. Kid-friendly restaurants are abundant, and if the kids enjoy hiking, you can head out of town for a day trip.

Alexandria is not the most family-friendly destination. The waterfront area is nice to walk around. You can break up the history with an ice cream shop and kids will also enjoy taking a boat tour.

Is Oaxaca de Juarez or Alexandria Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Oaxaca de Juarez and Alexandria make for a superb place to visit.

Oaxaca de Juarez is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. The city is famous for its cuisine, so food lovers will enjoy dining their way through town. There are also great hotels, beautiful gardens, and fascinating architecture.

Alexandria is a very popular place to visit for couples. The charm of the old town makes this a quaint and romantic destination. There's a waterfront area and many historic buildings. There are also romantic restaurants and plenty of places to grab brunch.

Is Oaxaca de Juarez or Alexandria Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Oaxaca de Juarez is an unbeatable place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Alexandria is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Oaxaca de Juarez, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. There are many very affordable hostels around town. The city is a mecca for backpackers in Mexico, and you'll find plenty of people to hang out with and great restaurants to explore.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Alexandria. There aren't any true hostels in town, but you will find some cheap motels.

Is Oaxaca de Juarez or Alexandria Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Alexandria is an unbeatable place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Oaxaca de Juarez is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Visitors in Alexandria can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. DASH is the local bus system, but the city is also connected into the Washington DC metro system.

Oaxaca de Juarez has a few public transit options. The city has colectivos, which are shared taxis. There are also buses and tuk tuks that you can use to get around.

Is Oaxaca de Juarez or Alexandria a more walkable city?

Alexandria is an unbeatable place for its walkability. Also, Oaxaca de Juarez is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

Alexandria is a very easy city to get around on foot. It's a very easy city to walk around, particularly in the historic heart where most tourists spend their time.

Oaxaca de Juarez is a very walkable city. It's a walkable city that's fun to explore on foot, particularly in the historic center.

For even more information, also check out Is Oaxaca de Juarez Worth Visiting? and Is Alexandria Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Alexandria or Oaxaca de Juarez?

How long in Oaxaca de Juarez or Alexandria?

It's fun to spend time in either Oaxaca de Juarez or Alexandria. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Oaxaca de Juarez due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Oaxaca de Juarez, and 2-4 days is enough time in Alexandria.

Families should spend more time in Oaxaca de Juarez than Alexandria. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Oaxaca de Juarez, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Oaxaca de Juarez than Alexandria. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Oaxaca de Juarez that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Oaxaca de Juarez than Alexandria if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Oaxaca de Juarez.

One day in Oaxaca de Juarez or Alexandria?

With museums and nightlife around the historic city of Oaxaca de Juarez, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find food and shopping around the quaint destination of Alexandria. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Oaxaca de Juarez or Alexandria?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Oaxaca de Juarez, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

You'll find shopping and museums around the quaint city of Alexandria. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Five days in Oaxaca de Juarez or Alexandria?

Oaxaca de Juarez, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Visiting the old town is also a must. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Alexandria is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

A week in Oaxaca de Juarez or Alexandria?

Oaxaca de Juarez is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Alexandria is a great place to explore. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mexico City, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Oaxaca de Juarez and Alexandria, we can see that Oaxaca de Juarez is more expensive. And not only is Alexandria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Alexandria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alexandria and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Oaxaca de Juarez would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Oaxaca de Juarez than you might in Alexandria.

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

Which is Bigger, Oaxaca de Juarez or Alexandria?

Oaxaca de Juarez has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Alexandria. When comparing the sizes of Oaxaca de Juarez and Alexandria, 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.