Which place is cheaper, Banos or Oaxaca de Juarez?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Banos?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Banos? 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.
Where Should I go: Oaxaca de Juarez or Banos?
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.
Banos
Banos (de Agua Santa) is a small city in the Andean highlands of Ecuador under volcano Tungurahua. Its name, which is Spanish for "Baths (of sacred water)," comes from the famous hydrothermal springs in the area. It's equally popular with foreigners as with Ecuadorians, and is known as the adventure capital of Ecuador. The streets are lined with hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops, and tour agencies. Although it is very touristy, lots of people love it, more for the activities and surroundings than for the city itself. It is an important hub for outdoor sports and jungle tours.
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 Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador.
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Oaxaca de Juarez Prices
Mexico PricesBanos Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOaxaca de Juarez $55Banos $57
The average daily cost (per person) in Oaxaca de Juarez is $55, while the average daily cost in Banos is $57. 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 Oaxaca de Juarez and Banos in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOaxaca de Juarez $19Banos $16
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOaxaca de Juarez $38Banos $32
Compare Hotels in Oaxaca de Juarez and Banos
Looking for a hotel in Oaxaca de Juarez or Banos? 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.
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 and Banos Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Oaxaca de Juarez $12Banos $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Oaxaca de Juarez
Also for Oaxaca de Juarez, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Discover Puerto Escondido One Day Trip Shuttle Coastal Transfer: $141
- From Oaxaca One way shared transfer to San Jose del Pacifico: $29
- From Oaxaca: Private Transfer to Huatulco: $465
- From Oaxaca: Transfer to Puerto Escondido: $436
- Oaxaca Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca de Juárez - Arrival Transfer: $29
- Oaxaca Airport: Private Transfer Service: $130
- Oaxaca Xoxocotlan Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca hotels -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $59
- Oaxaca city: Roundtrip Private/Shared Airport Transfer: $29
- Oaxaca hotels to Oaxaca Xoxocotlan Airport (OAX) - Departure Private Transfer: $29
- Private Transfer Airport Hotel in Oaxaca: $28
- Private Transfer from the Airport to your Hotel in Oaxaca: $71
- Private and safe transfer from the airport to the hotel in Oaxaca: $60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Banos
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Banos:
- Transfer Quito → Baños (one way / round trip): $180
Is it cheaper to fly into Oaxaca de Juarez or Banos?
Prices for flights to both Banos and Oaxaca de Juarez 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
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Food Meals for one dayOaxaca de Juarez $24Banos $26
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
- Oaxaca Hidden Street Food Tour by The Lost Taco: $58
- 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
- Oaxaca: Vegetarian Cooking Class: $70
- Oaxacan Vegetarian Cooking Class: $70
- Bike Ride and Street Food Tour in Oaxaca: $71
Typical Food Prices in Banos
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Banos:
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Dinner$13
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Ice cream$1.50
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Coffee$2.50
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Oaxaca de Juarez $12Banos $19
Tours and Activities in Oaxaca de Juarez
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Oaxaca de Juarez.
- Oaxaca Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self Guided Tour: $5.06
- Oaxaca: Colonial City Bus Tour: $5.81
- Oaxaca: Legends Tour Mezcalbús: $8.71
- Immerse Yourself in Oaxaca: Guided Cultural Walking Tour: $15
- Oaxaca Walking Tour: $20
- Oaxaca Walking Tour: $20
- Oaxaca: Monte Alban, Cuilapam, and Artisan Villages Tour: $21
- Monte Alban Half Day Guided Tour: $21
- Monte Alban Only - Half Day Guided Tour - Oaxaca: $21
- Oaxaca Walking Tour: $21
- Oaxaca: Oaxaca City Beyond the Surface Walking Tour: $23
- Free Tour Oaxaca Essential : History and Tips of a Local Guide: $24
Typical Entertainment Prices in Banos
Here are a few typical costs in Banos for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Two Rented Bikes for the Day$10
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Cost to see Waterfall$2.00
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Day at the Spa$45
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2 Bike Rentals (1 Day)$10
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Entrance to Waterfall$2.00
Tours and Activities in Banos
Here are a few actual costs in Banos for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 day jungle tour: $35
- 2 Days All Inclusive Napo Amazon Tour from Baños de Agua Santa: $293
- 2 Hours Small-Group Horseback Riding Experience in Banos: $30
- 3 Hours Small-Group Horseback Riding Experience in Baños: $40
- 5-Hour Small-Group Horseback Riding Experience in Baños: $62
- Adventure Circuit 4 activities in 1. All within an impressive cascade: $25
- Adventure and Fun River Rafting in Baños Ecuador: $35
- Amazon Tour in Ecuador: Puyo Day Trip from Baños: $85
- Animalpark | Theme Park | Tours | naturally fun: $45
- Bathrooms Full Day Tour : Waterfalls Route & Tree House in Ecuador: $71
- Baths Nature and Adventure 2 Days.: $190
- Bike tour of the highest volcano in Ecuador: Chimborazo: $95
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayOaxaca de Juarez $14Banos $9.74
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
- Oaxaca: Hierve el Agua & Mezcal Distillery Small-Group Tour: $70
- Distillery Tour and Agave Fields by Mal de Amor Mezcal: $71
- Personalized Tour to Hierve el Agua and Mezcal Distillery: $107
- Oaxaca: Mezcal Distillery Tour with Tastings: $134
- Mezcal Distillery Day Trip: $142
Typical Alcohol Prices in Banos
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Banos from other travelers:
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Beer$4.00
When comparing the travel costs between Oaxaca de Juarez and Banos, we can see that Banos 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 Oaxaca de Juarez is in North America and Banos is in South 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 Oaxaca de Juarez Expensive? and Is Banos Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Oaxaca de Juarez or Banos?
Oaxaca de Juarez has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Banos. When comparing the sizes of Oaxaca de Juarez and Banos, 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.