A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Oaxaca de Juarez vs. Blue Ridge for Attractions, Food, Backpackers, and Nightlife

Should you visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Blue Ridge?

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

Should I visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Blue Ridge? 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 cultural, authentic, and traditional city. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Blue Ridge

Blue Ridge is a outdoorsy, historic, and quaint town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include shopping, nightlife, and food.

Oaxaca de Juarez and Blue Ridge: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oaxaca de Juarez or Blue Ridge?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Oaxaca de Juarez. Although Oaxaca de Juarez and Blue Ridge are both popular with visitors, Oaxaca de Juarez has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Oaxaca de Juarez is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Blue Ridge is known for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Oaxaca de Juarez is more touristy than Blue Ridge and is known for its indigenous cultures, historic center, and excellent food scene. It is also home to Mercado Benito Juárez. Blue Ridge is popular for its beautiful mountain setting, miles of hiking trails, and small town atmosphere.

How is Oaxaca de Juarez different from Blue Ridge?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Blue Ridge 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 Blue Ridge?

Oaxaca de Juarez is an amazing city to visit for its museums and history. However, Blue Ridge is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Oaxaca de Juarez from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. 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.

Blue Ridge offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. While you don't immediately think of museums in the area, there are a couple. The Dahlonega Gold Museum gives information on the gold rush and mining industry in town. In nearby Tennessee, Ducktown Basin Museum is a historic mine site that is open for tours.

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

Oaxaca de Juarez is an amazing city to visit for its restaurants. Also, Blue Ridge is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Blue Ridge. You'll find plenty of small town restaurants serving local dishes like barbecue, trout, and biscuits with gravy. Southern food is popular, but you'll also find plenty of breweries and wineries in the area. Head downtown for an assortment of options that include southern, vegan, and even international flavors.

Is Oaxaca de Juarez or Blue Ridge Better for Nightlife?

Oaxaca de Juarez is a very popular place for nightlife. Also, Blue Ridge is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Oaxaca de Juarez has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Blue Ridge has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Head downtown for a mix of breweries, bars, and clubs where you'll find live music and a casual meal.

Is Oaxaca de Juarez or Blue Ridge Better for its Old Town?

Oaxaca de Juarez is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town. However, Blue Ridge does not have a historic old town.

Oaxaca de Juarez offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. 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.

Blue Ridge does not have a historic old town.

Is Oaxaca de Juarez or Blue Ridge Better for Hiking?

Blue Ridge is great for hiking. However, Oaxaca de Juarez is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Blue Ridge for the hiking trails. There are miles of hiking trails in the area that take you to waterfalls and viewpoints. The starting point of the Appalachian Trail is also nearby, and another popular trail is the Benton MacKaye Trail. Options range from beginner to expert with everything in between.

Oaxaca de Juarez is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Oaxaca de Juarez or Blue Ridge?

Oaxaca de Juarez is an amazing city to visit for shopping. Also, Blue Ridge is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Oaxaca de Juarez. 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.

Blue Ridge is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. You'll find artisan shops, art galleries, and boutique clothing vendors. Many places are concentrated in the charming downtown area, which is fun to explore for a day or two.

Is Oaxaca de Juarez or Blue Ridge Better for Families?

Blue Ridge is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Oaxaca de Juarez is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Blue Ridge is a very family-friendly destination. Kids who enjoy hiking and playing outdoors will have fun here. There are waterfall hikes, fruit picking farms, and plenty of playgrounds. There's also a scenic railway and lots of places to sample treats.

Oaxaca de Juarez is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Is Oaxaca de Juarez or Blue Ridge Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Oaxaca de Juarez and Blue Ridge 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.

Blue Ridge is a very popular place to visit for couples. If you're looking for a cozy retreat where you can relax in a cabin, take long walks through nature, and enjoy local food, then this is your place. There are plenty of bed and breakfasts, vacation rentals, and rustic cabins with fireplaces and simple pleasures. If you want to escape it all then the mountains are the place to be.

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

Oaxaca de Juarez is an amazing city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Blue Ridge is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Oaxaca de Juarez. 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.

Blue Ridge is a great city to visit for backpackers. There are a number of campgrounds in the area as well as plenty of hikes that backpackers will enjoy. Nearby you'll also find the start of the famed Appalachian Trail.

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

Oaxaca de Juarez is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Blue Ridge is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Oaxaca de Juarez has some 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.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Blue Ridge. There's no real public transportation system in the area.

Is Oaxaca de Juarez or Blue Ridge a more walkable city?

Oaxaca de Juarez is a very popular place for its walkability. Also, Blue Ridge is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

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

Blue Ridge is a somewhat walkable place. While the downtown area is relatively walkable, if you want to hike and get out in nature, you'll need to have a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Blue Ridge or Oaxaca de Juarez?

How long in Oaxaca de Juarez or Blue Ridge?

In either Oaxaca de Juarez or Blue Ridge, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Oaxaca de Juarez has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Oaxaca de Juarez than Blue Ridge. However, 2-5 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Couples should spend more time in Oaxaca de Juarez than Blue Ridge. 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 Blue Ridge 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 Blue Ridge?

With museums and nightlife around the cultural 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.

Blue Ridge is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife. Hikers are also drawn to this area. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Oaxaca de Juarez or Blue Ridge?

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.

Blue Ridge is a small town with plenty to do. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Blue Ridge?

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.

Blue Ridge is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Oaxaca de Juarez or Blue Ridge?

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.

Blue Ridge is a great place to explore. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 G Adventures Tours to United States of America, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Oaxaca de Juarez and Blue Ridge, we can see that Blue Ridge is more expensive. And not only is Oaxaca de Juarez much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Oaxaca de Juarez would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Oaxaca de Juarez 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 Blue Ridge would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Blue Ridge than you might in Oaxaca de Juarez.

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 Blue Ridge Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Oaxaca de Juarez or Blue Ridge?

Oaxaca de Juarez has a larger population, and is about 220 times larger than the population of Blue Ridge. When comparing the sizes of Oaxaca de Juarez and Blue Ridge, 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.