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

Should you visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Copacabana?

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

Should I visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Copacabana? 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 Copacabana?

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.

Copacabana

Copacabana, Bolivia, is a small, bright and enchanting town located on the Bolivian shore of Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake. Situated relatively close to the capital of La Paz, it is a popular resort mostly destination for foreign travellers, meaning that you may feel like there are more Argentinians and Americans than locals. Copacabana is the perfect jump-off point for visiting Isla del Sol and Isla de la Luna and makes a pleasant stopover between La Paz and Puno or Cusco. Featuring beautiful nature walks, ancient sites, stunning sunsets and quaint little restaurants, Copacabana is a travelers' favorite destination to soak in the panoramic views, savor freshly caught trucha, and explore what the Incas believed to be the birthplace of their empire.

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 Budget Tours to Bolivia, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Bolivia.


Which place is cheaper, Copacabana 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.

  • Oaxaca de Juarez Prices
    Mexico Prices
    Copacabana Prices
    Bolivia Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Oaxaca de Juarez $56
    Copacabana $33

The average daily cost (per person) in Oaxaca de Juarez is $56, while the average daily cost in Copacabana is $33. 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 Copacabana in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Oaxaca de Juarez $20
    Copacabana $6.59
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Oaxaca de Juarez $40
    Copacabana $13
Compare Hotels in Oaxaca de Juarez and Copacabana

Looking for a hotel in Oaxaca de Juarez or Copacabana? 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 Oaxaca de Juarez


Hotels in Copacabana


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 Copacabana Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Oaxaca de Juarez $13
    Copacabana $8.19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Oaxaca de Juarez

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

  • 4 Day Oaxaca Excursion with Transfer included: $300
  • Discover Puerto Escondido One Day Trip Shuttle Coastal Transfer: $143
  • 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) Private Transfer to Oaxaca City: $56
  • Oaxaca city: Roundtrip Private/Shared Airport Transfer: $29
  • Oaxaca de Juárez to Oaxaca Airport (OAX) - Departure Transfer: $30
  • Oaxaca hotels to Oaxaca Airport(OAX) - Departure Private Transfer: $30
  • Private Transfer Airport Hotel in Oaxaca: $29
  • Private Transfer from Hotel to Oaxaca Airport: $35
  • Private Transfer from the Airport to your Hotel in Oaxaca: $72

Is it cheaper to fly into Oaxaca de Juarez or Copacabana?

Prices for flights to both Copacabana 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Oaxaca de Juarez $24
    Copacabana $18

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
  • Night Walk of Urban Legends ghosts and Dinner in Oaxaca: $45
  • 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
  • FOOD TOUR IN THE ABASTOS MARKET: $61
  • Oaxaca Hidden Street Food Tour Led by Local food experts: $63
  • 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: $71
  • Central Oaxaca Food Tour: $72

Typical Food Prices in Copacabana

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Copacabana:


  • Lunch
    $2.16
  • Sandwich
    $0.69

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Oaxaca de Juarez $13
    Copacabana $11

Tours and Activities in Oaxaca de Juarez

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

  • Oaxaca: Colonial City Bus Tour: $5.81
  • Oaxaca City Tour: History, Markets, and Local Flavors: $7.82
  • Oaxaca: Legends Tour Mezcalbús: $8.71
  • Immerse Yourself in Oaxaca Guided Cultural Walking Tour: $14
  • Immerse Yourself in Oaxaca: Guided Cultural Walking Tour: $15
  • Free Tour Oaxaca Essential : History and Tips of a Local Guide: $18
  • Oaxaca Walking Tour: $20
  • Oaxaca Walking Tour: $20
  • Oaxaca: Monte Alban, Cuilapam, and Artisan Villages Tour: $21
  • Oaxaca Walking Tour: $22
  • Tour to Monte Alban, Black Mud, Waist Loom and Alebrijes: $22
  • Oaxaca: Oaxaca City Beyond the Surface Walking Tour: $23

Tours and Activities in Copacabana

Here are a few actual costs in Copacabana for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Bolivia: Sun and Moon Island Tour: $95
  • CONDORIRI Mountain 5650m. 2 DAYS 1 NIGHT. TREKKING. English guide. Shared Tour: $198
  • Copacabana, Sun Island 1 day private tour: $160
  • Sun and Moon Tour: $120
  • Titicaca Touristic Bus from Copacabana to La Paz_Everyday_1:00 p.m.: $17

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Oaxaca de Juarez $15
    Copacabana $6.96

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: $72
  • Oaxaca: Mezcal Distillery Tour with Tastings: $134
  • Mezcal Distillery Day Trip: $144
  • Artisanal Mezcal distillery in an authentic Zapotec village: $150

Typical Alcohol Prices in Copacabana

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Copacabana from other travelers:


  • Wine
    $1.73


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Oaxaca de Juarez and Copacabana, we can see that Oaxaca de Juarez is more expensive. And not only is Copacabana much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Oaxaca de Juarez is in North America and Copacabana is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Copacabana would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Copacabana 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 Copacabana.

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 Copacabana Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Oaxaca de Juarez or Copacabana?

Oaxaca de Juarez has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Copacabana. When comparing the sizes of Oaxaca de Juarez and Copacabana, 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.