A Travel Price Comparison for Mexico Oaxaca de Juarez vs. Cozumel for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Cozumel?

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

Should I visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Cozumel? 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 Cozumel?

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.

Cozumel

Cozumel is a Caribbean island just off the Yucatan Peninsula. It'as a popular tourist destination because of its beautiful beaches and excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. With crystal clear waters and vibrant colored coral, Cozumel is one of the most popular dive destinations in the area. The island's economy is centered around tourism, and as such, you'll find plenty of amenities for visitors. The prices are comparable to other coastal towns in the area and there is no shortage of activities or attractions nearby.

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 2-Week Tours from Cancun, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico.


Which place is cheaper, Cozumel or Oaxaca de Juarez?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Oaxaca de Juarez is $46, while the average daily cost in Cozumel is $117. 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 Cozumel in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Oaxaca de Juarez $20
    Cozumel $70
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Oaxaca de Juarez $40
    Cozumel $140
Compare Hotels in Oaxaca de Juarez and Cozumel

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


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 Cozumel Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Oaxaca de Juarez $13
    Cozumel $23

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: $418
  • From Oaxaca: Transfer to Puerto Escondido: $412
  • Oaxaca: Santiago Apoala Waterfall Day Trip with Transfers: $304
  • Private transfer from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido - new highway: $299
  • Transfer to Salina Cruz Surf Camps from Huatulco International Airport (HUX): $120
  • Xoxocotlan Airport: Private Transfer to Oaxaca City: $90
  • Oaxaca Xoxocotlan Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca hotels -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $73
  • Oaxaca International Airport - Private Transfer From/ to Oaxaca City: $56
  • Oaxaca: Private transfer from Oaxaca airport to hotel: $54
  • Private and safe transfer from the airport to the hotel in Oaxaca: $50
  • Shared Arrival Transfer: Oaxaca Airport to Hotels: $46
  • Xoxocotlan Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca de Juárez-Arrival Transfer: $37

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cozumel

Also for Cozumel, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Cuban Cigar Master Class & Beach Break® with transfer: $153
  • Cozumel Private Airport Transfer: $150
  • Private Transfer from Cozumel Airport: $110
  • ATV Adventure to Jade Cavern with transfer: $93
  • Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $88
  • Mexico Cozumel Airport (CZM) Cozumel - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $88
  • Cozumel Airport or Ferry/Cruise Port Transfer to/from Cozumel: $80
  • Cozumel Cruise Port to Cozumel hotels Arrival Private Transfer: $46
  • Cozumel Cruise Port to Mexico Cozumel Airport (CZM) - Departure Private Transfer: $44
  • Mexico Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $44
  • Cozumel Island hotels to Cozumel Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $44
  • Cozumel to Mexico Cozumel Airport (CZM)Departure Private Transfer: $44

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

Prices for flights to both Cozumel 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 $14
    Cozumel $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: Night Street Food Tour with Transfers and Tastings: $54
  • Oaxaca: Vegetarian Cooking Class: $72
  • Oaxacan Vegetarian Cooking Class: $73
  • Flavors of Oaxaca: Cooking Class with No Set Menu and Local Market Tour: $77
  • Casa Crespo Afternoon Cooking Class with Market Visit: $77
  • AUTHENTIC OAXACA FOOD TOUR, eat like a local.: $89
  • Traditional Oaxaqueña Cooking with Grandma's Recipes: $90
  • Cooking classes from the Isthmus with a Tehuana: $92
  • Traditional Cooking Class in Teotitlan Valle: $96
  • Traditional Oaxacan Cooking Class (includes transportation): $96
  • The Real Traditional Oaxaca Cooking class: $116
  • Oaxaca: Traditional Oaxacan Food Cooking Class: $119

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cozumel

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

  • Cozumel Food Tour: $90
  • Cozumel Cooking Class: $115

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Oaxaca de Juarez $13
    Cozumel $44

Tours and Activities in Oaxaca de Juarez

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

  • Full Day Waterfall Adventure in Sierra Madre Mountains of Oaxaca: $80
  • Romantic tour in Oaxaca: $158
  • 6-Hour Bike Tour from Oaxaca to the Tule Tree: $80
  • Amazing Monte Alban and City tour Private Tour: $200
  • Amazing experience in the mountain of San Jose del Pacifico: $80
  • Ancestral Carnival Tour 2024: $199
  • Ancestral Mezcal Experience + ceramics + Alebrijes + Market: $199
  • Art Workshops and Chocolate Shops Tour: $61
  • Artisanal Mezcal Culture Tour for Tasting and History: $110
  • Cacao day experience from the wood to your cup!: $159
  • Celebrating Day of the Dead in Xoxocotlan Tour: $177
  • Day of the Dead Experience: Altar of Memories: $138

Tours and Activities in Cozumel

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Cozumel.

  • Island Tour With Private Driver : $56
  • Private Cozumel Jeep Tour & Jade Caverns Cenote: All-Inclusive: $85
  • Romantic tour in Cozumel: $127
  • 1 Hour and Half Private Tropical Fitness Experience in Cozumel: $6.13
  • 15-minute Private Parasailing Experience in Cozumel: $71
  • 2 Hour Diving Experience in San Miguel de Cozumel: $88
  • 4-Hour Jeep and ATV Tour with Snorkel in Cozumel with Lunch: $99
  • 4-Hour Private Tour in Cozumel with Pickup: $70
  • A Pirate's Adventure in Cozumel with Captain Draco : $80
  • A snorkeling adventure in a glass-bottom boat at Cozumel's reef.: $70
  • ATV Adventure to Mayan Jade Cavern plus Snorkeling and Lunch: $79
  • ATV Off Road Adventure to Jade Cavern Tequila and Beach : $75

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Oaxaca de Juarez $15
    Cozumel $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Oaxaca de Juarez

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

  • Hierve el Agua, Tule Tree, Mitla and Mezcal Distillery Tour: $45
  • Only Hierve el Agua and Mezcal Distillery tour: $50
  • Only Hierve el Agua and Mezcal Distillery Tour: $50
  • From Hierve el Agua and Mezcal Distillery: $54
  • Tour to Hierve el Agua and Mezcal Distillery (Small groups): $57
  • Mezcal distillery guided tour: $88
  • Mezcal Distillery Day Trip: $147
  • Artisanal Mezcal distillery in an authentic Zapotec village : $150

Sample the Local Flavors in Cozumel

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cozumel:

  • Chocolate Seaside Workshop & Wine Tasting: $50
  • Cozumel 5-Hour Private Bar Crawl Tour: $110


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Oaxaca de Juarez and Cozumel, we can see that Cozumel 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 Cozumel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cozumel 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 Cozumel Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Oaxaca de Juarez or Cozumel?

Oaxaca de Juarez has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Cozumel. When comparing the sizes of Oaxaca de Juarez and Cozumel, 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.