Which place is cheaper, Galapagos Islands 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 Galapagos Islands?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Galapagos Islands? 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 Galapagos Islands?
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.
Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands are a small archipelago of islands belonging to Ecuador in the eastern Pacific Ocean. The Galapagos archipelago is world-renowned for its unique and fearless wildlife, much of which was inspiration for Charles Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection. Thanks to a lack of natural predators, friendly wildlife such as sea lions and gigantic sea tortoises let visitors get up close. This archipelago of about 19 islands and many smaller islets found over 620 miles off Ecuador's coast in the Pacific Ocean is a double World Heritage site, where both land and sea are protected. Each island boasts its own unique landscape, ranging from black, volcanic rocks to white sand beaches and gemstone-blue waters. There is no bad time to visit the Galapagos Islands but the busiest months for tourism tend to be June, July and August, as well as mid-December to mid-January. This is when prices are at their highest.
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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Ecuador, and The Best Honeymoon Tours in Ecuador.
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Oaxaca de Juarez Prices
Mexico PricesGalapagos Islands Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOaxaca de Juarez $52Galapagos Islands $29,200
The average daily cost (per person) in Oaxaca de Juarez is $52, while the average daily cost in Galapagos Islands is $29,200. 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 Galapagos Islands in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOaxaca de Juarez $18Galapagos Islands $12,681
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOaxaca de Juarez $36Galapagos Islands $
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Compare Hotels in Oaxaca de Juarez and Galapagos Islands
Looking for a hotel in Oaxaca de Juarez or Galapagos Islands? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Oaxaca de Juarez $12Galapagos Islands $3,523
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: $465
- From Oaxaca: Transfer to Puerto Escondido: $436
- Private Transfer Oaxaca Airport Arrivals and Departures: $139
- Discover Puerto Escondido One Day Trip Shuttle Coastal Transfer: $132
- Transfer to Salina Cruz Surf Camps from Huatulco International Airport (HUX): $120
- Xoxocotlan Airport: Private Transfer to Oaxaca City: $88
- Private Transfer Oaxaca Airport to Hotel or Airbnb 24/7: $75
- Private Transfer from the Airport to your Hotel in Oaxaca: $67
- Oaxaca Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca de Juárez - Round-Trip Transfer: $57
- Private Luxury Transfer from the Oaxaca Airport to your Hotel: $56
- Private transfer from Oaxaca Airport to Oaxaca City: $56
- Private transfer from Oaxaca Airport to the hotel.: $55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Galapagos Islands
Also for Galapagos Islands, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Baltra Airport to Hotels in Santa Cruz Island: $137
- Private Transfer from Hotels in Santa Cruz to Baltra Airport: $137
- Maritime transfer between the Galapagos Islands: $60
Is it cheaper to fly into Oaxaca de Juarez or Galapagos Islands?
Prices for flights to both Galapagos Islands 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 $23Galapagos Islands $11,857
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:
- Taste Tequila and Mezcal and enjoy a Traditional Dinner: $17
- Oaxaca: Walking Traditional Food Tour with Ancestral Drinks: $26
- Night Walk of Urban Legends ghosts and Dinner in Oaxaca: $42
- 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: $64
- Oaxaca: Evening Street Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $66
- Oaxacan Vegetarian Cooking Class: $66
- Oaxaca Streets Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $69
- Oaxaca: Vegetarian Cooking Class: $70
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Oaxaca de Juarez $12Galapagos Islands $7,364
Tours and Activities in Oaxaca de Juarez
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Oaxaca de Juarez.
- “Las Nieves” Monte Albán, Arrazola, Cuilapam 6h Bike Tour: $128
- 2 Days Sierra Norte Cloud Forest Adventure: $231
- 5 Hours Guided Day of The Dead Evening Walking Tour in Oaxaca: $109
- 8-Hour Monte Albán Tour from Oaxaca: $51
- Adventure in the Sierra Norte: El Tule, Teotitlan and Benito Juárez: $67
- Amazing Waterfall Adventure in the Sierra Madre Mountains: $80
- Amazing experience in the mountain of San Jose del Pacifico: $200
- Among Flowers and Candles: A Tour of Oaxaca's Cemeteries: $86
- An adventure for the senses: Mezcal, fields and crafts.: $78
- Art Workshops and Chocolate Shops Tour: $56
- Art Workshops and Chocolate Shops Tour in Oaxaca: $58
- Artisanal Mezcal Experience in Oaxaca: From agave to glass: $95
Tours and Activities in Galapagos Islands
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Galapagos Islands.
- Bay Tour in Santa Cruz - Galapagos Islands: $60
- Beach Wildlife and Snorkel Adventure with Underwater Specialist: $179
- BiciTour Giant Turtles and Lava Tunnel in Galapagos: $90
- Daily diving tour in Gordon Rocks: $280
- Day Land Tour to North Seymour Island in Galapagos: $299
- Day Tour to Floreana Island with Highland Tour and Snorkeling: $259
- Day Tour to Floreana Island with Snorkeling and Fishing: $259
- Day Tour to Isabela Island with Tintorera Islet, Snorkeling Wetlands & Flamingos: $285
- Day Tour to Santa Fe Island and Hidden Beach with snorkeling and fishing: $229
- Day tour to Pinzón Island and La Fé/Palmitas Bay with snorkeling and fishing: $249
- Day tour to San Cristobal Island with private Land Tour and snorkeling: $285
- Full Day Floreana Tour: $220
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayOaxaca de Juarez $14Galapagos Islands $2,906
Sample the Local Flavors in Oaxaca de Juarez
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Oaxaca de Juarez:
- Oaxaca Pub Crawl: $18
- Oaxaca Pub Crawl with Shots and Party Games: $19
- Puerto Escondido Pub Crawl: $20
- Oaxaca: Sustainable Mezcal Tour at an Award-Winning Family Distillery: $24
- Breakfast in Tlacolula; Ancestral and industrial mezcal distillery: $55
- Hierve el Agua, Mitla, El Tule Tree, Rugs, Mezcal Distillery Tour: $58
- Hierve el Agua, Tule Tree, Mitla and Mezcal Distillery Tour: $60
- Hierve el Agua and Distillery of Mezcal Tour: $65
- Oaxaca: Hierve el Agua & Mezcal Distillery Small-Group Tour: $70
- Personalized Tour to Hierve el Agua and Mezcal Distillery: $100
- Oaxaca: Mezcal Distillery Tour with Tastings: $134
- Mezcal Distillery Day Trip: $134
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Oaxaca de Juarez and Galapagos Islands, we can see that Galapagos Islands is more expensive. And not only is Oaxaca de Juarez much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Oaxaca de Juarez is in North America and Galapagos Islands 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 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 Galapagos Islands would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Galapagos Islands 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 Galapagos Islands Expensive?.
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.