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

Should you visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Granada?

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

Should I visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Granada? 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 Granada?

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.

Granada

Granada is Nicaragua's oldest colonial city, and arguably, the most beautiful city in the country. It sits on the northern edge of Lake Nicaragua (Lago Cocibolca) and has many beautifully colored buildings and nice churches. The city's beauty and colonial architecture, along with its relative safety and accessibility, make it one of Nicaragua's top tourist destinations. The city has long been a center for commerce, but today its economy depends heavily on tourism. The city is the sixth largest in Nicaragua and a real estate boom in the early 2000's brought a large number of expats to the town.

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 in Nicaragua, and The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua.


Which place is cheaper, Granada 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.

The average daily cost (per person) in Oaxaca de Juarez is $54, while the average daily cost in Granada is $50. 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 Granada in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Oaxaca de Juarez $19
    Granada $17
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Oaxaca de Juarez $38
    Granada $34
Compare Hotels in Oaxaca de Juarez and Granada

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


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 Granada Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Oaxaca de Juarez $12
    Granada $8.60

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Oaxaca de Juarez

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

  • Secure Private Transfer : Downtown Oaxaca Airport (OAX): $21
  • Private Transfer Airport Hotel in Oaxaca: $28
  • Oaxaca city: Roundtrip Private/Shared Airport Transfer: $29
  • From Oaxaca One way shared transfer to San Jose del Pacifico: $29
  • Oaxaca Xoxocotlan Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $29
  • Oaxaca hotels to Oaxaca Xoxocotlan Airport (OAX) - Departure Private Transfer: $29
  • Private transfer from Oaxaca Airport to Oaxaca City: $51
  • Oaxaca Xoxocotlan Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca hotels -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $59
  • Oaxaca Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $59
  • Oaxaca Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca de Juárez - Round-Trip Transfer: $59
  • Private and safe transfer from the airport to the hotel in Oaxaca: $60
  • Xoxocotlan Airport: Private Transfer to Oaxaca City: $88

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Granada

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Granada:

  • One-Way Private Transfer From/To Airport or Hotels in Granada: $40
  • San Juan del Sur: One way shared transfer to Granada: $39
  • From San Jorge: One way shared transfer to Granada: $39
  • Leon: One way shared transfer to Granada: $39
  • From One way shared transfer to Leon: $39
  • From One way shared transfer to Rivas: $39

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

Prices for flights to both Granada 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
    Granada $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: 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
  • Authentic Oaxaca Eat Like a Local Street Food Tour: $69
  • Oaxaca Streets Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $69
  • Oaxaca: Vegetarian Cooking Class: $70
  • Oaxacan Vegetarian Cooking Class: $71

Typical Food Prices in Granada

Some typical examples of dining costs in Granada are as follows:


  • Pizza
    $2.30

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Granada

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Granada.

  • San Juan del Sur: Granada Tour with Breakfast and Dinner: $580

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Oaxaca de Juarez $12
    Granada $10

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: $5.13
  • 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
  • First Day in Oaxaca – Guided Walking Tour: $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
  • Half day to Monte Alban and Mezcal Experience: $25

Typical Entertainment Prices in Granada

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Granada are as follows:


  • Lago de Nicaragua Boat Tour
    $8.20

Tours and Activities in Granada

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Granada are as follows:

  • Aguas Agrias & Monteverde Chocolate Tour: $140
  • Aguas Agrias: Horseback Ride, Chocolate Tour, & Lunch: $185
  • Bird Watching Tour: $90
  • Boat Tour and Granada City Tour: $135
  • Canopy & Crater on Mombacho Volcano & Islets Sunset Boat Tour: $180
  • Charming Granada Outdoor "Private Tour": $92
  • City Tour Granada, Nicaragua.: $40
  • Coyotepe Fortress, Colonial Granada & Masaya Volcano – Premium Sightseeing Tour: $81
  • Epic Night Tour to Masaya Volcano: $80
  • From Managua: Colonial tour and hiking at Mombacho volcano: $130
  • Full Day Tour Isletas + Pueblos Blancos + Laguna from Granada: $120
  • Full Day Tour Masaya Volcano, Art Market and White Villages: $60

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Oaxaca de Juarez $14
    Granada $7.53

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
  • Sustainable Mezcal Tour at an Award Winning Family Distillery: $25
  • 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
  • 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

Typical Alcohol Prices in Granada

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Granada:


  • Tequila
    $1.37


When comparing the travel costs between Oaxaca de Juarez and Granada, we can see that Oaxaca de Juarez 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 Granada is in Central 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 Granada Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Oaxaca de Juarez or Granada?

Oaxaca de Juarez has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Granada. When comparing the sizes of Oaxaca de Juarez and Granada, 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.