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

Should you visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Guadalajara?

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

Should I visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Guadalajara? 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 Guadalajara?

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.

Guadalajara

Guadalajara is the capital of the state of Jalisco in western Mexico, as well as one of the country's largest cities. It is best known for tequila and mariachi music, which both originate in Jalisco, as well as a thriving historic center with colonial architecture and landmarks.

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, Guadalajara 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 Guadalajara is $116. 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 Guadalajara in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Oaxaca de Juarez $20
    Guadalajara $42
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Oaxaca de Juarez $40
    Guadalajara $84
Compare Hotels in Oaxaca de Juarez and Guadalajara

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


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 Guadalajara Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Oaxaca de Juarez $13
    Guadalajara $39

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 Guadalajara

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

  • Airport-Chapala/Ajijic Transfer: $229
  • Private Transfer from Guadalajara to Morelia: $228
  • Guadalajara Airport (GDL): Transfer to Guadalajara hotels: $177
  • Airport to City Transfer: $154
  • Airport Transfer to Guadalajara Hotels: $119
  • Tequila to Guadalajara - Private Transfer with English-speaking driver: $99
  • Guadalajara to Tequila - Private Transfer with English-speaking driver: $99
  • Guadalajara Airport (GDL) to Guadalajara hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $99
  • Private Transfer from Guadalajara Airport(GDL) to Manzanillo Port: $77
  • Guadalajara Airport(GDL) to Tequila - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $77
  • Private Transfer from Guadalajara city hotels to Manzanillo Port: $77
  • Private transfer: Guadalajara Airport (GDL) to Guadalajara: $73

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

Prices for flights to both Guadalajara 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
    Guadalajara $48

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 Guadalajara

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

  • Guadalajara private food tour: $70
  • Authentic Mexican Cooking & Tequila tasting experience-Casa Humo: $113
  • VIP Tequila Night Tour with Dinner and Tasting: $189

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Oaxaca de Juarez $13
    Guadalajara $28

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 Guadalajara

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

  • Bike Tour in Guadalajara and Zapopan: $55
  • Canopy Experience Panoramic Flight in Zip Lines: $44
  • Chapala Ajijic Area Tour from Guadalajara: $78
  • Chapala Lake and Ajijic Tour from Guadalajara: $77
  • Chapala and Ajijic Private Tour: $120
  • Charreria heritage tour be a charro for a day: $50
  • City tour in Guadalajara and Tlaquepaque: $94
  • Downtown Guadalajara and Tlaquepaque Tour: $73
  • Enjoy an exclusive Tequila Tour with a Tequila Master: $149
  • From Chapala Lake & Ajijic Tour: $83
  • From Downtown and Tlaquepaque Sightseeing Tour: $77
  • From Magdalena Opal Experience: $352

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Oaxaca de Juarez $15
    Guadalajara $18

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 Guadalajara

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Guadalajara:

  • Friday Night Bar Crawl in Guadalajara: $25
  • Cultural tour, city fields and distillery: $32
  • Guadalajara Arquitecture and Brewery Tour: $57
  • Tequila distillery experience, Jose Cuervo & Tequila Magic Town: $77
  • full day Tequila tour visiting artisanal distillery and downtown.: $79
  • Private One Day Adventure Tour in Tequila and La Fortaleza Distillery: $177
  • Sip & Savor Tequila Experience Distillery w/ Lunch fr Guadalajara: $180
  • Private Tour La Fortaleza Distillery and visit to Tequila: $190
  • Private Tour Cascahuin Distillery and visit to Tequila: $190
  • Private Tour to El Tequileño Distillery and visit to Tequila: $190
  • Private Tour to Distillery Tequila Ocho and Arandas : $200
  • Private Tour one day in Guachimontones and La Fortaleza Distillery: $214


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


Which is Bigger, Oaxaca de Juarez or Guadalajara?

Guadalajara has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Oaxaca de Juarez. When comparing the sizes of Oaxaca de Juarez and Guadalajara, 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.