Which place is cheaper, Guatemala City or Oaxaca de Juarez?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Guatemala City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Guatemala City? 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 Guatemala City?
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.
Guatemala City
Referred to by the locals as "Guate," Guatemala City is the largest and most modern city in Guatemala, as well as its capital. While the atmosphere of the place is big, dirty, and dangerous with city fumes and skyscrapers, it is the hub of the country. It is the place where travelers first step foot into Guatemala and, though it is a place of modern chaos, it does have some of the best galleries and museums as well as a selection of bars, cafes, and restaurants.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Guatemala City, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Guatemala.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOaxaca de Juarez $46Guatemala City $44
The average daily cost (per person) in Oaxaca de Juarez is $46, while the average daily cost in Guatemala City is $44. 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 Guatemala City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOaxaca de Juarez $20Guatemala City $24
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOaxaca de Juarez $40Guatemala City $48
Compare Hotels in Oaxaca de Juarez and Guatemala City
Looking for a hotel in Oaxaca de Juarez or Guatemala City? 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 and Guatemala City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Oaxaca de Juarez $13Guatemala City $6.17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Oaxaca de Juarez
Also for Oaxaca de Juarez, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared Transfer from Downtown Oaxaca to the Airport: $10
- Transfer from your Hotel in Oaxaca to the Oaxaca Airport: $14
- Transfer Airport Hotel n Oaxaca: $16
- Transfer Private Vehicle from Huatulco City - Huatulco Airport (HUX): $27
- Roundtrip Private/Shared Airport Transfer: $29
- Oaxaca Xoxocotlan Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $36
- Oaxaca Hotels to Oaxaca Airport OAX Departure Private Transfer: $36
- Oaxaca Airport OAX to Oaxaca Hotels Arrival Private Transfer: $36
- Oaxaca hotels to Oaxaca Xoxocotlan Airport (OAX) - Departure Private Transfer: $36
- Xoxocotlan Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca de Juárez-Arrival Transfer: $37
- Oaxaca de Juárez to Xoxocotlan Airport (OAX)-Departure Transfer: $37
- Private and safe transfer from the airport to the hotel in Oaxaca: $50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:
- Private Ground Transfer Guatemala City To Panajachel, LakeAtitlan: $150
- Private Transfer from La Aurora Airport to Antigua Guatemala: $120
- Transfer from Airport to Antigua: $80
- Transfer from Guatemala City hotel to INTL Airport La Aurora: $75
- Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Antigua: $74
- One way private transfer to Antigua: $74
- Guatemala Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Antigua Guatemala: $56
- Private Airport Transfer to Antigua Guatemala: $45
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Guatemala City Airport to Hotels: $43
- Private Ground Transfer Airport - Antigua Guatemala: $23
- PRIVATE Group Transfer From Guatemala City to La Antigua: $20
Is it cheaper to fly into Oaxaca de Juarez or Guatemala City?
Prices for flights to both Guatemala City 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 $14Guatemala City $15
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: $50
- Oaxaca: Night Street Food Tour with Transfers and Tastings: $52
- Oaxaca: Vegetarian Cooking Class: $70
- Oaxacan Vegetarian Cooking Class: $71
- Central de Abastos Market Food Tour : $72
- Flavors of Oaxaca: Cooking Class with No Set Menu and Local Market Tour: $77
- AUTHENTIC OAXACA FOOD TOUR, eat like a local.: $89
- Food tour to the Tlacolula Market: $90
- Traditional Oaxaqueña Cooking with Grandma's Recipes: $90
- Cooking classes from the Isthmus with a Tehuana: $92
- Traditional Oaxacan Cooking Class (includes transportation): $94
- Traditional Cooking Class in Teotitlan Valle: $96
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guatemala City
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guatemala City.
- Taste Antigua Guatemala Walking Food Tour : $75
- Small-Group Cooking Class in Antigua from Guatemala City: $120
- Antigua Market, Cooking Class and Choco Museum from Guatemala City: $178
- Pacaya Volcano Vistas + Enjoy Pizza Cooked Under Volcanic Heat: $180
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Oaxaca de Juarez $13Guatemala City $1.21
Tours and Activities in Oaxaca de Juarez
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Oaxaca de Juarez.
- MTB Bike Tour to the Tule Tree (Through the country-side): $6.00
- Oaxaca Art Walk Tour: $15
- Bicycle Tour through Oaxaca learning about its Urban Art and History: $19
- Bike tour to the Tule Tree and the Gastronomic Market: $20
- Oaxaca: Oaxaca City Beyond the Surface Walking Tour: $23
- Private Mexican Engraving Workshop Experience: $24
- Oaxaca Walking Tour: Beyond the Surface: $26
- Monte Alban Walking Tour: $29
- Half day tour Monte Alban: $32
- Monte Alban Guided Half Day Tour: $32
- Oaxaca: Monte Alban Guided Archaeological Tour: $33
- Tour Monte Albán: $33
Tours and Activities in Guatemala City
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Guatemala City are as follows:
- 3-hour Bike Tour Guatemala City South: $55
- Antigua City Tour from Guatemala City: $77
- Antigua Guatemala , Full-Day Shared Tour from Guatemala City: $75
- Antigua Guatemala Full Day Tour: $58
- Antigua walking tour from Guatemala City : $90
- Chichicastenango - Panajachel collective tour: $150
- Chichicastenango Market Tour: $116
- City Tour - Test Fly by Escuela de Flight S.A: $158
- Climb Active Pacaya Volcano + Box Lunch at the Top - Shared Tour: $75
- Combo Tour: Colonial Antigua & Guatemala City Explorer Tour: $65
- Culinary Experience in Guatemala City: $15
- Discover a Lagoon on the Crater of Ipala Volcano - Private Full Day Tour: $205
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayOaxaca de Juarez $15Guatemala City $6.84
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: $52
- Tour to Hierve el Agua and Mezcal Distillery (Small groups): $66
- Personalized Tour to Hierve el Agua and Mezcal Distillery: $107
- Artisanal Mezcal distillery in an authentic Zapotec village : $150
When comparing the travel costs between Oaxaca de Juarez and Guatemala City, 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 Guatemala City 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 Guatemala City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Oaxaca de Juarez or Guatemala City?
Guatemala City has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Oaxaca de Juarez. When comparing the sizes of Oaxaca de Juarez and Guatemala City, 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.
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.