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

Should you visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Havana?

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

Should I visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Havana? 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 Havana?

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.

Havana

The city of Havana is at the top of most peoples' bucket list - mostly because of the allure of a forbidden land. Before the Communist revolution, Cuba was a popular tourist destination. Since it has reopened in the 1990s, it has drawn tourists from all over the world (except the US).

This capital city is a land trapped in the past. With 50 years of neglect, when you step off the plane, prepare to step back in time. A trip to Havana is meant for those with truly open minds - and when they arrive they'll be swept away.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mexico City, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen.


Which place is cheaper, Havana 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.

  • Oaxaca de Juarez Prices
    Mexico Prices
    Havana Prices
    Cuba Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Oaxaca de Juarez $54
    Havana $74

The average daily cost (per person) in Oaxaca de Juarez is $54, while the average daily cost in Havana is $74. 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 Havana in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Oaxaca de Juarez $19
    Havana $42
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Oaxaca de Juarez $38
    Havana $84
Compare Hotels in Oaxaca de Juarez and Havana

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


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Oaxaca de Juarez $12
    Havana $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Oaxaca de Juarez

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

  • 4 Day Oaxaca Excursion with Transfer included: $300
  • From Oaxaca One way shared transfer to San Jose del Pacifico: $29
  • From Oaxaca: Private Transfer to Huatulco: $465
  • From Oaxaca: Transfer to Puerto Escondido: $436
  • Oaxaca Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca de Juárez - Arrival Transfer: $29
  • Oaxaca Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca de Juárez - Round-Trip Transfer: $58
  • Oaxaca Airport: Private Transfer Service: $130
  • Oaxaca Xoxocotlan Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca hotels -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $58
  • Oaxaca city: Roundtrip Private/Shared Airport Transfer: $29
  • Oaxaca hotels to Oaxaca Xoxocotlan Airport (OAX) - Departure Private Transfer: $29
  • Private Airport Transfer in Oaxaca Safe and Reliable Service: $53
  • Private Transfer Airport Hotel in Oaxaca: $28

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Havana

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Havana:


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.68

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

Prices for flights to both Havana 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
    Havana $18

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
  • Taste Oaxaca Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
  • FOOD TOUR IN THE ABASTOS MARKET: $61
  • Oaxaca: Evening Street Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $66
  • Oaxaca Streets Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $69
  • Oaxacan Vegetarian Cooking Class: $70
  • Oaxaca: Vegetarian Cooking Class: $70
  • Bike Ride and Street Food Tour in Oaxaca: $70
  • Flavors of Oaxaca: Cooking Class with No Set Menu and Local Market Tour: $75

Typical Food Prices in Havana

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Havana:


  • Pizza
    $0.03

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Oaxaca de Juarez $12
    Havana $11

Tours and Activities in Oaxaca de Juarez

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

  • Oaxaca Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.00
  • 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
  • Tour to Monte Alban, Black Mud, Waist Loom and Alebrijes: $21
  • Oaxaca Walking Tour: $21
  • Monte Alban Half Day Guided Tour: $21
  • First Day in Oaxaca – Guided Walking Tour: $21
  • Oaxaca: Oaxaca City Beyond the Surface Walking Tour: $23

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Oaxaca de Juarez $14
    Havana $5.76

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
  • 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: $70
  • Oaxaca: Mezcal Distillery Tour with Tastings: $134
  • Mezcal Distillery Day Trip: $141

Typical Alcohol Prices in Havana

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


  • Mojito
    $0.15


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


Which is Bigger, Oaxaca de Juarez or Havana?

Havana has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Oaxaca de Juarez. When comparing the sizes of Oaxaca de Juarez and Havana, 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.