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

Should you visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Hot Springs?

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

Should I visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Hot Springs? 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 Hot Springs?

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.

Hot Springs

Hot Springs is a popular resort city in central Arkansas. It's location in the Ouachita Mountains make it a convenient base for exploring the area's natural hot springs, from which the city gets its name. The city is also home to Hot Springs National Park, which have long been believed to have healing properties. Today many spas have popped up around the hot springs.

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 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Hot Springs 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
    Hot Springs Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Oaxaca de Juarez $54
    Hot Springs $220

The average daily cost (per person) in Oaxaca de Juarez is $54, while the average daily cost in Hot Springs is $220. 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 Hot Springs in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Oaxaca de Juarez $19
    Hot Springs $100
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Oaxaca de Juarez $38
    Hot Springs $200
Compare Hotels in Oaxaca de Juarez and Hot Springs

Looking for a hotel in Oaxaca de Juarez or Hot Springs? 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 Hot Springs


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 Hot Springs Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Oaxaca de Juarez $12
    Hot Springs $47

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: $7.99
  • Private Transfer from your Hotel in Oaxaca to the Oaxaca Airport: $14
  • Secure Private Transfer : Downtown Oaxaca Airport (OAX): $21
  • Transfer Private Hotel to Oaxaca Airport: $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 Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca de Juárez - Arrival Transfer: $29
  • Oaxaca hotels to Oaxaca Xoxocotlan Airport (OAX) - Departure Private Transfer: $29
  • Private transfer from Oaxaca Airport to Oaxaca City: $50
  • Private Airport Transfer in Oaxaca Safe and Reliable Service: $53
  • Xoxocotlan Airport: Private Transfer to Oaxaca City: $88

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hot Springs

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hot Springs:

  • Hot Springs to Little Rock Airport LIT Departure Private Transfer: $123

Is it cheaper to fly into Oaxaca de Juarez or Hot Springs?

Prices for flights to both Hot Springs 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
    Hot Springs $90

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 Led by Local food experts: $58
  • FOOD TOUR IN THE ABASTOS MARKET: $61
  • Oaxaca: Evening Street Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $66
  • Oaxaca Streets Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $69
  • Oaxaca: Vegetarian Cooking Class: $70
  • Oaxacan Vegetarian Cooking Class: $70
  • Bike Ride and Street Food Tour in Oaxaca: $71
  • Flavors of Oaxaca: Cooking Class with No Set Menu and Local Market Tour: $75

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Oaxaca de Juarez $12
    Hot Springs $30

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: $4.50
  • 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: Oaxaca City Beyond the Surface Walking Tour: $23
  • Monte Alban Half Day Guided Tour: $24
  • Bike Adventure to the World's Widest Tree: $25
  • Private Half Day Teotitlan Del Valle Village Walking Tour: $25

Tours and Activities in Hot Springs

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

  • Hot Springs NP Self Guided Driving and Walking Audio Tour: $17
  • Small-Group Zipline Tour in Hot Springs: $67

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Oaxaca de Juarez $14
    Hot Springs $22

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
  • Puerto Escondido Pub Crawl: $21
  • 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
  • Oaxaca: Hierve el Agua & Mezcal Distillery Small-Group Tour: $70
  • Oaxaca: Mezcal Distillery Tour with Tastings: $134
  • Mezcal Distillery Day Trip: $142
  • Artisanal Mezcal distillery in an authentic Zapotec village: $150


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


Which is Bigger, Oaxaca de Juarez or Hot Springs?

Oaxaca de Juarez has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Hot Springs. When comparing the sizes of Oaxaca de Juarez and Hot Springs, 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.