Which place is cheaper, Lima 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.
Jump to 
Should you visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Lima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Lima? 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 Lima?
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.
Lima
Lima, the capital city of Peru, is likely to be your point of entry for the country. Lima was founded in 1535 and was the seat of the Spanish rule for 300 years. It's a surprisingly modern city despite its rich history, but many beautiful churches and colonial architecture remain today. There are also large slum areas that highlight the poverty that exists in the city. The city and its surrounding metropolitan area have a population of about 8.5 million people, many of whom came from the Andes Mountains in search of work. Unfortunately the work opportunities are limited and the poverty is obvious as you arrive in Lima.
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, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
-
Oaxaca de Juarez Prices
Mexico PricesLima Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOaxaca de Juarez $54Lima $97
The average daily cost (per person) in Oaxaca de Juarez is $54, while the average daily cost in Lima is $97. 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 Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOaxaca de Juarez $19Lima $53
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOaxaca de Juarez $38Lima $106
Compare Hotels in Oaxaca de Juarez and Lima
Looking for a hotel in Oaxaca de Juarez or Lima? 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 Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Oaxaca de Juarez $12Lima $6.21
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: $7.92
- Private Transfer from your Hotel in Oaxaca to the Oaxaca Airport: $14
- 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 Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca de Juárez - Arrival Transfer: $29
- Oaxaca hotels to Oaxaca Xoxocotlan Airport (OAX) - Departure Private Transfer: $29
- Transfer Oaxaca Centro Boerve del Agua: $30
- Private transfer from Oaxaca Airport to Oaxaca City: $50
- Private Airport Transfer in Oaxaca Safe and Reliable Service: $53
- Oaxaca Xoxocotlan Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca hotels -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $58
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
-
Taxi Ride$5.88
-
Taxi Ride$5.88
-
Short Taxi Ride$4.41
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- Lima round trip transfers airport - hotel - airport + City Tour: $218
- Private Transfer from Pisco Cruise Port to Lima City Hotels: $196
- Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $196
- Larco Museum Tour & Gastronomic Experience with rountrip transfer: $160
- Premium Peruvian Horse Show with Lunch & Transfers: $159
- Private Largevan Transfer - Arrival Lima Airport to Hotel: $79
- Transfer by car from the airport to the hotel: $60
- Private Transfer from Lima to Jorge Chávez (LIM) Airport: $57
- Larco Museum Complete Guided Tour with Transfers (Small Group): $55
- Airport Transfer: Jorge Chavez Airport LIM to Lima by Sedan: $51
- One-way Transfer Between Lima Airport And Miraflores Hotels: $50
- Tour Night Magic Water Park and Ravine with Transfer: $49
Is it cheaper to fly into Oaxaca de Juarez or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima 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 dayOaxaca de Juarez $24Lima $33
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 Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
-
Lunch for Two$4.71
-
Ice cream$3.82
-
Coffee$3.23
-
Donut$1.03
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Food tours on the forbidden side of Lima (Min. 3 Guests – Max. 6): $5.00
- Lima Street Food Tour: Taste Authentic Peruvian Delights: $45
- Dinner at Mangos Larcomar Restaurant: $48
- #1 Rated Lima Cooking Class: Make Ceviche, Causa & Pisco Sours!: $49
- Lima Street Food Tour : Try the best Peruvian street food: $49
- Food Tour and Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Snacks: $50
- Private Churros Cooking Class, Miraflores & Hotel Pickup: $50
- Private Cooking Class in Causa & Lomo Saltado: $50
- Andean Breads Cooking Class in Lima: $55
- Lima Market Tour & Ceviche Cooking Class with Pisco Sour: $59
- Dinner at the Cala Restaurant in Lima: $63
- Lima Market Food Tour: $65
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Oaxaca de Juarez $12Lima $9.38
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:
-
Entrance to Museo Larco (for 2)$18
-
Movie Tickets$2.50
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- 1 Day Tour to Huacachina from Lima (Dunebuggy + Vineyards): $225
- 2 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $279
- 2 Day Tour from Paracas, Ballestas Island and Huacachina: $134
- 3 Day Tour From Paracas, Huacachina Oasis & Pisco Vineyard: $159
- 3 Days Tour of Paracas Huacachina and Nazca: $275
- 3 Hour Private Electric Scooter Tour of Lima: $75
- 3 Hours Walking Tour of Lima Old Town and Catacumbs: $59
- 3-Day Tour Discover Paracas and Huacachina from Lima: $260
- 8-Hour Private Tour Lima Viceroyalty and Gold Museum with Lunch: $120
- A Journey Through Time: Lima's Historic Center & Catacombs Tour: $20
- Adventure at the Airport of Peru: $10
- All Inclusive Miraflores & Historic Center Gastronomic Tour: $120
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayOaxaca de Juarez $14Lima $6.10
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 Lima
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
-
Bottle of Wine$7.91
-
Beer$4.41
-
Cocktail$3.53
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Free Pub Crawl: $5.00
- Discover Barranco's Nightlife with Bar Crawl Lima: $20
- Lima Pub Crawl - Party tour: Friday Barranco/Saturday miraflores: $22
- Discover Miraflores nightlife with Bar Crawl Lima: $24
- Lima Nightlife Tour & Society – Cultural Pub Crawl: $50
- Full Day Paracas, Huacachina and Wine Tasting from Lima: $139
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Oaxaca de Juarez and Lima, we can see that Lima 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 Lima is in South America, 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 Lima would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lima 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 Lima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Oaxaca de Juarez or Lima?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Oaxaca de Juarez. When comparing the sizes of Oaxaca de Juarez and Lima, 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.