Which place is cheaper, Manaus 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.
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Should you visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Manaus?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Manaus? 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 Manaus?
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.
Manaus
Manaus is a Brazilian city, capital of the state of Amazonas, and is located on the Rio Negro a few miles before it meets the Rio Solimões to form the Amazon River. The city is a major departure point for those visiting the Amazon Rainforest, though there are a few sights worth seeing within the city itself as well.
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 Budget Tours to Brazil, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Brazil.
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Oaxaca de Juarez Prices
Mexico PricesManaus Prices
Brazil Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOaxaca de Juarez $52Manaus $67
The average daily cost (per person) in Oaxaca de Juarez is $52, while the average daily cost in Manaus is $67. 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 Manaus in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOaxaca de Juarez $18Manaus $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOaxaca de Juarez $36Manaus $84
Compare Hotels in Oaxaca de Juarez and Manaus
Looking for a hotel in Oaxaca de Juarez or Manaus? 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 Manaus Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Oaxaca de Juarez $12Manaus $7.80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Oaxaca de Juarez
Also for Oaxaca de Juarez, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Xoxocotlan Airport: Private Transfer to Oaxaca City: $88
- Transfer to Salina Cruz Surf Camps from Huatulco International Airport (HUX): $120
- Transfer Private Hotel to Oaxaca Airport: $21
- Shared Transfer from Downtown Oaxaca to the Airport: $7.52
- Safe Private Transfer: Oaxaca City Center to the Airport (OAX): $21
- Private transfer from Oaxaca Airport to the hotel.: $55
- Private transfer from Oaxaca Airport to Oaxaca City: $56
- Private transfer from Oaxaca Airport to Hotel: $39
- Private Transfer from your Hotel in Oaxaca to the Oaxaca Airport: $13
- Private Transfer from the Airport to your Hotel in Oaxaca: $67
- Private Transfer from Hotel to Oaxaca Airport: $36
- Private Transfer Oaxaca Airport to Hotel or Airbnb 24/7: $75
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manaus
Also for Manaus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $105
- Transfer service in Group Hotel to Manaus Airport: $100
- Shared Round-Trip Transfer: Eduardo Gomes International Airport: $88
- Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $69
- Manaus private Airport transfer: $60
- Manaus to Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) -Departure Private Transfer: $53
- Manaus Airport: 1-Hour Shared Transfer to Manaus Hotels: $46
- Transfer from Manaus Airport to Manaus City: $45
- Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus - Arrival Private Transfer: $34
- Manaus to Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) - Departure Private Transfer: $34
- Manaus to Manaus Airport (MAO) - Departure Private Transfer: $30
- Serviço de Transfer Privado 24h Aeroporto - Hotel em Manaus: $23
Is it cheaper to fly into Oaxaca de Juarez or Manaus?
Prices for flights to both Manaus 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 $23Manaus $21
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:
- Taste Tequila and Mezcal and enjoy a Traditional Dinner: $17
- Oaxaca: Walking Traditional Food Tour with Ancestral Drinks: $26
- Night Walk of Urban Legends ghosts and Dinner in Oaxaca: $42
- 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
- FOOD TOUR IN THE ABASTOS MARKET: $61
- Oaxaca Hidden Street Food Tour Led by Local food experts: $64
- Oaxaca: Evening Street Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $66
- Oaxacan Vegetarian Cooking Class: $66
- Oaxaca Streets Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $69
- Oaxaca: Vegetarian Cooking Class: $70
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manaus
For Manaus, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Food Tour: $70
- Regional Food Tour with Tasting of Typical Dishes: $93
- Dinner with Boi-Bumbá Show and Transfers: $117
- Folklore Amazonian Dinner Show: $120
- Amazonian Food Tour with Local Guide: $156
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Oaxaca de Juarez $12Manaus -
Tours and Activities in Oaxaca de Juarez
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Oaxaca de Juarez.
- “Las Nieves” Monte Albán, Arrazola, Cuilapam 6h Bike Tour: $128
- 2 Days Sierra Norte Cloud Forest Adventure: $231
- 5 Hours Guided Day of The Dead Evening Walking Tour in Oaxaca: $109
- 8-Hour Monte Albán Tour from Oaxaca: $51
- Adventure in the Sierra Norte: El Tule, Teotitlan and Benito Juárez: $67
- Amazing Waterfall Adventure in the Sierra Madre Mountains: $80
- Amazing experience in the mountain of San Jose del Pacifico: $200
- Among Flowers and Candles: A Tour of Oaxaca's Cemeteries: $86
- An adventure for the senses: Mezcal, fields and crafts.: $78
- Art Workshops and Chocolate Shops Tour: $56
- Art Workshops and Chocolate Shops Tour in Oaxaca: $58
- Artisanal Mezcal Experience in Oaxaca: From agave to glass: $95
Tours and Activities in Manaus
For Manaus, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 3 Days Amazon Jungle Adventure Tour: $300
- A full-day immersive experience in the Amazon forest: $210
- Adventure: 4-hour hike in the Amazon rainforest: $150
- Amazon Experience: Indigenous culture and nature phenomenon: $92
- Amazon Experience: meet a native village and swim with porpoises: $92
- Amazon Jungle: 3- or 4-Day Tour at Ipanema River Guest House: $200
- Amazon Negro River Half-Day Expedition Tour: $55
- Amazon Private Safari by Tuhiri Eco Tour - Leaving Manaus: $199
- Amazon Rainforest Tour, Trails, Jungle, Caves and Waterfalls: $214
- Amazon River Day Tour – The Ultimate Full-Day Adventure: $140
- Amazonas Theatre: Historical City Tour in Manaus + Ebook: $90
- City Tour Plus Amazon River Tour: $140
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayOaxaca de Juarez $14Manaus $2.79
Sample the Local Flavors in Oaxaca de Juarez
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Oaxaca de Juarez:
- Oaxaca Pub Crawl: $18
- Oaxaca Pub Crawl with Shots and Party Games: $19
- Puerto Escondido Pub Crawl: $20
- Oaxaca: Sustainable Mezcal Tour at an Award-Winning Family Distillery: $24
- Breakfast in Tlacolula; Ancestral and industrial mezcal distillery: $55
- Hierve el Agua, Mitla, El Tule Tree, Rugs, Mezcal Distillery Tour: $58
- Hierve el Agua, Tule Tree, Mitla and Mezcal Distillery Tour: $60
- Hierve el Agua and Distillery of Mezcal Tour: $65
- Oaxaca: Hierve el Agua & Mezcal Distillery Small-Group Tour: $70
- Personalized Tour to Hierve el Agua and Mezcal Distillery: $100
- Oaxaca: Mezcal Distillery Tour with Tastings: $134
- Mezcal Distillery Day Trip: $134
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Oaxaca de Juarez and Manaus, we can see that Manaus 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 Manaus 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 Manaus would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manaus 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 Manaus Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Oaxaca de Juarez or Manaus?
Manaus 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 Manaus, 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.