Which place is cheaper, Mazatlan or Oaxaca de Juarez?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Mexico Oaxaca de Juarez vs. Mazatlan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Mazatlan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Mazatlan? 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 Mazatlan?
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.
Mazatlan
Mazatlan is located on the Pacific coast in the Mexican state of Sinaloa. The city has a population of almost 500,000, making it the second largest city in the state. It is a popular tourist destination because of its beautiful beaches and resort hotels. Most people head to Mazatlan specifically for its beaches, but the city itself is somewhat large and diverse with many different cultures and ethnicities represented. Many foreigners come here not only to vacation, but also to retire. You'll meet people from all over Europe, as well as Canada and the United States.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOaxaca de Juarez $45Mazatlan $77
The average daily cost (per person) in Oaxaca de Juarez is $45, while the average daily cost in Mazatlan is $77. 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 Mazatlan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOaxaca de Juarez $20Mazatlan $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOaxaca de Juarez $40Mazatlan $64
Compare Hotels in Oaxaca de Juarez and Mazatlan
Looking for a hotel in Oaxaca de Juarez or Mazatlan? 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 Mazatlan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Oaxaca de Juarez $13Mazatlan $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Oaxaca de Juarez
Also for Oaxaca de Juarez, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Oaxaca: Private Transfer to Huatulco: $402
- Oaxaca Airport OAX to Oaxaca Hotels Arrival Private Transfer: $35
- Oaxaca Airport OAX to Oaxaca Hotels Round Trip Private Transfer: $71
- Oaxaca Airport: Private Transfer Service: $60
- Oaxaca Hotels to Oaxaca Airport OAX Departure Private Transfer: $35
- Oaxaca International Airport - Private Transfer From/ to Oaxaca City: $56
- Oaxaca Xoxocotlan Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $35
- Oaxaca Xoxocotlan Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca hotels -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $71
- Oaxaca de Juárez to Xoxocotlan Airport (OAX)-Departure Transfer: $27
- Roundtrip Shared Airport Transfer: $29
- Oaxaca hotels to Oaxaca Xoxocotlan Airport (OAX) - Departure Private Transfer: $35
- Oaxaca to Mexico City - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $373
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mazatlan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mazatlan:
- Private Transfer From Mazatlan to Puerto Vallarta, English Speaking Driver: $446
- Mazatlan Intl Airport (MZT): Private Transfer to Mazatlan: $293
- Mazatlan Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Mazatlan hotels: $234
- Private roundtrip airport to hotel transfer in Mazatlan: $227
- Private Airport-Hotel Transfer: $119
- Mazatlan Airport (MZT) to Mazatlan Round-Trip Private Transfer: $95
- Mazatlan Airport (MZT) to Mazatlan Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $75
- Mazatlan to Mazatlan International Airport (MZT) - Departure Private Transfer: $47
- Mazatlan International Airport(MZT) to Mazatlan hotels -Arrival Private Transfer: $47
- Round transfer airport to hotel in Mazatlán: $44
- Mazatlan hotels to Mazatlan Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $38
- Mazatlan Cruise Port to Mazatlan hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
Is it cheaper to fly into Oaxaca de Juarez or Mazatlan?
Prices for flights to both Mazatlan 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 $14Mazatlan $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 Night Street Food Tour with Transfers and Tastings: $50
- Oaxaca: Night Street Food Tour with Transfers and Tastings: $55
- Oaxaca: Vegetarian Cooking Class with Market Tour: $69
- Oaxacan Vegetarian Cooking Class: $69
- AUTHENTIC OAXACA FOOD TOUR, eat like a local.: $69
- Traditional Oaxacan Cooking Class in Gueta Oaxaca: $72
- Flavors of Oaxaca: Cooking Class with No Set Menu and Local Market Tour: $77
- Mexican Cooking Classes in Oaxacan : $78
- Cooking classes from the Isthmus with a Tehuana: $83
- Traditional Oaxaqueña Cooking with Grandma's Recipes: $90
- Oaxaca: Traditional Oaxacan Food Cooking Class: $92
- Vegetarian Traditional Mexican Cooking Class: $95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mazatlan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Mazatlan.
- Mercado walking food tour: $67
- Mazatlan routes of taste food tour: $81
- Authentic Mexican Cooking Class in Mazatlan: $81
- Tacos, Beer and Mezcal Food Tour in Mazatlan: $93
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Oaxaca de Juarez $13Mazatlan $9.34
Tours and Activities in Oaxaca de Juarez
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Oaxaca de Juarez.
- City Tour Santo Domingo/Alcalá/markets/chocolate (Walking tour): $5.00
- Montealban Tour: $28
- Get to know Oaxaca by bike- historical & cultural city tour: $29
- Monte Alban Guided Half Day Tour: $31
- Oaxaca: Monte Alban Guided Archaeological Tour: $32
- Tour Monte Albán: $32
- Oaxaca: Ocotlan de Morelos Cultural Experience and Tour: $33
- Zapotec Wonders Tour: $35
- Only Monte Alban Tour: $35
- Only Monte Alban Tour: $35
- From Oaxaca: Monte Alban Tour: $35
- Cerro del Fortín- Cultural & historical tour by bike.: $36
Tours and Activities in Mazatlan
Here are a few actual costs in Mazatlan for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 4-Hour Private Bird Watching Tour in Mazatlan with Pickup: $100
- 5-Hour Private Historical Tour in Mazatlán with Pickup: $400
- A three-hour bike tour of Mazatlan's city center: $44
- Agave Distilled Factory and Salsa Combo Tour Private Vehicle: $385
- Barrio Bites tour: $67
- City Tour & Mazatlan Lighthouse: $48
- Deer Island Kayak tour: $50
- From Mazatlán: ATV Tour into Sierra Madre with Lunch: $138
- From Tufted Jay Preserve 2-Day Birdwatching Tour: $550
- From Zipline & ATV Adventure with Tequila Tasting: $207
- Half Day Private Paddle Board Experience in Mazatlan: $58
- Half-Day Tour to Tequila Factory and Villages from Mazatlan: $62
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayOaxaca de Juarez $14Mazatlan $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Oaxaca de Juarez
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Oaxaca de Juarez:
- Full Day Tour to Hierve el Agua and Mezcal Distillery: $40
- 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
- Mezcal distillery guided tour: $86
- Personalized Tour to Hierve el Agua and Mezcal Distillery: $105
- Mezcal Distillery Day Trip: $143
- Artisanal Mezcal distillery in an authentic Zapotec village : $150
Sample the Local Flavors in Mazatlan
Also in Mazatlan, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Private Tour to El Quelite Village and Tequila Distillery from Mazatlan: $323
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Oaxaca de Juarez and Mazatlan, we can see that Mazatlan 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 Mazatlan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mazatlan than you might in Oaxaca de Juarez.
Which is Bigger, Oaxaca de Juarez or Mazatlan?
Mazatlan is bigger, and its population is about 35% larger than the population of Oaxaca de Juarez. When comparing the population of Oaxaca de Juarez vs. Mazatlan, 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 and the activities that interest you.
Related Articles for Oaxaca de Juarez
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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.
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