Which place is cheaper, Medellin or Oaxaca de Juarez?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Medellin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Medellin? 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 Medellin?
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.
Medellin
In addition to big improvements in public safety, Medellin has witnessed a huge surge in urban development projects, including Colombia's first metro system and cable cars to service poorer neighborhoods located high on the mountain sides. There is an abundance of parks, libraries, museums and public spaces with many cultural events taking place. Many travelers also enjoy visiting the surrounding villages, where life is simple and landscapes and nature reserves are wonderful. Medellin has now become one of the "it" cities in the world, with tons of tourists visiting and foreigners settling and retiring here. Beautiful mountains, warm weather, friendly locals, and a vibrant culture are just a few of the reasons why you should visit Medellin.
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 Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOaxaca de Juarez $46Medellin $23
The average daily cost (per person) in Oaxaca de Juarez is $46, while the average daily cost in Medellin is $23. 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 Medellin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOaxaca de Juarez $20Medellin $4.75
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOaxaca de Juarez $40Medellin $9.50
Compare Hotels in Oaxaca de Juarez and Medellin
Looking for a hotel in Oaxaca de Juarez or Medellin? 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 Medellin Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Oaxaca de Juarez $13Medellin $4.14
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: Private Transfer to Huatulco: $408
- From Oaxaca: Transfer to Puerto Escondido: $402
- Oaxaca Airport OAX to Oaxaca Hotels Arrival Private Transfer: $36
- Oaxaca Airport OAX to Oaxaca Hotels Round Trip Private Transfer: $72
- Oaxaca Airport: Private Transfer Service: $130
- Oaxaca Hotels to Oaxaca Airport OAX Departure Private Transfer: $36
- Oaxaca International Airport - Private Transfer From/ to Oaxaca City: $56
- Oaxaca Xoxocotlan Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $36
- Oaxaca Xoxocotlan Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca hotels -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $72
- Oaxaca de Juárez to Xoxocotlan Airport (OAX)-Departure Transfer: $37
- Roundtrip Private/Shared Airport Transfer: $29
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Medellin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Medellin:
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Taxi$1.65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Medellin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Medellin:
- Minibus Departure Transfer from Medellin to Medellin Airport MDE: $182
- Arrival Transfer Medellin Airport MDE to Medellin City by Minivan: $129
- Airport Transfers : $120
- Private Transfer Jose Marie Cordova Airport to Medellin Bello: $100
- Arrival Private Transfer from Medellin Airport to City by MiniSuv: $98
- Transfer from or to Medellin's airport: $55
- Medellin Airport (EOH) to Medellin hotels - Round-Trip Transfer: $55
- Private Arrival Transfer : From Airport to Medellín Hotels : $54
- Private Medellin Airport Transfer with English-Speaking Driver: $50
- Night-time Private transfer service from or to Medellín Airport: $47
- RoundtripTransfer Privatecar Medellin Airport (MDE) Medellin City: $47
- Transfer José María Córdova Airport - Medellin - Private Ride Airport .. !!: $45
Is it cheaper to fly into Oaxaca de Juarez or Medellin?
Prices for flights to both Medellin 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 $14Medellin $9.61
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: $52
- Oaxaca: Vegetarian Cooking Class: $70
- Oaxacan Vegetarian Cooking Class: $71
- Central de Abastos Market Food Tour : $72
- Flavors of Oaxaca: Cooking Class with No Set Menu and Local Market Tour: $77
- AUTHENTIC OAXACA FOOD TOUR, eat like a local.: $89
- Food tour to the Tlacolula Market: $90
- Traditional Oaxaqueña Cooking with Grandma's Recipes: $90
- Cooking classes from the Isthmus with a Tehuana: $92
- Traditional Oaxacan Cooking Class (includes transportation): $94
- Traditional Cooking Class in Teotitlan Valle: $96
Typical Food Prices in Medellin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Medellin:
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Lunch$2.10
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Medellin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Medellin.
- Homemade Paisa Dinner at a Local's Home in Medellín: $69
- Homemade Paisa Dinner at a Local's Home in Medellín: $71
- Sabor Colombiano Cooking Studio: $100
- Combo Tour: Street Art, Christmas Lights and Food Tour in Medellin: $131
- Comuna 13, Fruit & Street Food Tour: $166
- Private tour: Medellin City – Pablo Escobar and Food Tour: $166
- Combo Tour: Metro System, Christmas Lights and Food Tour of Medellin: $166
- A Night Out in Medellin with Dinner and Drinks Included: $175
- ATV Adventure Including Medellin City and Food Tour: $185
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Oaxaca de Juarez $13Medellin $13
Tours and Activities in Oaxaca de Juarez
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Oaxaca de Juarez.
- MTB Bike Tour to the Tule Tree (Through the country-side): $6.00
- Oaxaca Art Walk Tour: $15
- Bicycle Tour through Oaxaca learning about its Urban Art and History: $19
- Bike tour to the Tule Tree and the Gastronomic Market: $20
- Oaxaca: Oaxaca City Beyond the Surface Walking Tour: $23
- Private Mexican Engraving Workshop Experience: $24
- Oaxaca Walking Tour: Beyond the Surface: $26
- Monte Alban Walking Tour: $29
- Half day tour Monte Alban: $32
- Monte Alban Guided Half Day Tour: $32
- Oaxaca: Monte Alban Guided Archaeological Tour: $33
- Tour Monte Albán: $33
Tours and Activities in Medellin
Here are a few actual costs in Medellin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Comuna 13 + Medellin City Tour: $230
- Medellin City Private Tour: $83
- Private Tour to Explore Comuna 13 in Medellín: $65
- Private tour Guatapé Peñol stone and coffee farm: $139
- 1 Hour ATV Adventure Tour in Medellin : $140
- 4 Hours Private Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour: $60
- 5-Hour Coffee and Pablo Express Mix Tour in Medellín: $110
- 90 Minute Walking Tour of Guatapé: $16
- ATV Private Tour in Medellin: $138
- ATV Quad Tour from Medellin with Transportation : $132
- ATV Tour 3 Mountains Medellin: $170
- ATV Tours from Medellin : $125
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayOaxaca de Juarez $15Medellin $7.21
Sample the Local Flavors in Oaxaca de Juarez
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Oaxaca de Juarez:
- 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
- From Hierve el Agua and Mezcal Distillery: $52
- Tour to Hierve el Agua and Mezcal Distillery (Small groups): $66
- Personalized Tour to Hierve el Agua and Mezcal Distillery: $107
- Artisanal Mezcal distillery in an authentic Zapotec village : $150
Sample the Local Flavors in Medellin
Also in Medellin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- 4 Hours Pub Crawl Nightlife in Medellin: $41
- All-Inclusive Comuna 13 Nightlife Bar Crawl with Locals: $130
- Medellin Pub Crawl Including Food and City Tour: $139
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Oaxaca de Juarez and Medellin, we can see that Oaxaca de Juarez is more expensive. And not only is Medellin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Oaxaca de Juarez is in North America and Medellin 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 Medellin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Medellin 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 Oaxaca de Juarez would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Oaxaca de Juarez than you might in Medellin.
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 Medellin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Oaxaca de Juarez or Medellin?
Medellin 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 Medellin, 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.