Which place is cheaper, Medellin 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 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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Oaxaca de Juarez Prices
Mexico PricesMedellin Prices
Colombia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOaxaca de Juarez $54Medellin $35
The average daily cost (per person) in Oaxaca de Juarez is $54, while the average daily cost in Medellin is $35. 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 $19Medellin $5.51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOaxaca de Juarez $38Medellin $11
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 $12Medellin $4.80
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 One way shared transfer to San Jose del Pacifico: $29
- From Oaxaca: Private Transfer to Huatulco: $465
- From Oaxaca: Transfer to Puerto Escondido: $436
- Oaxaca Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca de Juárez - Arrival Transfer: $29
- Oaxaca Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca de Juárez - Round-Trip Transfer: $58
- Oaxaca Airport: Private Transfer Service: $130
- Oaxaca Xoxocotlan Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca hotels -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $58
- Oaxaca city: Roundtrip Private/Shared Airport Transfer: $29
- Oaxaca hotels to Oaxaca Xoxocotlan Airport (OAX) - Departure Private Transfer: $29
- Private Airport Transfer in Oaxaca Safe and Reliable Service: $53
- Private Transfer Airport Hotel in Oaxaca: $28
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Medellin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Medellin:
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Taxi$1.92
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Medellin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Medellin:
- Medellín: 5-Day Luxury Tour with Private Transfers: $1,599
- Medellín - Arboletes, Antioquia Transfer by Van: $560
- Medellín Platinum Pack: Transfers + Hotel + Exclusive Tours: $250
- Medellín: Comuna 13, Graffiti Workshop, Guide and Transfers: $206
- Medellin Tour Privado x3 horas con Transfers: $203
- Arrival Private Transfer from Medellin Airport to City by Sedan: $151
- Sedan Departure Transfer from Medellin City to Medellin Airport: $151
- Medellín: Santa Elena Coffee Farm Tour w/Lunch & Transfer: $124
- Medellin Coffee Tour with transfer: $123
- Medellín: Guatapé and Medellín City Door-to-Door Transfer: $105
- Private Tejo Sport Experience with Transfer & Beer: $103
- 2-hour horseback ride + Private transfer + Photos & videos + Gift for the first 5 to book: $88
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 $24Medellin $19
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 Medellin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Medellin:
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Lunch$2.43
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Medellin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Medellin.
- Medellín: Comuna 13 True Story and Street Food Tour: $14
- Medellin El Poblado Street Food Tour: $34
- Empanada Cooking Class with Local Chef - Comuna 13: $34
- Medellín: Comuna 13 Street Art and Street Food Tour: $44
- Private Empanada Cooking Class in Guatape: $48
- Medellin Food Tour in Laureles: $54
- 4hr Cooking Class in Medellín with Traditional Recipes and Drinks: $55
- Cooking Class Preparing Colombian Empanadas: $56
- Medellin Private Nighttime City Sightseeing Tour by E-Bike + Gourmet Dinner: $59
- Gastronomy and Street Food Tour in Sabaneta Colombia Experience: $60
- Medellín: Street Food Tour with Local Tastings: $62
- Community project cooking class and Medellin social transformation tour: $65
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Oaxaca de Juarez $12Medellin $15
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
Tours and Activities in Medellin
Here are a few actual costs in Medellin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- “Exclusive Mountain Escape : ATV Tour from Medellin with lunch: $130
- “Medellín: Quad Bike (ATV) Sightseeing Tour of 3 Mountains, Waterfall, and Lunch”: $130
- 2 Day Shared Tour in Medellin Guatapé and Commune 13: $93
- 2 Days Medellin autentic Coffee Farm Experience: $265
- 2 Hour Medellin Off Road ATV Experiences: $160
- 2-Hours Street Art Walking Tour in Medellin Comuna 13: $24
- 3 Secret Viewpoints of Medellin + Picacho + Neighborhood: Nighttime Experience: $147
- 4-Hour Medellin, Envigado & Sabaneta Three County Tour: $79
- 90 Minute Walking Tour of Guatapé: $16
- A Taste of Colombia Medellin Market Tour and Lunch: $49
- ATV Adventure in Medellin's Mountains: $93
- ATV Tours from Medellin: $133
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayOaxaca de Juarez $14Medellin $8.37
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Medellin
Also in Medellin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- The Medellin Pub Crawl: $20
- The "Beyond Local Pub Crawl" Now in Medellín!: $24
- Rooftop Bar Crawl with VIP Access & Hidden Clubs: $27
- Medellín: Pub crawl in Provenza, music, dancing, and shots: $30
- Medellin Private Bar Crawl with private transportation: $145
- Night Out Gay Bar Crawl in Medellin: $150
- Medellin Pub Crawl with transport Including Food and City Tour: $175
- Medellín: San Francisco Wine Tour with Tastings & Lunch: $332
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.