A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Oaxaca de Juarez vs. Mystic for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Mystic?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Mystic? 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.

Oaxaca de Juarez

Oaxaca de Juarez is a cultural, authentic, and traditional city. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Mystic

Mystic is a charming, quaint, and laid back town. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Oaxaca de Juarez and Mystic: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oaxaca de Juarez or Mystic?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Oaxaca de Juarez. Although Oaxaca de Juarez and Mystic are both popular with visitors, Oaxaca de Juarez has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Oaxaca de Juarez is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Mystic is known for its beaches. Oaxaca de Juarez is popular for its indigenous cultures, historic center, and excellent food scene. It is also home to Mercado Benito Juárez. Mystic is popular for its New England charm and local character.

How is Oaxaca de Juarez different from Mystic?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Mystic and Oaxaca de Juarez. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Oaxaca de Juarez or Mystic?

Oaxaca de Juarez is an amazing city to visit for its museums and history. Also, Mystic is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Oaxaca de Juarez from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. There are many museums and historical sights in the city and nearby. The Oaxaca Cathedral is located on the city's main square, Zocalo. Also worth visiting is the Church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán and the Basilica of Our Lady of Solitude. Just a few kilometers outside of the city is the historic settlement of Monte Albán as well as the Ex-Monastery of Santiago Apóstol. Also check out the Rufino Tamayo Museum and Museo Casa Juárez.

Mystic offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There's a decent selection of museums around town with some of the favorites being the Mystic Seaport Museum, the Mystic Museum of Art, the Denison Homestead Museum, and the Old Lighthouse Museum, The Mystic Aquarium is also a popular destination.

Is the Food Better in Oaxaca de Juarez or Mystic? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Oaxaca de Juarez is an amazing city to visit for its restaurants. Also, Mystic is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Eat your way through Oaxaca de Juarez, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. This is a city for foodies. Of all the destinations in Mexico, this one always tops the list for its cuisine. The food is influenced by traditional ingredients like corn and many of the recipes have been passed on through the generations. Local dishes include mole, Oaxaca cheese, coloradito, and tlayudas.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Mystic. As a coastal town, you'll find no shortage of seafood at many restaurants. Popular dishes include oysters, shrimp, or fish. There are also many casual restaurants that serve comfort food for classic American favorites like mac and cheese, pasta, or burgers.

Is Oaxaca de Juarez or Mystic Better for Nightlife?

Oaxaca de Juarez is an excellent place to visit for nightlife. Also, Mystic is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Oaxaca de Juarez has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The nightlife scene starts late in the evening and can continue into the early hours. Many people meet up around Oaxaca Zocalo and it's very lively in the evenings. You'll often find live music and a fun atmosphere. As the night progresses, many people make their way to Santo Domingo, which is where you'll find a number of bars and clubs.

Mystic has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Head downtown for the most interesting bars and breweries. You can sip wine or enjoy a cocktail at a laid back pub with friends or family.

Is Oaxaca de Juarez or Mystic Better for Beaches?

Mystic is great for its beaches. However, Oaxaca de Juarez is not a beach destination.

Mystic is considered a top beach destination. The beaches are accessible from town and offer a laid back setting that's not overly developed. Families will like Ocean Beach Park but Williams Beach Park is one of the easiest beaches to access. If you're willing to drive a bit out of town, you should check out Misquamicut State Beach.

Oaxaca de Juarez is not a beach destination.

Is Oaxaca de Juarez or Mystic Better for its Old Town?

Oaxaca de Juarez is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town. However, Mystic does not have a historic old town.

Oaxaca de Juarez offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The historic center is filled with colonial Spanish architecture. It's laid out in a grid pattern and there are many historic monuments. The surrounding region also has a history that dates back 1500 years.

Mystic does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Oaxaca de Juarez or Mystic?

Oaxaca de Juarez is an amazing city to visit for shopping. Also, Mystic is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Oaxaca de Juarez. The region's indigenous populations are known for the artisan crafts and handmade items. Many visitors enjoy shopping at the city's markets, where you'll find handmade ceramics, hand blown glassware, and more.

Mystic is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Head downtown for scenic shopping streets with boutiques, artisan craft shops, and jewelry stores.

Is Oaxaca de Juarez or Mystic Better for Families?

Mystic is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Oaxaca de Juarez is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Mystic is a very family-friendly destination. Animal lovers will enjoy wandering around the many trails at Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center or visiting the famous Mystic Aquarium. You can also visit the shops around Olde Mistick Village or dine at one of the many kid-friendly restaurants.

Oaxaca de Juarez is a family-friendly place to visit. For trampolines, bouncy houses, and other fun activities, head to El Llano Park on a weekend. There's also an outdoor playground and other fun activities for kids at Museu Infantil de Oaxaca. Kid-friendly restaurants are abundant, and if the kids enjoy hiking, you can head out of town for a day trip.

Is Oaxaca de Juarez or Mystic Better for Couples?

Oaxaca de Juarez is an excellent place to visit for romance. Also, Mystic is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Oaxaca de Juarez makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city is famous for its cuisine, so food lovers will enjoy dining their way through town. There are also great hotels, beautiful gardens, and fascinating architecture.

Mystic makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Check out Mystic Seaport or drive down the coastline and visit the lighthouses. You'll also find breweries around town as well as many fun or romantic restaurants.

Is Oaxaca de Juarez or Mystic Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Oaxaca de Juarez is an amazing city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Mystic is lacking in options for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Oaxaca de Juarez. There are many very affordable hostels around town. The city is a mecca for backpackers in Mexico, and you'll find plenty of people to hang out with and great restaurants to explore.

Mystic is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It's not high on the list for most backpackers.

Is Oaxaca de Juarez or Mystic Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Oaxaca de Juarez is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Mystic is lacking in options for its public transit.

Oaxaca de Juarez has some public transit options. The city has colectivos, which are shared taxis. There are also buses and tuk tuks that you can use to get around.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Mystic. There is a bus but it has limited stops and only runs on weekdays.

Is Oaxaca de Juarez or Mystic a more walkable city?

Oaxaca de Juarez is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. However, Mystic is lacking in options for its high level of walkability.

Oaxaca de Juarez is very walkable. It's a walkable city that's fun to explore on foot, particularly in the historic center.

Mystic is generally not very walkable. While parts of town are very walkable, you'll need a car if you want to see the sights that are a bit further away.

For even more information, also check out Is Oaxaca de Juarez Worth Visiting? and Is Mystic Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mystic or Oaxaca de Juarez?

How long in Oaxaca de Juarez or Mystic?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Oaxaca de Juarez and Mystic. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Oaxaca de Juarez than in Mystic. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Oaxaca de Juarez, and 2-3 days is enough time in Mystic.

Families should spend more time in Mystic than Oaxaca de Juarez. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Mystic, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Oaxaca de Juarez than Mystic. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Oaxaca de Juarez that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Oaxaca de Juarez than Mystic if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Oaxaca de Juarez.

One day in Oaxaca de Juarez or Mystic?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Oaxaca de Juarez. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find food and shopping around the quaint destination of Mystic. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Oaxaca de Juarez or Mystic?

Oaxaca de Juarez is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find shopping and museums around the quaint town of Mystic. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. It's also a great beach destination, too. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Five days in Oaxaca de Juarez or Mystic?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Oaxaca de Juarez. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Mystic is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

A week in Oaxaca de Juarez or Mystic?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the authentic destination of Oaxaca de Juarez. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Mystic is a great place to explore. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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 Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Oaxaca de Juarez and Mystic, we can see that Mystic 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 Mystic would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mystic 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 Mystic Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Oaxaca de Juarez or Mystic?

Oaxaca de Juarez has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Mystic. When comparing the sizes of Oaxaca de Juarez and Mystic, 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.