A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Oaxaca de Juarez vs. Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)?

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

Should I visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)? 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 Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)?

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.

Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)

Situated in the Golfo Dulce, Puerto Jiminez has grown from a logging and gold mining town in the 1960s to become the largest town on Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula. Today, it serves as a main gateway to Corcovado National Park, a last stopping point before visitors enter the park. Puerto Jiminez also has a lively night life, a beach, and easy access to a number of outdoors activities.

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 Luxury Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica.


Which place is cheaper, Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) or Oaxaca de Juarez?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Oaxaca de Juarez is $46, while the average daily cost in Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) is $115. 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 Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Oaxaca de Juarez $20
    Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) $49
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Oaxaca de Juarez $40
    Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) $98
Compare Hotels in Oaxaca de Juarez and Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)

Looking for a hotel in Oaxaca de Juarez or Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)? 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.

Hotels in Oaxaca de Juarez


Hotels in Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)


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 Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Oaxaca de Juarez $13
    Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) -

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Oaxaca de Juarez

Also for Oaxaca de Juarez, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Shared Transfer from Downtown Oaxaca to the Airport: $10
  • Transfer from your Hotel in Oaxaca to the Oaxaca Airport: $14
  • Transfer Airport Hotel n Oaxaca: $16
  • Transfer Private Vehicle from Huatulco City - Huatulco Airport (HUX): $27
  • Roundtrip Private/Shared Airport Transfer: $29
  • Oaxaca Xoxocotlan Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $36
  • Oaxaca Hotels to Oaxaca Airport OAX Departure Private Transfer: $36
  • Oaxaca Airport OAX to Oaxaca Hotels Arrival Private Transfer: $36
  • Oaxaca hotels to Oaxaca Xoxocotlan Airport (OAX) - Departure Private Transfer: $36
  • Xoxocotlan Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca de Juárez-Arrival Transfer: $37
  • Oaxaca de Juárez to Xoxocotlan Airport (OAX)-Departure Transfer: $37
  • Private and safe transfer from the airport to the hotel in Oaxaca: $50

Is it cheaper to fly into Oaxaca de Juarez or Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)?

Prices for flights to both Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Oaxaca de Juarez $14
    Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) $35

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 Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)

Some typical examples of dining costs in Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) are as follows:


  • Dinner at Finca Exotica
    $54

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Oaxaca de Juarez $13
    Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) $119

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 Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) are as follows:

  • 30-minute Corcovado National Park Tour by Plane: $256
  • 4 Hour Private Guided Tour in Osa Jungle : $120
  • Bio-Luminescence and Sunset Kayak Tour: $62
  • Corcovado day tour- Sirena Station With Lunch- Small Group : $160
  • Day tours Corcovado Total Adventure: $150
  • Kayak experience on Playa Blanca in Puerto Jiménez: $65
  • One Day Tour To Caño Island From Drake Bay: $125
  • One Day Tour to Corcovado (La Leona Station) From Puerto Jiménez: $299

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Oaxaca de Juarez $15
    Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) -

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


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Oaxaca de Juarez and Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park), we can see that Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) 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 Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) is in Central 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 Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) 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 Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) Expensive?.