A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Oaxaca de Juarez vs. Puerto Madryn for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Puerto Madryn?

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

Should I visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Puerto Madryn? 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 Madryn?

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 Madryn

Puerto Madryn is mostly known as the gateway to Peninsula Valdes, welcoming tourists who come for whale watching. The Peninsula Valdes is a nature reserve designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site; 97 km long and 63 km wide, it is connected to the continent by an isthmus of 35 km from which we can see both gulfs, San Jose at north and the Nuevo at south.

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 Camping Tours in Argentina, and The Best Luxury Tours to Argentina.


Which place is cheaper, Puerto Madryn 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.

  • Oaxaca de Juarez Prices
    Mexico Prices
    Puerto Madryn Prices
    Argentina Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Oaxaca de Juarez $56
    Puerto Madryn $60

The average daily cost (per person) in Oaxaca de Juarez is $56, while the average daily cost in Puerto Madryn is $60. 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 Madryn in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Oaxaca de Juarez $20
    Puerto Madryn $40
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Oaxaca de Juarez $40
    Puerto Madryn $80
Compare Hotels in Oaxaca de Juarez and Puerto Madryn

Looking for a hotel in Oaxaca de Juarez or Puerto Madryn? 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 Madryn


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Oaxaca de Juarez $13
    Puerto Madryn $2.49

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 Oaxaca Airport to your hotel: $11
  • Private Transfer from your Hotel in Oaxaca to the Oaxaca Airport: $14
  • Secure Private Transfer : Downtown Oaxaca Airport (OAX): $21
  • Private Transfer Airport Hotel in Oaxaca: $29
  • Oaxaca city: Roundtrip Private/Shared Airport Transfer: $29
  • From Oaxaca One way shared transfer to San Jose del Pacifico: $29
  • Oaxaca hotels to Oaxaca Airport(OAX) - Departure Private Transfer: $30
  • Oaxaca de Juárez to Oaxaca Airport (OAX) - Departure Transfer: $30
  • Private Transfer from Hotel to Oaxaca Airport: $35
  • Transfer from Oaxaca Airport to your accommodation: $43
  • Private transfer from Oaxaca Airport to Oaxaca City: $51
  • Oaxaca Airport (OAX) Private Transfer to Oaxaca City: $56

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Madryn

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Madryn:

  • Private Transfer to or from Puerto Madryn or Trelew Airport: $100
  • Trelew Airport Shuttle Transfer To Puerto Madryn: $49
  • Transfer Trelew Airport Puerto Madryn: $40
  • Puerto Madryn Airport PMY Private Transfer to Puerto Madryn City: $33
  • Transfer El Tehuelche Airport Puerto Madryn: $15

Is it cheaper to fly into Oaxaca de Juarez or Puerto Madryn?

Prices for flights to both Puerto Madryn 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 $24
    Puerto Madryn $7.49

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
  • Night Walk of Urban Legends ghosts and Dinner in Oaxaca: $45
  • 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
  • FOOD TOUR IN THE ABASTOS MARKET: $61
  • Oaxaca Hidden Street Food Tour Led by Local food experts: $63
  • Oaxaca: Evening Street Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $66
  • Oaxaca Streets Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $69
  • Oaxaca: Vegetarian Cooking Class: $70
  • Oaxacan Vegetarian Cooking Class: $71
  • Central Oaxaca Food Tour: $72

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Oaxaca de Juarez $13
    Puerto Madryn $44

Tours and Activities in Oaxaca de Juarez

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Oaxaca de Juarez.

  • Oaxaca: Colonial City Bus Tour: $5.81
  • Oaxaca City Tour: History, Markets, and Local Flavors: $7.82
  • Oaxaca: Legends Tour Mezcalbús: $8.71
  • Immerse Yourself in Oaxaca Guided Cultural Walking Tour: $14
  • Immerse Yourself in Oaxaca: Guided Cultural Walking Tour: $15
  • Free Tour Oaxaca Essential : History and Tips of a Local Guide: $18
  • Oaxaca Walking Tour: $20
  • Oaxaca Walking Tour: $20
  • Oaxaca: Monte Alban, Cuilapam, and Artisan Villages Tour: $21
  • Oaxaca Walking Tour: $22
  • Tour to Monte Alban, Black Mud, Waist Loom and Alebrijes: $22
  • Oaxaca: Oaxaca City Beyond the Surface Walking Tour: $23

Tours and Activities in Puerto Madryn

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Madryn are as follows:

  • 3 hour 4x4 tour around Puerto Madryn: $115
  • All Included Península Valdés Experience Shore Tour: $169
  • Bike Tour Whales in Playa Doradillo: $64
  • Bike Tour to El Doradillo: Whales from the Coast: $75
  • Cruise Passengers: Peninsula Valdés With Ticket Included: $170
  • Cruise Passengers: Puerto Madryn City Tour & Punta Loma: $115
  • Cruise Shore Exc. Ea San Lorenzo (Penguins) Box Lunch Incl.: $179
  • Cruise Shore Excursion Ea San Lorenzo Peninsula Valdes: $110
  • Cruise Shore Excursion Peninsula Valdes - Box Lunch Included: $105
  • Cruise Shore Excursion Peninsula Valdes Pto Madryn: $94
  • Cruise Shore Excursion Pta Tombo (Penguins): $115
  • Cruise Shore Excursion Puerto Madryn City Tour: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Oaxaca de Juarez $15
    Puerto Madryn $12

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
  • Oaxaca: Hierve el Agua & Mezcal Distillery Small-Group Tour: $70
  • Distillery Tour and Agave Fields by Mal de Amor Mezcal: $72
  • Oaxaca: Mezcal Distillery Tour with Tastings: $134
  • Mezcal Distillery Day Trip: $144
  • Artisanal Mezcal distillery in an authentic Zapotec village: $150


When comparing the travel costs between Oaxaca de Juarez and Puerto Madryn, we can see that Puerto Madryn is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Oaxaca de Juarez is in North America and Puerto Madryn is in South America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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 Madryn Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Oaxaca de Juarez or Puerto Madryn?

Oaxaca de Juarez has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Puerto Madryn. When comparing the sizes of Oaxaca de Juarez and Puerto Madryn, 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.