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

Should you visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Roatan?

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

Should I visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Roatan? 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 Roatan?

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.

Roatan

Your next great vacation lies just thirty miles off the north coast of Honduras. Right above the world's largest coral reef is the island of Roatan. As a popular tourist attraction and standard cruise destination, it's not uncommon to see tons of Americans during your trip. In fact, the cruising industry has had huge impact on the island's culture. While ships are in port, traffic will be heavier and prices may go up. Because of the growth of tourism, most locals speak both Spanish and English.

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 Honduras, and The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras.


Which place is cheaper, Roatan 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
    Roatan Prices
    Honduras Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Oaxaca de Juarez $54
    Roatan $42

The average daily cost (per person) in Oaxaca de Juarez is $54, while the average daily cost in Roatan is $42. 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 Roatan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Oaxaca de Juarez $19
    Roatan $10
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Oaxaca de Juarez $38
    Roatan $20
Compare Hotels in Oaxaca de Juarez and Roatan

Looking for a hotel in Oaxaca de Juarez or Roatan? 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 Roatan


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 Roatan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Oaxaca de Juarez $12
    Roatan $17

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: $7.98
  • Secure Private Transfer : Downtown Oaxaca Airport (OAX): $21
  • Transfer Private Hotel to Oaxaca Airport: $21
  • Oaxaca city: Roundtrip Private/Shared Airport Transfer: $27
  • Private Transfer Airport Hotel in Oaxaca: $28
  • From Oaxaca One way shared transfer to San Jose del Pacifico: $29
  • Oaxaca Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca de Juárez - Arrival Transfer: $30
  • Oaxaca hotels to Oaxaca Xoxocotlan Airport (OAX) - Departure Private Transfer: $30
  • Airport transfers Oaxaca and private services: $41
  • Private transfer from Oaxaca Airport to Oaxaca City: $50
  • Private Airport Transfer in Oaxaca Safe and Reliable Service: $53
  • Oaxaca Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $59

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Roatan

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Roatan are as follows:


  • Water Taxi
    $3.95

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Roatan

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Roatan:

  • Roatan Island Buggy Adventure plus Transfer: $217
  • Roatan Buggy Adventure, Monkey & Sloth Park, Beach Pass plus Private Transfer: $207
  • Roatan Buggy Adventure, Snorkeling, Beach Pass plus Private Transfer: $207
  • Private Transfer from Honduras Roatan Airport (RTB) to Roatan Hotels: $154
  • East Sightseeing, Mangrove Tunnel Snorkel, Hole in the Wall, with Transfer: $130
  • King Kong Extreme Zipline, Hiking, Beach Break plus Transfer Included: $130
  • King Kong Extreme Zipline, City Tour and Transfer: $130
  • Mahogany Bay Cruise Port to Roatan Island hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $123
  • South Side Horseback Riding, Beach Break & Roundway Transfer: $120
  • Honduras Roatan Airport (RTB) to Roatan -Round-Trip Transfer: $114
  • Roatan Private Transfers: Airport, Cruise Port or Hotel: $110
  • West Bay Aquarium Snorkeling, Chocolate & Rum Factory, City Tour plus Transfer: $99

Is it cheaper to fly into Oaxaca de Juarez or Roatan?

Prices for flights to both Roatan 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
    Roatan $15

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:

  • Food Tour at the Mercado de Abastos: $57
  • Taste Oaxaca Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
  • Electric Bike Food Tour in Oaxaca: $59
  • Tradicional Oaxacan Dinner on Agronomic Biodiversity_01: $60
  • Oaxaca: Vegetarian Cooking Class: $65
  • Oaxaca Streets Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $69
  • Oaxaca: Cooking Class with No Set Menu &Local Market Tour: $70
  • Oaxacan Vegetarian Cooking Class: $70
  • Bike Ride and Street Food Tour in Oaxaca: $71
  • Central Oaxaca Food Tour: $71
  • Flavors of Oaxaca: Cooking Class with No Set Menu and Local Market Tour: $75
  • Secret Food Tour: Oaxaca de Juárez: $75

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Roatan

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Roatan.

  • Catamaran Tiki Boat Sunset Snorkeling Dinner Cruise in Roatan: $125
  • Roatan Cooking Class and Cultural Experience: $125
  • Cooking classes from a Local!: $245

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Oaxaca de Juarez $12
    Roatan $25

Tours and Activities in Oaxaca de Juarez

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

  • Oaxaca Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self Guided Tour: $5.24
  • Oaxaca: Colonial City Bus Tour: $5.45
  • Oaxaca: Legends Tour Mezcalbús: $6.53
  • Oaxaca: Monte Alban, Cuilapam, and Artisan Villages Tour: $20
  • Oaxaca: Guided Bike Tour to the Largest Tree in the World: $20
  • First Day in Oaxaca – Guided Walking Tour: $21
  • Oaxaca: Oaxaca City Beyond the Surface Walking Tour: $22
  • Monte Alban Only - Half Day Guided Tour - Oaxaca: $24
  • Free Tour Oaxaca Essential : History and Tips of a Local Guide: $24
  • Private Half Day Teotitlan Del Valle Village Walking Tour: $25
  • Half Day Teotitlan Del Valle Village Shared Tour: $25
  • Walking tour Mercado de Abastos: $27

Tours and Activities in Roatan

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

  • 2 Hour Zip Lining Private Tour in Mahogany Bay: $65
  • 3-Hours Private Tour in Roatan with Pick Up: $66
  • 4 Hours Private Tour with Snorkel Experience in Roatan: $50
  • ATV Adventure , Zip Line , Horseback Ride Combo Tour: $175
  • Adventures of Roatan ATV Pineapple beach break: $120
  • Atv Island Tour: $140
  • Catamaran Cruise, Open Bar, Food and Snorkeling: $165
  • Cruise Excursion – 2 Scuba Dives with transport (for certified divers): $185
  • Cruise Friendly Sloths, Monkeys JungleZipline Adventure in Roatán: $125
  • Cruise Passenger Beach Express: $25
  • Cruise Ship Family Chocolate Factory, Sloths & Monkeys, Beach, Transportation: $70
  • Custom Sightseeing and Beach Tour: $59

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Oaxaca de Juarez $14
    Roatan $6.56

Sample the Local Flavors in Oaxaca de Juarez

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Oaxaca de Juarez:

  • Oaxaca Pub Crawl with Mezcal Shots and Live Music: $18
  • Oaxaca Pub Crawl: $19
  • Puerto Escondido Pub Crawl: $21
  • Check out Hierve el Agua, Mitla, the Tule Tree, Rugs, and a Mezcal Distillery Tour: $49
  • From Hierve el Agua and Mezcal Distillery: $54
  • Hierve el Agua, Tule Tree, Mitla and Mezcal Distillery Tour: $55
  • Hierve el Agua and Distillery of Mezcal Tour: $60
  • Hierve el Agua and distillery of mezcal tour: $60
  • Distillery Tour and Agave Fields by Mal de Amor Mezcal: $71
  • Personalized Tour to Hierve el Agua and Mezcal Distillery: $106
  • Oaxaca: Mezcal Distillery Tour with Tastings: $125
  • Mezcal Distillery Day Trip: $142

Sample the Local Flavors in Roatan

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Roatan:

  • Half-Day Tour in Roatan With Brewery, Rum and Chocolate Factories visit: $46
  • Bar Crawl Tour in West End Village by Pedibike- Let the Good Times Roll: $80


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Oaxaca de Juarez and Roatan, we can see that Oaxaca de Juarez is more expensive. And not only is Roatan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Oaxaca de Juarez is in North America and Roatan 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 Roatan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Roatan 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 Roatan.

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 Roatan Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Oaxaca de Juarez or Roatan?

Oaxaca de Juarez has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Roatan. When comparing the sizes of Oaxaca de Juarez and Roatan, 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.