Which place is cheaper, Salento 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 Salento?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Salento? 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 Salento?
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.
Salento
Founded in 1850, Salento is one of the oldest towns in Quindio. This colonial Colombian town has retained much of its old world charm, with its colorful buildings, large square and, of course, the obligatory church. Because the main route between Cali and Bogota which used to pass through Salento was diverted, the town didn't develop as quickly as others in the Quindio region. This gave Salento the opportunity to evolve into a thriving community of craftsmen and artisans as well as remaining one of the region's most prolific coffee producers. Salento is located 24 km northeast of the departmental capital Armenia. However, unlike its colorful neighbor, Armenia itself has very little to offer tourists. Salento attracts those wishing to learn about the coffee regions and for those who simply admire breathtaking scenery, and especially the stunning Cocora Valley.
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, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Colombia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia.
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Oaxaca de Juarez Prices
Mexico PricesSalento Prices
Colombia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOaxaca de Juarez $52Salento $46
The average daily cost (per person) in Oaxaca de Juarez is $52, while the average daily cost in Salento is $46. 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 Salento in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOaxaca de Juarez $18Salento $13
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOaxaca de Juarez $36Salento $26
Compare Hotels in Oaxaca de Juarez and Salento
Looking for a hotel in Oaxaca de Juarez or Salento? 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 Salento Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Oaxaca de Juarez $12Salento $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: $7.52
- Private Transfer from your Hotel in Oaxaca to the Oaxaca Airport: $13
- Transfer Private Hotel to Oaxaca Airport: $21
- Safe Private Transfer: Oaxaca City Center to the Airport (OAX): $21
- Private Transfer Airport Hotel in Oaxaca: $26
- Oaxaca Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca de Juárez - Arrival Transfer: $29
- Oaxaca hotels to Oaxaca Airport(OAX) - Departure Private Transfer: $29
- Oaxaca de Juárez to Oaxaca Airport (OAX) - Departure Transfer: $29
- Oaxaca city: Roundtrip Private/Shared Airport Transfer: $29
- From Oaxaca One way shared transfer to San Jose del Pacifico: $29
- Private Transfer from Hotel to Oaxaca Airport: $36
- Airport transfers Oaxaca and private services: $39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salento
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salento:
- Private Pereira Airport Transfer: To/From Salento: $109
Is it cheaper to fly into Oaxaca de Juarez or Salento?
Prices for flights to both Salento 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 $23Salento $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:
- Taste Tequila and Mezcal and enjoy a Traditional Dinner: $17
- Oaxaca: Walking Traditional Food Tour with Ancestral Drinks: $26
- Night Walk of Urban Legends ghosts and Dinner in Oaxaca: $42
- 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: $64
- Oaxaca: Evening Street Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $66
- Oaxacan Vegetarian Cooking Class: $66
- Oaxaca Streets Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $69
- Oaxaca: Vegetarian Cooking Class: $70
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Salento
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Salento.
- Cooking Stories - Cocinando Historias: $46
- Cooking Classes Food and Cocktail Tasting: $88
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Oaxaca de Juarez $12Salento $14
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
- First Day in Oaxaca – Guided Walking Tour: $22
- The Treasure of Monte Albán tour to the Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca.: $22
- Tour to Monte Albán Alebrijes and Black Pottery from Oaxaca: $22
- Monte Alban Half Day Guided Tour: $22
- Oaxaca: Oaxaca City Beyond the Surface Walking Tour: $23
Tours and Activities in Salento
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Salento are as follows:
- Book a Private Tourist Guide through the Coffee Region: $158
- CANNABIS EXPERIENCE: $69
- Carbonera Valley Salento Local Farm & Hiking Experience: $110
- Cocoa and Coffee Farm Tours from Pereira or Armenia: $211
- Cocora Valley Highlights: Horseback Riding, Hiking, & Coffee Farm Experience: $245
- Cocora Valley and Premium Sightseeing Tour with Transportation and Entrance Fees: $60
- Cocora Valley, Coffee Farm, and Salento Tour: $335
- Cocora, Salento and Filandia Tour: $150
- Coffee Cupping Experience: Taste Coffee Like a Professional in Salento: $52
- Coffee Farm Experience & Filandia Cultural Tour from Salento: $230
- Coffee Farm Tour at Finca El Ocaso from Salento: $93
- Coffee Farm and Salento Walking Tour: $88
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayOaxaca de Juarez $14Salento $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Oaxaca de Juarez
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Oaxaca de Juarez:
- Oaxaca Pub Crawl: $18
- Oaxaca Pub Crawl with Shots and Party Games: $19
- Puerto Escondido Pub Crawl: $20
- Oaxaca: Sustainable Mezcal Tour at an Award-Winning Family Distillery: $24
- Breakfast in Tlacolula; Ancestral and industrial mezcal distillery: $55
- Hierve el Agua, Mitla, El Tule Tree, Rugs, Mezcal Distillery Tour: $58
- Hierve el Agua, Tule Tree, Mitla and Mezcal Distillery Tour: $60
- Hierve el Agua and Distillery of Mezcal Tour: $65
- Oaxaca: Hierve el Agua & Mezcal Distillery Small-Group Tour: $70
- Personalized Tour to Hierve el Agua and Mezcal Distillery: $100
- Oaxaca: Mezcal Distillery Tour with Tastings: $134
- Mezcal Distillery Day Trip: $134
When comparing the travel costs between Oaxaca de Juarez and Salento, we can see that Oaxaca de Juarez 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 Salento 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 Salento Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Oaxaca de Juarez or Salento?
Oaxaca de Juarez has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Salento. When comparing the sizes of Oaxaca de Juarez and Salento, 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.