Which place is cheaper, Salta 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 Salta?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Salta? 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 Salta?
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.
Salta
Located in the heart of the famous Northwest region of Argentina, at 1200m of elevation and at the foot of the Cerro San Bernardo, Salta is the largest city of the region and perhaps the most beautiful colonial city of Argentina. Founded in 1582 by the Spanish, Salta was an important stop for merchants who followed the usual trade road through Bolivia and Peru. Argentines call this city nestled in the foothills of the Andes and surrounded by mountains, of just over half a million inhabitants, Salta La Linda (Salta the Beautiful) and it's easy to see why. Young and traditional at the same time, Salta and its renowned museums, plaza side cafes and live musica folklorica of its bustling penas, is a sophisticated and lively city day and night.
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 Wildlife Tours to Argentina, and The Best Eco Tours in Argentina.
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Oaxaca de Juarez Prices
Mexico PricesSalta Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOaxaca de Juarez $54Salta $44
The average daily cost (per person) in Oaxaca de Juarez is $54, while the average daily cost in Salta is $44. 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 Salta in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOaxaca de Juarez $19Salta $31
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOaxaca de Juarez $38Salta $62
Compare Hotels in Oaxaca de Juarez and Salta
Looking for a hotel in Oaxaca de Juarez or Salta? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Oaxaca de Juarez $12Salta $3.11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Oaxaca de Juarez
Also for Oaxaca de Juarez, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Xoxocotlan Airport: Private Transfer to Oaxaca City: $88
- Transfer Private Hotel to Oaxaca Airport: $21
- Transfer Oaxaca Centro Boerve del Agua: $30
- Shared Transfer from Downtown Oaxaca to the Airport: $7.89
- Secure Private Transfer : Downtown Oaxaca Airport (OAX): $20
- Private transfer from Oaxaca Airport to Oaxaca City: $50
- Private Transfer from your Hotel in Oaxaca to the Oaxaca Airport: $14
- Private Transfer from the Airport to your Hotel in Oaxaca: $70
- Private Transfer Airport Hotel in Oaxaca: $28
- Oaxaca hotels to Oaxaca Xoxocotlan Airport (OAX) - Departure Private Transfer: $29
- Oaxaca city: Roundtrip Private/Shared Airport Transfer: $29
- Oaxaca Airport: Private Transfer Service: $130
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salta
Also for Salta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Salta Airport to Cafayate: $190
- Cafayate Wine Tour with Tastings and Transfers: $180
- Saver Combo: Cafayate, Cachi, Salt Fields, Transfers and Walking: $179
- Combo: Cafayate, Cachi and Humahuaca, transfers and walking tour: $172
- Humahuaca, 7-color Hill & round trip transfers airport - hotel in Salta: $167
- Combo: Cafayate Tour + Cachi + Transfers + Free Walking Tour: $110
- Salta City Tour & Round Trip Transfers airport - hotel: $109
- From Salinas and Hornocal 2-Day Tour with Transfer: $99
- From Cafayate and Hornocal 2-Day Tour with Transfer: $88
- Salta Airport One-Way or Round-Trip Transfers: $60
- Private 1-Way or Round Trip SLA Airport Transfer: $37
- Private Transfer from Salta Airport: $20
Is it cheaper to fly into Oaxaca de Juarez or Salta?
Prices for flights to both Salta 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 $24Salta $5.37
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
- Private Oaxaca Street Food Tour - Best Rated: $35
- 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: Evening Street Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $66
- Oaxaca Streets Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $69
- Oaxacan Vegetarian Cooking Class: $69
- Oaxaca: Vegetarian Cooking Class: $70
- Bike Ride and Street Food Tour in Oaxaca: $70
- Oaxaca: 10 Mexican Salsas Cooking Class with Taco Tasting: $80
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Oaxaca de Juarez $12Salta $27
Tours and Activities in Oaxaca de Juarez
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Oaxaca de Juarez.
- “Las Nieves” Monte Albán, Arrazola, Cuilapam 6h Bike Tour: $128
- 3 Hour Oaxaca Private Tour, 100% customisable - Best Rated: $55
- 5 Hours Guided Day of The Dead Evening Walking Tour in Oaxaca: $109
- 8-Hour Monte Albán Tour from Oaxaca: $51
- Amazing Waterfall Adventure in the Sierra Madre Mountains: $80
- Among Flowers and Candles: A Tour of Oaxaca's Cemeteries: $86
- An adventure for the senses: Mezcal, fields and crafts.: $82
- Ancestral Mezcal Tour Experience-A pre Hispanic Heritage: $68
- Art Workshops and Chocolate Shops Tour in Oaxaca: $58
- Artisanal Mezcal Culture Tour for Tasting and History: $105
- Artisanal Mezcal Experience with Guided Tasting: $128
- Bicycle Tour through Oaxaca learning about its Urban Art and History: $34
Tours and Activities in Salta
For Salta, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2-Day Tour to Cachi and Los Cardones National Park: $57
- 3 Day Tour from Salta to Cachi, Humahuaca and Salinas Grandes: $92
- Adventure in the Great Salt Flats in the White Desert: $55
- Best of Guided City Tour: $51
- Cachi Full Day Tour with Los Cardones National Park: $42
- Cachi and Salinas Grandes: 2-Day Tour – Hills and Incredible Landscapes: $104
- Cachi: Scenic Route and Local Experience from Salta: $29
- Cafayate, Vineyards and Calchaquies Valleys Tour from Salta: $49
- City Tour Salta and San Lorenzo: $32
- City Tour Salta and San Lorenzo: $33
- Colorful mountains and endless salt: Salinas + Purmamarca tour: $33
- Exclusive day-long private tour of Cafayate vineyards: $279
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayOaxaca de Juarez $14Salta $5.46
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: $70
- Oaxaca: Mezcal Distillery Tour with Tastings: $134
- Mezcal Distillery Day Trip: $140
- Artisanal Mezcal distillery in an authentic Zapotec village: $150
Sample the Local Flavors in Salta
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Salta:
- Full-day Cafayate, Lerma Valley, and Wine Tasting from Salta: $29
- Cafayate: Full-day winery tour and wine tasting: $29
- From Full-Day Tour to Cafayate with Wine Tasting: $30
- From Cafayate Day Trip with Wine Tasting: $40
- Half Day Wine Tasting in Salta: $148
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Oaxaca de Juarez and Salta, we can see that Oaxaca de Juarez is more expensive. And not only is Salta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Oaxaca de Juarez is in North America and Salta is in South 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 Salta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Salta 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 Salta.
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 Salta Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Oaxaca de Juarez or Salta?
Salta has a larger population, and is about 95% larger than the population of Oaxaca de Juarez. When comparing the sizes of Oaxaca de Juarez and Salta, 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.