Which place is cheaper, Santa Marta 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.
Jump to 
Should you visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Santa Marta?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Santa Marta? 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 Santa Marta?
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.
Santa Marta
Santa Marta is a city in the Magdalena Department of Colombia's Costa Norte. Over the last decade, security has steadily been replacing the shadow of the Colombia's violent past. One destination in Colombia's northeast region is now attracting more international visitors: the coastal Caribbean area of Santa Marta. Established in 1525 by the Spanish as a base of conquest, Santa Marta sits at the foot of the world's highest coastal mountain range, the towering Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. It is South America's oldest European-founded town and the second most important colonial city on Colombia's Caribbean coast. While many travelers complain about Santa Marta's horrible traffic and unsightly urban sprawl, the city holds a numerous amounts of great hotels, bars and restaurants and holds a few fantastic destinations nearby to which you can go during the daytime.
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 Eco Tours in Colombia, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Colombia.
-
Oaxaca de Juarez Prices
Mexico PricesSanta Marta Prices
Colombia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOaxaca de Juarez $51Santa Marta $39
The average daily cost (per person) in Oaxaca de Juarez is $51, while the average daily cost in Santa Marta is $39. 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 Santa Marta in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOaxaca de Juarez $18Santa Marta $14
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOaxaca de Juarez $36Santa Marta $28
Compare Hotels in Oaxaca de Juarez and Santa Marta
Looking for a hotel in Oaxaca de Juarez or Santa Marta? 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 Santa Marta Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Oaxaca de Juarez $12Santa Marta $5.15
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: $82
- Visit Puerto Escondido: Private Transfer from Oaxaca: $588
- Transfer Hotel to Oaxaca Airport private service: $26
- Taxi Transfer from Downtown Oaxaca to the Airport: $20
- Shared Departure Transfer: Hotels to Oaxaca Airport: $46
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Oaxaca Airport (OAX) : $43
- Private and safe transfer from the airport to the hotel in Oaxaca: $60
- Private Transfer to Oaxaca Airport (OAX): $22
- Private Transfer from the Airport to your Hotel/house .: $89
- Private Transfer from the Airport to your Hotel in Oaxaca : $67
- Private Transfer Airport Hotel in Oaxaca: $34
- Private Luxury Transfer from the Oaxaca Airport to your Hotel: $75
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santa Marta
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santa Marta:
-
Gas$5.12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Marta
Also for Santa Marta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Exclusive transfer Santa Marta - Cartagena: $229
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta Port to Cartagena Airport (CTG): $220
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta Cruise Port to Cartagena hotels: $220
- Calderon Beach Club Day Pass with Lunch & Transfer: $194
- Cartagena to or from Santa Marta Private Transfer: $159
- Santa Marta to or from Cartagena Private Transfer: $149
- Private transfer between Santa Marta and Barranquilla (or viceversa): $130
- Private Transfer Santa Marta to Palomino (or vice versa): $117
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta Airport SMR to Santa Marta Port: $72
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta city to Santa Marta Cruise Port: $72
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta Port to Santa Marta Airport SMR: $72
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta Cruise Port to Santa Marta city: $72
Is it cheaper to fly into Oaxaca de Juarez or Santa Marta?
Prices for flights to both Santa Marta 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 dayOaxaca de Juarez $22Santa Marta $17
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:
- Private Oaxaca Street Food Tour - Best Rated : $35
- Central Oaxaca Food Tour: $55
- Food Tour at the Mercado de Abastos: $57
- Tradicional Oaxacan Dinner on Agronomic Biodiversity_01: $60
- Oaxaca: Vegetarian Cooking Class: $65
- Oaxacan Vegetarian Cooking Class: $66
- Oaxaca: Cooking Class with No Set Menu &Local Market Tour: $70
- Flavors of Oaxaca: Cooking Class with No Set Menu and Local Market Tour: $75
- Secret Food Tour: Oaxaca de Juárez: $75
- Oaxaca Central de Abastos Market Food Tour : $78
- Oaxaca: 10 Mexican Salsas Cooking Class with Taco Tasting: $80
- 10 Mexican salsas, enjoy cooking and tasting them in Oaxaca: $80
Typical Food Prices in Santa Marta
For Santa Marta, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Breakfast$3.07
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santa Marta
For Santa Marta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Santa Marta Walking Food Tour: $40
- Food Tour in Santa Marta Old City Half-Day : $66
- Food Tour in Santa Marta Old City: $76
- Private Santa Marta City & Food Tour: $86
- Flavors of Colombia - Santa Marta Street Food Tour: $93
- Santa Marta Street Food Tour: $93
- Fast Food Tour In Santa Marta More Than Just Food: $120
- Upscale Food Tour in A Culinary Journey: $155
- Fast Food Tour with Local Guide: $155
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Oaxaca de Juarez $12Santa Marta $13
Tours and Activities in Oaxaca de Juarez
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Oaxaca de Juarez.
- Shared Santa Maria Del Tule Bike Tour: $45
- “Las Nieves” Monte Albán, Arrazola, Cuilapam 6h Bike Tour: $120
- 3 Hour Oaxaca Private Tour, 100% customisable - Best Rated : $45
- 5 Hours Guided Day of The Dead Evening Walking Tour in Oaxaca: $109
- 7 Hrs Guided Day of the Dead Crafts & Gastronomy Tour from Oaxaca: $199
- Agave Adventures Mexico: $94
- Amazing Hierve el Agua Private Tour: $287
- Amazing Monte Alban and City tour Private Tour: $200
- Ancestral Mezcal Experience + ceramics + Alebrijes + Market: $199
- Ancestral Mezcal Tour Experience A pre Hispanic Heritage: $65
- Apoala Magic Waterfalls Hike and Swim Adventure: $123
- Archaeological sites Tour and Red Pottery in Tlacolula : $170
Tours and Activities in Santa Marta
For Santa Marta, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Tayrona Playa Cristal 7 Waves Neguanje Park Tour: $47
- "Gabo Márquez" Tour - Aracataca and Cienaga: $205
- 2 Day Minca Tour with Bird Watching: $95
- 2 days 1 night tour - in Trompito, I meet indigenous community Kogui Uldezhaxa.: $208
- 2-Day Cultural Tour to Gotsezhy from Santa Marta: $198
- 3-Day Private Tour of Taorayiná Ecolodge and Nature Reserve: $200
- A Pearl In The Caribbean-walking tour in English: $16
- Adventures in Santa Marta private beaches by Paddle or kayak: $52
- Al Tayrona yacht experience: $60
- Ancestral Thought Tour: $180
- Ancestral Thought Tour (Indigenous life in Kogui people) Santa Marta: $220
- Authentic experience with the Sewiaxa Kogui community and the River 1 day.: $137
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayOaxaca de Juarez $13Santa Marta $6.55
Sample the Local Flavors in Oaxaca de Juarez
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Oaxaca de Juarez:
- Oaxaca Pub Crawl: $17
- Oaxaca Pub Crawl with Mezcal Shots and Live Music: $18
- Check out Hierve el Agua, Mitla, the Tule Tree, Rugs, and a Mezcal Distillery Tour: $49
- Hierve el Agua, Tule Tree, Mitla and Mezcal Distillery Tour: $50
- From Hierve el Agua and Mezcal Distillery: $54
- Only Hierve el Agua and Mezcal Distillery tour: $55
- Only Hierve el Agua and Mezcal Distillery Tour: $55
- Personalized Tour to Hierve el Agua and Mezcal Distillery: $101
- Oaxaca: Mezcal Distillery Tour with Tastings: $125
- Mezcal Distillery Day Trip: $134
- Artisanal Mezcal distillery in an authentic Zapotec village : $150
- Oaxaca: Hierve el Agua, Mezcal Distillery, and Lunch Tour: $272
Typical Alcohol Prices in Santa Marta
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Santa Marta from other travelers:
-
Beer$0.56
-
Beer$2.30
Sample the Local Flavors in Santa Marta
Also in Santa Marta, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Thursday Night Bar Crawl in Santa Marta, Colombia: $24
- Saturday Night Bar Crawl in Santa Marta, Colombia: $25
- Bar Crawl In Santa Marta: $125
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Oaxaca de Juarez and Santa Marta, we can see that Oaxaca de Juarez is more expensive. And not only is Santa Marta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Oaxaca de Juarez is in North America and Santa Marta 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 Santa Marta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santa Marta 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 Santa Marta.
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 Santa Marta Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Oaxaca de Juarez or Santa Marta?
Santa Marta has a larger population, and is about 64% larger than the population of Oaxaca de Juarez. When comparing the sizes of Oaxaca de Juarez and Santa Marta, 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.